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Top Ten American Horror Story Actors

American Horror Story is an anthology show which means that every season has a different story, but there are a lot of actors and actresses that are AHS staples as they return for at least two or maybe even more seasons. For this list, I did not look for their entire filmographies, but only their roles on this particular show and how great their performances and also characters were. So this list may act like the best character list as well. So without further ado, here we go.

10. Zachary Quinto

One of the more underrated actors on this show, Zachary Quinto was very strong in the first season, but it’s Asylum that really showcased his acting skills. He excelled as Dr. Oliver Thredson so much in fact that he was one of the standouts of the entire season. This is one of the greatest of all AHS villains for how disturbing, and also grounded in reality he is. It’s a shame that he did not return for more seasons.

Worst Role: Chad Warwick in Murder House.

Best Role: Dr. Oliver Thredson in Asylum.

9. Finn Wittrock

Finn Wittrock appeared in three seasons in four very different roles. While his turn in Roanoke was quite forgettable, he was very good as Tristan on Hotel and especially interesting as Rudolph Valentino on that same season. But of course his Dandy Mott on Freak Show is one of the greatest villains of the entire show. He excelled at playing this very crazy, disturbed young man who’s killing spree near the end was downright chilling.

Worst Role: Jether Polk in Roanoke.

Best Role: Dandy Mott in Freak Show.

8. Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe actually appeared on a lot of seasons, but only in a few did she get a very meaty role with others being not all that substantial or just cameos of sorts. She’s an underrated, very talented actress who was excellent and simply very likable as Misty Day on Coven and also very memorable as Nora Montgomery in the first season. Undoubtedly, her finest turn is in Asylum where her Sister Mary Eunice was among three amazing villains of that season.

Worst Role: Aileen Wuornos in Hotel.

Best Role: Sister Mary Eunice in Asylum.

7. Angela Bassett

The best black characters on this show were played by highly talented Angela Bassett. Yes, her turn in Roanoke isn’t as memorable, but it’s fine overall. Ramona from Hotel was such a strong bisexual character and her relationship with Gaga’s character was memorable. Naturally, Desiree in Freak Show had a lot of screen time and very memorable backstory and interactions with others. But Coven’s Marie Laveau the voodoo witch remains her most powerful role.

Worst Role: Lee Harris in Roanoke.

Best Role: Marie Laveau in Coven.

6. Frances Conroy

Although far from the first to come to mind of these actors, Frances Conroy still is an important component to seven, yes seven seasons as only in Hotel did she not appear. Moira in Murder House is highly creepy and memorable, The Angel of Death from Asylum is incredibly mesmerizing and of course Myrtle Snow from Coven and Apocalypse remains her crowning achievement. She was also great in a smaller role in Freak Show as Dandy’s poor mother.

Worst Role: Mama Polk in Roanoke.

Best Role: Myrtle Snow in Coven.

5. Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates is one of the best actors for sure among all of these as she is an Oscar winner as well. But she did not play all that important AHS characters so that’s why she ended up fifth on this list. Still, Iris from Hotel is such a memorable, perfectly executed character and of course Delphine LaLaurie from Coven as this deeply racist, horrible woman was both unforgettable and very amusing.

Worst Role: Thomasin White in Roanoke.

Best Role: Delphine LaLaurie in Coven.

4. Denis O’Hare

He was quite memorable in the small role that he got in Roanoke and the same goes for Coven’s Spalding. But of course his crowning achievement comes from Hotel and Freak Show. Liz Taylor is a superbly developed character as this badass transgender woman whereas Stanley is a horrible villain and a memorable closeted gay character. Denis O’Hare is an immensely talented actor who always transforms on this show believably so and thus he needs more work.

Worst Role: Dr. Elias Cunningham in Roanoke.

Best Roles: Stanley in Freak Show and Liz Taylor in Hotel.

3. Evan Peters

Evan Peters is such a great talent that it’s a shame that in Hollywood movies he only got to play Quicksilver and not much else. He also transforms throughout each season and he always plays very different, but constantly highlight characters. His roles in the first couple of seasons were solid enough, but only later on did he get meatier roles. Jimmy Darling was the most likable of the Freak Show bunch, James Patrick Marsh in Hotel is perfectly accented and fun and of course his standout is Kai Anderson in Cult as this incredibly powerful, badass cult leader villain.

Worst Role: Mr. Gallant in Apocalypse.

Best Role: Kai Anderson in Cult.

2. Jessica Lange

If talent is concerned, pure talent, Jessica Lange tops the list for sure. But she unfortunately did not get as many roles, though thankfully she memorably and briefly appeared in Apocalypse. But it’s a shame she left after Freak Show as she is such an amazing, powerhouse actress who always delivers strong emotion and instantly memorable personalities. Her turn in Asylum is wonderful and moving, but easily her best role is Fiona Goode from Coven as the heart and soul of that great season. Her performance there is revelatory.

Worst Role: Constance Langdon in Murder House.

Best Role: Fiona Goode in Coven.

1. Sarah Poulson

Although somewhat forgettable in Murder House and Roanoke, every single of the other roles is very good or downright terrific. Coven’s Cordelia is such an inspirational, powerful figure. Asylum’s Lana Winters is a superbly developed, complex woman who is one of the standouts of an already impressive, crowded season. And of course her Ally in Cult stole the show while she fought Peters’ Kai. She never managed to disappoint whatever she did for the show and she is going to be sorely missed from now on. Sarah Poulson is a fantastic actress on her own right, but her turns on AHS made her a household name and a heart and soul of the entire series.

Worst Role: Billie Dean Howard in Murder House.

Best Roles: Lana Winters in Asylum and Ally Mayfair-Richards in Cult.

Honorable Mentions:

Emma Roberts – Though Roberts did not appear too often, her Madison Montgomery in particular is a highly memorable, fun creation with many funny lines, and her turn in 1984 is absolutely terrific..

James Cromwell – Cromwell is so damn brilliant as disturbing Dr. Arthur Arden that it is such a shame that he never again appeared on the show.

Billie Lourd – Lourd appeared in the last couple of AHS seasons, and was especially superb in 1984 where she played a redeemed villain so well.

Angelica Ross – Murphy took Ross from ‘Pose’ and gave her such an amazing, wonderful character in 1984, and she killed it.

Michael Chiklis – The same goes for Chiklis. His Dell was such a superbly written, wonderfully complex character that I wished to have seen more from this actor.