Great character actors

[LMFAOSchwarz]

I've been having some DVD mini-marathons since I shut my cable off in preparation for moving, and I'm really getting into some of the performances of some of those character actors we've all seen at one time or another.
For instance, I'm currently I'm watching the original Hawaii Five-O, and i was really impressed with Monte Markham's performance as a sleep-deprived, shotgun-wielding prison inmate who was desperate to prove a dead mans' confession to having himself committed the murder (the one Markham was convicted of).
He's one of those actors who was probably on every show in the 70's, and I never really gave him any notice. In this episode, he was totally believable in his desperation and fatigue, and I found myself wondering if perhaps he even went without sleep for a couple of days before filming!
Many actors of this nature are very, very good performers. Anyone have any particular favorites?

 

[WarEagle]

M.C. Gainey
Mickey Jones
Dennis Burkley

 

[dbuck]

No particular order:

M Emmitt Walsh
Christopher Walken
Robert Morley......yeah I'm old
David Morse
Alan Rickman
Hal Holbrook
George Kennedy
Brion James
Harry Dean Stanton

 

[Amish Trooper]

Hands down the best is Gary Oldman

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

Robert Morley......yeah I'm old

Don't feel bad, so am I!

Funny how so many of these actors usually play similar types (presumably because they're good at it): the stressed father, the corrupt businessman, the guy who harbors a dark secret, the browbeaten wife, the hired muscle, etc., etc. Wonder if that's a "chicken or the egg" situation, casting-wise?

 

[payton paison]

Burt Reynolds had a lot of the same guys in his movies. Adam sandler does the same thing, the same guys always have parts in his movies. These guys aren't famous, but you see them in every movie.

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

Thank you, O Mods, for moving the thread. I was going to suggest that!

 

[Flagg]

Dick Miller

Hardly anyone knows him by name but everyone goes "That guy!" when they see him. So many great roles are under his belt.

 

[Wolfie138]

William Fichtner
JT Walsh
Bill Paxton
Brad Dourif
Lance Henriksen
Kim Coates

 

[Monster Dave]

Two of my favorites in any roles: Ernest Borgnine and Burt Lancaster.

 

[Dave Ward]

I've never really been sure what a character actor is.

 

[Vermithrax 4]

My personal favorite is the eternal Burgess Meredith. Even when he was young he looked old.

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

My personal favorite is the eternal Burgess Meredith. Even when he was young he looked old.

Yeah, there's a few guys like that: no matter how old the movie or show is, they're still old!:eek . Jon Lormer is one. Another (whose name I can't recall) is the guy who played Gus the fireman on Leave it to Beaver!

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

I've never really been sure what a character actor is.

They're the guys who always play parts in programs that are of the one-shot types. Never lead characters or regulars, they are the ones who play the visiting old friend of the star, never seen before and most likely never seen again. They play the bad guy of the episode, or the sympathetic victim. They are firemen, doctors, lawyers, ice cream vendors, scientists, brothers, museum curators or whatever else may be needed for the story. They often seem to specialize as a certain personality type. Ever see a cop show, and a certain recognizable actor pops up and you think to yourself "He's the murderer. That guy always plays the murderer!", or "That guy always seems to play a police chief.". That's a character actor.
They're the ones you recognize, but never associate with a particular show or character...because they're too busy playing "everyone and anyone". They can be heroes...villains...appear in butter commercials...all with equal adeptness!

 

[PotionMistress]

Here are a few of my favorites:
Eric von Stroheim, Vincent Price, Telly Savalas

 

[Talisen]

David Keith comes to mind

 

[PotionMistress]

There is a great set of books by Richard Lamparski called 'Whatever Became of.." that showcases so many of the great actors and actresses that you've seen so many times but never remember their names.

 

[LMFAOSchwarz]

There is a great set of books by Richard Lamparski called 'Whatever Became of.." that showcases so many of the great actors and actresses that you've seen so many times but never remember their names.

Thanks for that heads-up, PotionMistress!:thumbsup

 

[niennumb1]

Hands down the best is Gary Oldman

+1 There!

 

[Probe Droid]

Ron Perlman is another example of a character actor that folks here would recognize. Steve Buscemi, Clancy Brown, Lance Henricksen would be others.