Sir Michael Caine steals the spotlight as ultimate heist actor

Study analysed the cast of over 196 heist movies to discover the actors that appear in the most films in this genre and British actors take the lead with Londoner Michael Caine stealing the spotlight.

Top heist actors 

6. Brad Pitt 

The heart throb fan favourite cements his place on the list as a regular for his features in Snatch and as a regular in the Ocean’s films. He broke onto the scene in 2000 with his iconic performance in Snatch as a Gypsy boxing legend who adds layers of problems to an already complex web of dilemmas.  

The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of five heist films, including: 

Snatch (2000) 

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) 

Ocean’s Twelve (2004) 

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) 

5. George Clooney 

The world class American actor and filmmaker George Clooney makes number five on the list thanks to his portrayal of master crook Danny Ocean in the Ocean’s saga. The heist classics helped propel Clooney’s already stellar career to the next level of stardom. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of five heist films, including: 

Out of Sight (1998) 

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) 

Ocean’s Twelve (2004) 

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) 

4. Peter Sellers 

One of the great all-time heist movie greats, managing to bat for both teams both as a criminal and a bungling copper. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films in his career, including: 

The Ladykillers (1955)   

The Pink Panther (1963)   

After the Fox (1966)   

The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)  

3. Jason Statham 

You think British heist, you think Statham. The modern day cult favourite bringing that East London charm and taking everything you have. He rose to adoration in his appearances in Lock, Stock & two smoking barrells, Snatch, and for saying his pal Tommy was named  after a gun.   

Jason brings the shenanigans to the heist scene. The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films so far, including: 

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)   

Snatch (2000)   

The Italian Job (remake – 2003)   

The Bank Job (2008) 

2. Donald Sutherland  

The Don hits our list at number 2 for his role in overseeing a $35 million plot in the reboot of the Italian Job. 

The study revealed he has starred in a grand total of six heist films in his career, including: 

Kelly’s Heroes (1970)   

The (First) Great Train Robbery (1978)   

Crackers (1984)   

The Italian Job (remake – 2003)  

1. Michael Caine 

The ultimate silver screen thief. He led the best-known movie heist of all time in 1969, and was still robbing onscreen 48 years later. Over his heisting career, the British gent was involved in nicking over $152.8m, with the vast majority coming from Going in Style.  

The study revealed the now retired actor has starred in a grand total of nine heist films in his career, including: 

The Italian Job (1969)  

Flawless (2007) 

Now You See Me (2013)  

Going in Style (2017)