I’m thinking of actors and actresses who you know can give a great performance, but who never seem to be cast in a roles where they can show their talent.
For instance, I’ve been an admirer of Conchata Ferrell since I saw her in the TV series “The Hot L Baltimore,” where she played a hooker. Ferrell was also terrific in “Heartland,” but continually gets cast in small roles that never give her a chance to show what she can do. It probably doesn’t help that she’s a large woman, but she deserves better.
Alfre Woodard burned up the screen in a story arc of “Hill Street Blues,” and I really thought she would be a major star. But she seems to keep getting roles that give her nothing to do.
Pamela Reed looked like a potential star in “Eyewitness,” and made some good films around that time, then seemed to vanish. She was the one reason I watched “Grand,” though she had little to do and I wondered why I thought she was so good. Then I saw her in “Kindergarten Cop” and understood why; unfortunately, she seemed to vanish again after that.
Cindy Williams actually looked like she might be a truly fine actress after “American Grafitti” and “The Conversation.” Alas, she got cast in “Laverne and Shirley” and people forgot how good she could be. Since then, she’s been trapped by that role.
The same thing happened to Mark Linn-Baker. He looked great in “My Favorite Year,” but “Perfect Strangers” killed his career (except for a good role in “Noises Off”).
Charles Grodin rarely gets parts worthy of his talent. See him in “The Heartbreak Kid” to understand how brilliant he could be.
What other actors just don’t seem to get the roles they deserve?
I’ve always thought Paula Prentiss was terrific and am disappointed she didn’t have a bigger career. Funy, gorgeous, smart–maybe she is too happily married to Richard Benjamin; or maybe being about 6’ tall hampered her. Shame; she’s hardly acted in 20 years now.
Kevin Gage — (Waingro in Heat)
Michael Rooker — (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer)
Cherry Jones — (not enough starring roles for a Tony winner)
Gary Farmer — (excellent in Powwow Highway)
Richard Bright — (Al Neri in GF1 and GF2)
Arliss Howard —(many support roles and a few leads, just not enough)
Sherilyn Fenn — (not nearly enough big roles for a big talent – not hard to look at either)
I’m thinking Val Kilmer should probably be more recognized for his talent than he is. He was sensational in both Tombstone and The Doors but many remember him for the abomination that was the 3rd batman movie.
Not exactly what you’re looking for, but I think it’s a shame that so many people only know Jerry Orbach from Law & Order and don’t realize that he’s a great singer and former Broadway star (he was also the voice of the candlestick in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast). Too bad his best known role doesn’t allow him to show off his full range of talents. On the other hand, I don’t think the world needs a musical episode of Law & Order.
Jennifer Jason Leigh – Her roles were either too dark, quirky or indie for her to become hugely mainstream.
Tim Robbins – Who has great depth and can play tremendous comedy, a la Sean Penn, but who seems content being seen more as a director these days (which is great, but I miss him on screen!).
And that’s just two favorites that I adore off the top of my head.
Michael Ironside. Very good character actor, first attracted attention as Ham Tyler in the '80s sci-fi miniseries “V”.
I just saw “Major Payne” today (I was at work. I was bored. OK?) and I saw his name in the credits. “Cool!”, I thought, “Maybe he’ll have an interesting non-sleazy role for once!” Nope. He played some sleazeball and had only a few lines. What a waste.
He was great in the B-movie he wrote and produced called “Common Bonds”, and in “Starship Troopers” and a few other films. He’s quite prolific and always busy, but I’ve almost given up trying to follow his career–it’s full of too much shit.
Although I like Columbo, Peter Falk should be getting more A-list work and recognition than he is. Harlan Ellison once said that even Columbo was just a “three-fingered thespic exercise” for an actor of Falk’s caliber.
Richard Dawson – the only good thing about The Running Man.
I’d like to see Rufus Sewell in better roles. I’ve enjoyed him in Cold Comfort Farm, Dark City, and Dangerous Beauty. But he’s been in a lot of stinkers, too.
(this post was prompted by my recent viewing of Extreme Ops)
Cindy Williams left Laverne & Shirley before her contract was up, which in hollywood usuually seems to get people blacklisted for years. This most likely kept her from getting many good roles after that.
Mark Linn-Baker, I’ve heard, has been on Broadway and become a director. I don’t think Perfect Strangers killed his career, that was an awesome show and probably is what made his career.
Rooker’s an interesting one. While he’s great in tough guy and villain roles, he tends to struggle when asked to do much more than that. For example, his work in Mallrats. Did like him in Brown’s Requiem though.
Miguel Ferrer - Excellent character actor who is currently wasting away on Murphy’s Law.
Alec Baldwin - Seriously, other than that 5 minute showcase in Glengarry Glen Ross, can anyone actually name a quality movie he’s starred in?
I await patiently for Hollywood to figure out what makes Eddie Izzard special, and then learn how to use that on screen.
Carla Gugino is a very talented actor who seems to choose the wrong movies, as is Sara Silverman.
There is no doubt that Val is seen as a major talent, the problem is that at the moment he is more recognised as being a total prat. Read William Goldman’s “Which Lie Did I Tell?” for some background into the wackiness on the set of Ghost and the Darkness for one. But I’d suggest googling for reports about The Island of Doctor Moreau, Red Planet and The Saint as to why Mr. Kilmer is not used more.
I’d say Luke Wilson. Watch Bottle Rocket or The Royal Tenenbaums to see how great he can be. Then wonder why he keeps doing romantic comedies. It’s frustrating.
Oh, I agree! He also has a short cameo as Rose Marie’s surgeon boyfriend in Rushmore. It seems like the only good movies he’s in are the ones directed by Wes Anderson and written by his brother Owen.