# Most underrated (big time) actor/actress of our time is... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170 "2003-04-16T21:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/1 "2003-04-16T21:08:06Z")
I was just surfing through [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177318) link and noticed **Kurt Russell** movies show up (“The Thing,” “Used Cars,” “Tango and Cash”) and I’m thinking, Man, nobody ever talks about him being a great actor, probably because he works A LOT and many vehicles are just okay. But the guy has been making movies \*forever[i/], always gives a dead-on performance, always comes off as real on the screen (no small task) and brings a ton of electricity to his roles. Got to be the most underrated actor of our time… perhaps? Oh, I’m sure there are a few that have been less recognized, but none with the body of work the size of Russell’s. He’s the lead in one of the best low-budget comedies ever (“Used Cars”), brings credibility to a way hokey movie like “Backdraft” or “Tombstone” and he’s never come even remotely near an Oscar nom. And he does a great Elvis. Okay, “Escape from L.A.” was an embarrassment and major disappointment, but even DeNiro had his “We’re No Angels.” Then again, from my albeit subjective view, I think **Matt Damon** adheres to all the above criteria and I know some people that think he’s absolutely brutal. Okay, who else in our time (last 30 years) gets zero recognition but always turns in a great performance? **Actresses too**. BTW, I also catered a wedding at Russell’s house–super, SUPER cool guy. ---
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/2 "2003-04-16T21:18:42Z")
**Christopher Guest** ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/3 "2003-04-16T21:24:45Z")
OK - I am prepared to duck and cover, but I really believe someday we are all going to be surprised by how good this sitcom actress really is: Jennifer Aniston ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/4 "2003-04-16T21:44:33Z")
**Jeff Bridges** ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/5 "2003-04-16T22:15:48Z")
People Mag came out with some issue of the 50 greatest actors of our time, or some such thing about half a year ago. Josh Hartnett made the list. Freakin’ Edward Norton didn’t make it! :mad: Mr Norton is my pick, if only for this glaring oversight. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/6 "2003-04-16T22:42:59Z")
Shoeless beat me to it: another vote for Jeff Bridges–someone so seamlessly good in so much of what he does, you take him for granted. He can often be upstaged by actors in showier parts (Robin Williams, Michelle Pfeiffer, John Heard), but he’s usuallly the emotional anchor to his films. He’s also usually the best thing in what often amounts to otherwise second-rate material. One day, after he loses his 7th or 8th Oscar nomination (he’s lost 4 already), people are going to realize that he was as good as anyone from his generation. I like Kurt Russell too. He doesn’t have that big of a range, but he’s no dummy–he makes sure he’s in the type of movie he’s good at and performs with 100% conviction. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/7 "2003-04-16T22:59:05Z")
I’m going to go with **Keanu Reeves**. Now, before the rounds of derision begin, I’m willing to bet you’ve never seen him in any of his best roles: **Tune in Tomorrow, Feeling Minnesota, I Love You to Death, Little Buddah,** or **A Walk in the Clouds**. If you haven’t, watch the films before replying. Reeves is a fairly subtle actor, showing things quietly instead of emoting, and his accent works against him. People don’t understand that good film acting does not require the ability to chew the scenery and that understatement is as valid an acting choice as any. Even in the worst case, Reeves is a solid performer, even though his reputation is so bad, so on that basis, he’s underrated. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/8 "2003-04-17T00:22:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Soup\_du\_jour \* > \*\*People Mag came out with some issue of the 50 greatest actors of our time, or some such thing about half a year ago. > > Josh Hartnett made the list. > > Freakin’ Edward Norton didn’t make it! :mad: > > Mr Norton is my pick, if only for this glaring oversight. \*\* No joke! When I saw Hartnett, I shook my head and wondered who his publicist had to blow to get that guy in there. ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/9 "2003-04-17T00:51:40Z")
Vincent D’Onofrio Jeff Daniels David Morse Don Cheadle Gary Sinise William Fichtner **RealityChuck** , I like Keanu Reeves, but he’s _subtle_? In Little Buddah, he’s as stiff as a 14 year old boy in a boob factory. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/10 "2003-04-17T01:03:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DMark \* > \*\*OK - I am prepared to duck and cover, but I really believe someday we are all going to be surprised by how good this sitcom actress really is: > > Jennifer Aniston \*\* No argument from me. I think she’s as cool as hell. But she was extremely overexposed, plus what with all the “Friends” backlash because people just can’t stand to see good-looking successful people, it all overshadowed that she’s actually a very talented comedic actress. I still say that the first season of “Friends” is one of the best seasons of any TV show, and a lot of it hinged on her being able to do physical comedy as well as the usual romantic comedy stuff. And a lot of the jokes only worked because of her delivery. Plus, she was in _Office Space_, and every member of that cast gets 100 extra credibility points as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/11 "2003-04-17T01:11:55Z")
If by underrated you mean never Oscar nominated, then I’ll go for Steve Buscemi who has improved every film he’s been in no matter how small his part. I even forgive the execrable _Billy Madison_ because it has a great tiny role for Steve. ---
**Author:** ![InTransit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@InTransit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTransit)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/12 "2003-04-17T01:23:51Z")
People Magazine Top-Anything Lists are more “who’s hot or has a lot of press going right now” than anything of substance. IThey have to sell magazine, after all. With that… William H. Macy ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/13 "2003-04-17T04:32:37Z")
I think **Johnny Depp** is a great actor, but gets overlooked for some reason (gets good roles, but no buzz around them). I also agree that **Ed Norton** ’s great. And he’s only with Salma because he hasnt’ met me yet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/14 "2003-04-17T06:29:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\*I’m going to go with **Keanu Reeves**. Now, before the rounds of derision begin, I’m willing to bet you’ve never seen him in any of his best roles: **Tune in Tomorrow, Feeling Minnesota, I Love You to Death, Little Buddah,** or **A Walk in the Clouds**. If you haven’t, watch the films before replying. > \*\* Above all, **The Gift**. People who think Reeves can’t act have not seen **The Gift**. I can’t believe that Jennifer Aniston was mentioned and **The Good Girl** wasn’t! I’ve never seen an episode of Friends, and had only ever seen her in **Office Space** (which I like quite a bit) so I had no prior role baggage when I saw **The Good Girl**. She was great! Speaking of, her hubby Brad Pitt is a fine actor, and has long ago shed his pretty boy image thanks to roles in films such as **Kalifornia** , **12 Monkeys** , **Snatch** , and **Fight Club**. He should be far beyond having to defend, but occasionally you still get these people who throw some scorn his way. And dammit, Jennifer Lopez was very good in **Mi Familia, Selena, Angel Eyes, The Cell** and **Out of Sight**! But that’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Tblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tblue)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/15 "2003-04-17T06:32:30Z")
William H. Macy, very cool 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/16 "2003-04-17T06:43:38Z")
I vote for **The Dude**. It’s beyond a performance, it’s perfection. Couldn’t take K-PAX seriously, because it was Kevin Spacey and His Dudeness as a psychiatrist. Don’t really have anything to add, but I’ve got to second (and third) a couple: [ul] [li]Edward Norton- absolutely incredible in everything I’ve seen him in, which is (I think) everything he’s done except Death to Smoochy[/li][li]Steve Buscemi- all his bit parts in Adam Sandler films are hillarious, often the highlight of the film (Big Daddy for one, and in Mr Deeds second only to the butler, AKA Duder’s bowling nemisis, Jesus Quintana). He can also pull off a badass, as in Reservoir Dogs and, to a lesser extent Fargo. Also, he was in the greatest film of all time (The Big Lebowski, for both of you that haven’t noticed my obsession with it).[/li][/ul] Everyone, go watch El Duderino in the finest comedy ever recorded. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/17 "2003-04-17T07:07:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Soup\_du\_jour \* > \*\*People Mag came out with some issue of the 50 greatest actors of our time, or some such thing about half a year ago. > > Josh Hartnett made the list. > > Freakin’ Edward Norton didn’t make it! > \*\* Are you sure it was People? The only “50” list it does is the 50 Most Beautiful People. I’ve scoured their web site and haven’t found a clue to such a list. He _was_ on one of the 50 Most Beautiful People lists. Entertainment Weekly often has various lists, but I’ve scoured their site too and can’t find anything. It may be considered a fluff magazine, but their staff is pretty serious about movies and I doubt they’d pick Hartnett over Norton. I’m sorry, this post is nothing more than an attempt to make a joke out of People magazine, and since others have picked up on it, I think a cite is in order. I want to see the list and see what the context was. People magazine may have its faults, several of them, but it’s not totally brain-dead, especially the movie people. They just reviewed the wonderful **Raising Victor Vargas** , for heaven’s sake, and liked it. They know movies, and don’t stick with just who’s hot at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![cankerist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@cankerist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cankerist)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/18 "2003-04-17T13:17:06Z")
Wow - didn’t realize how many other people like **Kurt Russell** too. Thought I’d never be able to admit that in polite coversation. hehehe. Guess he’s kind of an ‘everyman’? But my first vote would go to **Angela Bassett** - she has to be one of the hardest working and powerfful actors out there. Plus she kicks ass in strange days, the score, rosa parks, malcom x and boys in the hood. ---
**Author:** ![cankerist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@cankerist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cankerist)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/19 "2003-04-17T13:17:21Z")
Wow - didn’t realize how many other people like **Kurt Russell** too. Thought I’d never be able to admit that in polite coversation. hehehe. Guess he’s kind of an ‘everyman’? But my first vote would go to **Angela Bassett** - she has to be one of the hardest working and powerful actors out there. Plus she kicks ass in strange days, the score, rosa parks, malcom x and boys in the hood. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170/20 "2003-04-17T13:57:37Z")
Since **Edward Norton** has already been mentioned, I’ll add **Haley Joel Osment** and **Michael Clarke Duncan**. Both turn in solid performances in everything I’ve seen them in. **Willem DeFoe** and **Alan Rickman** are two other favorites of mine. Great actors. I also want to see lots more of **Liev Schreiber** after him being the coolest part of _The Sum Of All Fears_. That boy’s going places. [sub]I’d always called this my “people who’d better get Oscars during my lifetime” list. Nicole Kidman was formerly on this list.[/sub] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-big-time-actor-actress-of-our-time-is/169170.md?page=2)