Who are your Favorite Character Actors? (1 Viewer)

[troy evans]

RicKer, those of us out there, like you and me, who watch Star Trek and other sci-fi series know there's a wealth of great character actors out there we can't name. Like when you hear an actors name and go, who? Then when you see them you go, oh yeah, I know him. Happens to the best of us.....I've been told

 

[Michael:M]

David Strathairn
Danny Trejo
Patricia Clarkson (had a crush on her since Untouchables)
Terry O'Quinn (He'll always be Howard Hughes to me)
Alfre Woodward
Ving Rhames

 

[rich_d]

I checked her credits. I really haven't seen many of the films she's been in. Good Night and Good Luck probably being the last.

Her voice is kinda smoky, a bit like the actress Patricia Neal.

 

[JohnRice]

That's too bad Rich. Clarkson is not anly a fine actress, but she's in a lot of good movies. Check out Far from Heaven (which also has Celia Weston, another of my picks) The Station Agent and Pieces of April for starters.

 

[Chris Lockwood]

Why the term "character actor" anyway? Don't all actors play characters?

It's like saying "book novelist" or "food chef".

 

[troy evans]

I always thought character actors were those actors who always seem to be cast in a certain type of role. Kinda like type casting, but not quite. Even though they have a chameleon-like ability to play any type of character well.

 

[Joe_Pinney]

To me, a character actor is an actor who shows up in a number of films and tends to work pretty regularly, but whose name is not particularly well-known to the public. What A Character!

Some of my favorite character actors include S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, Sig Ruman, Dennis Burkley, Regis Toomey, Jude Ciccolella, John Qualen, Paul Guilfoyle, Stephen Root, Nick Searcy, and Louis Jean Heydt.

 

[John Dirk]

It's a term meant to distinguish actors who are more known for the type of role they usually play, from leading men/ladies. Some actors [Bruce Willis is a good example] fit neatly into both roles. Character actors are often now well-known outside of their dedicated fan base.

John

 

[David (C)]

S Epatha Merkerson
CCH Pounder
Kimberly Scott
Kathy Bates
Anjelica Huston
Judy Davis

 

[Kirk Tsai]

When I saw Pickup, I could hardly believe this was the same woman that was in Rear Window. Her portrayal was vivid and devastating.

A few more not mentioned so far, but well known:

Thomas Mitchell (our best friend)
Campbell Scott (Patricia Clarkson and him are indie superstars)
Miranda Richardson (outacts many of her famous co-stars, e.g., Kidman in The Hours)
Donald Meek (too lovable)
James Rebhorn (a great slimeball)
William Sadler (everyday kind of guy, but see him twist that image in Kinsey)

 

[MandyHan]

How about Will Ferrell? He plays basically the same character in every movie, but still makes me laugh every time.

 

[rich_d]

John,

Thanks for that. I have not seen any of those three films.

One character actor I'd like to mention is Leo McKern. He played a variety of roles but is perhaps best known for playing off-beat bad guys.

My guess is he is best known as playing Number 2 on the ground-breaking and influential series The Prisoner or the head of a religious sect in The Beatles romp Help! McKern had a glass eye which (somehow) allowed him to look a touch menacing in dramatic roles and a bit goofy in comedic roles. He also had a great voice and did a lot of work in commercials and a lot of British TV.

My favorite role of his was one of his earliest, in the lower budget film, TIME WITHOUT PITY. The role was both over-the-top and scary.