# Acting tics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 6, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935 "2009-06-06T17:00:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/41 "2009-06-08T22:28:22Z")
Jessica Lange smiles inappropriately to sell emotional intensity. Watch her in _The Music Box_. It’ll drive you nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/42 "2009-06-08T23:14:04Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > Brian Keith (long time ago actor — male lead in the original Parent Trap?) would practically maul his face with right hand. He would rub it so hard. I swear he would move his nose two inches to the left when showing “thinking” on the screen. > > Screen legend Clark Gable would half close his eyes, tilt his head (usually to the right) and slightly turn it in the same direction and then half smile. Women would then melt. > > George Clooney does something similar but more straight on. When I was a kid I used to do impersonations of actors. I did Uncle Bill (Brian Keith) from Family Affair a lot. All I did was sigh and then mash my hand all over my face. Even as a kid I recognized how much he did that. What George Clooney does is he looks down moving his whole head, then looks back up with just the eyes. Drives me nuts (not in the good way). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/43 "2009-06-08T23:21:08Z")
I was reading about the Betty White/Bea Arthur feud (they apparently both got along with Rue McLanahan and Estelle Getty but couldn’t stand each other- there’s an article on [findadeath](http://findadeath.com/) but I can’t link directly). Per that and other sources, it began because Bea Arthur, with a long background in theater before she ever became famous on screen, had a cardinal rule of never breaking the fourth wall, while Betty White, who became famous in television and did more game show appearances than her co-stars, had a tendency of looking at the audience during a laugh line. Betty was also prone to improv a bit during her “back in St. Olav” stories, which Bea, again from a theatre background, _hated_, even when it worked better than the script, because she liked to have her actions and reactions planned. If you watch _Golden Girls_ you can see this a bit. Betty will often look at the audience at the end of a story or the end of a line. (Apparently the two made some sort of peace as they appeared together on TV Land and Betty White gave a tearful eulogy on a couple of talk shows [not at the funeral] when Bea died recently, or maybe she’s just a good actress.) ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/44 "2009-06-09T00:08:47Z")
I love Alan Rickman \ HOWEVER . . . he does this in just about every movie he’s in. ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/45 "2009-06-09T01:01:07Z")
John McGinley, who plays (played?) Dr. Cox on “Scrubs,” has a number of distinctive mannerisms. The most obvious of these is how he clasps his hands behind his head when his character is upset. Look for this whenever one of Dr. Cox’s patients dies, or gets mysteriously sicker, or when the obvious diagnosis turns out to be wrong. Also on the rare occasions when Dr. Cox gets verbally put in his place by J.D., Elliot, or Turk. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/46 "2009-06-10T00:30:37Z")
> [@Tanbarkie](#): > > John McGinley, who plays (played?) Dr. Cox on “Scrubs,” has a number of distinctive mannerisms. The most obvious of these is how he clasps his hands behind his head when his character is upset. Look for this whenever one of Dr. Cox’s patients dies, or gets mysteriously sicker, or when the obvious diagnosis turns out to be wrong. Also on the rare occasions when Dr. Cox gets verbally put in his place by J.D., Elliot, or Turk. But that’s a Coxism, not a Mcginleyism. I mean, McGinley does it intentinoally as part of of the character, as opposed to an “actor” like Kevin Costner who is the same no matter who he plays. Also, I think they even riffed on this in Scrubs once. I want to say it was Carla, who dressed him down and finished by saying, “You’re so mad you’re going to put your hands behind your head and call me names.” or something like that. I think Brendan Fraser’s character may have aped Cox with this gesture as well, now that I think about it. ---
**Author:** ![louguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b487fb/32.png) [@louguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/louguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/47 "2013-12-18T23:48:42Z")
> [@Claire\_Beauchamp](#): > > I _think_ that in each turn as Indiana Jones or Han Solo, Harrison Ford says, “Trust me.” Perhaps not in the most recent one, can’t remember. I don’t think of that as a “tic” but as sort of an inside joke. Any time a Harrison Ford caracter gets the s\*\*t beat out of him, he gives you the ‘‘double paralysed claw with squinty eyes and mouth in an oval overture’’ thing. ---
**Author:** ![louguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b487fb/32.png) [@louguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/louguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/48 "2013-12-18T23:57:32Z")
I give you : the George Clooney bubble head ‘‘let me explain this to you in the utmost urgent manner coz you’re a dumbass’’ dialog delivery. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/49 "2013-12-19T02:25:17Z")
Kiera Knightley’s jaw seemingly has a will all its own. Every emotion comes across as petulance and / or angry determination. The only time I’ve seen her in a role where she seems to be trying to be pleasant is in _Love Actually_, and, god help us, her _smile_ is somehow even worse. I believe a big part of it _is_ the shape of her jaw, as she apparently can’t close her mouth in still photos either. I \*want \*to like her but she just set _my_ teeth on edge. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/50 "2013-12-19T02:38:19Z")
Patrick Warburton. …is the joke I would have made back in 2009. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/51 "2013-12-19T02:58:39Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Patrick Warburton. > > …is the joke I would have made back in 2009. If you’re referring to his squinty eyed, low voice that is simultaneously monotone and dismissive, that joke is still alive on _Rules of Engagement_. By the way, I like him and RoE, just sayin’ his delivery is pretty much the same. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/52 "2013-12-19T03:17:41Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > No matter the role, Al Pacino will go from talking quietly and without much emotion to SHOUTING LOUDLY FOR MAXIMUM HAM EFFECT. Every time. > > Then of course, there’s BRIAN BLESSED! (capitals and exclamation point non optional) who’ll always ham it to the max. The man’s volume control is stuck at 11. I went and found this video, then realized this was a zombie thread and decided not to post it, then I watched the video and realized it’s such an awesome scene that I must share it anyway. And you’re still around, so maybe you’ll see this and enjoy it. Yes, Brian Blessed is a 100% non-kosher ham, and as voluminous as a volumey thing. But that just makes his [quiet moments so much the better](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2MXqlDcEs). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/53 "2013-12-19T04:03:18Z")
Tom Cruise’s rictus grin. Harrison Ford’s “twitch smile” signifying relief of some sort. Clare Danes’ quivering chin. Robert Duvall’s little vocal tics, which have gotten worse as he’s gotten older. He makes these little tsks and hmms, which substitute for meaningful dialog. Eastwood’s squint and curled lip. ---
**Author:** ![louguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b487fb/32.png) [@louguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/louguy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/54 "2013-12-19T06:01:22Z")
First: In every military movie - the army beret is worn like a girl would wear it at Lilith’s Fair, you know, like a portobello mushroom… not shaped firmly to the right side. Second: Every time a guy shakes his gun, it sounds like he’s shaking a bag of scrap metal parts - and when a gun is aimed, you have to hear a cocking sound… makes me nuts… ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/55 "2013-12-19T06:13:28Z")
Jeff Goldblum. One of the elite cadre of actors who always seems to play himself no matter the genre of the movie or the career of the character. I’ve wondered now and again how actors like that keep getting work. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/56 "2013-12-19T08:26:27Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Yes, Brian Blessed is a 100% non-kosher ham, and as voluminous as a volumey thing. But that just makes his [quiet moments so much the better](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2MXqlDcEs). Dear Lord, even his \*silences \*are hammy :D. Thanks for that ! > [@WOOKINAPUB](#): > > Kiera Knightley’s jaw seemingly has a will all its own. Every emotion comes across as petulance and / or angry determination. The only time I’ve seen her in a role where she seems to be trying to be pleasant is in _Love Actually_, and, god help us, her _smile_ is somehow even worse. I believe a big part of it _is_ the shape of her jaw, as she apparently can’t close her mouth in still photos either. I \*want \*to like her but she just set _my_ teeth on edge. When I opened the thread I was somewhat puzzled to read my own post (since I didn’t remember posting that recently), but more puzzled still that I didn’t mention this right off the bat. Ever since a friend of mine pointed it out to me (evidently some time after 2009 :)) I can not unsee it. Every time she appears on screen these days, I must compulsively check and sure enough : Keira Knightley apparently can not shut her damn mouth. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/57 "2013-12-19T17:27:08Z")
BRIAN BLESSED! is pretty much made out of awesome, as seen in his turn at [snooker commentary](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP11L9jRW94) and on [QI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJB20mC4Rqc). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/58 "2013-12-19T17:42:19Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Kiera Knightley’s jaw seemingly has a will all its own. Every emotion comes across as petulance and / or angry determination. The only time I’ve seen her in a role where she seems to be trying to be pleasant is in _Love Actually_, and, god help us, her _smile_ is somehow even worse. I believe a big part of it _is_ the shape of her jaw, as she apparently can’t close her mouth in still photos either. I \*want \*to like her but she just set _my_ teeth on edge. Load up on tranks before watching _A Dangerous Method_, in which her out-of-control jaw gets top billing. Originally filmed in 3D, but her titanic mandible sent test audiences screaming and running for their lives when it burst from the screen into their laps. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/59 "2013-12-19T18:16:21Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > BRIAN BLESSED! is pretty much made out of awesome, as seen in his turn at [snooker commentary](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP11L9jRW94) and on [QI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJB20mC4Rqc). I’m currently petitioning the ISO to replace the decibel with the blessed. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935/60 "2013-12-19T18:22:34Z")
Val Kilmer always has a scene where he knuckle rolls something between his fingers - coins, pencils, etc. Ones I can recall off the top of my head are Tombstone, Real Genius, and The Saint. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-tics/498935.md?page=4)