24 Legendary Actors You Forgot Starred in Westerns

24 Legendary Actors You Forgot Starred in Westerns

When you think of Westerns, names like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne probably gallop into your mind first. But some of Hollywood’s most iconic stars—known for their work in dramas, comedies, thrillers, and romances—once strapped on spurs and saddled up for the frontier. Whether it was early in their careers, a rare genre experiment, or a surprising turn late in life, these actors all took a swing at the dusty, lawless world of Westerns. Some roles you may have vaguely remembered, others will truly make you do a double-take. Let’s ride into the past and rediscover 24 legendary actors who once wore cowboy boots on screen.

1. Paul Newman – Hombre (1967)

Though celebrated for his work in classics like The Sting and Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman delivered one of his most understated performances in Hombre. The film tells the story of a white man raised by Native Americans, confronting racism and greed in the Old West.

Newman’s quiet intensity and sharp moral compass made his character, John Russell, stand out in a genre dominated by louder heroes. Hombre remains a compelling Western with a modern edge, and it’s a shame more fans don’t associate the blue-eyed legend with this gritty, thoughtful tale of survival and justice.

2. Audrey Hepburn – The Unforgiven (1960)

Best known for elegance in roles like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn took a dramatic turn in The Unforgiven, a Western that tackled prejudice and identity on the frontier. Playing Rachel Zachary, she discovers her adoptive white family may be hiding a secret about her heritage.

Hepburn’s performance adds emotional weight to a film that grapples with race in a way rare for its time. It’s a fascinating entry in her filmography, revealing a depth that goes beyond her typical urban sophistication. While not her most famous role, it’s certainly one of her most daring and complex.

3. Rock Hudson – Winchester ’73 (1950)

Before he became a romantic leading man of the ’50s and ’60s, Rock Hudson made his film debut in this classic Western starring James Stewart. Though his role was small, it marked the beginning of a long and varied Hollywood career.

In Winchester ’73, Hudson plays a Native American warrior—an unfortunate casting choice by today’s standards, but common in the era. What’s most notable is how this role contrasts with his later image as the suave, charming gentleman. This early performance proved Hudson could hold his own in a genre known for rugged masculinity and physicality

4. Jack Nicholson – The Missouri Breaks (1976)

Long before he became synonymous with unhinged charisma in films like The Shining, Jack Nicholson ventured into Western territory with The Missouri Breaks. He stars opposite Marlon Brando in a story about rustling, revenge, and psychological warfare.

Nicholson’s character, a rebellious cattle thief, plays it relatively straight compared to Brando’s bizarre, scene-stealing bounty hunter. The film is uneven, but Nicholson’s grounded performance gives it balance. It’s a fascinating chapter in his career, showing he could bring depth and intensity to the Western genre without relying on his more manic trademarks.

5. Shirley MacLaine – Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)

She may be remembered for her sharp wit and dramatic flair, but Shirley MacLaine once rode shotgun with Clint Eastwood in this Western with a twist. In Two Mules for Sister Sara, she plays a feisty woman disguised as a nun with secrets of her own.

MacLaine’s character is anything but a damsel in distress. Her chemistry with Eastwood turns the film into a playful yet tense ride through the Mexican Revolution. It’s a genre-defying performance that proves she could hold her own in a dusty shootout just as easily as on a Broadway stage.

6. Burt Reynolds – Navajo Joe (1966)

Long before his mustached swagger made him a household name, Burt Reynolds starred in this Italian spaghetti Western as a Native American out for revenge. Navajo Joe is a gritty, low-budget film that gave Reynolds his first taste of leading-man status.

Although the movie received mixed reviews, it demonstrated Reynolds’ physical presence and ability to carry an action-heavy role. He later admitted the film wasn’t great, but it helped shape his on-screen persona. It’s an early and often forgotten moment that shows even Reynolds had to get through the mud before striking Hollywood gold.

7. Liam Neeson – Seraphim Falls (2006)

Action-thriller fans may associate Liam Neeson with fast punches and gruff speeches, but he also starred in the slow-burning revenge Western Seraphim Falls. Set just after the Civil War, the film pits his character against Pierce Brosnan’s in a cat-and-mouse chase through unforgiving terrain.

Neeson plays Colonel Carver, a man driven by loss and vengeance. His performance is brooding, subtle, and deeply human. The film’s themes of redemption and futility feel weightier thanks to Neeson’s emotional depth. It’s one of his more under-the-radar roles, but no less commanding than his more high-octane fare.

8. Brad Pitt – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Despite being one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, Brad Pitt’s turn as Jesse James in this meditative Western often flies under the radar. The film explores the final days of the famous outlaw and the obsession that leads to his demise.

Pitt brings quiet menace and melancholy to the role, portraying James as both charismatic and chilling. His performance is restrained but powerful, allowing the film’s poetic atmosphere to shine. It’s a departure from his usual blockbusters, and a reminder that Pitt can deliver haunting performances in even the slowest-burning dramas.

9. Charlize Theron – The Road Within (2014) and A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

While not a traditional Western, this comedy from Seth MacFarlane gave Charlize Theron the chance to showcase her comedic timing with a six-shooter. She plays Anna, a mysterious woman who helps the protagonist toughen up in the wild frontier.

Theron’s mix of toughness and vulnerability adds surprising depth to a film full of jokes and absurdity. It’s easy to forget she was in this movie at all, given her more acclaimed work in Mad Max: Fury Road or Monster. Still, her performance shows she can ride with the best of them—literally and figuratively.

10. Johnny Depp – Dead Man (1995)

Johnny Depp’s foray into the Western genre came through Jim Jarmusch’s surreal, black-and-white film Dead Man. He plays William Blake, a mild-mannered accountant who finds himself on the run after a deadly encounter in a remote town.

The movie defies typical Western conventions, blending existential philosophy with moody visuals and a haunting Neil Young soundtrack. Depp’s understated performance fits perfectly with the film’s dreamlike tone. While it wasn’t a commercial hit, Dead Man has since become a cult favorite—and a reminder that Depp isn’t afraid to wander off the beaten path.

11. Elizabeth Taylor – Giant (1956)

Elizabeth Taylor was no stranger to epic roles, and her part in Giant—a sprawling Texas saga—often gets overshadowed by her more glamorous turns. Though not a “shoot-em-up” Western, Giant reflects many genre themes: frontier struggle, cattle empires, and generational conflict.

As Leslie Benedict, Taylor plays a strong-willed woman challenging patriarchal values in a changing West. Her performance was bold, progressive, and ahead of its time. This role marked a turning point in her career and added a nuanced female perspective to a genre dominated by rugged cowboys.

12. Henry Fonda – Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Audiences were stunned when Henry Fonda—often the embodiment of decency in films—played a cold-blooded killer in Sergio Leone’s Western masterpiece. As Frank, Fonda brings icy detachment and terrifying calm to the role of a ruthless enforcer.

It was a complete reversal from his usual characters, like the noble Tom Joad or upright juror in 12 Angry Men. Fonda’s performance is so chilling that many fans forget this was the same actor known for playing the everyman. It remains one of his most daring and unforgettable roles.

13. Denzel Washington – The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Denzel Washington brought gravitas and swagger to the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven. As Sam Chisolm, he leads a ragtag group of gunslingers to protect a town from a corrupt industrialist.

While not a traditional Western star, Washington’s commanding presence made him a natural fit. He channels the quiet intensity of Eastwood with the moral authority of Fonda. The film wasn’t a critical darling, but Washington elevated it beyond its blockbuster trappings. It’s a reminder that he can dominate in any genre—including one as classically American as the Western.

14. Robert Redford – Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

In this meditative Western, Redford plays a mountain man who retreats into the wilderness, only to find that even isolation brings conflict. Based on real-life frontiersman John “Liver-Eating” Johnson, the role is one of Redford’s most introspective.

The film’s sweeping landscapes and minimalist storytelling helped redefine the Western in the 1970s. Redford’s quiet intensity perfectly matches the story’s themes of survival, solitude, and self-reliance. While overshadowed by his more glamorous roles, Jeremiah Johnson is a hidden gem that showcases his range and love for environmental storytelling.

15. Gene Hackman – Unforgiven (1992)

Gene Hackman turned in one of his most memorable performances as Little Bill Daggett, the brutal sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. The role earned him an Academy Award and gave the genre one of its most complex villains.

Little Bill isn’t a mustache-twirling bad guy—he’s a man who believes in control and order, even through cruelty. Hackman’s performance is both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. It’s a masterclass in nuance, and a pivotal part of why Unforgiven is considered one of the greatest modern Westerns.

16. Tom Hanks – News of the World (2020)

Tom Hanks took a rare step into Western territory with News of the World, where he plays a Civil War veteran tasked with returning a young girl to her surviving family. The film is a quiet meditation on healing, trust, and communication in post-war America.

Hanks brings his usual warmth and moral steadiness, but also adds weariness and grit. The character feels like a natural evolution of Hanks’ everyman persona. Though released quietly during the pandemic, News of the World is a dignified, underappreciated Western entry in his filmography.

17. James Stewart – The Man from Laramie (1955)

Though James Stewart is remembered for his work with Hitchcock and Frank Capra, he was also a prolific Western star. In The Man from Laramie, he plays a former cavalry officer drawn into a brutal land conflict.

This film marked a collaboration with director Anthony Mann, with whom Stewart redefined the psychological Western. His character is haunted, driven, and morally torn—far from the idealistic George Bailey. Stewart’s Westerns may be less celebrated today, but they were essential in elevating the genre during the ‘50s.

18. Barbara Stanwyck – The Big Valley (TV, 1965–1969)

Barbara Stanwyck was already a screen legend when she starred in The Big Valley, a popular TV Western about a powerful ranching family. As Victoria Barkley, Stanwyck portrayed a widow running the family empire with steel and grace.

At a time when women were often sidelined in the genre, Stanwyck led the charge. She was fiercely independent, emotionally complex, and completely believable as the matriarch. Her work on the show helped pave the way for stronger female roles in Westerns and beyond.

19. Gregory Peck – The Gunfighter (1950)

In The Gunfighter, Gregory Peck played a weary outlaw trying to leave violence behind—a role far darker than his usual heroic image. As Jimmy Ringo, Peck is hunted by young men trying to make a name by killing him.

The film deals with themes of legacy, regret, and the cost of violence. It was one of the first Westerns to approach the gunslinger myth with psychological depth. Though less flashy than some of his other work, The Gunfighter remains one of Peck’s most affecting performances.

20. Susan Hayward – Rawhide (1951)

Susan Hayward, often cast as a strong-willed woman in classic dramas, made a mark in the Western Rawhide opposite Tyrone Power. She plays a woman taken hostage at a remote stagecoach stop, blending vulnerability and fierce resolve.

Her performance carries both emotional weight and grit, standing out in a genre that didn’t often give women complex roles. Hayward’s mix of tenderness and toughness elevated Rawhide above many formulaic Westerns of the era. It’s a reminder that she wasn’t just a dramatic powerhouse—she could hold her own on the frontier too.

21. Gary Oldman – The Book of Eli (2010)

While The Book of Eli is technically a post-apocalyptic thriller, it follows many Western tropes: lone wanderer, lawless landscapes, and a moral showdown. Gary Oldman plays the film’s main antagonist—a power-hungry tyrant ruling a desolate town.

Oldman’s character channels the classic corrupt saloon owner archetype with a terrifying mix of charisma and cruelty. It’s a modern Western in disguise, and Oldman chews every scene with his signature intensity. While not a cowboy in the traditional sense, his role is a spiritual successor to the genre’s most memorable villains.

22. Heath Ledger – Ned Kelly (2003)

Best remembered for Brokeback Mountain when discussing Ledger and Westerns, it’s easy to forget that he played the infamous Australian outlaw in Ned Kelly. Though set down under, the film shares the spirit of a classic Western—rebels, lawmen, and guns blazing in open country.

Ledger brings quiet melancholy and defiance to the role, humanizing a controversial folk hero. The film didn’t make a huge splash in the U.S., but Ledger’s magnetic performance proved he had the soul of a Western star—even if his horses rode through the Outback instead of the Rockies.

23. Steve McQueen – Nevada Smith (1966)

Steve McQueen earned the title “King of Cool” through sleek crime films and thrillers, but Nevada Smith let him fully embody the rugged Western hero. As Max Sand, a half-Native American seeking revenge for his parents’ murder, McQueen delivered a raw and emotional performance.

The film tracks his transformation from naive youth to hardened killer, and McQueen handles the arc with remarkable nuance. Though sometimes overlooked in favor of The Magnificent Seven, Nevada Smith is one of his most complete performances and a perfect showcase of his brooding charm.

24. Kirk Douglas – Lonely Are the Brave (1962)

Kirk Douglas often played tough guys and gladiators, but his role in Lonely Are the Brave is arguably his most poignant. He plays Jack Burns, a cowboy out of time in a world that no longer needs men like him.

The film is more anti-Western than traditional shootout—it’s a quiet protest against modernity and conformity. Douglas’ restrained performance is deeply moving, capturing the spirit of independence and loneliness that defines many great Westerns. It’s a fitting, elegiac swan song to the cowboy myth—and one of Douglas’ personal favorite roles.