Best Actor 2013

My top choices in the order I would place them on my Academy ballot if I were allowed to vote. In other words, these are my top five performances, and I acknowledge that this list is already influenced by awards buzz, so the actors who I think need the most votes are at the top.

ERNST UMHAUER, Dans la Maison (In the House)

MILES TELLER, The Spectacular Now

MICHAEL B. JORDAN, Fruitvale Station

JOAQUIN PHOENIX, Her

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, 12 Years a Slave

Also loved:
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Mads Mikkelsen, Jagten (The Hunt)
Toni Servillo, La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty)
Tye Sheridan, Mud

Related:
My Best Actor Picks for 2012
My Best Actor Picks for 2011
My Best Actor Picks for 2010
My Best Actor Picks for 2009
My Best Actor Picks for 2008
My Best Actor Picks for 2007