# Best Character Actors **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2001, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240 "2001-09-17T19:53:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/61 "2001-09-24T22:30:07Z")
John Malkovich. He’s played a few lead roles, but still is relatively obscure as a leading man. I liked him in that movie where he played a thief. Sean Penn is a brilliant character actor. His roles as the lawyer in Carlito’s Way, and as the Snowman in Falcon and the Snowman were amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/62 "2001-09-25T00:41:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by watsonwil \* > \*\*Jeremy Piven \*\* Jeremy Piven is not a character actor, he is a diety and I worship him. I don’t know if my guy is really a character actor. He’s a had a lot of leading roles but isn’t really a household name and certainly is not a “star”. His best characters each seem like a living person, as if they don’t exist just for the purpose of the movie but have real histories. He’s gifted in comedy, drama, and suspense. I adore him, you should too, let’s give it up for Alan Arkin! Whoo hoo! Some of his movies: The In-Laws Catch 22 Glengarry Glen Ross Grosse Pointe Blank Wait Until Dark The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Simon Freebie and the Bean The Last Unicorn (clap clap!) Escape from Sobibor Edward Scissorhands ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/63 "2001-09-25T01:12:22Z")
Tony Shalhoub. Better known as that immigrant taxi driver on “Wings”. He’s a very good, often over looked actor. ---
**Author:** ![Zappo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b3f665/32.png) [@Zappo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zappo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/64 "2001-09-25T01:48:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*Tony Shalhoub. > > Better known as that immigrant taxi driver on “Wings”. > > He’s a very good, often over looked actor. \*\* Second that one. I wonder why I didn’t think of him. . . His turn as Secondo in “Big Night” is an excellent showcase for his talent. His role as the talented and uncompromising chef plays off of Stanley Tucci brilliantly and makes the film. If you haven’t seen it, rent it. Zappo ---
**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/65 "2001-09-25T04:51:33Z")
I think all mentioned are good (excepting Keanu, of course), but I believe **Harry Dean Stanton** has been the most films. IIRC its around 150. That should count for something. And I can not believe no one has mentioned **Bruce Dern**!!! Stand-out performance in ‘The Driver’. ---
**Author:** ![greenlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@greenlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenlady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/66 "2001-09-25T14:00:38Z")
I definitely second John Saxon and John Malkovich. Another male actor I really thought was underrated was **Roddy McDowall**. For females, I’ll add: **Uma Thurman** and **Lisa Kudrow**. If you haven’t watched Lisa Kudrow in something other than _Friends_, I think you’d be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![thermalribbon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@thermalribbon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thermalribbon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/67 "2001-09-27T03:25:36Z")
C’mon - How about a big hand for **G.D. Spradlin??** The Godfather (Senator Geary) Apocalypse Now One on One Lords of Discipline This guy kicks ass! ---
**Author:** ![custard\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@custard\_dragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/custard_dragon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/68 "2001-09-27T04:31:30Z")
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned **Tracey Walter**. You may remember him from such films as: Erin Brockovich (2000) … Charles Embry Drowning Mona (2000) … Clarence Man on the Moon (1999) … ‘National Enquirer’ Editor Mighty Joe Young (1998) … Security Guard Beloved (1998) … Slave Catcher Desperate Measures (1998) … Medical Inmate Playing God (1997) … Jim Matilda (1996) … Bill (F.B.I. Agent) Buffalo Girls (1995) (TV) … Jim Ragg Philadelphia (1993) … Librarian Amos & Andrew (1993) … Bloodhound Bob City Slickers (1991) … Cookie Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) … Lamar Pacific Heights (1990) … Exterminator Two Jakes, The (1990) … Tyrone Otley Batman (1989) … Bob the Goon Midnight Run (1988) … Diner Counter Man Married to the Mob (1988) … Mr. Chicken Lickin’ Something Wild (1986) … The Country Squire Repo Man (1984) … Miller Rumble Fish (1983) … Alley Mugger #1 “Best of the West” (1981) TV Series … Frog Goin’ South (1978) … Coofan Annie Hall (1977) … Actor in Rob’s TV Show ---
**Author:** ![thermalribbon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@thermalribbon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thermalribbon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/69 "2001-09-27T17:21:39Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by custard dragon \* \*\*I can’t believe nobody has mentioned **Tracey Walter**. [QUOTE] Custard Dragon you are so money. Tracey Walter is a HUGE character guy. Funny enough, he also would fit into the _“Actor Who Plays the Same Character in Every Movie”_ thread. That guy rocks! ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/70 "2001-09-27T21:17:08Z")
Does [David Morse](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Morse,+David) fit into this category? I love this man! Also, the fact that he does a lot of Stephen King works doesn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/71 "2001-10-10T18:53:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by schemo \* > \*\*I would like to cast an extremely biased vote for Mr. Dwight Schultz. > If I could vote a million times, I would. \*\* Agreed! From “A-Team”, “Star Trek etc.”, and “Fat Man and Little Boy”, he’s shown he’s got range! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2001, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240/72 "2001-10-11T02:11:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spoke- \* > > * * * > > Also, **Paul Dooley** , the master of the put-upon Dad. (See, Breaking Away and Sixteen Candles. Dooley’s performance in Breaking Away, and particularly the heart-to-heart talk with his son, should have earned him best-supporting-actor consideration.) \*\* Excellent addition. “No more ‘ini’ food in this house!” Breaking Away is an outstanding little flick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-character-actors/82240.md?page=3)