This question isn’t mine at all. It was raised on “Ebert and Roeper” this weekend.
I am one of those who likes to discount ‘race’ and say it doesn’t really exist…but someone look at this list of Cheadle’s credits (since 1997 esp.) and explain why he isn’t as big a star as Ben Affleck?
Are there any other actors/actresses out there that are the same. Maybe not just black actors, but actors or actresses who are ‘different’ in some other way.
Is Hollywood, despite it’s limousine liberal image, no different from any other good old boy industry? I guess I started with a narrow question and turned it into a big debate.
I think it’s the films he’s been in. While Cheadle is very talented and a favorite of mine, he hasn’t been in that big star-making film yet. His biggest films have been Boogie Nights and Traffic, both big ensemble pieces. Out of Sight was a good film, but he had a supporting role and the film wasn’t a blockbuster. The other films like Family Man, Bulworth, Swordfish, and Mission to Mars aren’t making stars out of anyone.
Cheadle needs a starring role in a big film to break through to megastar status. Look what 48 Hrs and Beverly Hills Cop did for Eddie Murphy. Cheadle gets a starring role in a blockbuster and he’ll get there.
I don’t forgive anyone for Mission to Mars, least of all Brian DePalma.
But anyway, America is past the point where a black man can’t become a big movie star. Look at Sidney Poitier, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington and the current biggie, Will Smith.
I bet Cheadle’s day will come (I also think he’s terrific), but that it hasn’t yet probably doesn’t indicate racism.
Cheadle gives an absolutely amazing performance in Devil in a Blue Dress. It’s by far the best job I’ve seen him do. I think he’s an outstanding actor.
But the regrettable fact is that looks as much as acting talent determine whether you become a megastar. And Cheadle is a thin, somewhat mousy looking fellow. If he were as rugged and handsome as Washington or Fishburne, I think he would be as big a star as they are.
Being black may have hurt Cheadle’s chances; the fact that a somewhat higher proportion of the black superstars are good actors than the white superstars makes me suspect that you may have to show more acting chops to make it big if you are black. But I think it’s the rest of his physical appearance that really hurts Cheadle as a potential leading man. For instance, Cheadle is a far better actor than Wesley Snipes, but Snipes was successful for a long time as a leading man just because he was better-looking than Cheadle. It’s the same story among white actors, where Keanu Reeves is a leading man while James Cromwell will always be a character actor.
I think picmr has hit the nail on the head here. If you take a look at Cheadle, he’s just not the good looking hero type. He is a fine actor, but that seldom translates to leading man roles in Hollywierd. Gotta have the looks, either rakishly handsome or oddly cute. He might fit into the second category, but I don’t think his Q-ratings take him there. If you are a Hollywood mogul, and have millions riding on a film, then you need a bankable commodity, someone whom millions will pay to see. Unfortunately talentless hacks like Mark Wahlberg get the nod before others.
I’m betting that day will come very soon. Sure, it’s a big ensemble piece but the upcoming Ocean’s 11 remake has big hit written all over it and Cheadle in Sammy Davis Jr.'s role is sure to raise eyebrows.
I don’t think anyone would doubt that Cheadle is a great actor. He was in an HBO movie about a junkie schoolyard basketball player where he was absolutely brilliant. He has been great in everything I’ve ever seen him in.
However, he isn’t a big-time leading man type blockbuster actor. There are worse things to be than great character actors.
IMHO, he is the black Bill Paxton. He will lead a few times in his career, but will be at his best when working as a well-defined character in ensemble casts.
Excuse me, but do you need glasses? Don Cheadle is a very handsome man. He’s a terrific actor, but he has never been given a star-making role. He’s like the black Bill Macy, creating original supporting characters.
But he was fantastic in “The Rat Pack”! He got nominated for something (Golden Globe?) for his role and I was desperately hoping he won (he didn’t)…I thought he was that good.
I agree with the poster who mentioned “Devil in a Blue Dress”. Although I’m white, my sister and I specifically went to the movie for Denzel. However, Don Cheadle’s character Mouse, “If you didn’t want him dead, why’d you leave him with me?” was the character we remembered as we walked out of the theater. I still think that he should at least have been nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar. I will agree that while he is not as physically imposing as Denzel, or Laurence Fishburne, he is stll a handsome man in my opinion. I think he did some good work on Picket Fences. I still remember, chuckling, the crestfallen look on his face in one court trial, where the two police officers(male and female) were making out. Their testimony was no good, and Don just looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. I’m sure that his breakout role is just around the corner.
Umm, there are a million white actors that are just as good as Don Cheadle that are not megastars. I don’t think Cheadle is that amazing of an actor. He’s definitely good but he’s not that amazing. I like him a lot and I will go see a movie if he’s in it, but he’s not amazing. As far as good acting goes with black men. I don’t think the ratio is any higher.
Will Smith (mediocre at best)
Denzel Washington (Bad actor, but good at oration so everyone mistakes that for acting)
Lawrence Fishburne (freaking amazing actor)
Samuel L Jackson (Great actor but always plays similar characters.)
I don’t think there is any racism inherent here. I think if at all, right now is the time when racism is pretty much looking for fairer shores when it comes to movies.
Don Cheadle just isn’t that amazing, IMO. I loved him in Traffic, don’t get me wrong, but he’s just a very good character actor, and really doesn’t deserve megastar status. Though, he deserves it long before Ben Affleck or Will Smith.
Here’s my theory on Ben Affleck. It’s actors like him and George Clooney that are basically bargain basement megastars. When they want a megastar and it doesn’t really matter who it is, those are the ones they go for.
