# Actors who stole the show **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857 "2006-12-04T20:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/41 "2006-12-05T10:01:07Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I know we’ve seen hundreds of scene stealer, but I can’t think of many right now. I’m pretty sure Gary Sinise has stealen a scene or two, but I can’t think of them right now, either. [/QUOTE] He was the most memorable character in the movie Forrest Gump, I thought. That said, he was arguably the central character for a fair sized portion of the movie, with Gump just kinda spectating (which, I guess, is the point of the movie, it’s not about Gump’s life, it’s about the lives of people around him. Wow, I just got that.) I’m trying to think of other movies he’s been in, but all I can think of is Forrest Gump, Of Mice and Men, Mission to Mars, and CSI:NY (where my room mate and I decided that he was still playing Lieutenant Dan, but with damned good prosthetic legs). In We Were Soldiers, Sam Elliot owned any scene he happened to be in, including scenes where he neither did nor said anything. If he was just standing there while Mel Gibson took center stage, he owned the scene. This guy has a sense of presence that few others can manage. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/42 "2006-12-05T10:30:24Z")
Christopher Walken is good for these - _Pulp Fiction_, _America’s Sweethearts_ & _Envy_ being 3 off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/43 "2006-12-05T11:50:08Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] Andre Braugher in Homicide: Life on the Street. I don’t remember much about that series but I remember Braugher stole it. It was an ensemble cast that eventually became more and more centered around Braugher’s character. I think it was also the launching point for the character of Det. Munch who has now moved on to Law and Order. One episode that I clearly remember, one of the older detectives had killed himself. Because of this the department said the other detectives were not allowed to wear their dress uniforms for the funeral procession. This caused a lot of turmoil for all the detectives, especially the deceased’s partner. Braugher’s character, who wasn’t even the deceased’s partner, put on his dress uniform and stood on the steps of the station and saluted as the procession walked past. That was probably the episode that cinched his stealing of the show. [/QUOTE] A so agree with this. Everytime I would watch **HLotS** I would tell any one in the room that Mr. Braugher is the best actor of than ensemble cast. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/44 "2006-12-05T12:53:12Z")
[QUOTE=teela brown] How do you define this quality? Whenever an actor possessing it is onscreen, you just have eyes for no one else. [/QUOTE] At my acting school, we called it gravitas, and you’ve given a pretty good description of it in your post. Ashton Kutcher, despite playing your typical Token Dumb Guy, owned every scene he was in on That 70’s Show. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2006, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/45 "2006-12-05T13:11:51Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] Neal Patrick Harris pretty much put _Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle_ in his back pocket and took it home with him. [/QUOTE] He also took a small role in “How I Met Your Mother” to new heights. When “Growing Pains” added leonardo DiCaprio to the cast as a homeless teen the Seavers took in, word is that Kirk Cameron was so jealous of the attention Leo was getting that he insisted the show get rid of him. Gabe Kaplan was the star of “Welcome Back Kotter” but John Travolta stole that show. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/46 "2006-12-05T13:14:28Z")
I thought Kramer stole the show in **Seinfeld**. Of course, he couldn’t have kept up the show by himself, which made the show very balanced. I’m shocked to hear Hopkins only had eighteen minutes of playtime in Silent of the Lambs. When I think back to it, it’s like he was in every second scene. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/47 "2006-12-05T13:19:04Z")
[QUOTE=teela brown] Although he is seldom cast in supporting roles, it’s hard to overestimate just how thoroughly Anthony Hopkins dominates any film that he’s in. How do you define this quality? Whenever an actor possessing it is onscreen, you just have eyes for no one else. I recently saw AH in _Remains of the Day_ for the first time and he simply blew me away. I can barely remember who else was in the film! We just bought _The World’s Fastest Indian_ off of e-bay and I’m hoping to watch it soon. It wasn’t a big earth-shattering movie, but I can’t wait to see him steal the whole film again. [/QUOTE] In theatre it’s called “stage presence”–having all eyes on you, even when you’re in the chorus. I saw “Carousel” in 1996 and could not take my eyes and ears off of one minor player. Her name was Audra Ann McDonald, and she is now a megastar. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/48 "2006-12-05T14:09:12Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] **Galaxy Quest** – Sam Rockwell (again) as Guy Fleegner, “Crewman #6”. [/QUOTE] “What’s my last name? Do any of you all know it?” “Of course you have a last name, Guy.” "Do I? _ **DO I?!?!?** _ * * * Call me crazy, but I liked Julia Stiles in the Borne movies. It could also be that the only time I wasn’t getting motion sickness during the second one was when she was on screen. ---
**Author:** ![Sonia\_Montdore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Sonia\_Montdore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonia_Montdore)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/49 "2006-12-05T14:11:37Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] In theatre it’s called “stage presence”–having all eyes on you, even when you’re in the chorus. I saw “Carousel” in 1996 and could not take my eyes and ears off of one minor player. Her name was Audra Ann McDonald, and she is now a megastar. [/QUOTE] Megastar? I’ve never heard of her. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/50 "2006-12-05T14:26:33Z")
[QUOTE=Sonia Montdore] Megastar? I’ve never heard of her. [/QUOTE] It is a relative thing. I think **Annie-Xmas** means a mega-star on Broadway. [Audra McDonald](http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?id=52250) Jim ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/51 "2006-12-05T14:26:36Z")
I agree with friend MrDibble: Christopher Walken walked away with The Wedding Crashers ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/52 "2006-12-05T14:28:15Z")
John Inman (Mr. Humphries) stole the whole show **Are You Being Served?** The show was intended to be a vehicle for Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas) but the show quickly changed course and Humprhies took the center. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/53 "2006-12-05T14:59:59Z")
**Geoffrey Rush** in [Elizabeth](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/) **Alec Baldwin** in [The Cooler](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0318374/) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/54 "2006-12-05T15:01:33Z")
Zero Mostel stole evry scene he ever was in. In Fidler I dont remember anyone else. The Producers,Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum etc. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2006, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/55 "2006-12-05T15:03:00Z")
Right. Megastar on Broadway, and she has performed at the Met. Remember: A movie or TV star has 10 or 20 or 50 chances to do it right. A stage performer has to do it right the first time, eight times a week. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/56 "2006-12-05T15:04:22Z")
If we get to chose TV shows, the I vote fro **Creed** in **The Office**. He hardly gets any lines, but when he opens his mouth, it’s genius. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/57 "2006-12-05T15:12:42Z")
**Martin Sheen** as Josiah Bartlet in West Wing. From Wiki > [@](#): > > According to show creator Aaron Sorkin, Bartlet was not originally intended to be a key member of the cast. He was only meant to make occasional appearances, approximately once every four episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Sonia\_Montdore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Sonia\_Montdore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonia_Montdore)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/58 "2006-12-05T15:47:00Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] It is a relative thing. I think **Annie-Xmas** means a mega-star on Broadway. [Audra McDonald](http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?id=52250) Jim [/QUOTE] Thanks, Jim. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/59 "2006-12-05T16:25:59Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] Christopher Walken is good for these - _Pulp Fiction_, _America’s Sweethearts_ & _Envy_ being 3 off the top of my head. [/QUOTE] Yes! **Envy** was a surprisingly entertaining movie, IMHO, and at least 70% of the credit to that goes to Christopher Walken. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857/60 "2006-12-05T16:49:47Z")
I would say \*\* John Goodman \*\* in \*\*\* Raising Arizona \*\*\*. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-stole-the-show/382857.md?page=4)