I saw the thread title and thought “J.K. Simmons.” I saw the first post and thought “damn.” 
The guy is terrific. And I’ve said this before, but he’s far and away the best thing in the Spider-Man movies.
Wow, I never, ever, ever, ever would have put it together that JK Simmons was both the Spiderman guy as well as the Law and Order guy. That is awesome.
Since my boy Philip Seymour Hoffmann has already been mentioned. I’ll say Wallace Shawn. Of course I liked him in The Princess Bride. But I really became a fan when I saw his Vanya in Vanya of 42nd Street.
Am I the only one who thinks that Sam Waterston doesn’t get enough love? I LOVE him as Jack McCoy, and in one of the Tales from the Darkside movie, and as Nick in The Great Gatsby.
All this praise for JK Simmons, and this is the only OZ reference. He should have an Emmy of two for his protrayal of Vern Shillinger.
I’m not sure we are listing many underrated actors - most mentioned have gained a great deal of respect from both the acting community and critics.
I am going to mention one that virtually no one is going to agree with but in my mind I think that is mostly because he is his own worst enemy.
Burt Reynolds, His good stuff if very good. He really does get a character and work with him and makes it into something real (when he chooses to). Unfortunately, There is the other Burt who doesn’t even go so far as mailing it in. It’s more like it is tossed in on the way by.
There is, of course, Deliverence, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, Some wonderful romantic comedies in the mid 70s, Some really well done moments in Evening Shade and most recently Boogie Nights. All are wonderful performances.
Of course, the “other” Burt comes around far too often - I mean the man even misspelled his own name in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. How messed up does one have to be to do that?
Though he’s getting more recognition these days, Christian Bale has flown under the radar for several years now.
You could look at it that way, but whenever an “underrated actor” question pops up I read it as “underatted by those who aren’t in the acting community or critics”. Because those in the business will usually know and appreciate those with talent. I guess another way I would put it is “who do you think should be more famous?”.
Hugh Laurie
I didn’t realize until last week that House was the twit on Black Adder!! :smack:
I thought that was Billy Bob Thornton. 
My own nominee would be Tom Waits. I have seen every movie he has been in, and although the characters all seem to be written specifically for “Tom Waits” he sure does Tom Waits better than anyone else.
Kurt Russell. His performance as coach Herb Brooks (a complex and not always sympathetic figure) in Miracle was, I thought, flawless and carried the movie, which was less about hockey footage and the team per se than about the coach’s work in choosing, training, and motivating the team. In retrospect, it’s a pity he didn’t get an Oscar nod for that picture.
With that performance in mind, I saw Breakdown again last night, and was struck by how good he was in that movie, too.
You know, Scrivener, I’m glad you mentioned Kurt Russell. I’m of the opinion that he and Dennis Quaid are two of the more dependable, yet underappreciated “big name” actors out there.
In case someone wants to search for the “Dennis Quaid Appreciation Thread” from a while back, I started that one.
“The next time some eight foot tall wild-eyed maniac taps the back of your favorite head against a barroom wall and says, ‘Buddy, have you paid your dues?’ You just do what old Jack Burton does at a time like that; look that sucker straight in the eyes and say, ‘Have I paid my dues? Yes, sir, the check is in the mail.’”
Along with Russell and Quaid, another that fits into the same type (more of having a good screen presence rather than being a great actor) is Mark Harmon. The guy is reliably good in everything I’ve seen him in (even complete crap) but he just never quite managed a successful staring film role.
As for the Brits, Peter O’Toole has never really gotten the acclaim he deserved, methinks, and when you say the name “Alec Guinness” (that’s Sir Alec, to you) people think Obi-Wan and…what else was he in? :rolleyes: I’m rather fond of Diana Rigg as well, though I gather that her lack of success (in film) was in some part a choice she made to focus on stage work.
Stranger
Not to mention Hidalgo as Buffalo Bill. And For Love of the Game as Frank Perry. the Detroit Tigers manager. There’s a deleted scene in there in which he rips your heart out.
And you all are right. His portrayal of J Jonah Jameson is the single best thing about the Spider-Man movies.
“Meat! I’ll send you a nice box of Christmas meat!”
I wanna be THAT guy when I grow up.
I’ve always wondered why Anthony Zerbe doesn’t get more attention. He’s done some incredible work over the years, but not many people know who the heck he is.
Perhaps Brad Renfro is a little young to be underrated, but even though most people don’t recognize the name, I think he’s been amazing in everything he’s done- from The Client to Bully. And I’m over my crush, so this is real admiration. Now if only he’d get a plum role…
What Superdude said about Dennis Quaid. I’ve got the DVD of Far From Heaven, because it’s an interesting retro experiment, with good performances all 'round. Unfortunately, it didn’t get much attention… not even my gay friends have it!
Ooh, I did! Although the only thing I could place him in OTTOMH was License To Kill… but I’m a big Bond fan.
William H. Macy knocked me out in Fargo, and has been pretty great in almost everything else I’ve seen of his since then.
Jennifer Ehle. She was the perfect Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. Her other movies are generally well written and she has the intelligence to pull them off.