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The 84-year-old's turn in Miracle on 34th Street won 62% of the vote in the Odeon survey of 1,200 movie-goers, beating Tim Allen (The Santa Clause) and Tom Hanks (Polar Express).
Billy Bob Thornton finished fourth for his turn as a corrupt department store version of the character in Bad Santa, with Ed Asner coming in fifth for Elf.
Robbie Coltrane was the number one choice of actors fans would like to see play Father Christmas, followed by Bob Hoskins and Ray Winstone.
Judi Dench was the favourite to play Mrs Claus, with Kate Winslet and Susan Sarandon taking second and third places.
Paul Giamatti can currently be seen as Santa in new movie Fred Claus.
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