Although he had had the occasional leading man role (BLUE CAR) David Strathairn is basically a supporting actor. In the recent film, Lincoln, his was my favorite performance. What supporting actors are memorable to you? Am I the only Strathairn fan?
Giamatti gets starring roles too. But I think he is better as a supporting actor. I think Strathairn's only one was in BLUE CAR-and what a scary movie that was.
No, of course not. We've been watching him for years, since his debut in his college classmate John Sayles's RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS 7. (Also remember him in Sayles's PASSION FISH and CITY OF HOPE.)
I agree with George on Giamatti, most recently seen in WIN WIN (even his starring role was a 'character actor' role) and THE IDES OF MARCH.
Yes, that's the thing with Giamatti. He is too quirky to play the lead in most movies. Liked him in Barney's Version too. He was great in a supporting role in COSMOPOLIS. I may be the only person who saw it though. Love the Secaucus 7.
I love Paul Douglas, a supporting actor from the 1930s and 1940s. Although he did have some starring roles, for the most part he excelled in "lovable lugs."
Straithairn is among the best. (EIGHT MENOUT, LA CONFIDENTIAL, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK(thought that's a lead, too), A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, and even a few episodes of THE SOPRANOS.)
Tony Shalhih is another favorite of mine. People think of him as Monk, but he did excellent work in THE SIEGE, was very funny in WINGS, and steals the movie in THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE.
JUSTIFIED has recycled a number of supporting actors from DEADWOOD into guest roles. (Jim beaver, W. Earl Brown, Sean Bridgers, Ray McKinnon, Peter Jason.)
It's easy to overlook how good many of these actors are because they have no star persona of their own; they become whoever the part requires. Ray McKinnon, for example, played Reverend Smith in DEADWOOD, then was almost unrecognizable as a hit man in JUSTIFIED.
Another example of how good these unsung actors just popped into my mind. Jeremy Davies, who played the coward Upham in SAVING PROVATE RYAN, is now on JUSTIFIED as Dickie Bennett. I didn't even recognize him until The beloved Spouse and I had decided he had to be a toothless redneck in real life, not even acting, and I looked him up.
To me, these are "real' actors. They have a job and they do it, well, every time.
A great list, Dana. JUSTIFIED and some of the other cable shows have done a great job of using them. Network shows seem to shy away from anyone who will take the light away from the stars.
Straithairn is excellent; you're right. We are currently enjoying season 5 of THE WIRE. Fun to see Clark Johnson again, after his role as Det. Lewis in HOMICIDE. Another favorite is Wendell "Bunk" Pierce.
There are so many in westerns. Jack Elam, for sure.
Speaking of JUSTIFIED, FX is finally rerunning the third series (started overnight yesterday) before the new series starts in January, so we can finally catch it. We foolishly thought they'd show the ones we missed while we were away last winter but they never did.
I remember your Jack Elam story very well. We just him in his great comic role in SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF for about the tenth time.
Ron, Clark Johnson is doing a lot of directing now (HOMELAND, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE WALKING DEAD) and Wendell Pierce is in TREME. Of course, Clarke Peters seems to be everywhere. We just saw him in PERSON OF INTEREST as well as his major role in TREME.
Never heard of David Strathaim. I like watching Stanley Tucci, especially in THE TERMINAL and SHALL WE DANCE. Ernest Borgnine is another favourite, as is Donald Pleasence, Hector Elizondo, Brian Dennehy,Don Ameche, and Charles Durning
A former big name who now does smaller roles (or straight to video lead roles) is C. Thomas Howell. Howell does a great job at playing Dewey on Southland.
Royal Dano Slim Pickens Gabby Hayes Iron Mike Magursky Harry Lauter John Dehner R. G. Armstrong Charles Napier Alan Napier Kent Smith Hugh Beaumont Lloyd Nolan and many of the ones mentioned above.
You're not a lone with admiration of David Strathairn. I love his performances! Paul Giamatti is another of my favorite supporting actors.
ReplyDeleteGiamatti gets starring roles too. But I think he is better as a supporting actor.
ReplyDeleteI think Strathairn's only one was in BLUE CAR-and what a scary movie that was.
No, of course not. We've been watching him for years, since his debut in his college classmate John Sayles's RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS 7. (Also remember him in Sayles's PASSION FISH and CITY OF HOPE.)
ReplyDeleteI agree with George on Giamatti, most recently seen in WIN WIN (even his starring role was a 'character actor' role) and THE IDES OF MARCH.
Jeff M.
Yes, that's the thing with Giamatti. He is too quirky to play the lead in most movies. Liked him in Barney's Version too. He was great in a supporting role in COSMOPOLIS. I may be the only person who saw it though. Love the Secaucus 7.
ReplyDeleteEd Lauter
ReplyDeleteJ.T. Walsh
Elisha Cook, Jr.
Harry Dean Stanton
Henry Jones
M. Emmet Walsh
Fred Ward
Jeff M.
I love Paul Douglas, a supporting actor from the 1930s and 1940s. Although he did have some starring roles, for the most part he excelled in "lovable lugs."
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of SECAUCUS 7 too. And yes to BARNEY'S VERSION. I thought Dustin Hoffman worked well as his father.
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
Straithairn is among the best. (EIGHT MENOUT, LA CONFIDENTIAL, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK(thought that's a lead, too), A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, and even a few episodes of THE SOPRANOS.)
ReplyDeleteTony Shalhih is another favorite of mine. People think of him as Monk, but he did excellent work in THE SIEGE, was very funny in WINGS, and steals the movie in THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE.
JUSTIFIED has recycled a number of supporting actors from DEADWOOD into guest roles. (Jim beaver, W. Earl Brown, Sean Bridgers, Ray McKinnon, Peter Jason.)
It's easy to overlook how good many of these actors are because they have no star persona of their own; they become whoever the part requires. Ray McKinnon, for example, played Reverend Smith in DEADWOOD, then was almost unrecognizable as a hit man in JUSTIFIED.
Another example of how good these unsung actors just popped into my mind. Jeremy Davies, who played the coward Upham in SAVING PROVATE RYAN, is now on JUSTIFIED as Dickie Bennett. I didn't even recognize him until The beloved Spouse and I had decided he had to be a toothless redneck in real life, not even acting, and I looked him up.
To me, these are "real' actors. They have a job and they do it, well, every time.
Very well, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteI remember him, Deb. I think he had the lead in a Judy Holiday movie once. But lovable lug was his forte.
A great list, Dana. JUSTIFIED and some of the other cable shows have done a great job of using them. Network shows seem to shy away from anyone who will take the light away from the stars.
ReplyDeleteStraithairn is excellent; you're right. We are currently enjoying season 5 of THE WIRE. Fun to see Clark Johnson again, after his role as Det. Lewis in HOMICIDE. Another favorite is Wendell "Bunk" Pierce.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many in westerns. Jack Elam, for sure.
Love Jack Elam. Wrote a story about him once.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of JUSTIFIED, FX is finally rerunning the third series (started overnight yesterday) before the new series starts in January, so we can finally catch it. We foolishly thought they'd show the ones we missed while we were away last winter but they never did.
ReplyDeleteI remember your Jack Elam story very well. We just him in his great comic role in SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF for about the tenth time.
Ron, Clark Johnson is doing a lot of directing now (HOMELAND, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE WALKING DEAD) and Wendell Pierce is in TREME. Of course, Clarke Peters seems to be everywhere. We just saw him in PERSON OF INTEREST as well as his major role in TREME.
Jeff M.
Never heard of David Strathaim. I like watching Stanley Tucci, especially in THE TERMINAL and SHALL WE DANCE. Ernest Borgnine is another favourite, as is Donald Pleasence, Hector Elizondo, Brian Dennehy,Don Ameche, and Charles Durning
ReplyDeleteMy sister thinks Strathairn is the hottest item in Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteMy own favorite supporting actor is Stephen Tobolowsky. His range is tremendous, but he's especially good at soulless corporate villains.
Which also reminds me of J.T. Walsh.
I'm drawing a blank on this topic.
ReplyDeleteA former big name who now does smaller roles (or straight to video lead roles) is C. Thomas Howell. Howell does a great job at playing Dewey on Southland.
Was it deliberate or coincidental that no women have been mentioned? Because there needs to be a mention of the great Thelma Ritter.
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
Ward Bond
ReplyDeleteFrank Faylen
John Qualen
Percy Helton
John Fiedler
Strother Martin
Bruce McGill
Clark Duke
CLAUDE RAINS.
ReplyDeleteGuess we were taking actor in its old form. These are all great. Claude Rains was somewhere between. I am thinking of Mr. Skeffington, I think.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe I forgot Strother Martin.
ReplyDelete"What we have here is a failure to communicate."
Jeff M.
Actresses?
ReplyDeleteAmy Sedaris.
Kristin Schaal from 30 Rock
Jane Darwell
ReplyDeleteThelma Ritter
Nah, I like him also. Thought he was the spitting (and segar-chomping) image of Seward, certainly. . .
ReplyDeleteI glommed onto Strathairn when he played Sid Hatfield in MATEWAN. He was excellent.
ReplyDeleteRoyal Dano
ReplyDeleteSlim Pickens
Gabby Hayes
Iron Mike Magursky
Harry Lauter
John Dehner
R. G. Armstrong
Charles Napier
Alan Napier
Kent Smith
Hugh Beaumont
Lloyd Nolan
and many of the ones mentioned above.