At this point in the rankings, Kevin Costner versus Robert De Niro is best read as a compact career snapshot rather than an all-time verdict. The category score gives Robert De Niro the broader edge, though the result remains a comparison of career outcomes rather than personal popularity.

Commercial scale is another meaningful divider, with the career domestic box office measure giving Robert De Niro the larger theatrical footprint. Based on the available ranking data, the balance leans toward Robert De Niro without turning the result into a subjective judgment of acting quality.