Is Philip Seymor Hoffman a character actor? William Macy? Brian Cox?
Alan Rickman.
Joan Cusack for sure.
Wash: Were I unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion. Kaylee: 'Cause I'm pretty? Wash: 'Cause you're pretty.
'Heart Of Gold'
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Volans - Dec 01, 2006 4:15:51 am PST #6068 of 10001
move out and draw fire
Frankenbuddha - Dec 01, 2006 4:37:58 am PST #6069 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
Alan Cummings.
DavidS - Dec 01, 2006 4:38:18 am PST #6070 of 10001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Is Philip Seymor Hoffman a character actor?
Was, I think now. He's sort of moved up. Kind of in the Dustin Hoffman class, if that distinction is useful.
William Macy?
Is. Even though he does play a lot of leads. The Shoveler!
Brian Cox?
Is. God, he's good in Rushmore and Manhunter.
Frankenbuddha - Dec 01, 2006 4:39:35 am PST #6071 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
Is. Even though he does play a lot of leads.
By that definition, than so is Frances MacDormand.
lisah - Dec 01, 2006 5:14:14 am PST #6072 of 10001
Punishingly Intricate
I used to love Lili Taylor but I think 6 Feet Under ruined her for me. Hated that show and hated her in it.
I caught most of Bridget Jones' Diary on tv the other day and was reminded of how much I enjoy Shirley Henderson and, for that matter, Jim Broadbent.
beekaytee - Dec 01, 2006 6:16:42 am PST #6073 of 10001
Compassionately intolerant
I love this conversation! Character actors are my favorite actors.
Ileanna Douglas
She's so great in Action.And in To Die For.
Lilli Taylor and Guy Pearce (does he count? he's the definition of 'character') are great in A Slipping Down Life. It's a character study of characters. And has the distinction of featuring Bruno Kirby.(RIP) He's one of my favorite character's as well.
Matt the Bruins fan - Dec 01, 2006 6:17:52 am PST #6074 of 10001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
Would Pauline Collins count as a character actress? Shirley Valentine was a pretty high-profile lead role, but she's played a bazillion smaller roles over the years.
beekaytee - Dec 01, 2006 6:21:11 am PST #6075 of 10001
Compassionately intolerant
And, speaking of which, Tom Conti! Rueben, Reuben.
And Julie Walters...in everything for about 30 seconds. Educating Rita. I would probably hate it today, but loveloveloved it in 1983.
Polter-Cow - Dec 01, 2006 6:40:29 am PST #6076 of 10001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Someone define "character actor." I've never really understood what distinguishes one from a regular actor. I used to think it was an actor who always played a specific type of character, but then many people called "character actors" have had diverse roles.
beekaytee - Dec 01, 2006 6:51:49 am PST #6077 of 10001
Compassionately intolerant
This is a great question. I am probably getting it wrong, in the pure definition sense.
For me, a character actor is someone who plays a variety of a characters. They add texture and breadth to a story but are not necessarily the central character. They are the types who either, as you say, play a particular character over and over again... (I'm looking at you Walter Brennan and Pat Buttram) Or they disappear into roles, chameleon-like. (That's for you Jeffrey Wright!)