Accents

Have any UK actors impressed you with their attempts at American accents?  Similarly, have any US or Canadian actors impressed you with their attempts at a British accent?

For me I like Gary Oldman, Christian Bale and Damien Lewis (who I didn't realise was a UK actor at first, having only seen him in US movies)

For me there is only one US actor I can think of who knocked my socks off with his English accent, and that was Alessandro Nivola in Goal.  He totally nailed it in my opinion.

Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones' Diary was just okay.

I think Hugh Laurie does a good American accent. But then Hugh Laurie can do no wrong. 

But then Hugh Laurie can do no wrong. 

Oh god yes.  He is perfection. 

I think Hugh Laurie does a good American accent. But then Hugh Laurie can do no wrong. 

My mom still doesn't believe that House is really Hugh. 

I just remembered there was a scene in The Riches where Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard both put on an English accent in a con they were trying to pull.

British actors playing Americans with "fake" English accents was quite amusing.

I thought that Gwynyth Paltrow in Sliding Doors was pretty convincing, and I was amazed to hear that some of the Hobbits in LOTR were plkayed by US actors.

Christian Bale was born in the UK (Wales) and had a natural UK accent as a child, so it probably wasn't too hard from him to do the same as an adult.  I don't think he left the UK until he was about 13.

Alessandro Nivola?  Did he play his mate that kept getting him in trouble?  The Geordie?  He's not English?  No way!!!!

Vicky

I think Hugh Laurie does a good American accent. But then Hugh Laurie can do no wrong. 

Absolutely!

I think Heath Ledger used to do a pretty good American accent.

The best one is probably the guy in The Wire....didn't know he was British til I read last week that he was from Sheffield.

I agree about Hugh Laurie- probably the best American accent I've heard by a native Brit.

Chiwetel Ejiofor from the film Four Brothers does a very convincing Black American gangsta  accent.  I didn't know he was British until I (finally) saw Love Actually last year.

oh god...hugh laurie can do no wrong    wowza!   

Hugh Laurie's accent is flawless I think.  There are so many, UK or elsewhere, that can do pretty impressive accents.
Anthony LaPaglia and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (both in Without A Trace) jump to mind as that's one of my favorite shows.

And of course, the other
Hugh...
Jackman.
Can do no wrong.

Ok, except for Van Helsing.

I just remembered there was a scene in The Riches where Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard both put on an English accent in a con they were trying to pull.

British actors playing Americans with "fake" English accents was quite amusing.

I remember that!  Made for a good giggle.

Oh god yes.  He is perfection. 

*drool*

I think Heath Ledger used to do a pretty good American accent.

I'll second Heath Ledger.  Actually.... maybe it's easier for Australians?  Because (as ~E~ mentioned) Hugh Jackman does a good one, as does Nicole Kidman.

Although, I think we can all thank Kevin Costner for lowering the bar for all American actors.  After Robin Hood, I think EVERYONE'S British accent is fabulous!

For me I like Gary Oldman, Christian Bale and Damien Lewis (who I didn't realise was a UK actor at first, having only seen him in US movies)

Christian Bale has been living in the States since he was a teen- does that count?

Anyway, it's easier to do an American accent because so many American films and tv shows make it around the world.