# 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:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/41 "2005-08-09T12:52:14Z")
As the brilliant [Six Feet Under](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248654/) comes to and end (sigh), I can’t wait to see what the cast members do next. There’s not a weak one in the bunch. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/42 "2005-08-09T13:08:30Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > As the brilliant [Six Feet Under](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248654/) comes to and end (sigh), I can’t wait to see what the cast members do next. There’s not a weak one in the bunch. Well said. I tend to agree. However I did try to watch a movie with Lauren Ambrose it it that was on cable within the past month or two and just couldn’t handle it. It wasn’t all her fault – the movie was a notch below the “Scream” series in intensity and class – but I did marvel at how she got from that level to SFU level. Francis Conroy was excellent at being the bitch in _The Aviator_ and Cromwell already had a big name going (as did Clarkson, Bates, Cassidy – God was she fine in **Blade Runner** – and even Sisto) and Daddy Nathaniel has been above average in everything I’ve seen of his. But the main characters beside those, including Rachel, have fallen below my radar, and I’ll be watching for their next efforts with anticipation. But will they be able to escape type casting? Krause is most likely to. David least. ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/43 "2005-08-09T14:40:51Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > I forgot **Mark Ruffalo** ; he’s been terrific in everything I’ve seen him in. You have excellent taste! He was even good in that Jennifer Garner teen movie, although he looked a bit uncomfortable doing that dance to Thriller. And he’s hot! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/44 "2005-08-09T14:42:37Z")
William H Macy and Gary Sinise are the two that leapt to mind. My original contribution is Paul Bettany. ---
**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 10, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/45 "2005-08-10T04:28:32Z")
Jim’s contributions are Trey Wilson (in two of his all-time favourite movies) and Mary Elizabeth Mastroantonio. ---
**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 10, 2005, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/46 "2005-08-10T05:10:12Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > I forgot **Mark Ruffalo** ; he’s been terrific in everything I’ve seen him in. Especially in [You Can Count On Me](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203230/). **lhovis73** : Good call on David Strathairn. I remember being blown away by his Joe St. George. ---
**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 10, 2005, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/47 "2005-08-10T11:04:52Z")
> [@beckwall](#): > > You have excellent taste! He was even good in that Jennifer Garner teen movie, although he looked a bit uncomfortable doing that dance to Thriller. > > And he’s hot! He _is!_ There’s something very real about him. Something deep and complicated and maybe a little sad. I heard he is a brain cancer survivor, too. Another new hotie and a great actor: Ryan Gosling. That boy makes me wish I were 21 again. (If you’ve never heard of him and want to see one of his movies DO NOT see **The Notebook** first. Rent **The Believer** and then **The Slaughter Rule** and then **The United States of Leland** and _then_ **The Notebook**. Oh, and I forgot another favorite who I think is consistantly good: Mira Sorvino ---
**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 10, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833/48 "2005-08-10T14:17:30Z")
Thought of some more this morning (when I was supposed to be sleeping!) - Alfre Woodard, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Gedde Watanabe. I especially like Alfre Woodard - she has that ability to make anything she’s in seem more legitimate with her presence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-not-big-name-actors-in-quality-roles/315833.md?page=2)