Frank Abagnale - 'Catch Me If You Can'(01 of15)
Open Image ModalAbly played by Leonardo DiCaprio, teen wunderkind Frank Abagnale achieved more before his 21st birthday than most manage in an entire life-time (though his achievements do include being sentenced to a long stint in prison). From his early days fooling classmates into believing he was a particularly youthful French substitute teacher, to his elaborate lies impersonating pan am pilots and making off with millions of dollars in loot, Frank is the master opportunist. And, incredibly, rooted in a true story.
Mickey Stone - 'Hustle'(02 of15)
Open Image ModalLilly Dillon - 'The- Grifters'(03 of15)
Open Image Modal'The Grifters' is a dramatic tale of a family of con artists condemned by the dishonest lives they lead. More a dynamic character study than the typical actioner expected of the genre, it is Angelica Huston’s endlessly fascinating performance as Lilly that lingers longest in the memory. As a veteran grafter caught between her severely-wounded criminal son, and a ruthless bookmaker, Huston dazzles, utilizing every last trick in the book to stay on top of the situation. A devastating final scene steals our breath away.
Professor Marcus - 'Ladykillers'(04 of15)
Open Image ModalHow to pick just one? Ealing Studios classic 'The Ladykillers' assembles a crack team of liars, thieves, and con-men – each well practised in the art of deceit. But Alec Guinness’ Professor Marcus rules the roost as their leader, engineering an ingenious scheme involving a string quintet, a security van robbery, and a clueless landlady, Mrs. W. Brilliantly funny, well-executed, and showcasing some of Britain’s finest acting talent, 'The Ladykillers' has endured, and remains one of Sir Alec’s most treasured roles.
Raymond - 'Rainman'(05 of15)
Open Image ModalTom Cruise might get the sunglasses and the sharp lines, but Dustin Hoffman dazzles as his card-counting accomplice. As the pawn in greedy brother Charlie’s attempts to get rich quick, Raymond’s perfect recall is manipulated and put to use on casino tables up and down the country. And award-winning and sensitive portrayal of autism, 'Rainman' also succeeds as an invigorating thriller – with each assault on the Blackjack tables of Las Vegas as perfectly crafted as a Michael Mann heist. Essential viewing: it earns its spot at grafting’s top table.
Fast Eddie Felson - 'The Colour Of Money'(06 of15)
Open Image ModalOnce again Tom Cruise makes an appearance in our countdown as Vincent, a promising pool player who gets taken under the wing of hustler Fast Eddie Felson, played by Con Legend Paul Newman. Seeing in Vincent a younger version of himself, the pair appear to form a firm bond. 'The Colour of Money' follows Eddie as he teaches Vincent how to be a hustler. Yet on their tour through the country to work the pool halls, Vincent learns that Fast Eddie is not a good person to confront.
Danny Ocean - 'Oceans Eleven'(07 of15)
Open Image ModalThe ever handsome George Clooney stars in 'Ocean’s Eleven' as Danny Ocean – pulling together an eleven member star studded team that includes Brat Pitt and Bernie Mac. With Danny wanting to score the biggest heist in history where better to target than the casinos of love rival Terry Benedict? Taking on the bank vaults of Las Vegas legends The Bellagio, the Mirage and the MGM Grand, it's not going to be easy, as they plan to get in and out with $150 million.
Lawrence Jamieson and Freddy Benson - 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'(08 of15)
Open Image ModalFunny men Michael Caine and Steve Martin star as Lawrence Jamieson and Freddy Benson – one a world-renowned big-time con man, and the other, a lowly hustler. They unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this town isn’t big enough for the two of them. The solution? A "loser leaves town" bet, but who will win this clash of criminal cultures?
Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondorff - 'The Sting'(09 of15)
Open Image ModalThe ultimate con movie features two of Hollywood’s most charismatic actors taking advantage of every ounce of charm in their bodies as they plan 'The Sting'. Taking on Chicago primo-gangster Doyle Lonnegan, Johnny and Henry seek revenge for their dead mutual friend and aim to lure Lonnegan into a plot from which he cannot survive unscathed. Robert Redford and Paul Newman are dynamite, and the way in which the film pulls the wool over the eyes of everyone in addition to the audience themselves makes it a bonafide Oscar-winning masterpiece.
Tom Ripley - 'The Talented Mr Ripley'(10 of15)
Open Image Modal'The Talented Mr Ripley' was talented indeed. Sent to Italy to retrieve a lazy and rich playboy, Tom quickly falls for both the man and the lifestyle. A devastating third act turn of violence unveils his dark side, and before long he has seized his entire identity – reeling off a stunning repertoire of impersonations and falsehoods. Matt Damon plays his part to perfection, and turns up again as a hustler in the Ocean’s films. Good to know he’ll be alright on the money front should the movie roles ever dry up!
Billy Hoyle and Sidney Dean - 'White Men Can’t Jump'(11 of15)
Open Image ModalSnipes and Harrelson rule the court in the brilliant 'White Men Can’t Jump'. Billy and Syd think they're the smoothest basketball hustlers in town, fooling locals into big-money games and cleaning house. When they join forces, nothing can stop them, except each other... And just to add an extra element of danger to the situation, Billy owes a lot of money and is being chased by a pair of gangster types. Can these quick-witted grifters stay ahead of the mob?
Max Bialystock - 'The Producers'(12 of15)
Open Image ModalMax’s con is ingenious in its simplicity. As one of the titular Producers he ensures that his latest show is the talk of the town, for all the wrong reasons... Employing busty actresses with terrible enunciation, a horribly racist writer, and inserting some of the most outrageous songs seen this side of Cliff Richard. Max revels in the chaos every step of the way alongside his bumbling partner in crime Leo Bloom, but like many of the others on this list, his get rich quick scheme fails – backfiring spectacularly when his bad taste musical becomes wildly popular.
The fake Sandy Patterson - 'Identity Thief' (13 of15)
Open Image ModalUnlimited funds have allowed Diana to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There's only one glitch: The ID she's using to finance these sprees reads "Sandy Bigelow Patterson"... and it belongs to an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back.
Keyser Söze - 'The Usual Suspects'(14 of15)
Open Image ModalFollowing a truck hijack in New York, five conmen are arrested and brought together for questioning. As none of them is guilty, they plan a revenge operation against the police. The operation goes well, but then the influence of a legendary mastermind criminal called Keyser Söze is felt. It becomes clear that each one of them has wronged Söze at some point and must pay him back now. The payback job leaves 27 men dead in a boat explosion, but the real question arises now: Who actually is Keyser Söze? The reveal is a moment of genuine hair-raising brilliance.
Del Boy - 'Only Fools And Horses'(15 of15)
Open Image ModalThe ultimate wheeler-dealer, Del Boy is so ingrained in British pop culture that is name is a by-word for cheeky, good-hearted dishonesty. The classic comedy followed the misadventures of two brothers: Del Boy a fast-talking, archetypal South London market trader and the Robin to his Batman Rodney Trotter who scrape their living by selling dodgy goods believing that next year they will be millionaires. They might be mistaken, but it certainly made for comedy gold. Possibly the one person on this list you wouldn’t mind being ripped off by – especially when you caught sight of his car.