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.
OK, how about Charles Laughton?
Three Oscar nominations, one win. Long, distinguished career. Face like a pug dog.
:smack: Gah. Sorry–it’s been awhile since I saw the show.
I wouldn’t say he is ugly, he’s just extra thick and chunky-style.
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.
Or Edward G. Robinson, or Jimmy Durante, or W.C. Fields.
Two words: Arnold Stang.
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=]Amy, with cake
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. 
OOps, here’s the link to the first photo:
I actually think Kathy Bates is quite lovely.
Academy Award winner Linda Hunt would be difficult to describe as attractive, and she can act circles around almost anyone.
Emmy Award winner Rick Moranis is no swan.
Even in her youth, Emmy nominee Charlotte Rae wasn’t a pretty woman.
Emmy winner Michael Badalucco doesn’t have a pretty face, either.
I think the premise of the OP is way off base.
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.
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.
I think he realizes that. From post #8:
(Whatever that means.)
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.
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.
No love for ol’ Ernest? That’s OK, he’s got a handle on it.
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?
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?
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.
Eww. You’re kidding, right?
And impatience, apparently. (Hint: Try scrolling up.)
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.
Rondo Hatton.
Charles Laughton has already been mentioned.
Before her face lift, when she started on MAUDE, Rue McClanahan was quite homely.
Armin Shimmerman.
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.
