Is. Even though he does play a lot of leads.

By that definition, than so is Frances MacDormand.

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.

I love this conversation! Character actors are my favorite actors.

Ileanna Douglas

She's so great in Action.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!)

Huh. Wikipedia agrees with P-C:

A character actor is an actor who predominantly performs in similar roles throughout the course of a career. While some actors aspire to leading man or leading woman status, many notable actors have had enduring careers in less prominent, but important and memorable character parts. Character roles run the gamut from bit parts to secondary leads.

eta: There is something comforting about always knowing what you are going to get from a particular actor/character...but the designation doesn't really cover the actor who is so gifted range-wise, but doesn't take the center stage.

Adam Baldwin can play a lot of roles. He isn't a lead...whether by choice or not...and he works more, longer than most actors get to.

Is there a separate category for actors like that?

etaa: Forgive the obsession! Wikipedia adds some insight...'crossover actors', a term I never heard before:

Crossover actors

Many character actors have, however, gained star status; some have become widely known lead actors. Examples include Claude Rains, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Robert Duvall, Peter Lorre, Gene Wilder, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, Jack Black, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Don Cheadle, and Lynne Thigpen. Other character actors have developed a cult following with a particular audience as well, such as the fans of Star Trek, Doctor Who or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This notwithstanding, a hallmark of many great character actors is that their names are not widely known yet their faces or voices are instantly recognizable; Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, or Barry Fitzgerald are some examples.

However, character actors are not limited to only seasoned performers, but also can refer to film directors who have either made the crossover to acting or worked in front of the camera before, such as John Huston, Sydney Pollack, Paul Mazursky, Mark Rydell and Tim Blake Nelson to name a few.

Personally, I look at Pollack, Mazursky and Huston, not so much as actors but as stunt casting. But that is probably because I 'study' cinema more than the average film-goer.

I once squeed over seeing Joel Schumaker on the street in NYC and my friends thought I was a freak for being able to recognize him.

Or they disappear into roles, chameleon-like. (That's for you Jeffrey Wright!)

Or, say, Gary Oldman.

Or, say, Gary Oldman

Perfect example.