Each year, the Fargo Film Festival juries nominate performers and award an overall Best Actor from movies in competition.

2023: Jesse Gavin (Northern Shade)
2022: Steve Laplante (Like the Ones I Used to Know)
2021: Pablo Schreiber (Lorelei)
2020: Hugo Weaving (Hearts and Bones)

2019: Pedro Pascal (Prospect)
2018: Rich Sommer (A Crooked Somebody)
2017: Paul Bailey (The Last One)
2016: Bruce Greenwood (Wildlike)
2015: Cheng Chang (Carry On)
2014: Jules Sagot (Tu seras un homme)
2013: Khary Payton (Astronaut: The Last Push)
2012: Lee Tergesen (Silver Tongues)
2011: John Hawkes (Earthwork)
2010: Don Hany (California King)

2009: Adam Budd (River)
2008: Kurtwood Smith (Hard Scrambled)
2007: Jason Banky (The Still Life)
2006: Herb Tripp (Son Up)