OK, after watching L&O:CI last night, I am ready to proclaim Vincent D'Onofrio the best actor on network television. (I have to add in the "network television" part because I am a big James Gandolfini fan, and besides, I don't want to turn this into another "why did those idiots cancel Farscape" thread.)

I love Jennifer Garner of Alias and Sam Waterstn of Law & Order, but to be honest I have a hard time thinking of good candidates after that. Help me out -- who would you say is the best actor on network television?

Oh man - CI is so unwatchable to me because of his character and I am a L&O junkie.

If we limit it to the networks, I have to go with Neal McDonough from Boomtown.

Others on the radar include Sam Waterston (he should win an Oscar just for having to carry Elisabeth Rohm), Jerry Orbach, Dennis Franz, William Peterson, Bradley Whitford, Micheal Rosenbaum, and Anthony LaPaglia.

Tom Cavenagh

I agree about Vincent D'Onofrio. He doesn't just spit his lines out. He moves with the part. Watch him closely during an interrogation scene. He will cock his head and get in the persons face. It's awesome to watch.

Gotta be Dan Rather.

Anthony LaPaglia

Sticking just to network shows, I nominate Dennis Haysbert on "24."

Extend it to cable, and the hands-down winner is Michael Chiklis for "The Shield."

I think Dennis Franz showed last week why he is the best actor on network tv.

Anthony Lapaglia.

I agree Vincent D'Onfrio is an excellent choice..

All the L&O actors are very well cast imo. Chris Meloni, Mariska Hagerty, Dann Florek, Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston areall consistently good

I would also add David Caruso from CSI Miami. I know people either love or hate him but I think he has charisma as an actor and great intensity.

Dennis Haysbert is also very convincing as the president much better than the over dramatic Martin Sheen whom I also like

William Petersen (CSI) is a very good actor.

But ask me this question a year from now, and I'm going to say James Caan (Las Vegas).

It does seem most of the greatest TV acting is on cable shows these days: Michael Chiklis, James Gandolfini, Peter Krause, Tony Shalhoub, and Anthony Michael Hall (don't laugh but I think the range he has shown on the Dead Zone is amazing.)

On network, besides Lapaglia, I also really admire Kiefer Sutherland on 24 and Michael Rosenbaum on Smallville (he just nails the part of Lex Luthor.)

I am also looking forward to next season seeing the great Robert Forster play Karen Sisco's dad on the ABC show.

John Spencer (Leo McGarry) from West Wing.

Dennis Franz year after year shows he's the best actor on TV.

Gotta go with this as well.

same here

I can't pick just one so my favorites are
James Marsters
Neal McDonough
Dennis Franz
Victor Garber
Kiefer Sutherland
Dennis Haysbert

I am going to have to counter that and say Richard Schiff.

He is my choice for best actor on network and The West Wing isn't my favorite show either.

Of course if we were talking about all television James Gandolfini would win hands down, but he better watch out for Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall.

Ditto.

For me it is just the opposite. L&O: CI is the only one of the franchise that I still enjoy, almost solely because of D'Onofrio. He would get my vote, with Franz a close second.

I do agree with your comment about Waterson and Rohm. She isn't very good. But still, I wish I was the one carrying her.

First person that I thought of (I am so glad to see that he has been mentioned here a few times already): Anthony LaPaglia

I'm not sure about the best actor CURRENTLY.

But I would say that the best actor on TV EVER was Andre Braugher from Homicide: Life on the Streets.

Check out the upcoming dvd set for proof.

I would put him up there with the best stage and film actors - not just TV.

I don't know if he is the best (network) ever, but he is definitely way up there.

Speaking of, I can't wait for the S1 & 2 DVD of Homicide to come out next week.

Braugher was the one reason that I religiously watched Gideon's Crossing, a show that was cancelled before its time was up.

this one's a no-brainer: Ray Romano.