From Steven Seagal to Arnold Schwarzenegger, these are the best action stars of the '90s.
No decade was as game-changing for the action genre quite like the 1990s. With such monster hits as Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Matrix, action films steadily became more recognized as high-quality cinematic achievements rather than mindless fun. This decade saw many box office and critical successes that were just as likely to win an Academy Award as they were to put audiences in theater seats.
9 Jean-Claude Van Damme Belgium-born martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme has a laundry list of highly entertaining action films that showcase his impressive acrobatic and fighting skills. Usually playing fearless tough guys or competent fighters, his characters always win the day against criminals or evildoers without even breaking a sweat.
The action-spy genre has seen much success and popularity in recent years thanks to Cruise and his ability to bring cool and confidence to the role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Moviegoers in 1996 were treated to this exciting and iconic performance that helped secure Cruise's A-List stardom and popularity that continues to grow well into the modern film era.
Though he made many great films in the '80s with Police Story and Armour of God, the '90s saw his popularity skyrocket with The Legend of Drunken Master and Rush Hour. The latter film saw Chan alongside comedy legend Chris Tucker in a successful franchise that boosted his status into international stardom.
4 Will Smith Will Smith was truly at the height of his powers in the 1990s. With a successful rapping career and a memorable role on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he proved he could take on leading man responsibilities and shine in big-budget Hollywood blockbusters.Independence Day and Men in Black would become the highest-grossing films of their respective years, proving that Smith was the right man to take on the role of a likable action star.
2 Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves made a name for himself with his early hits in the genre, such as his exciting leading roles in Point Break and Speed. However, the turn of the century took his career to new heights with his iconic role as the heroic chosen one, Neo, in the Wachowskis' The Matrix trilogy.
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