# Most Over The Top Acting Performances of All Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 3, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450 "2017-07-03T17:39:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/41 "2017-07-04T22:08:27Z")
Kids nowadays don’t remember Laurence Olivier. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/42 "2017-07-04T22:21:20Z")
It’s hard even for Shatner to top [Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith in Lost in Space.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcy81Qp0xso) If you watch Harris in interviews, you realize that he wasn’t actually “overacting” – that’s pretty much his normal level. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/43 "2017-07-04T22:28:42Z")
I’m sure he was playing the part as intended, but Jim Carey in Batman and Robin. My wife and I had to leave the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Marci\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Marci\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marci_Al)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/44 "2017-07-04T23:56:07Z")
To me the best part of that Riddler chapter is the last scene, when he flapped his arms in the asylum to imitate a bat. Very well timed, and really evoked an approaching bat. ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/45 "2017-07-05T00:27:54Z")
I’ve seen hundreds of performances which, shall we say, weren’t exactly subtle and carefully controlled. But I take a bit of issue with lumping both bad and good (or necessary) “over the top” performances all into the same heap. I think that Jim Carrey’s performance in Pet Detective was necessary for the film. I don’t think a more nuanced set of choices would have worked. ``` I think Tom Cruise has done a lot of BAD over the top performances. Can't think of a great example right now, but basically, some people can do crazy well, and some can't. Anything that Cruise is supposed to go crazy in, he's blown it because he always looks like he's forcing it. ``` I thought that Johnny Depp was great in the Pirate films, because his over-the-top nonsense fit the whole tone of the films, as were similar performances by the rest of the cast. But he looked like a complete idiot in The Lone Ranger, playing Tonto over the top. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/46 "2017-07-05T11:54:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Ugh. Jeremy Piven was completely miscast for that role. I avoided that show solely because Piven was the main character. Would have watched it otherwise. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/47 "2017-07-05T12:11:05Z")
I still maintain that Stanley Tucci and Fiona Shaw were competing at “Best Scenery Chewing” and “Most Outrageous Accent” in _Undercover Blues_. I also maintain that Tucci won on both counts, but not for a lack of trying by Shaw. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/48 "2017-07-05T12:25:06Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I thought he was pretty good in **The January Man** and **The Big Chill**? Kevin Kline seems an odd choice— even his broadest roles aren’t what I’d consider “over the top.” Maybe he stole **Gatopescado’s** girlfriend? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/49 "2017-07-05T12:39:05Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Kevin Kline seems an odd choice— even his broadest roles aren’t what I’d consider “over the top.” Maybe he stole **Gatopescado’s** girlfriend? He’s pretty OTT in _Pirates of Penzance_ but so is everyone and it’s the reason the film is so good. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/50 "2017-07-05T14:09:29Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Kevin Kline seems an odd choice— even his broadest roles aren’t what I’d consider “over the top.” Maybe he stole **Gatopescado’s** girlfriend? He was _way_ over the top as Artemis Gordon in _Wild Wild West_. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/51 "2017-07-05T14:12:37Z")
Nobody did over the top and still great better than Robin Williams. Most of his Genie dialogue in Aladdin was improv. And he could do subtle dramatic roles better than most. A pure acting genius. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/52 "2017-07-05T14:52:30Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Nobody did over the top and still great better than Robin Williams. It feels like someone should mention Christopher Lloyd. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/53 "2017-07-05T15:37:29Z")
Jack Nicholson in The Departed. Love the film, but Nicholson is just…Nicholson, but more cannabalistic. (Note: Whenever speaking of this movie, it is essential to pronounce the name with a bad Boston accent - The Depahhted.) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/54 "2017-07-05T15:57:41Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I’ll nominate Faye Dunaway in [Mommie Dearest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUkE9qaVgmo). > > NO WIRE HANGERS! Or Faye Dunaway in “Eyes of Laura Mars”. I’m completely out of control! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/55 "2017-07-05T17:56:29Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Does anyone remember his performance as Augustus in _I, Claudius_? In particular the scene where he questions the men accused of sleepling with his daughter. I love the scene where he dresses down Tiberius: **DON’T SULK!** [_Pauses, then smiles._] There, you see? You play fair with me, and I play fair with you! And he pinches Tiberius’s cheek, just like a fucking Mafia don. One of the coolest moments ever in television! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/56 "2017-07-05T19:37:42Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > \… I’d nominate Nick Cage’s movies as well. I liked Cage in Raising Arizona. But in Moonstruck (especially the scene where he tells Cher how he lost his hand) he almost ruins the whole movie for me. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/57 "2017-07-05T20:22:51Z")
> [@jerseymule](#): > > I liked Cage in Raising Arizona. But in Moonstruck (especially the scene where he tells Cher how he lost his hand) he almost ruins the whole movie for me. :: slaps **jerseymule** :: Snap out of it! ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/58 "2017-07-05T20:44:47Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > :: slaps **jerseymule** :: > > Snap out of it! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/59 "2017-07-06T12:50:07Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I still maintain that Stanley Tucci and Fiona Shaw were competing at “Best Scenery Chewing” and “Most Outrageous Accent” in _Undercover Blues_. I also maintain that Tucci won on both counts, but not for a lack of trying by Shaw. Emily Blunt has claimed that she and Stanley Tucci were competing with each other on ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ to see who could overact the most. [Here is an interview where she admits as much.](http://www.mtv.com/news/1548864/oscar-file-overacting-pays-off-for-emily-blunt-in-prada/) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450/60 "2017-07-06T13:11:02Z")
Bridge On The River Kwai. There’s so much ham in that movie Jews can’t watch it. They started shooting it on a set but the actors chewed up all the scenery. William Holden, Alec Guiness, Jack Hawkins, and Sessue Hayakawa were so over the top they orbited the earth and went over the top again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-over-the-top-acting-performances-of-all-time/790450.md?page=4)