# Actors who keep getting work who should never work again. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314 "2016-09-30T21:33:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/82 "2016-10-07T08:29:27Z")
Statham also sends his “same character” up beautifully in _Spy_. The man has better comedy chops than you’d suspect. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/83 "2016-10-07T13:30:49Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Jason Statham. > > I actually don’t begrudge him his success, but wow how someone with an extremely limited acting range and who basically plays the same character in every single movie is so popular is a mystery to me, his entire acting ability is to scowl a lot and make the occassional indecipherable comment. And…that’s pretty much it. He does some actual acting in [Redemption](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1893256/). Still the usual body count and scowling but it’s not his usual fare. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/84 "2016-10-07T14:25:15Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > ANCHORMAN 2 got the chance to gross $173M on a tiny $50M budget – in part because ANCHORMAN grossed $90M on a tinier $26M budget, and in part because of his work in between: BLADES OF GLORY ($145M on a $61M budget) and MEGAMIND ($320M on $130M). Hollywood then threw $40M into making GET HARD, which brought in $111M; and $69M into DADDY’S HOME, which brought in $240M. > > Now, none of that is as good a return on investment as ELF was – heck, none are as good a return on investment as OLD SCHOOL was – but I figure they did well enough that he doesn’t need to blackmail folks into letting him make money for them. Teaches me to underestimate the drawing power of untalented goofy old men wearing curly-haired bathing caps… * * * > [@Gyrate](#): > > I want to remind people that **Andie MacDowell** has had steady acting work for decades. > > Andie MacDowell. > [@justmeetee](#): > > But see looks sooooooo good. I think every man has the right to look at her face and to pretend that he can make her change her expression just by the power of penis alone… ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/85 "2016-10-07T15:30:05Z")
Andie MacDowell - the most bloodless actress since Elsa Lanchester. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/86 "2016-10-07T16:55:07Z")
Back in the olden days, George Brent, indistinguishable from a cigar store indian in acting ability, got constant work. Stupid mustache and a pipe stuck in his mouth, he was nevertheless an excellent background for the histrionics of Bette Davis. He was much in demand as he was no distraction from the great scenery chewing actresses of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/87 "2016-10-07T17:00:40Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Statham’s secret is that he simply picks good action movies to star in. If Steven Seagal would just let writers and directors do their jobs rather than acting like a pro wrestler who must never be seen to look bad even for a minute, he could have been Jason Statham. OK, yes to be fair Steven Seagal makes Statham look like Laurence Olivier. > [@Gyrate](#): > > Statham also sends his “same character” up beautifully in _Spy_. The man has better comedy chops than you’d suspect. > [@running\_coach](#): > > He does some actual acting in [Redemption](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1893256/). Still the usual body count and scowling but it’s not his usual fare. I’ll have to check both those out, thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/88 "2016-10-07T17:13:27Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Statham also sends his “same character” up beautifully in _Spy_. The man has better comedy chops than you’d suspect. He got his start in comedy - _Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels_ and _Snatch_. He and Vinnie Jones can thank Guy Ritchie for their acting careers. One doesn’t need great range to be a successful actor; both prove being very good in a limited range can keep the paychecks coming. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/89 "2016-10-07T17:33:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > One person I think we’d all agree on is Steven Seagal, although major studios haven’t given him work in a couple of decades. But there’s still a market for his direct to video movies even though it’s all the same thing: > > 1. Problem exists > 2. Steven Seagal shows up, notices problem > 3. Seagal kicks everyone’s ass who is part of the problem > 4. Seagal faces big bad guy at the end and kicks his ass as easily as he kicked the asses of the guys before him > 5. Problem solved, Seagal has not yet sweat, much less actually been in any danger whatsoever. 1. Director says “It’s a wrap!” and Seagal finishes off the caterer’s buffet table by himself [pun sorta intended]. And Keanu’s best method-acting line? “Whoa!” ---
**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:** [October 7, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/90 "2016-10-07T17:58:34Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > Jennifer Aniston > Gweneth Paltow > Jessica Alba Three of the most beautiful women _ever_. Well, Jennifer and Jessica are. Gweneth is still beautiful, though. They will continue to find work, which works out well for me. You, not so much. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/91 "2016-10-07T18:00:11Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Was he good in Community? > > He was great in the vacation movies. Hey, what about FLETCH?! ---
**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:** [October 7, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/92 "2016-10-07T20:06:22Z")
Rosamund Pike. Raising one’s eyebrows and looking vaguely terrified ain’t acting. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/93 "2016-10-08T01:23:04Z")
Kal Penn. Smug d-bag, who should only ever be allowed to again star in the reality series “Boxers and MMA Fighters Punch Kal Penn in the Face” ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/94 "2016-10-08T01:29:57Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > **Wil Wheaton**. Well, he doesn’t really get cast in anything anymore, He’s had a recurring role as a villain on Dark Matter the last two years. Before that he was a rival for one of the characters on Eureka. And pretty good in both roles. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/95 "2016-10-08T01:47:40Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Jeremy Irons Seriously? _The Mission_? _Dead Ringers_? _Moonlighting_? _Kingdom of Heaven_? _the Man Who Knew Infinity_? Is Gary Oldman on your list too?? 😕 What is it that you don’t like about Mr. Irons? ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/96 "2016-10-08T04:01:08Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > He’s had a recurring role as a villain on Dark Matter the last two years. Before that he was a rival for one of the characters on Eureka. And pretty good in both roles. He was fine in Stand By Me. He’s fine in that board game series (not acting per se but who cares). It was the writers and producers who fucked him on TNG. Once he got into a uni and had contrast with Picard he would have been fine. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/97 "2016-10-08T23:52:52Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > [This just came out a few days ago](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzae4DKexko). Warning: political commentary. Sorta? It’s been ten years since _Jack & Karen_ ended? > [@astorian](#): > > Is Ted a master thespian? Not at all- but he’s a good looking guy who **shows up on time, knows his lines, and gets along with everybody on set**. Everyone who works with him seems to hire him again. Doesn’t that say SOMETHING good about him? > > Well, there are a lot of Ted McGinleys out there. I have a theory that TV and film work is such a miserable slog that those qualities are all you really need to work regularly. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/98 "2016-10-09T00:10:24Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Well, there are a lot of Ted McGinleys out there. Sort of similar: Paula Marshall. I like her a lot, but she has gotten the (unfounded, IMHO) reputation of being a “series killer.” Even so, she keeps getting work. And there’s nothing wrong with McGinley, either. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/99 "2016-10-09T23:56:13Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Sort of similar: Paula Marshall. I like her a lot, but she has gotten the (unfounded, IMHO) reputation of being a “series killer.” Even so, she keeps getting work. > > And there’s nothing wrong with McGinley, either. Years back, I saw an interview in which Ted McGinley was asked about “Jump the Shark,” the website that labeled him a show killer. He was a good sport about it, but he pointed out that he was on “Happy Days” for 4 years and “Married With Children” for almost 8 years. So, how bad could he have been? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/100 "2016-10-10T00:08:07Z")
Tom Cruise gets named a lot in this sort of thread. I see also a mention of Jack Nicholson, and George Clooney. The thing is that whether you love them or hate them they have tremendous presence. They are compelling. You can’t take your eyes of them when they are on screen. Cruise in particular almost always plays the same cocky jerk, but he plays it very well. He seems like he might be a bit of wacko outside acting. But when I watch a movie with him in it, I enjoy his performance. You can be a purist of some kind and say he isn’t a great actor’s actor. But it’s hard to fault a guy that does what he’s paid to do, very, very well, and gives people enjoyment as he does. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314/101 "2016-10-10T07:03:04Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > …but he pointed out that he was on “Happy Days” for 4 years and “Married With Children” for almost 8 years. He was excellent on _Married With Children_. He had found his element for that show. Everyone was rubbish on _Happy Days_ during its limp to the finish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-keep-getting-work-who-should-never-work-again/767314.md?page=6)