# Solid (not ''big name'') actors in quality roles **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833 "2005-08-06T02:07:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/1 "2005-08-06T02:07:09Z")
So I’m watching [The Woodsman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361127/), and Kevin Bacon’s really impressing me with his role as Walter, the pedophile who did 12 years. Now, I’ve always thought that Kevin Bacon’s a solid actor. Not one that you would mention in the “upper tier” conversations, but he always delivers a good performance. He’s usually worked in ensemble casts, though, and always seems to go unmentioned. Lest this turn into a “Kevin Bacon Appreciation Thread,” (which I wouldn’t object to), I’d also nominate Dennis Quaid (who I DID start an “Appreciation Thread” about a while back). Case in point is [The Rookie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265662/). Quaid’s an actor who always has the ability to knock it out of the park. Laurence Fishburne and Tim Robbins (though Robbins may have moved into the upper ranks with his Oscar win for [Mystic River](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327056/)). Any others? I’m obviously excluding an Edward Norton or Gary Oldman, etc. Who, while they may not be thought of in the “upper ranks” conversations in the real world as quickly as a DeNiro or a Pacino, cwertainly seem to have their share of fans on the Dope. Me included. But who else do you just _know_ is going to deliver a good performance? Someone that most people may kinda take for granted? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/2 "2005-08-06T02:10:12Z")
I’ve always liked Tom Skerritt. He usually does a pretty good job. Gary Cole is underrated, too. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/3 "2005-08-06T02:13:04Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Gary Cole is underrated, too. Good choice. Not many people can play evil as well as Lumburgh. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/4 "2005-08-06T02:13:27Z")
Kevin Kline. He can do comedy and drama and everything in between, and he usually picks interesting roles. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/5 "2005-08-06T02:19:25Z")
William H. Macy is always very good but never seems to make it to stardom. I last saw him being amazing in **The Cooler**. Likewise, Chris Cooper, who I get confused with William H. Macy. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/6 "2005-08-06T02:21:22Z")
Dennis Quaid really suprised me in _Frequency_. I think he is a little underrated – it seems _Inner Space_ is going to mark him for life or something. Alan Rickman has gone to the next level of recognition as Snape in _Harry Potter…_, but before that, he was still definitely solid yet somewhat unknown. A step above [Hey It’s That Guy](http://www.fametracker.com/hey_its_that_guy/) material, but only a small step. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/7 "2005-08-06T02:26:23Z")
Harry Dean Stanton has been uniformly excellent in everything I’ve ever seen him in. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/8 "2005-08-06T02:29:31Z")
Gene Hackman. For forty years he has been working continously, and ALWAYS turns in a grounded, real performance. No matter how big a piece of crap the film is, he is consistently professional. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/9 "2005-08-06T03:45:32Z")
I usually go out of my way to watch anything with [Tony Shaloub](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001724/), [Mark Wahlberg](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000242/) , or [Don Cheadle](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000332/) in it, though the material itself hasn’t always been the greatest. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/10 "2005-08-06T04:26:41Z")
> [@Risha](#): > > I usually go out of my way to watch anything with [Tony Shaloub](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001724/), [Mark Wahlberg](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000242/) , or [Don Cheadle](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000332/) in it, though the material itself hasn’t always been the greatest. I’ll grant you Shaloub and Don Cheadle (who I LOVED in [Devil In a Blue Dress](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112857/)). Wahlberg’s never really impressed me. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/11 "2005-08-06T04:36:20Z")
I’m a big [J.K. Simmons fan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799777/), and like I’ve said before in this forum, he’s the best thing about the Spider-man movies. ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/12 "2005-08-06T05:59:17Z")
I’ll also cast my vote for Cheadle. Brad Dourif (Grima Wormtongue to most of you) has always turned in solid performances despite being in some pretty crappy movies. I’m watching him right now in Alien Resurrection and he’s awesome…despite the film itself. Aww, the Aliens just got him. Guess it’s time to change the channel. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/13 "2005-08-06T06:11:13Z")
I think Stephen Root is brilliant and am continually baffled as to why we don’t see him in larger roles. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/14 "2005-08-06T08:12:41Z")
When did Cafe Society become a boys club??? 13 posts and _no one_ has given any women as examples? May I offer: [Maura Tierney](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005491/) [Laurie Metcalf](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0582418/) [Janet McTeer](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005216/) [Helena Bonham Carter](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000307/) [Catherine Keener](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001416/) [Mia Farrow](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001201/) [Marlee Matlin](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559144/) [Jane Adams](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0011038/) ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/15 "2005-08-06T08:57:33Z")
Thank you. I was wondering where the women were. Meryl Streep is a big name, but I just love her. I’ve never seen her give a mediocre performance. Also, a few more favs: Laura Linney Diane Lane Alfre Woodard Kathy Bates Olympia Dukakis Angela Bassett Ashley Judd ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/16 "2005-08-06T13:22:39Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’ll grant you Shaloub and Don Cheadle (who I LOVED in [Devil In a Blue Dress](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112857/)). Wahlberg’s never really impressed me. I just rewatched (after many years) **Devil in a Blue Dress** on cable last night. Cheadle’s performance elevated that entire film for me. He’s yet to botch a role that I’ve seen and rises to the status of Harry Dean Stanton, Strother Martin, Jack Elam, M. Emmet Walsh, R. Lee Ermey, Lee Van Cleef, and Gene Hackman in that regard. Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones are closer to the “big star” category, but I expect to be entertained in any movie they’ve been in, even though TLJ has been in some real stinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/17 "2005-08-06T13:44:21Z")
JT Walsh did some good work. A pity he died so soon. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/18 "2005-08-06T14:26:07Z")
Jeff Bridges Steve Buscemi Jeff Daniels Stanley Tucci Gary Sinise Courtney B. Vance Don Cheadle John C. Reilly Tim Roth Phillip Seymore Hoffman ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/19 "2005-08-06T14:34:28Z")
Sam Elliott, especially when he’s in a Western. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/20 "2005-08-06T18:15:24Z")
I recently re-viewed Brian de Palma’s **Obsession** , and was struck by Cliff Robertson’s fine, understated performance. Robertson won an Oscar for **Charly** , but has been largely overlooked when people discuss good actors. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833.md?page=2)