Character Actors Mt Rushmore

[Augustus 3,061]

Have we done a thread like this?

Studio musicians are often way more talented than the bands/musicians they sit in with, perhaps not as composers but just when it comes to their proficiency with their instruments.

I can't count the number of movies/tv shows I've seen in which the supporting cast/character actors were clearly more talented than A-listers.  I'd love to hear who some of your favorites are, whom you've been most impressed by, because I know a lot of you will name people I wouldn't think of, but would be great answers.

Any time I think of a great character actor, the first name that comes to mind is Stephen Root.  The guys has no limits.

Do guys like Chris Cooper or Walton Goggins still count?  They've had more prominent/featured roles, so I don't know.  But they're both geniuses.

Paul Giamatti.

My choices are all pretty obvious. Give me some more.

 

[Sbbruin 21,782]

Not in a couple of hours at least

https://www.surlyhorns.com/board/index.php?/topic/24843-the-most-cliched-poll-ever/#comment-4230710

Edited April 15, 2022 by Sbbruin

[Augustus 3,061]

My gf and I recently binged through Boardwalk Empire, and Michael Shannon's performance was great early on, but transitioned to one of the best comedic performances I've seen after he murdered his partner and moved to Chicago to work for the Irish mob and then the outfit.

 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4,750]

This thread could use pics since most character actors are probably more recognizable by face than name.

[Augustus 3,061]

Just now, Sbbruin said:

Not in a couple of hours at least

https://www.surlyhorns.com/board/index.php?/topic/24843-the-most-cliched-poll-ever/#comment-4230710

LOL of course!

I didn't click on that because the thread title looked boring.

Ah well, in my best Rosanne Rosanadanna voice.....

[Sbbruin 21,782]

1 minute ago, Augustus said:

LOL of course!

I didn't click on that because the thread title looked boring.

Ah well, in my best Rosanne Rosanadanna voice.....

it's OK.  @closetohumping butchered the tread title and description.

[Underdog 28,460]

Barry Corbin

[Pato del Muerto 52,365]

Maybe someone would be kind enough to elucidate for me the difference between an actor and a character actor?

[kingkoopa6 8,322]

i think it means. great actors that dont get the limelight and awards that leads get

 

am i right?

[kingkoopa6 8,322]

Bill Camp

 

[GhostOfTomJoad 9,308]

M. Emmet Walsh.

[Braff Zacklin 13,434]

Character actors and Rushmore, you say? Super restrictive criteria, but I'll go with one Seymour Cassel.

[Biff Tannen 45,512]

Corey Stoll

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

2 hours ago, kingkoopa6 said:

i think it means. great actors that dont get the limelight and awards that leads get

am i right?

I don’t know. What about great actors with range, who don’t just play themselves most of the time? Like Claude Rains or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Or Robin Williams. Or John Lithgow. How do we categorize them?

[Pato del Muerto 52,365]

The other thread had great lead actors like Daniel day Lewis and Gary oldman. 
 

this one is more supporting or bit part actors. 

[Biff Tannen 45,512]

1 hour ago, WhatTheBuck said:

Or John Lithgow.

Often forgotten.  He has amazing range.

Edited April 16, 2022 by Biff Tannen
has

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

3 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

Often forgotten.  He has amazing range.

He really is amazing and throws himself into any role, big or small. He’s a chameleon.

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

30 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

The other thread had great lead actors like Daniel day Lewis and Gary oldman. 

this one is more supporting or bit part actors. 

I can see Daniel Day Lewis acting. I never get lost in the character. I know that’s an unpopular opinion and I’m supposed to think he’s great because everyone else does. But all I see is Daniel Day Lewis trying too hard and hamming it up. Look at me! I’m acting!

I don’t know what this thread is about. I didn’t start it and the OP didn’t specify. But in terms of bit parts and supporting roles, how about Alan Hale?

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

Should also mention Stephen Root. 

[HornOnTheBayou 8,881]

1 hour ago, WhatTheBuck said:

I don’t know. What about great actors with range, who don’t just play themselves most of the time? Like Claude Rains or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Or Robin Williams. Or John Lithgow. How do we categorize them?

Robin Williams played himself in every single movie. He was a subdued Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, but he was still Robin Williams.

[HornPhD 1,364]

[HornPhD 1,364]

[HornPhD 1,364]

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

1 hour ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

Robin Williams played himself in every single movie. He was a subdued Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, but he was still Robin Williams.

Did he play himself in both The Birdcage and in Moscow on the Hudson? How about in The World According to Garp and Dead Poets Society? Mrs. Doubtfire?  One Hour Photo? Insomnia?

Come on, man.

[shadow_operative 15,932]

[HornPhD 1,364]

28 minutes ago, shadow_operative said:

Classic

 

[mchookem 16,246]

13 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Maybe someone would be kind enough to elucidate for me the difference between an actor and a character actor?

there is an actual dictionary definition: an actor who specializes in playing eccentric or unusual people rather than leading roles.

so i take back my DDL endorsement (other thread) as he is clearly a leading man...but i sustain my PSH vote.

 

Edited April 16, 2022 by mchookem

[RPM 26,237]

Edited April 16, 2022 by RPM

[GhostOfTomJoad 9,308]

Tom Wilkinson is nails in everything he does.

[Dennis Taylor 18,725]

[South Austin 52,171]

[Vegas64 669]

8 hours ago, HornPhD said:

Classic

 

Performance of our generation in Disney’s retro-spectacle “Country Bears” (2002) starring Christopher Walken and Hayley Joel Osment.

[freyguy 4,245]

 

and just to fuck with yall...

[Neonmoon 38,127]

PSH is definitely one of the four 

[burntorangebongos 10,681]

Scott Glenn

[RPM 26,237]

17 minutes ago, burntorangebongos said:

Scott Glenn

Can we make it 7?

[Carl Spackler 3,461]

 

[pokeNbeans 203]

[McCroskey 1,501]

Danny Devito or what are we even doing here?

[HiggyBaby 2,520]

[HiggyBaby 2,520]

First thought I had opening this thread.

[CAHorn 102]

On 4/15/2022 at 9:26 AM, Sbbruin said:

it's OK.  @closetohumping butchered the tread title and description.

👍

[Ignatius 4,005]

On 4/15/2022 at 3:23 PM, Underdog said:

Barry Corbin

A proud son of Lamesa, Texas!

[lateshow 1,304]

On 4/16/2022 at 7:57 AM, GhostOfTomJoad said:

Tom Wilkinson is nails in everything he does.

Beat me to it. 

[burntorangebongos 10,681]

Did I miss it? How come no one has brought up Stanley Tucci? Is he a leading man or something? I think he is good in everything he is in.

Edited April 19, 2022 by burntorangebongos

[WhatTheBuck 28,721]

I forgot all about Sam Rockwell. I stumbled across him on Fallon last night. He had a porn stache and it took me awhile before I figured out who it was. He’s another chameleon. 

[Steamboat1874 4,037]

Shit here is the winner right here....

[burntorangebongos 10,681]

Ok. I think I have my Mount Rushmore for dudes.

1. Paul Giamatti

2. Tom Wilkinson

3. Scott Glenn

4. Stanley Tucci

I'm leaving off the older great guys like Hackman and Duvall because my Mount Rushmore is of currently working actors.

 

[Nolacycling 893]

SIAP. MR was filmed at St. John's and Lamar high schools. Of course Lamar had to have trash imported to make it the bad school. 

[Nuge 1,964]

I think Tim Roth could be a worthy candidate.  I think he's a supremely talented actor but not leading man material.