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 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.
He was awful in Red Dawn–but then, only Ben Johnson wasn’t
I’d count Duvall as a big-name actor.
I’m glad you mentioned Angela Bassett. Just her work in What’s Love Got to Do With It was enough to make me a fan.
And I’m a HUGE Laura Linney fan. Haven’t seen her do a bad job yet.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
I think Steve Buscemi falls into this category, as well as Stanley Tucci.
I’d have to agree with most of the women listed, especially Kathy Bates & Alfre Woodard. I think Mary-Louise Parker could be added also.
I like Renee Zellweger a lot but I think she’s possibly too well known.
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?
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.
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. *
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]
Kinda big name but not yet “A” list: Diane Lane - 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 - Always delivers.
Just starting to catch a wave: Terry Crews - So far a lot of lowbrow comedy, but he can really steal the show.
Ethan Phillips–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.
Good choice. I’d also like to add (if they haven’t been already)
Sam Neill
Kathleen Quinlan
Bill Paxton (anyone ever see a little movie called Frailty?
Powers Boothe
Eroc Stoltz
And an honorable mention to John Ritter, who’ll never, even in death, be able to escape [url="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075596/"Three’s Company.
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…
I forgot Mark Ruffalo; he’s been terrific in everything I’ve seen him in.