# 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:** 2
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/21 "2005-08-06T20:47:41Z")
Does Robert Duvall count as a big name actor? Even in crappy movies he’s great. In **Days of Thunder** his accent was so good I didn’t notice he was doing one through most of the movie, because it’s basically my accent. (I know his family is Southern or something, but IMDB has him born in California.) ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/22 "2005-08-07T01:25:27Z")
I love Sally Fields, and I’ll second Alan Rickman. Also, although Renee Zellweger is very well known, I don’t think she always gets the artistic props she deserves. She definitely can play more than just the cute, Jennifer Love Hewitt-y parts. I think she’s been great in every thing I’ve seen her in. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/23 "2005-08-07T02:38:39Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > Harry Dean Stanton has been uniformly excellent in everything I’ve ever seen him in. He was awful in _Red Dawn_–but then, only Ben Johnson wasn’t ---
**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 7, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/24 "2005-08-07T17:03:29Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Does Robert Duvall count as a big name actor? Even in crappy movies he’s great. In **Days of Thunder** his accent was so good I didn’t notice he was doing one through most of the movie, because it’s basically my accent. (I know his family is Southern or something, but IMDB has him born in California.) I’d count Duvall as a big-name actor. ---
**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 7, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/25 "2005-08-07T17:06:00Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > Laura Linney > Diane Lane > Alfre Woodard > Kathy Bates > Olympia Dukakis > Angela Bassett > Ashley Judd I’m glad you mentioned Angela Bassett. Just her work in [What’s Love Got to Do With It](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108551/) was enough to make me a fan. And I’m a HUGE Laura Linney fan. Haven’t seen her do a bad job yet. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/26 "2005-08-07T18:06:24Z")
I agree about Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Harry Dean Stanton, Alan Rickman, most of **brickbacon** ’s list, and would like to add John Turturro. I’ve never seen him be anything but incredible. He plays hypertense Hispanic pederast bowler Jesus Quintana in _The Big Lebowski_ and professional poker player Joey Knish in _Rounders_ with equal ability, and just keeps delivering. He’s one of few actors who makes me want to see movies just because they’re in them. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/27 "2005-08-07T18:15:48Z")
> [@Dr. Rieux](#): > > He was awful in _Red Dawn_–but then, only Ben Johnson wasn’t Ben Johnson has been a favorite “character actor” of mine since _Shane_ and he was superlative in _The Last Picture Show_, but I managed to catch the first few minutes of the old _Mighty Joe Young_ not long ago on cable. Such a dreadful movie. Of course Robert Osborne made it sound like it might be worth watching because of the “special effects” genius employed. Balderdash. Even as classy and actor as Ben couldn’t save it. How could people be entertained by such ham-handed junk? ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/28 "2005-08-07T18:24:11Z")
A second vote for **Tim Roth**. Very good in QT’s films and others, I’ll go see a movie just cuz he’s in it. People may disagree with this one but I gotta say **Joaquin Phoenix**. Seems to be able to make a small part, like in Hotel Rwanda, into something special. **Gael Garcia Bernal** is huge all over the world, maybe his choices in movies just doesn’t resonate with Americans. Yet. Is **Paul Giammati** damn good in everything he does? I think he is. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/29 "2005-08-07T22:30:57Z")
Another vote for the marvelous **Laura Linney**. **Tom Wilkinson** was excellent in _In the Bedroom_ and very good (without much of a character to play) in _Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind_. ---
**Author:** ![lhovis73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecd19e/32.png) [@lhovis73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lhovis73)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/30 "2005-08-07T23:13:39Z")
Roger Ebert once proposed a law that any movie with either M. Emmett Walsh or Harry Dean Stanton cannot be all bad. (The law probably works 90% of the time…and isn’t Harry Dean Stanton’s “AVENGE ME!” moment at least the most memorable part of _Red Dawn_?) I had to look up this guy because I couldn’t remember his name, though I’ve seen him and enjoyed him in a number of movies: David Strathairn > **[David Strathairn - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000657/)** > > David Strathairn, Actor: Good Night, and Good Luck.. David Russell Strathairn was born on January 26, 1949 in San Francisco, California. He is the son of Mary Frances (Frazier), a nurse, and Thomas Scott Strathairn, Jr., a physician. He has two... I was going to answer: Bill Murray. But it seems like everyone loves him these days, so maybe it’s not necessary to mention him. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/31 "2005-08-08T01:39:46Z")
I think [Steve Buscemi](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000114/) falls into this category, as well as [Stanley Tucci](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001804/). I’d have to agree with most of the women listed, especially Kathy Bates & Alfre Woodard. I think [Mary-Louise Parker](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000571/) could be added also. I like Renee Zellweger a lot but I think she’s possibly too well known. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/32 "2005-08-08T02:57:37Z")
I would also suggest Dianne Wiest. She just takes over the screen whenever she’s on it for me. How about also Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria, and Christopher Guest? ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/33 "2005-08-08T03:15:11Z")
Ditto, ditto, ditto times a thousand **Don Cheadle** and **Laura Linney** (in fact, they’re both sort of jokes around our house as the Best Un-Big-Name actors in the 'biz). Also add **Steve Zahn** , and although **Sigourney Weaver** is probably a bigger name than the OP is looking for, I’ve never seen her turn in a bad piece of work. ---
**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 8, 2005, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/34 "2005-08-08T06:44:59Z")
> [@beckwall](#): > > A second vote for **Tim Roth**. Very good in QT’s films and others, I’ll go see a movie just cuz he’s in it. > > People may disagree with this one but I gotta say **Joaquin Phoenix**. Seems to be able to make a small part, like in Hotel Rwanda, into something special. > > **Gael Garcia Bernal** is huge all over the world, maybe his choices in movies just doesn’t resonate with Americans. Yet. > > Is **Paul Giammati** damn good in everything he does? I think he is. I like **Paul Giammati** a lot, but I’m not convinced he’s that diverse an actor yet. He seems to play the same kinds of roles in every movie. **Joaquin** is big time, I think. And I love **Tim Roth** in everything I’ve ever seen him in, but my favorite of his is \*The Legend of 1900. \* ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/35 "2005-08-08T17:26:57Z")
Another vote for **Harry Dean Stanton** , especially in “Repo Man” and “Alien”. And as long as we’re talking about “Repo Man”, how about **Tracey Walter**? Whether it’s TV or movies, Tracey gets the job done!And, in the short guy category, you can never go wrong with **Wallace Shawn**. The poisoning scene in “The Princess Bride” was, IMHO, the highlight of that film! In the “classical actor” category, a vote for the great\*\* Paul Scofield\*\*. Nominated for best actor for “A Man for all Seasons”, and who can forget his role of Prof. Mark Van Doren in “Quiz Show”:\* “It’s MY name, too!”\* Here are a few more that haven’t been mentioned yet: [ul] [li]Lance Henriksen–“Aliens”, “Alien 3”, “The Terminator”[/li][li]Paul Winfield–“Sounder”, “The Terminator”, “Star Trek 2”[/li][li]Peter Riegert–“Animal House”, “The Mask”, “Local Hero”[/li][li]Joe Morton–“The Brother from Another Planet”; also riveting in the many TV guest shots he’s done.[/li][li]Vincent D’Onofrio–“Full Metal Jacket”, “Men in Black”, “Ed Wood”[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/36 "2005-08-08T18:10:41Z")
Kinda big name but not yet “A” list: [Diane Lane](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000178/) - I would cast her in any role, she could do it. (I’m just adding my vote to those already mentioning her.) Oh, “that guy”: [Barry Pepper](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001608/) - Always delivers. Just starting to catch a wave: [Terry Crews](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0187719/) - So far a lot of lowbrow comedy, but he can really steal the show. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/37 "2005-08-08T18:18:07Z")
[Ethan Phillips](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680392/)–He’s on my mind because he was on the Cold Case rerun last night, playing a serial killer than put Hannibal Lecter to shame. He is always good, but never known. ---
**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 8, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/38 "2005-08-08T20:19:00Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > Also add **Steve Zahn** Good choice. I’d also like to add (if they haven’t been already) [Sam Neill](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000554/) [Kathleen Quinlan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000599/) [Bill Paxton](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000200/) (anyone ever see a little movie called [Frailty](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264616/)? [Powers Boothe](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000959/) [Eroc Stoltz](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000655/) And an honorable mention to [John Ritter](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000615/), who’ll never, even in death, be able to escape [url="[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075596/](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075596/)"Three’s Company. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/39 "2005-08-08T20:58:57Z")
Come to think of it, most of the cast of _Deadwood_ falls into this category - Ian McShane, Powers Boothe, Brad Dourif, Jeffrey Jones, William Sanderson… ---
**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 9, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/40 "2005-08-09T09:33:08Z")
I forgot **Mark Ruffalo** ; he’s been terrific in everything I’ve seen him in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833.md?page=3)