No - I think if you look at the John Waynes, Robert Mitchums, Henry Fondas of the 50's and 60's - they played it pretty much like the Gene Hackmans, Clint Eastwoods of the 70's, and the Tom Cruises, Morgan Freeman of the 90's....they play it pretty much the same way - its themselves = same characterisation in differing roles...Heston was the same - it doesn't mean they're not entertaining - but hardly significant or groundbreaking like early Brando, DeNiro, Pacino or even Edward Norton etc...
I think modern actors actually do need to "act" (Brad Pitt can act btw) but theres still plenty around doing the same thing every film
Tronsky