# The "Oh, that guy!" thread. Character actor's faces, names and characters. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243 "2018-08-07T18:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/1 "2018-08-07T18:15:33Z")
When a character actor dies, someone will post a thread about them. Inevitably there will be a “Oh yeah, _that_ guy” response. I’d like this to be a thread about “that guy!” before he or she dies. I’m going to post the name with a link to a picture of the actor, plus the ‘character’ he or she usually plays. So here’s my shout out to those actors plugging away, making a living being ordinary Joes or plain Janes. [Peter Cambor](https://masterchatmag.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/img_3050.jpeg?w=427). The nice guy who gives up the girl so she can snag the romantic lead. [Edie McClurg](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/campaign_images/webdr01/2013/4/16/15/edie-mcclurg-has-been-in-every-tv-show-and-movie--1-23038-1366140068-7_big.jpg), school secretary. Now you. A face, a name, a character. Don’t let these hard working actors die unsung! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/2 "2018-08-07T18:47:17Z")
They made a documentary on some of these guys: [That Guy…Who Was in That Thing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Guy..._Who_Was_in_That_Thing) Sometimes, they make it “big” and have their own thing: **[Daniel Dae Kim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Dae_Kim)** was a that guy for me and my wife. We saw him as Gavin in Angel and he appeared in tons of small roles, sometimes having one line or zero. Then, he landed LOST and after that, he got Hawaii 5-0. [Titus Welliver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titus_Welliver) is also a that guy…and he was also on LOST, but not as a lead. Anyway, he is on that show Bosch now. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/3 "2018-08-07T19:23:09Z")
[Al Leong](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502959/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t18) - his upcoming biography [Henchman](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4393410/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1) says it all. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/4 "2018-08-07T20:19:17Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > [Al Leong](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502959/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t18) - his upcoming biography [Henchman](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4393410/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1) says it all. Holy crap! He has a name! So few female That Guys. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/5 "2018-08-07T20:19:20Z")
I recently saw [Mandingo (1976)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073349/reference) for the first time. When Doc Redfield first speaks, I thought to myself, “That’s Stephen Hopkins!” Well, the actor who played Rhode Island representative Stephen Hopkins in [1776 (1972)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068156/reference). Hopkins was the one who, at the signing, said he wanted to stay standing where he was so that he could see each person as they signed. The actor, [Roy Poole](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0690880/?ref_=tt_rv_t5), was apparently 62 when he died in 1986. I thought he was older than that in ‘1776’. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/6 "2018-08-07T20:31:11Z")
**[James Hong](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0393222/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4)**, who has appeared in tons of movies and TV shows. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/7 "2018-08-07T23:57:25Z")
Richard Jeakle. In every movie made. And a whole lotta TV, too. > **[richard jeakle - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=SHxqKqrA&id=0A652C3576851B9E17478DD333C9729F7AD39328&thid=OIP.SHxqKqrA2pVNLhZ6RHReLwHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fteepee12.files.wordpress.com%2f2014%2f03%2fjaeckel-1.jpg&exph=240&expw=320&q=richard%2Bjeakle&simid=608023262580048004&selectedIndex=25&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/8 "2018-08-08T00:21:44Z")
My most recent oh-that-guy moment was seeing [Jon Polito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Polito) in the original _Highlander_ film. Sadly, he doesn’t really fit the thread because he died in 2016. I don’t remember hearing about his death at the time. The other recent one for me was [Val Bisoglio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Bisoglio), whom I recently saw in _Saturday Night Fever_ as John Travolta’s father. He’s still alive at the age of 92. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/9 "2018-08-08T00:57:46Z")
Every time I see [Joel McRary](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0566906/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t36), he has a few lines of exposition that get the heroes on the right track. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/10 "2018-08-08T01:04:49Z")
Two faces that I know before I can remember their names are Dan Hedaya and Danny Trejo [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001803/?ref\_=nv\_sr\_1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001803/?ref_=nv_sr_1)[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001803/?ref\_=nv\_sr\_1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001803/?ref_=nv_sr_1) Both of them are “in everything” but I’m not sure even I can bring their faces to mind when hearing their names, even though I’ve looked them up and know who they are now. Dan played “carla’s” husband in Cheers, and Mr Monk’s dad in Monk. Danny is currently on Old El Paso commercials down here, which is why I thought of him. ---
**Author:** ![Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgruntled_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/11 "2018-08-08T02:54:21Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > [Al Leong](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502959/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t18) - his upcoming biography [Henchman](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4393410/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1) says it all. An interesting question for your respondees. When you first saw his picture what role that he played came to mind? With me, it was his role in Big Trouble in Little China. closely followed by That’s Genghis Khan. Then I looked at his IMDB page and I’ve seen practically every movie this guy made. Just wondering what his most “famous” role is that is, with what role is he most associated with. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/12 "2018-08-08T03:06:39Z")
My favorite actor answering to this description is **Timothy Carey, Creepy Guy.** Here’s Tim on trial for cowardice during WWI: [Paths of Glory - Timothy Carey - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KJDkLgwJopQ) Here’s Tim shooting a racehorse, insulting an African American parking lot attendant, and dying ironically: [Timothy Carey in The Killing (1956) - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R1wjc2TH4ek) Here’s Tim with The Monkees: [TIMOTHY CAREY (HEAD) - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=59tqOXH6lwU) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/13 "2018-08-08T03:16:54Z")
The guy I’d like to add is [Oliver Platt](http://images.fandango.com/ImageRenderer/0/0/redesign/static/img/default_poster.png/0/images/masterrepository/performer%20images/p57054/2012-pm-oliverplatt-13.jpg). He’s had a few lead roles, but he’s usually a supporting actor, and seems to specialize in slightly nebbishy or eccentric roles. For a while there, in the 90s and early 2000s, it seemed like he was in every other movie. I always think of him as [Porthos in the 1993 Disney version of _The Three Musketeers_](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNjc0ODQ2MTE5Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODU5NTgwMw@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,758,1000_AL_.jpg), but the rest of you may remember him as [one of the students in _Flatliners_](https://lettherebemovies.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/flatliners-oliver.jpg), [Oliver Babish on _The West Wing_](https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/westwing/images/0/04/2WESaz00cc.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160709200125), or [George Steinbrenner in _The Bronx Is Burning_](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w780/vppM7xvR0WmVY3sRFQtbo9ZQj6H.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/14 "2018-08-08T03:25:55Z")
> [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](#): > > An interesting question for your respondees. When you first saw his picture what role that he played came to mind? > > With me, it was his role in Big Trouble in Little China. closely followed by That’s Genghis Khan. Then I looked at his IMDB page and I’ve seen practically every movie this guy made. > > Just wondering what his most “famous” role is that is, with what role is he most associated with. My first thought was “he was in Die Hard”, followed moments later by “Genghis Khan”" I never realized he was in Big Trouble in Little China, but now that you mention it, I’m not sure how I missed him ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/15 "2018-08-08T03:26:23Z")
There’s a whole new slew of these kinds of actors nowadays. It’s the TJ Miller, Rich Sommer, Kate Micucci, Lauren Lapkus generation. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/16 "2018-08-08T03:58:13Z")
Just watch “Heat” Tom Sizemore Wes Studi Dennis Haysbert Mykelti Williamson Ted Levine Danny Trejo Hank Azaria Martin Ferraro Jeremy Piven And, of course… Xander Berkeley Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/17 "2018-08-08T05:15:16Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The guy I’d like to add is [Oliver Platt](http://images.fandango.com/ImageRenderer/0/0/redesign/static/img/default_poster.png/0/images/masterrepository/performer%20images/p57054/2012-pm-oliverplatt-13.jpg). He was also Laura Linney’s character’s husband in the tv series The Big c ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/18 "2018-08-08T12:12:49Z")
Tony Shalhoub has had a number of successful leading roles, so he may not be a good fit for this thread. However, he is also a truly great character actor, who, like the late Vincent Schiavelli, has never given a bad performance. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/19 "2018-08-08T12:36:21Z")
Spend an evening watching old 60s/70s era television shows on WE TV and you’re likely to run across [Nita Talbot](https://cscottrollins.blogspot.com/2013/08/nita-talbot.html). I don’t think she was a regular on series ever (though she made a bunch of appearances on “Hogan’s Heroes”) but she made prominent guest star roles on almost every series that appeared for a good 20-year stretch. She usually always played the sexy but salty, acidic, fast-talking and worldly dame who skewers the pompous blowhards with some pointed barbs. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243/20 "2018-08-09T01:12:09Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > and you’re likely to run across [Nita Talbot](https://cscottrollins.blogspot.com/2013/08/nita-talbot.html). Oh yes, there’s a familiar face. I did not know her name, you’ve educated me! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oh-that-guy-thread-character-actors-faces-names-and-characters/819243.md?page=2)