55 Years Later, No Actor Has Topped This Iconic Performance

In today's age of reboots, legacy sequels and constant reimaginings of famous franchises, it's normal for filmmakers and studios to try to recast iconic characters who have been embodied by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Sometimes it works, in the case of Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance as the Joker, a character that Jack Nicholson portrayed with success. But in some cases, famous characters are so perfectly played the first time out that no one else can compare.