# Your Favorite Character Actors (pre-poll data gathering) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364 "2013-02-05T04:38:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/61 "2013-02-10T18:54:45Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Kicking myself that I didn’t think of Vincent Gardenia before now!: [http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/vincentgardenia.jpg](http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/vincentgardenia.jpg) Good one. I’m working on a complete list of everybody mentioned thus far in all these threads. I’ll add him to that list. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/62 "2013-02-10T20:01:45Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Good one. I’m working on a complete list of everybody mentioned thus far in all these threads. I’ll add him to that list. Please check [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15991075&postcount=6) and [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15991083&postcount=7) for updated lists of all names mentioned thus far. If we need to add more actors’ names for consideration/voting there’s plenty of time for that. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/63 "2013-02-10T20:19:13Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Looks like time to post the complete list so those who haven’t done so yet can post a Top Ten list at [Your Top Ten Favorite Character Actors](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=681361) and thereby assist in narrowing down the group(s) that will make it to polls. > > As of **Elendil’s Heir** ’s post these have been mentioned in this thread: How do you guys know this stuff? Are in in the industry? I recognized only the following names from this list, and not from their work as character actors. Dan Ackroyd Buddy Ebsen Chief Dan George John Goodman Gene Hackman Tommy Lee Jones Harvey Keitel Harry Dean Stanton Sammy Davis Jr. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/64 "2013-02-10T20:47:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > How do you guys know this stuff? Are in in the industry? I recognized only the following names from this list, and not from their work as character actors. In my case it’s just a thing of liking to know the “little people” in TV and movies. I’ve always had that interest. I could probably name at least half of the B Western players from my childhood. If I see somebody I ought to recognize from earlier roles, I will search IMDb and elsewhere to get the name and those details. Others may have other reasons for dealing in such trivia. I couldn’t name 12 baseball players, but maybe 50 or so football players. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/65 "2013-02-10T21:40:18Z")
I nominate two - literally - oldies, Charlotte Greenwood, a tall lanky old broad in 1940’s musicals who in dance numbers who could kick either leg out right up over her head. And Edna May Oliver, how I LOVE that horse-faced old lady who perked up so many costume movies. Notably in Pride and Prejudice, and a couple of movies based on Charles Dickens novels. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/66 "2013-02-10T22:52:44Z")
[Soon-Tek Oh](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0644902/?ref_=sr_1) ---
**Author:** ![jack\_tardiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jack\_tardiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_tardiff)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/67 "2013-02-10T23:29:30Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I nominate two - literally - oldies, Charlotte Greenwood, a tall lanky old broad in 1940’s musicals who in dance numbers who could kick either leg out right up over her head. Hey! That sounds like a good girl. What was she in? Anyway, you’re being ageist by calling a 1940s actor – that’s the primetime, not even old movies. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/68 "2013-02-10T23:46:04Z")
> [@jack\_tardiff](#): > > Hey! That sounds like a good girl. What was she in? Anyway, you’re being ageist by calling a 1940s actor – that’s the primetime, not even old movies. No, he’s saying she was old THEN! [Born in 1890](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Greenwood). ---
**Author:** ![jack\_tardiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jack\_tardiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_tardiff)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/69 "2013-02-10T23:57:59Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > No, he’s saying she was old THEN! [Born in 1890](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Greenwood). Hey, still, my kind of woman as I enter into full-on middle age – fifty something and advanced legwork? OK I admit I’m thinking of Gena Rowland doing the splits while…never mind. Hey, I just turned 35 two months ago yesterday. Let an old man quietly enjoy his memories. Thanks for the clarification, boss.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/70 "2013-02-11T01:54:58Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > How do you guys know this stuff? Are [you] in the industry? … I just have a pretty good head for trivia, and like many old movies and TV shows. Some names and faces just stick in my mind, and if I kinda sorta recognize someone I’ll often consult Wiki or [IMDb.com](http://IMDb.com) to see where else I’ve seen that person. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/71 "2013-02-13T08:32:03Z")
One actor who’s been overlooked and who deserves to be considered is William H. Macy. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/72 "2013-02-13T14:05:28Z")
Beth Grant definitely belongs on any list of GREAT character actors! Her credits number into the hundreds. Her most famous roles are probably in “Donnie Darko” as Kitty Farmer and the voice of Hank Hill’s mother, Tilly, on “King of the Hill”. She also had a recurring role in “Jericho” and is currently starring as (crazy) Nurse Beverly on “The Mindy Project”. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/73 "2013-02-13T15:10:44Z")
> [@Beelzebubba](#): > > Beth Grant definitely belongs on any list of GREAT character actors! > > Her credits number into the hundreds. Her most famous roles are probably in “Donnie Darko” as Kitty Farmer and the voice of Hank Hill’s mother, Tilly, on “King of the Hill”. She also had a recurring role in “Jericho” and is currently starring as (crazy) Nurse Beverly on “The Mindy Project”. OMG! How could I have forgotten Beth Grant?! For me, she’s Sissy from Sordid Lives and the Muffin Buffalo lady from Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. Oh, and the nasty PTA mom in Malcolm In The Middle. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/74 "2013-02-13T16:24:35Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > OMG! How could I have forgotten Beth Grant?! For me, she’s Sissy from Sordid Lives and the Muffin Buffalo lady from Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. Oh, and the nasty PTA mom in Malcolm In The Middle. Sissy Hickey was my favorite character of all-time!!! Sordid Lives is a “cult classic” but so many people have never heard of it. I saw an interview with Beth a few months back and she said that Sissy was her favorite role ever! “Would you like a Valium? I’d take two if I was you, and you’ll feel a lot better when those kick in!” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/75 "2013-02-13T16:37:52Z")
jayjay- take a look at this True Blood minisode that she did- [TRUE BLOOD Minisode](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVXrC__JyrU) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364/76 "2013-02-13T16:52:26Z")
> [@Beelzebubba](#): > > jayjay- take a look at this True Blood minisode that she did- [TRUE BLOOD Minisode](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVXrC__JyrU) Excellent! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-character-actors-pre-poll-data-gathering/649364.md?page=3)