Highly Acclaimed Performances:
* Daniel Day-Lewis - His performance as the titular character in Gangs of New York garnered widespread critical acclaim and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
* Nicole Kidman - Her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress and critical raves.
* Denzel Washington - He won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance as a corrupt police officer in Training Day.
* Adrien Brody - He became the youngest actor ever to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his intense performance in The Pianist.
* Salma Hayek - She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in Frida, a biopic about the artist Frida Kahlo.
Other Notable Performances:
* Jack Nicholson - His performance as a cynical writer in About Schmidt was widely praised.
* Tom Hanks - He delivered a moving performance as a man dealing with grief in Catch Me If You Can.
* Renee Zellweger - Her portrayal of Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones's Diary was a huge success, making her a global star.
* Russell Crowe - He starred in A Beautiful Mind, a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
* Halle Berry - She made history as the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball.
Rising Stars:
* Evan Rachel Wood - She gained recognition for her performance in Panic Room.
* Dakota Fanning - She made her breakthrough in the critically acclaimed film I Am Sam.
This is just a small sampling of the many talented actors who were working in 2002. The year was filled with excellent films and performances that continue to be enjoyed today.