10 Great Movie Santas, From Edmund Gwenn to Kurt Russell (Photos)

As the embodiment of kindness, generosity, and Yuletide beneficence, Santa Claus presents some mighty big black boots, much less a red suit, for any actor to fill. But jolly old Saint Nicholas has appeared in the movies for as long as the movies have existed, and here are some of our favorite actors who’ve steered the sleigh (not counting Billy Bob Thornton and anyone else who has played a guy who is pretending to be Santa):

Edmund Gwenn, “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) 

The only actor to win an Oscar for playing Santa Claus, and it’s definitely a case where the Academy got it right.