“People ask me why I’m playing in this picture. The answer is simple: money, dear boy.” - Laurence Olivier, about Inchon
I will forgive him forever.
Well, I presume that the actors who won’t do commercials (if indeed there are any such) aren’t going to be found in casting directors’ offices going for commercials.
If I watch something crappy and there is a good actor in it giving an entertaining performance, then that is usually the only reason I am watching it. No, I don’t feel bad for the actor, I feel bad for me for not having something better with a good performance in it. Many is the time I’ve sat through some crappy movie that was saved only by the presence of Sean Connery, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Vanessa Redgrave or Michelle Pfeiffer.
On the other hand, I’ve sat through some crappy movies that had hideous performances by Olivier.
Some need the work for the cash, or keep SAG benefits. Some have careers that ain’t doing so hot but want to keep working. I guess some have bad agents who gave bad advice.
But no, I do not pity them.
Big stars didn’t, of course. Back then, at least. But I never heard anti-commercial buzz even in legit shoots. in fact the star of the series was in some commercials. And I saw some pretty well know actors in casting director waiting rooms.
Someone doing a series doesn’t have a lot of time to do commercials, though.
I’ve seen it, and found it very enjoyable.
It depends on the situation of the actor or actress in terms of their career. If they have made it big with several hits but end up being typed cast due to one role (like Bela Lugosi-Dracula) they excel in, then it would suck since you have limited opportunities to gain new experiences to improve other performances and money to survive.
However some actors or actresses are really good playing certain type(s). If you are good at acting the type and there is large market for it, the actor should have a lot of jobs. Sometimes typecasting is due to the actor or actress just being really crappy and can’t perform great roles if their lives depend on it :rolleyes:. But I’m happy for them if they enjoy their jobs and love doing what they do.
I think also there is tolerate of how much audience or fans can take from great actors in their career stump. If an actor gets all diva, uses their money for drugs, or demands more money for a role; they lose my respect (like Tom Cruise). Some actors (like Betty White) have stumps (she did game shows and guest spots when not in a prime TV roles) but seem to enjoy their work (at least publically).
The oddest low points for good actors to me is selling a product on TV. I think an actor would be getting better offers after a hit show or movie (even if it is a crappy TV show or movie) than a 1 to 2 minute commercial. Some of the actors I seen selling are Joan Lunden (selling senior care even though she was good reporter and host in the 90s), Henry Winkler (the Fonz selling insurance 
) and Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman is selling contacts lens :dubious: though Wonder Woman role was a hot one-hit wonder role for her :D).
I saw RDJ on a talk show around the time the first Iron Man movie came out, and he was asked why he chose to do a big schlocky special-effects-extravaganza blockbuster when he’d done so many smaller movies to great critical acclaim. RDJ turned to the crowd and said “How many of you have seen Fur?” No one raised their hand. “That’s why I made Iron Man.”
I generally feel like “what an idiot” or “they’re judgement is really slipping.”