The concept of a 'Hollywood star' is becoming less and less important in today's cinematic climate, but there's no denying that many still exist. For proof, look no further than Top Gun: Maverick's recent surpassing of yet another box office milestone, propelled by Tom Cruise's returning star power.

It's irrefutable that certain actors just bring success and popularity to all of their projects, making them some of the most sought-after names in the industry - and many of these actors have been around for a long time. Reddit shares its thoughts on those with the longest and most prosperous careers.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood was first praised for his innovative work within the Western genre, but his most recent projects have been much more varied in their genres and styles. He's also found great success as a director, with his popular film Million Dollar Baby even winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Eastwood doesn't act as much anymore, but his career has been one of the longest in Hollywood history - with his debut feature being released in 1955. Redditor theg721 writes about the "particularly successful films" that Eastwood has always starred in, making him one of the industry's greatest talents.

Meryl Streep

Often cited as the most acclaimed actress in the business, Meryl Streep has also been one of the busiest for several decades now. Even now, she continues to provide thrilling work that keeps her in the public eye and shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Reddit user karma_the_sequel points out that two of Streep's famous films, "The Deer Hunter and Holocaust were both [released in] 1978," which means that her career has spanned over six decades so far. Few other Hollywood stars could even dream of such a long and prosperous career.

Nicolas Cage

Throughout his career, Nicolas Cage has spoken some of the most iconic and memorable movie quotes ever written, which has consistently maintained his status as one of the most entertaining actors working today. He has an extremely unique acting style, but that just makes him even more fun to watch.

Reddit user theg721 claims that "[Cage] has been in plenty of decently successful films for just as long [as many other stars]." His first role was in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982, which quickly turned him into one of the funniest and most watchable actors of his generation.

Denzel Washington

In response to being asked about the best long-running Hollywood stars, Reddit user mahomeboi1595 simply replied: "Denzel." It seems like an obvious answer, but Denzel Washington is one of the most popular (and also acclaimed) actors of his generation, with a career that began over 40 years ago.

The secret to Washington's long-running success is that he chooses his projects carefully - he's not the kind of actor that will take up any role thrown his way, which has led to one of the most high-quality filmographies of all time. There's hardly a single bad film in his entire resume, which isn't something that's easily achieved.

Sandra Bullock

There was a time when Sandra Bullock was considered the most popular actress in the business, and whilst her popularity isn't quite as overwhelming as it once was, there's still an argument to be made that she remains one of Hollywood's biggest draws. Her latest movie The Lost City was a box office hit, so her face is clearly still getting audiences in seats.

Sandra Bullock is best known for her iconic '90s rom-com roles, but the actress' career actually began several years before the '90s even began. She's been consistently churning out movies ever since, with one of the best commercial track records of any working actress. Reddit user radar89 also notes that most of her successes come from "original titles," which is becoming less and less common.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford made his feature film debut in 1973 with George Lucas' American Graffiti, which soon propelled his career into superstardom. Francis Ford Coppola's involvement in the film meant that Ford was later cast in films such as The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, and his friendship with Lucas landed him the role of Han Solo in Star Wars.

Reddit user bobbybittmanjr describes Harrison Ford as "one of the biggest draws in the history of film in his prime," which is a fair assessment when you consider just how many popular films Ford actually starred in. He has one of the most extensive filmographies ever and somehow continues to make plenty of movies today.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts was one of the most popular actresses of the 2000s, but her career actually stretches all the way back to 1987, when the actress starred in a direct-to-video feature called Firehouse. Since then, Roberts has developed a name for herself as one of Hollywood's most charming and charismatic leading ladies.

Redditor katy405 names "Julia Roberts" as one of the Hollywood stars with the longest careers. Her work has spanned five different decades, and she doesn't even seem to be slowing down any time soon - Roberts continues to star in both TV and film, even producing many of her own projects.

Tom Cruise

Since his acting debut in 1981, Tom Cruise has worked alongside several popular directors and starred in plenty of popular movies that have made him one of the most beloved actors in all of Hollywood. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also has the charm and charisma necessary to shine in the spotlight.

Reddit user georgewalterackerman calls Cruise a "massive draw" through several different decades, including even today. His role in Top Gun: Maverick was a talking point around the world for several months, proving just how strong of a hold Cruise still has over the film industry.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman's career began a whole 58 years ago now, with a selection of uncredited roles in popular movies throughout the 1960s. Since then, he's been consistently making a name for himself as one of the industry's most talented actors and an all-around likable person.

Reddit user obfusc8er cites "Morgan Freeman['s]" career as one of the most impressive of all time, and not just because it's one of the longest. The actor has always valued quality over quantity, ensuring to select his projects carefully and often trying out a wide range of different genres.

Tom Hanks

Hollywood legend Tom Hanks' career began over 40 years ago in a small horror flick titled He Knows You're Alone, and the actor has been consistently gathering popularity and awards ever since. He's often cited as the greatest actor of all time, thanks to his many outstanding performances and dedication to his craft.

One Reddit user notes that "Tom Hanks has had at least a few major movies in every decade that he's been around for." His career has spanned five different decades, and once again, he shows no signs of stopping any time soon. He's still landing huge roles in popular projects, most recently in Baz Luhrmann's stylish Elvis biopic.

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