Al Capone is one of the most infamous figures in American history. A ruthless gangster who ruled the Chicago underworld in the 1920s, Capone has been depicted in numerous films and television shows over the years.
Many actors have taken on the role of Capone, each bringing their own unique interpretation to the character. Some, like Rod Steiger in Al Capone (1959) and Ben Gazzara in Capone (1975), have played the part with a sense of gravitas, portraying Capone as a calculating and ruthless crime boss. Others, like Robert De Niro in The Untouchables (1987) and Tom Hardy in Capone (2020), have opted for a more over-the-top approach, depicting the gangster as a larger-than-life figure.
Regardless of the approach, all the actors who have played Al Capone have left a lasting impression on the character and added to his enduring legacy in popular culture.
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12 Robert De Niro - The Untouchables (1987)
Paramount Pictures
In The Untouchables, Robert De Niro plays Al Capone, the ruthless and powerful gangster who runs the city of Chicago during the Prohibition era. Capone’s empire is built on bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution, and he will stop at nothing to maintain his power and eliminate his enemies. De Niro’s portrayal of Capone is chilling and memorable, capturing the character’s raw power and cunning.
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His performance was praised for its depth and authenticity, and is considered one of the best of his career, and the film remains a classic in the gangster genre. The Untouchables, pitting good against evil in a high-stakes battle for control of the city, received an IMDB rating of 7.8, an approval rating of 82% from Rotten Tomatoes film critics and an 89% audience score.
11 Tom Hardy - Capone (2020)
Bron Studios
In Capone, Tom Hardy stars as the notorious gangster Al Capone at the end of his life. After being imprisoned for tax evasion, Capone is released from prison due to his failing health. As he struggles with dementia, the former crime boss is haunted by his violent past and becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic. Tom Hardy received generally positive reviews for his portrayal of Al Capone in the film.
Critics praised Hardy’s dedication to the role and his ability to convey the physical and mental decline of the character. The film itself received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique approach to the gangster genre and others criticizing its slow pace and unfocused narrative. This was perhaps the reason for its poor reception and rating.
10 Rod Steiger - Al Capone (1959)
Allied Artists
Al Capone is a biographical crime film released in 1959, starring Rod Steiger as the infamous gangster Al Capone. Set in the 1920s and 1930s, the film follows the rise and fall of Capone, who ruled over the Chicago underworld with an iron fist. The film portrays Capone as a ruthless and cunning criminal, who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals and maintain his power.
Rod Steiger’s portrayal of Al Capone in the 1959 film was highly praised by critics. His performance was described as “powerful” and “intense,” and he received a Laurel Award for Best Male Dramatic Performance nomination. Many reviewers felt that Steiger’s performance captured the essence of Capone and helped to bring the character to life on the screen.
RELATED: The Best Movies About Al Capone, Ranked
9 Stephen Graham - Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)
HBO
Stephen Graham stars as Al Capone in the hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014). Set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, the show follows the life of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi), a corrupt politician who controls the city’s illegal liquor trade. As Thompson navigates the cutthroat world of organized crime, he must constantly fend off challenges from rivals such as Capone, a rising young gangster determined to take over the city.
Graham’s portrayal of Capone is intense and charismatic, making him a standout in an already stellar cast. With its lavish production values and compelling storyline, Boardwalk Empire has won numerous awards and accolades over its five-season run.
8 Neville Brand - The Untouchables (1959-1963)
Desilu Productions
The Untouchables (1959-1963) followed the story of Elliot Ness, a federal agent tasked with taking down the notorious gangster Al Capone during the Prohibition era. Neville Brand played the role of Capone and gave a powerful performance that brought the character to life. His portrayal of the ruthless crime boss was both chilling and captivating, and he quickly became one of the most memorable characters on the show.
The series was a hit with audiences and helped to solidify Brand’s reputation as a talented actor. Despite its success, The Untouchables only ran for four seasons before coming to an end. However, it remains an iconic and influential piece of television history that continues to be enjoyed by fans today. Neville Brand later reprised his role as Al Capone in the film The George Raft Story (1961), where he only made a brief appearance.
7 William Forsythe - The Untouchables (1993-1994)
Paramount Television
William Forsythe is an American actor who is well-known for his portrayals of tough, criminal characters. He even received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in the film The Waterdance (1992). In the reprised series, The Untouchables (1993-1994), William Forsythe plays Al Capone. The series was just a short-lived revival of the classic 1959-1963 series, and was actually based on the 1959 classic series and the 1987 film.
6 Ray Sharkey - The Revenge of Al Capone (1989)
River City Productions Inc.
In The Revenge of Al Capone, a.k.a. Capone Behind Bars or Capone, Ray Sharkey plays the infamous gangster who, despite being behind bars, continues to pull the strings of his criminal enterprise. As the film begins, Capone is focused on one goal: getting revenge on the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, who he holds responsible for his imprisonment. With Sharkey delivering a commanding performance as the ruthless Capone, The Revenge of Al Capone is a thrilling tale of power, corruption, and the lengths one man will go to get what he wants.
RELATED: 11 All-Time Classics Filmed in Chicago
5 Ben Gazzara - Capone (1975)
Santa Fe Productions
Ben Gazzara perhaps gained popularity after his role in the TV show Run for Your Life (1965-1968), where he played a character who is terminally ill and tries to make the most of the remaining time he has left. He was even nominated for two Emmy and three Golden Globe Awards. He later starred as the infamous American gangster, Al Capone in the 1975 biographical crime film Capone.
The film follows Capone’s rise to power in the 1920s as the leader of the Chicago Outfit, and his eventual downfall in the 1930s as a result of his criminal activities. Gazzara delivered a captivating and intense performance as the ruthless and cunning Capone, capturing the character’s charm and violence.
It also featured supporting performances from Harry Guardino and Susan Blakely. Capone offers a gripping and authentic portrayal of one of the most notorious figures in American history.
4 Paul Lambert - Playhouse 90 (1956-1960)
CBS Productions
Playhouse 90 is an anthology series, featuring a different story and cast each week, making it the perfect showcase for some of the most talented writers, directors, and actors of the time. The series was known for its high-quality dramas, which often tackled controversial and thought-provoking subjects. Each episode of Playhouse 90 was a self-contained story, but some of the recurring themes include the Cold War, the space race, and the changing social norms of the 1950s.
Paul Lambert plays Al Capone in the episode, “Seven Against the Wall,” scripted by Howard Browne. His teleplay was later reworked into the screenplay for The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), with three actors in the Playhouse 90 reprising their roles: Milton Frome, Celia Lovsky, and Frank Silvera.
3 Jason Robards - The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967)
Los Altos Productions
Jason Robards is perhaps best known for his work in interpreting the plays of Eugene O’Neill. He is also known for winning two Academy Awards for his performances in All the President’s Men (1976) and Julia (1977). In 1967, he played the role of the notorious gangster Al Capone in the film The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The film is a dramatic retelling of the events leading up to the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929, in which seven members of a rival gang were brutally murdered in Chicago.
Despite director Roger Corman being criticized for casting the Triple Crown of Acting achiever, Robards delivers a powerful and convincing performance as Capone, a man who ruled the streets with an iron fist and was feared by all. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and murder that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
RELATED: These Are Some of the Best Mafia and Gangster Movies Ever Made
2 Milo Gibson - Gangster Land (2017)
Status Media & Entertainment
The Australian actor Milo Gibson is perhaps best known for being Mel Gibon’s son and his role in the movies Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and All the Devil’s Men (2018). In 2017, he starred in Gangster Land as the notorious gangster, Al Capone. The crime drama film tells the story of Al Capone’s rise to power in the Chicago underworld. Alongside Capone is Jack McGurn, a successful amateur boxer who joins the Italian Mafia after the murder of his father. The two men rise through the ranks of the organization together, but as tensions between the Italian Mafia and Irish mafia reach a boiling point, a fierce battle for criminal supremacy ensues. This ultimately leads to the infamous Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, a pivotal moment in the history of organized crime in Chicago.
1 Michael Kotsohilis - The Making of the Mob: Chicago (2016)
AMC Studios
The Making of the Mob: Chicago, the second season of The Making of the Mob (2015), is a thrilling and action-packed miniseries that delves into the world of one of America’s most notorious gangsters, Al Capone. Michael Kotsohilis, who is actually best known for his role in the miniseries The Making of the Mob: Chicago, portrays the character of Al Capone and his performance is nothing short of outstanding.
The miniseries charts Capone’s rise to power in the Chicago Mafia, from his early days as a street-level thug to his eventual reign as one of the most feared and powerful criminals in American history.
