# Vincent D'Onofrio - Is he a bad actor or just miscast in that Law and Order spin-off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 9, 2005, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391 "2005-10-09T11:29:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/21 "2005-10-10T05:47:45Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I hate the character he plays but don’t know much about him as an actor. Other than the fact he played Thor in “Adventures in Babysitting”. > [@Clothahump](#): > > Nobody has mentioned his best role ever. > > He was Thor (well, actually, Dawson) in Adventures in Babysitting. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/22 "2005-10-10T11:44:30Z")
Its interesting to contrast VdO with David Caruso on CSI Miami. Personally, I find Caruso to be the benchmark of unwatchability in this show. I cannot stand to watch the ridiculously mannered performance he turns in, wearing the aris out of his character week on week. VdO’s Law and Order performance is definitely cut from the same cloth IMO, but I find he mixes in just enough meat and potatoes acting to make the whole thing bearable. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/23 "2005-10-10T13:53:38Z")
Well, if you don’t like D’Onofrio, you can see him get the crap kicked out of him in the post-apocalyptic sports movie _The Blood of Heroes_. I’m hoping the last episode of _L&O: CI_ will feature D’Onofrio in one of his standard end-of-show interrogations with a suspect played by Ermey. When D’Onofrio starts hinting that lack of parental affection can cause a “malfunctioning” psyche, Ermey grabs a gun, shoots D’Onofrio, then himself. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/24 "2005-10-10T14:08:20Z")
> [@jackelope](#): > > :dubious: :smack: :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/25 "2005-10-10T15:11:26Z")
I don’t watch any law shows, so I haven’t seen him in this role, but he’s one of my favorite character actors. I’ve like him ever since “Mystic Pizza.” IMO, his relationship with Lili Taylor was the most interesting thing in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/26 "2005-10-10T16:20:51Z")
> [@priapus](#): > > Hmmm,Not to hijack,but who is the weirder detective? Monk or Gorn(or whatever Vince’s character’s name is)? [Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to come downtown and answer a few questions.](http://www.phils-startrek.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pictures/original/gorn.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/27 "2005-10-10T16:22:53Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I think he should do all his roles in his Edgar suit. Are you saying he should go tear-assing around Hollywood in a brand new Edgar suit? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/28 "2005-10-10T17:40:00Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I liked him as Orson Wells in _Ed Wood_. It was a small scene, but I thought it was the best one in the movie. Unfortunately for D’Onofrio, another actor (Maurice LaMarche) dubbed the voice. ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/29 "2005-10-10T18:47:59Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > Unfortunately for D’Onofrio, another actor (Maurice LaMarche) dubbed the voice. You mean THE BRAIN dubbed Welles? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/30 "2005-10-10T18:59:17Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to come downtown and answer a few questions.](http://www.phils-startrek.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pictures/original/gorn.jpg) That’s [Detective Goren,](http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/characters/images/donofrio.jpg) not Detective [Gorn.](http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/tos-019-the-gorn-captain-prepa/320x240.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/31 "2005-10-10T19:34:35Z")
> [@astro](#): > > That’s [Detective Goren,](http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/characters/images/donofrio.jpg) not Detective [Gorn.](http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/tos-019-the-gorn-captain-prepa/320x240.jpg) Whoosh! ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/32 "2005-10-10T19:53:36Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to come downtown and answer a few questions.](http://www.phils-startrek.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pictures/original/gorn.jpg) “The victim was apparently shot with some kind of primitive cannon. Would you like to explain how you got POTASSIUM NITRATE residue on your hands?” ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/33 "2005-10-10T20:54:06Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Whoosh! Yes… you’re right, theres’ just \*no way \* my comment (iwth pic links even!) could have an extension of his humorous play on the words “Goren” & “Gorn”, no siree Bob! You got me! I was sooo wooshed! ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/34 "2005-10-10T20:59:29Z")
> [@astro](#): > > That’s [Detective Goren,](http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/characters/images/donofrio.jpg) not Detective [Gorn.](http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/tos-019-the-gorn-captain-prepa/320x240.jpg) I gotta admit,you guys are good! ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/35 "2005-10-10T21:21:25Z")
> [@johnnyboy](#): > > After thinking about it, he was great in that one episode of Homicide, too. I agree completely. I think that one performance makes up for anything he might have done since. As an actor, it must be hard to pass up a steady paycheck when it is offered. [Sam Waterston?](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001832/) Exceptional in “The Glass Menagerie” and “The Killing Fields”, and now he is reduced to showing eyebrows and indignation every week. I also agree with **Larry Borgia** ; D’Onofrio’s role was written to be mildly dysfunctional. They would get into his troubled childhood a bit at the beginning, but later seemed to drop that except when Olivia D’Abo was a guest star. I just put it down to the writing. I find the L&O shows mildly interesting, but the writing has never been great enough to make them worth a second viewing to me. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/36 "2005-10-10T21:53:15Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Yes… you’re right, theres’ just \*no way \* my comment (iwth pic links even!) could have an extension of his humorous play on the words “Goren” & “Gorn”, no siree Bob! You got me! I was sooo wooshed! Okay, I just misunderstood your post, since it seemed to be repeating exactly the same joke. So the whoosh is on me, I guess. Sorry if I offended. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/37 "2005-10-10T22:14:16Z")
Bryan Ekers writes: \> I’m hoping the last episode of L&O: CI will feature D’Onofrio in one of his \> standard end-of-show interrogations with a suspect played by Ermey. When \> D’Onofrio starts hinting that lack of parental affection can cause \> a “malfunctioning” psyche, Ermey grabs a gun, shoots D’Onofrio, then himself. I’m hoping that in the last episode, the suspect will be played by Renee Zellweger, his co-star in _The Whole Wide World_. When D’Onofrio starts to get snide as usual, Zellweger can just smile sweetly and say, “I know how upset you are because your mother died. You really need to find something other than your work to distract you from your grief. Have you ever considered becoming a pulp writer?” Then D’Onofrio will grab a gun and shoot himself. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/38 "2005-10-10T22:49:57Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I hate the character he plays but don’t know much about him as an actor. Other than the fact he played Thor in “Adventures in Babysitting”. A moment when a smilie can convey a fleeting feeling: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/39 "2005-10-10T23:12:38Z")
You guys!!! I love D’Onofrio. I think his Goren character is great. It’s on here every Tuesday evening, and we watch it religiously. Nicholson in “The Shining” meets Columbo. Brilliant. I don’t see why anyone would find him annoying - that’s the point of the character! As for his role in FMJ: anyone claiming he was a hack in that role, well, let’s just say they’re not right in the head. 🙂 Caruso in CSI: Miami is another example. Over-acting in an almost Shateresque style, to suit the character. I love it! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2005, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391/40 "2005-10-11T00:26:36Z")
> [@priapus](#): > > You mean THE BRAIN dubbed Welles? Considering that LaMarche also did the voice of Welles at least once in that series, that’s not so surprising. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vincent-donofrio-is-he-a-bad-actor-or-just-miscast-in-that-law-and-order-spin-off/325391.md?page=3)