Can any American actor do a decent British accent? (actors, short, Christian Bale)

[ColdAilment]

It seems that when the part of a British character must be played and the role is filled by an American actor they always fall far short on the accent. I can only think of one American actor who did a halfway decent Scottish and slightly British accent ever, and even it had areas for improvement, but Tom Hanks in Cloud Atlas did surprise me.

But really, what is the deal here? American actors can't fake a British accent? They're supposed to be actors, professionals, should be able to mimic such a widely known and acclaimed accent.

What's even more upsetting is the number of British actors who can do an American accent perfectly! Christian Bale played Batman! His accent was spot on, I never would have known. Hughe Laurie in House, Gary Oldman, Sam Neil, Hugh Jackman (Australian, but still).

So really, what's up with this? Are there any American actors who can do good British accents?

[MoonBeam33]

Alan Tudyk - "Death at a Funeral" and "A Knight's Tale."

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by MoonBeam33

Alan Tudyk - "Death at a Funeral" and "A Knight's Tale."

I shall have to check him out, not familiar with the name but we'll see.

[Nerf Herder]

John Hillerman who played Higgings on Magnum PI

[Blinx]

Renee Zellweger did a very plausible accent in Bridge Jones Diary.

Not movies, but in TV… The Nanny featured a real Brit (Charles Shaughnessy) playing the father, and an American (Daniel Davis) playing the British butler. It's said that when the show aired in the UK, they thought that Shaughnessy was faking his accent, but Davis' was real!

[Cida]

Some are pretty good, seems to me, but, generalizing, I think Meryl Streep can do any accent on the planet.

[Grandstander]

Christopher Guest and Michael McKean were born and raised in NYC. Harry Shearer is from LA.

Their British accents were flawless in "Spinal Tap."


Spinal Tap - "These go to eleven...." - YouTube

[UconnHuskies630]

Check out Forest Whitaker in "The Crying Game."

[Wynternight]

Peter Dinklage does a decent RP as Tyrion Lannister.

[ColdAilment]

All good recommendations, thank you, I shall have to check them out. Does anyone else think there is still a serious lack of American actors who can do British accents? Many of them who go on screen and try to fake one fail horribly.