12 Monkeys did it for me. I thought he was just a pretty boy actor going into it. Great performance.
See, I think the exact opposite. When I look at Animal House I find it amazing that the most successful actor in the movie would turn out to by Bruce McGill, the guy who barely had a line. Belushi obviously would have been bigger had he lived. Tom Hulce won an Oscar but did not have much of a movie career. I think he does much more stage work. Tim Matheson has worked but never became a star. The others have worked too but none as much as McGill. He has always found his way on to TV shows and movies. And he always delivers. He currently has a big supporting role in Rizzoli and Isles. I purposely left out Kevin Bacon. His part was slightly bigger than an extra.
Tim Matheson has more acting credits but he started as a child actor. McGill has been more visible but Matheson has done steady work.
James Widdoes doesn’t do much acting but I was surprised to see how much directing he does.
Tom Hulce does not have an IMDB credit after 2008.
Peter Reigert seemed to disappear for a while but has been doing more work that I have seen lately.
Karen Allen had some (obviously) huge movie roles but her career has been spotty.
Stephen Furst, Babylon 5 and St Elsewhere of course but spotty work in between.
So I would have to say Bruce McGill comes out on top.