# Actors that appear in many movies but are not "famous"... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 9, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511 "2005-04-09T02:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![START](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@START](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/START)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/1 "2005-04-09T02:16:13Z")
Is there a name for that kind of actor described in the title of this thread? 2 actors come to mind that I had to look up on IMDB because I see them alot…Larry Miller and Clifton Powell. You may not know who they are but most likely you have seen them in a movie you like. ---
**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 9, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/2 "2005-04-09T02:35:44Z")
Usually they are referred to as “character actors.” An actor who does that can have a long career in bit parts. The champion is [Charles Lane](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0485272/): 254 movies and 94 TV guest appearance in the IMDB. Recently celebrated his 100th birthday and was still acting at age 90. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/3 "2005-04-09T02:50:22Z")
> [@START](#): > > Is there a name for that kind of actor described in the title of this thread? In my circle of friends it was always “_That_ guy,” as in: “Hey, it’s _That_ guy!” Reading threads here and elsewhere, I’ve found that this term is extremely common. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/4 "2005-04-09T03:01:43Z")
Go over to [www.fametracker.com](http://www.fametracker.com) and click on “Hey! It’s that Guy!” They do write-ups of character actors. Lots of fun. And Larry Miller is definitely one of my personal HITGs. I used to get him mixed up with John Carroll Lynch (another HITG), but I have it figured out now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/5 "2005-04-09T03:02:25Z")
> [@neofishboy](#): > > In my circle of friends it was always “_That_ guy,” as in: “Hey, it’s _That_ guy!” > > Reading threads here and elsewhere, I’ve found that this term is extremely common. [Fametracker](http://fametracker.com/hey_its_that_guy/) has an entire section devoted to this, named after, of course, the ultimate That Guy, JT Walsh. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/6 "2005-04-09T03:30:55Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=239594&highlight=Leong](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=239594&highlight=Leong) ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/7 "2005-04-09T14:44:24Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > [Fametracker](http://fametracker.com/hey_its_that_guy/) has an entire section devoted to this, named after, of course, the ultimate That Guy, JT Walsh. I’ll see your JT Walsh and raise you a James Hampton. And an additional challenge- name the Lucas Black film in which they both appeared. Lucas Black, you know- that kid. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/8 "2005-04-10T00:01:19Z")
You’re probably not heard of most of the top 10 [most prolific](http://us.imdb.com/Prolific/) actors and actresses, as ranked in the Internet Movie Database: **Actors** 1. Mel Blanc (926) _Almost all were cartoon voices, including Bugs Bunny._ 2. Edmund Cobb (564) _Mostly small parts in westerns._ 3. Tom London (560) _Mostly small parts in westerns._ 4. Lee Phelps (I) (555) _Mostly uncredited bit parts._ 5. Bud Osborne (553) 6. Adoor Bhasi (549) 7. Prem Nazir (507) 8. Frank Ellis (I) (458) 9. Stanley Blystone (456) 10. Emmett Vogan (456) **Actresses** 1. Bess Flowers (692) _Known as the Queen of the Extras._ 2. Mae Questel (338) _The voice of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl._ 3. Lalita Pawar (333) 4. Claire McDowell (320) 5. Sharada (I) (308) 6. Florence Lawrence (298) _Early silent era leading lady, one of the first to get screen billing. Most credits are for short movies._ 7. Mary Pickford (289) _A top star of the silent era. Most credits are for short movies._ 8. Nirupa Roy (286) 9. Pandharibai (280) 10. Mary Gordon (I) (278) ---
**Author:** ![Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nefarious_chipmunk/32/1045_2.png) [@Nefarious\_Chipmunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefarious_Chipmunk)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/9 "2005-04-10T01:41:30Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I’ll see your JT Walsh and raise you a James Hampton. > And an additional challenge- name the Lucas Black film in which they both appeared. > > Lucas Black, you know- that kid. 😃 Sling Blade (1996) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/10 "2005-04-10T03:37:56Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > 1. Mary Pickford (289) While I admire your research skills, you _dare_ to mention America’s Sweetheart in a thread about “not famous” performers?! ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/11 "2005-04-10T03:50:51Z")
[What A Character](http://www.what-a-character.com/) is another good place to check out. And if you know whats good for you, you’ll apologize to Eve for that comment about Mary Pickford\*. \*America’s Sweetheart… but born in Canada ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/12 "2005-04-10T04:03:19Z")
> [@vl\_mungo](#): > > And if you know whats good for you, you’ll apologize to Eve for that comment about Mary Pickford. No need to apologize to me, but I’d be terrified of the ghost of _Charlotte_ Pickford whuppin’ your ass! ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/13 "2005-04-10T08:14:44Z")
[Jeffery Jones (aka Jeff Jones)](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000470/) comes to mind. He just can’t seem to get that huge defining role…he’s got some great roles under his belt, but he’s firmly embedded as a character actor…cursed or blessed? ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/14 "2005-04-10T12:48:59Z")
[Stephen Tobolowsky](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0864997/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8dHQ9b258ZmI9dXxwbj0wfHE9c3RlcGhlbiB0b2JvbG93c2tpfGh0bWw9MXxubT1vbg__;fc=1;ft=20), who is even the subject of a documentary, [Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party](http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/stephentobolowskysbirthdayparty.html). He played Ned Ryerson, the insurance salesman in _Groundhog Day_. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/15 "2005-04-10T15:07:26Z")
I like [David Morse](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001556/). ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/16 "2005-04-10T15:50:52Z")
How about [David Strathairn](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0000657/)? I always figured he never got famous because nobody knew how to pronounce (or spell) his last name. I really felt bad for him when he got third billing in _The River Wild_ because he HAD to know it was the peak of his career…and still, that bratty kid Joey Mazzello out-billed him! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/17 "2005-04-10T16:43:12Z")
Another guy who’s been in a million things and everyone would recognize but few be able to name is Brad Dourif. I think he’s just now starting to get some recognition for his role as the doctor on _Deadwood_ but he’s been solid for years. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/18 "2005-04-10T17:12:55Z")
Just watched the remake of “The Manchurian Candidate” last night and saw Charles Napier in there. Another one of “those guys”… ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/19 "2005-04-10T18:02:29Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Another guy who’s been in a million things and everyone would recognize but few be able to name is Brad Dourif. I think he’s just now starting to get some recognition for his role as the doctor on _Deadwood_ but he’s been solid for years. I remember watching the extras on the Lord of the Rings DVD and in a bit where they talked about the actors in the film I thought they mentioned that Brad Dourif hadn’t been doing much film over the years. (Looking at his IMDB listing I see that I might have got a mistaken impression. He’s in 89 films over 30 years and it looks like the films are equally spread among the years. Many of them I don’t recognize, but plenty of them seem pretty famous.) ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511/20 "2005-04-10T18:31:53Z")
Phillip Seymour Hoffman > **[Philip Seymour Hoffman - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000450/)** > > Philip Seymour Hoffman, Actor: The Master. Film and stage actor and theater director Philip Seymour Hoffman was born in the Rochester, New York, suburb of Fairport on July 23, 1967. He was the son of Marilyn (Loucks), a lawyer and judge, and Gordon... But he is finally getting his name out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-appear-in-many-movies-but-are-not-famous/298511.md?page=2)