I agree.
I was shocked to see this guy and Commissioner Gordon were the same person. Oldman aged a lot in 15 years.
I think DW is probably one of the best leading men alive, but when I think of elite actors, I think of character actors. I wouldn't call DW a character actor.
Denzel is a great actor but that post is just crazy hyperbole. Oldman is as good if not better as is DDL.
A character actor is literally someone who plays supporting roles. Every actor in their life has been a charcater actor at some point, including Denzel.
Most character actors are hired to play pretty much the same type all the time. Steve Buscemi is hired to be a creepy weirdo. Danny Trejo is hired to be a pockmarked violent Mexican.
Their is nothing inherently "greater" about being a character actor than a leading actor. Danny Trejo is a character actor, and he's not within a thousand miles of Denzel in talent, ability or achievement.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character actor an actor who is known for playing many different and unusual characters
However, most people are starting to define character actors how you did. The definition is changing to what you are talking about. It used to be about someone who played a wide range of characters not just the same role over and over.
If I can name a couple of dead guys, Paul Newman and Klaus Kinski would be in.