55. PETER SELLERS
The Pink Panther (1964)

In 1965, Sellers earned an Oscar nomination for his triple play in Dr. Strangelove. So it's understandable — but still unfortunate — that he went unnominated for the role that enshrined him forever as the Fred Astaire of slapstick: Inspector Jacques Clouseau. With objects as ordinary as a doorknob and a glass of warm milk, Sellers created a matchless choreography of Continental buffoonery — nothing is deliberate or anticipated, and every gag sticks.