When I did a search I was surprised that this thread hasn't already been done. The thread's purpose is simple to identify and comment on those character actors that you have especially appreciated over the years.
There is a thread that defines what a character actor is. My own definition is someone so excellent in a type of role that they often get typecast in doing those roles or like roles over and over.
I suggest NOT dwelling on whether the role is a lead one or not. Many character actors have had lead roles such as Don Knotts who made a career out of playing the nervous, timid dude but who also got lead roles in several movies or Tony Randall who played the second banana (pal) in so many romantic comedies but who also got leading roles or Steve Buscemi who is the likeable ne'er-do-well character is so many films yet who also has had lead roles.
Starting this off, my personal favorite is Thelma Ritter. Thelma plays the street-wise, plain-talking, plain-looking woman. A woman who is no stranger to hard work, quick with her wit and her mouth.
What I like about her is that she can be used to great effect when the protagonist needs someone that will give as good as she takes. Thelma was terrific in Rear Window. In the role of Stella, Thelma stands up to Jimmy Stewart's character and tell him that he's a Peeping Tom not smart enough to drop the ideological crap and marry Lisa (Grace Kelly). Yet she does this while still being likeable.
Thelma was also terrific in The Misfits playing Gal Pal to Marilyn Monroe's character. Poignant, as she came across as a woman with some hard luck, aware of her plain looks and how others view her.
Another excellent role for Ritter was Pickup on South Street in the role of Moe, a woman scraping by as police informant and selling cheap ties to get by. Her biggest fear, to not have enough money to afford a proper burial, thus ending up in Potter's Field.
So, what are your thoughts? Who are some of your favorite character actors and their roles?
There is a thread that defines what a character actor is. My own definition is someone so excellent in a type of role that they often get typecast in doing those roles or like roles over and over.
I suggest NOT dwelling on whether the role is a lead one or not. Many character actors have had lead roles such as Don Knotts who made a career out of playing the nervous, timid dude but who also got lead roles in several movies or Tony Randall who played the second banana (pal) in so many romantic comedies but who also got leading roles or Steve Buscemi who is the likeable ne'er-do-well character is so many films yet who also has had lead roles.
Starting this off, my personal favorite is Thelma Ritter. Thelma plays the street-wise, plain-talking, plain-looking woman. A woman who is no stranger to hard work, quick with her wit and her mouth.
What I like about her is that she can be used to great effect when the protagonist needs someone that will give as good as she takes. Thelma was terrific in Rear Window. In the role of Stella, Thelma stands up to Jimmy Stewart's character and tell him that he's a Peeping Tom not smart enough to drop the ideological crap and marry Lisa (Grace Kelly). Yet she does this while still being likeable.
Thelma was also terrific in The Misfits playing Gal Pal to Marilyn Monroe's character. Poignant, as she came across as a woman with some hard luck, aware of her plain looks and how others view her.
Another excellent role for Ritter was Pickup on South Street in the role of Moe, a woman scraping by as police informant and selling cheap ties to get by. Her biggest fear, to not have enough money to afford a proper burial, thus ending up in Potter's Field.
So, what are your thoughts? Who are some of your favorite character actors and their roles?
