# Actors or actresses you only like in one role only and dislike everything else they've done. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832 "2019-04-20T23:50:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/41 "2019-04-22T04:40:43Z")
Ashton Kutcher. I’ve pretty much hated him in everything he’s ever done. He’s either playing an annoying idiot or he’s playing somebody who’s supposed to be smart but still comes off as an idiot. But I really liked him in _No Strings Attached_. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/42 "2019-04-22T04:43:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Jennifer Tilly didn’t suck in “Bullets Over Broadway”, but otherwise has no business being in the acting game. > [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > I liked Tilly in “Second Best” I’d also recommend _Bound_. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/43 "2019-04-22T04:59:40Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Al Pacino in **Sea Of Love**. Have never enjoyed or admired him in anything else. > [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Really? The Panic in Needle Park? The Godfathers I and II? No? Nope. Not even the GF’s. Surprises me too. He’s so highly regarded by public and peers, I know I’m missing something, but I just don’t get it. For some reason, **Sea Of Love** , which I thought was a good but unremarkable film, is the only time I’ve ever seen what others admire so much in him. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/44 "2019-04-22T05:22:04Z")
Peter Sellers absolutely nailed the role of Chance in _Being There_. His other work, I can do without, with the exception of _Dr. Strangelove_. I like _Dr. Strangelove_, but it’s not because of Sellers. But _Being There_–Sellers was perfect. Another vote for Wil Ferrell in _Elf._ He got it, he understood the role perfectly; but he didn’t quite seem to in his other movies. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/45 "2019-04-22T13:28:35Z")
I despise Tom Cruise, but he was good in Rain Man, mostly because he let Dustin Hoffman tak eover the movie. John Travolta stank in Grease. Notice he is usually singing and dancing by himself. During the Greased Lightning sequence, Jeff Conway totally upstages him. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/46 "2019-04-22T15:02:38Z")
James Spader in The Blacklist is excellent. James Spader elsewhere is like watching James Spader actively resenting that he won the audition for the casting call for James Spader types. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/47 "2019-04-22T15:39:44Z")
The only thing I’ve liked Will Ferrell in was _Stranger than Fiction_. And, no, I’m not ignoring _Elf._ Adam Sandler is unwatchable in everything except for _Punch Drunk Love_. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/48 "2019-04-22T16:02:48Z")
Keira Knightley’s name on the marquee can keep me from a movie. Going all the way back to the first _Pirates of the Caribbean_, I thought “does this girl only have the one facial expression?” I knew she was playing a damsel in distress who is actually somewhat of a bad ass, but surely there are other ways to portray that than permanent jaw clenching. Then I realized it’s because that’s just how her face is constructed. Not her fault but I find it too distracting. Except for some reason I really liked her in _Atonement_. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/49 "2019-04-22T16:18:26Z")
David Spade’s name on the poster (and the stupid title) kept me away from _The Emperor’s New Groove_ for years, but when I eventually saw it I loved it. Easily the best non-Pixar thing from Disney in the aughts. It’s the only time I’ve ever found him to be funny. Everything else - sitcoms, SNL, movies, commercials - I just want to punch that I’m-cooler-than-everyone-else smirk off his face. Maybe that was what helped - it was voice acting and I didn’t have to look at him. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/50 "2019-04-22T17:13:46Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > In 1986, Jerry O’Connell played Vern in **Stand By Me**. He should have quit the business, one and done, on a high note. This is pretty much how I feel about Matthew Broderick and _WarGames_, even though I know he did stuff before it. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/51 "2019-04-22T17:32:13Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I don’t tolerate Adam Sandler easily either, but he was quite good in _Fifty First Dates_. Interestingly, that movie is also the only one I can watch Rob Schneider in. He’s actually likable. > [@](#): > > I tend to find Arnold Schwarzenegger wooden and unexpressive and mechanical, and don’t much care for the macho action flicks he tends to go in for, but _The Terminator_ made an asset of his primary liabilities, and it was a complex thoughtful movie while still being a good action flick. I still enjoy him in _Conan the Barbarian_, where he did not speak a lot, but did manage to convey a complex, thoughtful character, before he became AH-nald and degenerated in stupid schtick (“AAhhll be BAAHHCk.”) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/52 "2019-04-22T17:39:37Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Kevin Kline in _Dave_. Everything else, meh. I would save Kevin Kline, too, except I can’t come up with a single thing I’ve seen that I didn’t hate him in. 😛 ---
**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:** [April 22, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/53 "2019-04-22T18:07:51Z")
I just thought of another one; \ David Caruso. I know he was supposed to have been a big deal on NYPD Blue (?) but the few scenes I saw here and there didn’t look very good to me. I’ve since seen episodes of CSI Miami, which I watched f because I used to not have any other channels to choose from at 12:00 AM. It’s hard to believe he wasn’t doing a spoof of someone else. I mean, we were supposed to take that nonsense seriously? :smack: BUT, he was really good in _Session 9_. A quirky character in a creepy ass movie. He was perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/54 "2019-04-22T18:44:39Z")
I liked [Martha Plimpton](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000588/) in [Raising Hope](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1615919/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_13). I chalk that up to the great writing. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/55 "2019-04-22T19:26:05Z")
Anthony LaPaglia stole the show in _Betsy’s Wedding_ as a not-too-bright young mobster, but he’s irritated me in just about everything else I’ve seen him in. > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Ben Stiller. > > Hilarious in Zoolander, dumb and plays literally the same character in every other movie. > > Actually add Tropic Thunder to the mix, he was good in that too. I’m not really a fan of his, but thought he did well in the superhero parody _Mystery Men_, too. > [@silenus](#): > > …_Dave_ was his best, but Kevin Kline was pretty good in _A Fish Called Wanda_, too. Enthusiastically seconded. > [@DrDeth](#): > > …Allison Janney was great in the _West Wing_ but sucks in _Mom_, and in fact it makes me sad and mad seeing her wasted in a second rate cheap sitcom. You’ve got to see her as the Stage Mom from Hell in _I, Tonya_. She really earned her Oscar. > [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > …It’s possible I could be the only “Anchorman” fan here. Heh, I can deal with that… :: raises hand :: > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Keira Knightley’s name on the marquee can keep me from a movie. Going all the way back to the first _Pirates of the Caribbean_, I thought “does this girl only have the one facial expression?” I knew she was playing a damsel in distress who is actually somewhat of a bad ass, but surely there are other ways to portray that than permanent jaw clenching. Then I realized it’s because that’s just how her face is constructed. Not her fault but I find it too distracting. Except for some reason I really liked her in _Atonement_. Pistols at dawn, sir! I’m a big fan. After you see her in the _Pirates_ movies and _Atonement_, check out _Pride & Prejudice_ and, say, _Silk, Begin Again, Love Actually_ or _A Dangerous Method_. I hope you’ll see that she has a lot more than one expression. > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I just thought of another one; \ David Caruso… Have I got a treat for you - Jim Carrey does David Caruso: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSqkwyL1Zo&t=2s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSqkwyL1Zo&t=2s) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/56 "2019-04-22T19:45:45Z")
Kevin Costner was good in _The Untouchables_ because his acting style is dispassionate and wooden just like you’d expect of a successful number cruncher. He’s Elliot Ness in every other role I’ve seen him in, however. Can’t stomach him. Brad Pitt was at his absolute best in _True Romance_. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/57 "2019-04-22T22:10:10Z")
I was rewatching _This Is Spinal Tap_ and I realized I didn’t like Fred Willard. Then I realized I didn’t like him in anything else, either. But I like Fred Willard very much as Phil’s dad in _Modern Family._ For that matter, when it comes to Shelley Long, hers is a career that’s bookended by _Cheers_ and _Modern Family_. . . and there are no books in the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/58 "2019-04-22T22:18:59Z")
I have never, ever, \*ever \*seen Fred Willard in a role I liked. Hate him. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/59 "2019-04-22T22:26:15Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Will Ferrell in _Stranger Than Fiction_, and I suppose, in a similar vein, _Everything Must Go_. Any of his other movies you would have to pay me to get me to see them again. Heh. I came here to post Will Ferrell in Stranger than Fiction. Glad I’m not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832/60 "2019-04-22T22:50:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > … > > You’ve got to see her as the Stage Mom from Hell in _I, Tonya_. She really earned her Oscar. > > …] Cool! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-or-actresses-you-only-like-in-one-role-only-and-dislike-everything-else-theyve-done/832832.md?page=4)