Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Discuss your favorite actors, directors or screenwriters
nauru
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Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by nauru »

William Sadler -- has this guy ever had a starring role, other than a few episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?

It's annoying that people like Sam Worthington get lead roles in pretty much everything while far more talented people spend their whole careers in the background.

3dRevelation
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by 3dRevelation »

One of the first actors that came to my mind was Chris Cooper. Although I'm sure he has a few lead roles, I haven't seen any of his films where he is in the lead. I thought his supporting role in Adaptation was phenomenal. I'm kind of surprised not to have seen him more in the lead (unless I'm just missing a huge part of his work).

edkrak
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by edkrak »

Takuzo Kawatani - he almost always gets small comedic roles, but even with only few munite roles he's often the highlight of the film.

afx237vi
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by afx237vi »

From the old-school, I've really liked William Bendix in everything I've seen him in.

stuie299
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by stuie299 »

Charles Durning
Rip Torn
Stephen Root
Tim Curry
Jeffrey Wright
Kevin Pollak

Pickpocket
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by Pickpocket »

Image

Stewball
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by Stewball »

stuie299 wrote:Charles Durning
Rip Torn
Stephen Root
Tim Curry
Jeffrey Wright
Kevin Pollak


Yeah, Charles Durning, but his role in O Brother was one of the best supporting roles.....EVER.

Tim Curry? He was a close to being a lead in Rocky Horror as I can imagine. I mean, the title character was a walk on, in effect.

Can't think of any females that would qualify, but I'm sure they're there.

OK, how 'bout Holly Hunter & Helena Bonham Carter.

nauru
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by nauru »

Definitely William Fichtner and Helena Bonham Carter. Two of my favourite actors.

stuie299
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by stuie299 »

Stewball wrote:
stuie299 wrote:Charles Durning
Rip Torn
Stephen Root
Tim Curry
Jeffrey Wright
Kevin Pollak


Yeah, Charles Durning, but his role in O Brother was one of the best supporting roles.....EVER.

Tim Curry? He was a close to being a lead in Rocky Horror as I can imagine. I mean, the title character was a walk on, in effect.


1. So you're saying that he was good in a supporting role...isn't that the point? Good actors that should be in lead roles.

2. I guess you could say the same thing about Clue but I like him as an actor and wouldn't mind if he got another lead role.

tonydal
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Re: Great supporting actors who never get the lead

Post by tonydal »

Martin Balsam

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