Actors that should have been bigger stars

[Waquoit]

I'm a big fan of Sam Rockwell. He's been in plenty of movies, but usually as a supporting actor, or in B grade or indie movies. He's incredibly versatile, he's got plenty of charisma, seems like the guy should be a much bigger star than he is. As both Zaphod Beeblebrox and Guy Fleegman, he's nailed down 2 of the better comedic sci fi performances of all time.

I think he stinks in 3 Billboards. His transformation doesn't ring true for a second, it's like he's playing 2 different roles in the same movie.

 

[Husky25]

Craig Sheffer. According to IMDB, he has a pretty consistent work timeline. I first saw him in Some Kind of Wonderful and he had a nice run with Fire in the Sky, A River Runs Through It (fantastic) and The Program (equally). He also did well for himself with Gabriel Anwar for a time, but it seems he never made The Leap. For a brief second I thought he landed the "Nelson Van Alden" role in Boardwalk Empire, that was played his doppelganger, Michael Shannon (8- Mile, The Iceman).

 

[Husky25]

I think he stinks in 3 Billboards. His transformation doesn't ring true for a second, it's like he's playing 2 different roles in the same movie.

I thought he nailed it in 3 Billboards. The outburst in the interrogation room was fantastic (as was Woody Harrelson's characters' reaction to his recount.).

 

[Husky25]

Justin Bartha. I thought he nailed the wise cracking Riley Poole in National Treasure. Was it only good writing? Looks like he alternates between the Small and Silver screens.

"Delicious jams and jellies?"

 

[huskyrob1]

Elizabeth Shue, has to be on any list of great actresses who never made it big. Many thought she was robbed at the Oscars when nominated for Leaving Las Vegas. I mean it's rare when a great actress can play a serious role or just as easily be hysterically funny, and also be a stunning looking woman, and she was. She must have had the worst agent in Hollywood. Although some of her fading away was by choice, actually put her career on hold to play competitive tennis.

 

[superjohn]

Chris Cooper and Ben Mendelsohn. Neither has matinee idol looks, they are both actually a little creepy looking. They also both steal every scene they are ever in with movie star actors headlining. Another creepy looking guy who acts circles around bigger name stars is Michael Shannon. I used to see him around my neighborhood, he's an intense/strange looking guy who has a major presence. Andre Braugher is another guy who has been wasted.

Guess they are more grossly underrated actors, to be a huge Hoywood star you have to have the look. People like Treat Williams, Clive Owen, Mark Ruffalo, Eric Bana, Alison Lohman, Ron Eldard, Michael Biehn, Carla Gugino should have bigger careers.

Gretchen Mol is sort of the poster boy actress for this, she had Marilyn Monroe looks and was supposed to be the next big thing but it never happened for her. There were always nasty rumors and it seems she was blackballed (probably Harvey related.) Linda Fiorentino had a great start and then ended up in cr@p like Red Shoe Diaries on Showtime, probably alongside Treat Williams.

Michael Jai White should have been a huge action star.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I am not arguing everyone should have Tom Hanks' career. Most of those people you mentioned have had pretty good careers. How much better could Clive Owen have reasonably been expected to do? Some of them, like Cugino and Williams, are not top tier as actors, and also have to learn to say no to some parts. Gretchen Mol is good, not great. I liked her in Boardwalk Empire, but was not blown away. I like both Eldard and Biehn, but they are character actors, not leading men. Both had nice runs in their careers, and are still picking up paychecks.

 

[Dove]

Chris Cooper and Ben Mendelsohn. Neither has matinee idol looks, they are both actually a little creepy looking. They also both steal every scene they are ever in with movie star actors headlining. Another creepy looking guy who acts circles around bigger name stars is Michael Shannon. I used to see him around my neighborhood, he's an intense/strange looking guy who has a major presence. Andre Braugher is another guy who has been wasted.

Guess they are more grossly underrated actors, to be a huge Hoywood star you have to have the look. People like Treat Williams, Clive Owen, Mark Ruffalo, Eric Bana, Alison Lohman, Ron Eldard, Michael Biehn, Carla Gugino should have bigger careers.

Gretchen Mol is sort of the poster boy actress for this, she had Marilyn Monroe looks and was supposed to be the next big thing but it never happened for her. There were always nasty rumors and it seems she was blackballed (probably Harvey related.) Linda Fiorentino had a great start and then ended up in cr@p like Red Shoe Diaries on Showtime, probably alongside Treat Williams.

Michael Jai White should have been a huge action star.

My freshman year at Southern CT State U I was in Hickerson Hall. Across the hall was a black karate dude named Mike White. I hanged with him quite a bit that year.

Fast forward to three years ago it was midnight on a Saturday I watched a movie called "Blood and Bone". I googled the star and sure as sheet it was Mike!!!! Would love to see him at a book signing or something some day.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Ed Burns was annoying as an actor imo. Perfect for his role in Brothers McMullen but tiring to see him play essentially the same guy in everything else after that. I do think he had a nice, distinctly New York style as a director, and particularly enjoyed his short film set to Bill Withers's "Lovely Day," which he did for one of the 9/11 tributes iirc.

Agree on Burns, not only did he play he same guy as Brothers McM in everything else but he tried to rewrite the movie once or twice. He was good in Saving Private Ryan but that's it.
So many actresses qualify; teens Ally Sheedy & Molly Ringwald never made it into adulthood. Amanda Peet (recently great in Togetherness). Isn't Phoebe Cates the definition of this?

Actors a bit tougher, does Val Kilmer qualify? We've talked here about how he was so good as Doc Holiday and obviously iconic in Top Gun, ultimately got a spin as Batman. He's worked a ton & definitely a 'star' but almost nothing memorable in the last 20 years - expected a better career.

Going another way what about Norm McDonald? So funny esp on SNL, but his starring turns in movies are as funny for being bad as they are just funny.

 

[superjohn]

Agree on Burns, not only did he play he same guy as Brothers McM in everything else but he tried to rewrite the movie once or twice. He was good in Saving Private Ryan but that's it.
So many actresses qualify; teens Ally Sheedy & Molly Ringwald never made it into adulthood. Amanda Peet (recently great in Togetherness). Isn't Phoebe Cates the definition of this?

Actors a bit tougher, does Val Kilmer qualify? We've talked here about how he was so good as Doc Holiday and obviously iconic in Top Gun, ultimately got a spin as Batman. He's worked a ton & definitely a 'star' but almost nothing memorable in the last 20 years - expected a better career.

Going another way what about Norm McDonald? So funny esp on SNL, but his starring turns in movies are as funny for being bad as they are just funny.

Kilmer was a star but word is he was difficult to work with, turned down some good roles, got sick and lost his looks. Pretty sad what happened to him.

Norm Macdonald is one of the funniest people ever, unfortunately most people don't get him.

 

[superjohn]

My freshman year at Southern CT State U I was in Hickerson Hall. Across the hall was a black karate dude named Mike White. I hanged with him quite a bit that year.

Fast forward to three years ago it was midnight on a Saturday I watched a movie called "Blood and Bone". I googled the star and sure as sheet it was Mike!!!! Would love to see him at a book signing or something some day.

From Bridgeport, guy is a serious bad arse.

 

[huskyrob1]

My freshman year at Southern CT State U I was in Hickerson Hall. Across the hall was a black karate dude named Mike White. I hanged with him quite a bit that year.

Fast forward to three years ago it was midnight on a Saturday I watched a movie called "Blood and Bone". I googled the star and sure as sheet it was Mike!!!! Would love to see him at a book signing or something some day.

He did get around, I used to work out with him at a gym in Bridgeport many years ago, knew him well.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Agree on Burns, not only did he play he same guy as Brothers McM in everything else but he tried to rewrite the movie once or twice. He was good in Saving Private Ryan but that's it.
So many actresses qualify; teens Ally Sheedy & Molly Ringwald never made it into adulthood. Amanda Peet (recently great in Togetherness). Isn't Phoebe Cates the definition of this?

Actors a bit tougher, does Val Kilmer qualify? We've talked here about how he was so good as Doc Holiday and obviously iconic in Top Gun, ultimately got a spin as Batman. He's worked a ton & definitely a 'star' but almost nothing memorable in the last 20 years - expected a better career.

Going another way what about Norm McDonald? So funny esp on SNL, but his starring turns in movies are as funny for being bad as they are just funny.

Kilmer was eventually hated by people he worked with. He was a great actor in his prime and still had a really strong run. His problems were self-inflicted.

Phoebe Cates married Kevin Kline in the late 80's and retired in 1994. She has only done one movie since then.

Sheedy was a mediocre actress, and was lucky to have the run she had. Molly Ringwald was good as a teen actress, but it was clear even then that she would not translate into an adult actress. Amanda Peet is smoking hot but average at best as an actress.

Macdonald is an odd duck that has antagonized most of his former friends in the business. Even some of the people like Lorne Michaels that have a ton of respect for him do not want to work with him.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

John Cazale would have about 8 Supporting Actor Oscars by now if he had lived.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Alexander Skarsgard fits in this category. Leading man looks and he is an amazing actor, yet he is bouncing around the HBO retread closet. I suspect that is going to change with his Emmy win.

 

[superjohn]

Rules: Actor has to be at least 30 and still hasn't broken out.

The criteria for success is repeated critically and/or commercially successful TV shows or movies as lead, co lead, or major character. I would add that if an actor had a long stretch where they were rocking, they probably don't qualify. 10 years at the top is a long time in Hollywood. Make the case if you have a character actor you really like. ​

I am re-watching Mad Men, which gave me the idea for this thread.

For example, most of the Game of Thrones actors have done about what I would have expected them to do. Emelia Clarke can pull off syrupy dramas based on her looks, but is not capable of any more than that because she is not particularly talented or charismatic. Harrington's height is going to be a problem for him, and he needs to do something different than period piece badass. Maisie Williams has potential to be the biggest and longest term star of the bunch. That said, none of the cast has done particularly better or worse than you would expect given their talent, looks and subsequent movie and TV roles.

I kind of feel the same way about the Mad Men cast, with an exception or two.

Two examples that do fit:

Mary Tyler Moore - beautiful, funny, starred in one of the biggest TV hit comedies in history, and was nominated for an Oscar. Yet she was doing cheesy TV movies and reunion shows by her late 50's, and her career was basically over by 2000.

Tim Matheson - had major roles in two of the biggest movie comedy hits of all time (Fletch and Animal House), good looking, good actor, got a mid career reprieve with a recurring role on the West Wing, and he is now guest starring on middle of the pack network TV shows.


Younger actors:

Jessica Pare - I think she is a really good actress, as shown by a very complex role on Mad Men. Playing stupid but not too stupid is not easy, and every twist in her character's development was completely credible in a large part because of her. I think she is stunning to look at, but in a very distinctive way that makes her memorable. The huge overbite makes her more vulnerable and approachable, so she doesn't have to just play the hot babe all the time. She basically got no roles out of Mad Men, and while I haven't seen Seal Team and its ratings are solid, it doesn't look like a career maker for Pare.

You're right Harrington's height is going to be a major problem for him, afterall no short actors have ever made it big except for James Cagney, James Dean, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Robert DeNiro, Stallone, Tom Cruise, James Caan, Don Cheadle, Dustin Hoffman, James McAvoy, Robert Downey Jr. , Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Emile Hirsch, Michael J. Fox, Paul Newman, Robin Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Zac Efron, Tom Hardy, Javier Bardem, Richard Dreyfuss, Jeremy Renner.

 

[superjohn]

John Cazale would have about 8 Supporting Actor Oscars by now if he had lived.

Was in only 5 movies and they were all up for best picture.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Kilmer was eventually hated by people he worked with. He was a great actor in his prime and still had a really strong run. His problems were self-inflicted

That's a lot of non-specific Personal /interpersonal stuff, which I guess is often a big reason success gets away from people. But I'm sure there's a ton of old people stories about all those girls being the next big thing back in the days when such accolades only went to 1 or 2 per year.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

That's a lot of non-specific Personal /interpersonal stuff, which I guess is often a big reason success gets away from people. But I'm sure there's a ton of old people stories about all those girls being the next big thing back in the days when such accolades only went to 1 or 2 per year.

I heard an interview with the Director of Ghosts in the Darkness where he said he would never work with Kilmer again. People weren't subtle about their dislike of Kilmer.

 

[nwhoopfan]

You're right Harrington's height is going to be a major problem for him, afterall no short actors have ever made it big except for James Cagney, James Dean, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Robert DeNiro, Stallone, Tom Cruise, James Caan, Don Cheadle, Dustin Hoffman, James McAvoy, Robert Downey Jr. , Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Emile Hirsch, Michael J. Fox, Paul Newman, Robin Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Zac Efron, Tom Hardy, Javier Bardem, Richard Dreyfuss, Jeremy Renner.

Several of those I was aware of being famous for being short, but others not so much. I looked up some of their heights. I have a bit of an issue w/ 5-9 or 5-10 being considered short. That's actually about average.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Several of those I was aware of being famous for being short, but others not so much. I looked up some of their heights. I have a bit of an issue w/ 5-9 or 5-10 being considered short. That's actually about average.

Deniro is 5'10 and Javier Bardem is about 6'. I wasn't going to respond to such a naked thread hijack and trolling attempt.

Also, either Game of Thrones has a really tall cast, or Kit Harrington is not 5'8. Several of the actors tower over him, and Rose Leslie seemed to be looking him in the eye in most of their scenes together.

Harrington's height does not need to be a fatal problem for his career, but it will be a problem, particularly since he plays tough guy roles that call for big men. I think Harrington will do OK, but I don't see him being an A or even B list leading man.

The Red Wedding was over 4 years ago, and Richard Madden (Robb Stark) has a lead on a middling Netflix period piece, and not much else. Harrington has at least had a lead in a comically awful, big budget, disaster flick, Pompeii.

 

[superjohn]

Deniro is 5'10 and Javier Bardem is about 6'. I wasn't going to respond to such a naked thread hijack and trolling attempt.

Also, either Game of Thrones has a really tall cast, or Kit Harrington is not 5'8. Several of the actors tower over him, and Rose Leslie seemed to be looking him in the eye in most of their scenes together.

Harrington's height does not need to be a fatal problem for his career, but it will be a problem, particularly since he plays tough guy roles that call for big men. I think Harrington will do OK, but I don't see him being an A or even B list leading man.

The Red Wedding was over 4 years ago, and Richard Madden (Robb Stark) has a lead on a middling Netflix period piece, and not much else. Harrington has at least had a lead in a comically awful, big budget, disaster flick, Pompeii.

The point is Hollywood is full of short guys with big heads. Being short is in no way an impediment to being a star actor. And in no way is being a small guy an impediment to playing tough guy roles, it seems historically most of the guys playing these roles are manlets.

 

[superjohn]

Several of those I was aware of being famous for being short, but others not so much. I looked up some of their heights. I have a bit of an issue w/ 5-9 or 5-10 being considered short. That's actually about average.

It's like basketball heights, if a guy is claiming 5'9 he's most likely 5'7.

 

[superjohn]

I also left out a ton of people. Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Joaquin Phoenix etc.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I heard an interview with the Director of Ghosts in the Darkness where he said he would never work with Kilmer again. People weren't subtle about their dislike of Kilmer.

I'm sure that's true, but from a pure consumer standpoint I don't care. Akin to how the fact that Michael Jordan was a jerk, arrogant, petty etc.. in no way subtracts from enjoyment I got watching him play basketball. At some point lots of great actors are arrogant, perfectionists and difficult to work with in good & bad ways - but that's their colleagues and directors problems or challenges to work thru to make a good movie. Example, Tootsie was autobiographical about how Dustin Hoffman over-analyzed and was pedantic/condescending.

I haven't seen the Jim Carey making of Man in the Moon thing yet, but that's right on topic, basically how turning into a for a role altered his personal makeup and essentially derailed his superstardom run.

Likewise it was always pretty obvious to me and many that Kevin Spacey is/was a jerk (I'm among many that never watched House of Cards knowing he's most annoying when in power), but in some roles he's perfect. Different ballgame of course that his personal issues were likely crimes, taints his film history. We are all still reconciling what to do with the art of Bill Cosby, Woody Allen and their ilk.

I guess my point is until they are outright criminals they can be extremely difficult people, for me that doesn't fully explain missed opportunities to make good art.

 

[Mano]

The point is Hollywood is full of short guys with big heads. Being short is in no way an impediment to being a star actor. And in no way is being a small guy an impediment to playing tough guy roles, it seems historically most of the guys playing these roles are manlets.

Is it just a cesspool meme that you’re short in real life or is it actually true? Either way it makes this whole exchange that much more funny.

 

[superjohn]

Is it just a cesspool meme that you’re short in real life or is it actually true? Either way it makes this whole exchange that much more funny.

Haha, 5'10 barefoot so probably 6'0-6'1 in Hollwood.

 

[Chuck]

I'm sure that's true, but from a pure consumer standpoint I don't care. Akin to how the fact that Michael Jordan was a jerk, arrogant, petty etc.. in no way subtracts from enjoyment I got watching him play basketball. At some point lots of great actors are arrogant, perfectionists and difficult to work with in good & bad ways - but that's their colleagues and directors problems or challenges to work thru to make a good movie. Example, Tootsie was autobiographical about how Dustin Hoffman over-analyzed and was pedantic/condescending.

I haven't seen the Jim Carey making of Man in the Moon thing yet, but that's right on topic, basically how turning into a for a role altered his personal makeup and essentially derailed his superstardom run.

Likewise it was always pretty obvious to me and many that Kevin Spacey is/was a jerk (I'm among many that never watched House of Cards knowing he's most annoying when in power), but in some roles he's perfect. Different ballgame of course that his personal issues were likely crimes, taints his film history. We are all still reconciling what to do with the art of Bill Cosby, Woody Allen and their ilk.

I guess my point is until they are outright criminals they can be extremely difficult people, for me that doesn't fully explain missed opportunities to make good art.

I think there is a difference between difficult because of a big ego, demanding needs, or intense work ethic (like using the method) vs. being a bad person to be around at all times. Christian Bale seems like a lunatic, but he'll get jobs. Daniel Day Lewis gets labeled as difficult, but he's gold. I have close second hand knowledge of how Kilmer treated people. A friend who is now a legit industry player was given a Kilmer relationship because nobody else wanted to deal with him. Kilmer treated him like he was lower than garbage and didn't seem to be all there. It makes sense that you wouldn't work too hard for a guy like that so there is less margin for error in their career. Once the actor has to truly audition or push for a part, they are going to continuously come up short because someone will take the opportunity to say no. On the flip side, I believe that some of the people in the foil of this thread (those that get better gigs than they should) get their jobs because they are likable or a pleasure to work with.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Good list.

Linda Fiorentino was smoking hot in Men in Black. She showed good comedic chops as well.

Annabella Sciorra - don't forget What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams. She's great in that. FWIW it's a very under appreciated movie.

Leelee Sobieski looks like she escaped from a Helen Hunt cloning experiment. I was surprised she didn't do more.

Penelope Ann Miller has had a pretty solid career. Did she have plastic surgery? She looks way different now than she did early in her career. (Think Kindergarten Cop.)

My nominee would be Wolfgang Bodison. I thought his career would take off after A Few Good Men.

Leelee is among the more surprisingly sexy women I can ever remember in Hollywood. Face is about Helen Hunt level, neck down....wow. Spectacular bod.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Elizabeth Shue, has to be on any list of great actresses who never made it big. Many thought she was robbed at the Oscars when nominated for Leaving Las Vegas. I mean it's rare when a great actress can play a serious role or just as easily be hysterically funny, and also be a stunning looking woman, and she was. She must have had the worst agent in Hollywood. Although some of her fading away was by choice, actually put her career on hold to play competitive tennis.

She single handedly ruined The Karate Kid. I could feel not one ounce of sympathy for that kid. None. She was so far out of his league it was ridiculous.