# Why can't ugly people act? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514 "2008-11-19T20:20:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/41 "2008-11-20T01:34:22Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > None of them are ugly, to me. (well, Diller, maybe). They are just not beautiful. The human race has never looked this good and since most people have regular features, ugly is not all that common anymore. Plain, yes. Not doing anything to help their attractiveness is also rampant, but sheer outright UGLY? Not so much (barring congenital anomalies and deformities of course). Good point, but again, some people are, unfortunately, less forgiving when it comes to the attractiveness continuum. Oh, and, don’t you go beating up on Phyllis! For 90+, she looks pretty damn good. Not to mention the fact that she is still _hilarious_. And she looked pretty good (more than just humdrum) when she was younger. She’s less ugly and more just old. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/42 "2008-11-20T01:59:56Z")
OK, how about [Charles Laughton?](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001452/) Three Oscar nominations, one win. Long, distinguished career. Face like a pug dog. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/43 "2008-11-20T02:03:39Z")
> [@Cider\_Depot](#): > > I think ya mean David Ogden Stiers, the guy who played Charles Emerson Winchester III :smack: Gah. Sorry–it’s been awhile since I saw the show. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/44 "2008-11-20T02:07:23Z")
> [@Hometownboy](#): > > OK, how about [Charles Laughton?](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001452/) > > Three Oscar nominations, one win. Long, distinguished career. Face like a pug dog. I wouldn’t say he is ugly, he’s just extra thick and chunky-style. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/45 "2008-11-20T02:07:53Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > None of them are ugly, to me. (well, Diller, maybe). They are just not beautiful. The human race has never looked this good and since most people have regular features, ugly is not all that common anymore. Plain, yes. Not doing anything to help their attractiveness is also rampant, but sheer outright UGLY? Not so much (barring congenital anomalies and deformities of course). Christ, I live in a town known for it’s attractive populace, and there are plenty of ugly people wandering around. Maybe my standards are too high or something. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/46 "2008-11-20T02:19:30Z")
> [@Hometownboy](#): > > OK, how about [Charles Laughton?](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001452/) > > Three Oscar nominations, one win. Long, distinguished career. Face like a pug dog. Or Edward G. Robinson, or Jimmy Durante, or W.C. Fields. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/47 "2008-11-20T02:25:53Z")
Two words: Arnold Stang. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/48 "2008-11-20T02:53:49Z")
This is the point where John Waters really comes right out to the fore and shines, at least in his early work. He saw ugly as interesting, and had great casting in his movies. (Eve, wherefore Art Thou?) Gotta love Amy Sedaris, too, who, although beautiful, would make herself ugly, not from a “see how good an actress I am” standpoint, but from a real admiration of the odd complex of human difference. Really, she delights in those differences, not as making fun, but including them. [[http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p91/mileenanika/amy-sedaris04.jpgurl=](http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p91/mileenanika/amy-sedaris04.jpgurl=)]Amy, with cake [Sedaris as Jerri Blank](http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/akane814/jerri.jpg) Both Waters and Sedaris love Ugly as beautiful and interesting, as I do, too, infinetely. Hollywood, nah, even features and bright shiny is what sells in our storytelling, who can blame us, really?? It’s hardwired into the fucking mating schematics in the most easy applicable way. 'Cept for us weirdos. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/49 "2008-11-20T03:04:09Z")
OOps, here’s the link to the first photo: [Amy with cake](http://amyking.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/jerri-blank-amy-sedaris-strangers-with-candy.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/50 "2008-11-20T03:10:27Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > . . . Kathy Bates. . . I actually think Kathy Bates is [quite lovely](http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1490720256/nm0000870). Academy Award winner [Linda Hunt](http://www.scifi-universe.com/upload/personnalites/grand/Linda_Hunt.jpg) would be difficult to describe as attractive, and she can act circles around almost anyone. Emmy Award winner [Rick Moranis](http://www.exclaim.ca/images/ff_rick_moranis.jpg) is no swan. Even in her youth, Emmy nominee [Charlotte Rae](http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/brotherb13/charlotte_rae.jpg) wasn’t a pretty woman. Emmy winner [Michael Badalucco](http://www.imdb.com/media/rm113088512/nm0045937) doesn’t have a pretty face, either. I think the premise of the OP is way off base. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/51 "2008-11-20T03:44:31Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > You don’t know much about the business, do you? > Agents and casting directors are always looking for new talent. Looks certainly count, but having what casting directors are looking for counts more than any absolute. There is a certain charisma that those who will succeed have which agents can recognize. Isn’t it posible that this is a circular definition? Only people agents select get to succeed; therefore agents can recognize the quality that leads to success. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/52 "2008-11-20T03:45:51Z")
Actors like singers, are in overabundance. In other words there are far too many wannabe actors and not enough parts to go around So you’re a casting director and you have a role to fill. OK you have 20 people read for a role and say 5 are excellent. So the tie breaker will be looks. There are very few roles which couldn’t be played by more than one person. So why not go with the best looking one, if all else is even. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/53 "2008-11-20T03:49:00Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I think the premise of the OP is way off base. I think he realizes that. From post #8: > [@](#): > > My OP is mere sarcasm designed to fool certain individuals. (Whatever that means.) ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/54 "2008-11-20T08:34:01Z")
Apparently, no-one in the world is ugly, based on the refutes here. Just about every candidate for an ugly actor in this thread really is very ugly, IMO. Many of them in the scary-ugly category. I don’t see people as ugly as them even every month of my everyday life. Fatter, less charismatic, less dedicated people, yeah, lots. But uglier? No. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/55 "2008-11-20T08:47:58Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > Apparently, no-one in the world is ugly, based on the refutes here. Just about every candidate for an ugly actor in this thread really is very ugly, IMO. Many of them in the scary-ugly category. I don’t see people as ugly as them even every month of my everyday life. Fatter, less charismatic, less dedicated people, yeah, lots. But uglier? No. I think the difference is that we see ugly actors the way filmmakers want us to see them. Between cinematography, lighting and makeup, \*everyone \*looks better in the movies. Plus, ugly people who know how to act can act better looking. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/56 "2008-11-20T08:51:47Z")
A generation ago, this thread would have been refuted and shut down at the outset with one name: Oscar Winner (for Best Actor) [Ernest Borgnine](http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2071500800/nm0000308). No love for ol’ Ernest? That’s OK, [he’s got a handle on it](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhKZNQlJrY). ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/57 "2008-11-20T08:58:27Z")
Of course, another answer I could give the OP is this: Why should I pay good money to stare at ugly people for two hours? ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/58 "2008-11-20T10:06:57Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > One difficulty is always going to be deciding who is ugly. Someone listed Wallace Shawn above and I have had a Dope-documented crush on Wallace Shawn that I can run from but cannot hide! Yep. I wouldn’t call him attractive, but I don’t think he’s _ugly_, for his age anyway. But then, my upper limit for age in men is somewhere around 28. Also, there are a number of people in another thread claiming that Daniel Craig looks like Rene Auberjonois in alien makeup to them, so it takes all kinds, eh? > [@faithfool](#): > > Certainly not “ugly,” but may not be considered attractive by many standards is Philip Seymour Hoffman and he’s landed a couple of larger-type roles for sure. Well, sure; those are the only roles he can fit in. 😉 Seriously, though, I came in here to say the exact same thing. PSH is one of the finest actors anywhere, and is widely recognized in the industry for same. I don’t think he’s ever hurt for work and he’s really not attractive. > [@Manduck](#): > > Juliette Lewis and Angelica Huston are ugly? Eww. You’re kidding, right? > [@eleanorigby](#): > > I’d say that acting talent is probably spread throughout the general population, as is ignorance, sadly. And impatience, apparently. (Hint: Try scrolling up.) > [@Cisco](#): > > but won’t as often go to the cinema for the sole purpose of oogling Eva Mendez or Edward Norton. _What?_ Those are two of the hottest people in Hollywood, IMO. Half of Mendes’ roles (not Mendez, FTR) seem to be shitty movies where someone thought, “If Eva Mendes gets fingered in this one, people will buy tickets!”, and they were pretty much right. I can certainly see where some weirdo (;)) might think one of them isn’t the most gorgeous thing ever, but surely plenty of people find them both ogle-worthy? Shit, I saw that godawful Hitch movie three times just to watch Eva Mendes. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/59 "2008-11-20T13:52:44Z")
Rondo Hatton. Charles Laughton has already been mentioned. Before her face lift, when she started on MAUDE, Rue McClanahan was quite homely. Armin Shimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514/60 "2008-11-20T13:57:54Z")
Two words: Jason Alexander. Did anyone else see Criminal Minds last night? If that doesn’t make the catagory of “ugly person who can act” I will sell you a bridge. And Robin Williams. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-ugly-people-act/473514.md?page=4)