Underrated actors/actresses

[Monotreme]

This thread is dedicated to those actors and actresses whom you think don't get enough loving from the public, or any appreciation for their brilliant acting jobs.

Unfortunately, I can only think of three for now, but I may add more as I come up with them.

http://www.cinemacafri.com/img/foto/pequeno/Patricia-Clarkson-1.jpg
Patricia Clarkson - I had seen this lovely lady in a few movies, her deep, hoarse voice is hard to miss - but she truly wowed me as a guest star on the best TV show of all time, Six Feet Under. She played the role of Ruth's sister with such honesty, humanity and emotion, it suddenly struck me that she is probably one of the better actresses working, and yet, gets almost no recognition as just that. Looking forward to her in the upcoming All The King's Men.
Notable Roles: The Green Mile, Far From Heaven, Pieces of April, The Station Agent, Dogville, Six Feet Under (TV), Good Night and Good Luck.

http://dvdtoile.com/ARTISTES/0/631.jpg
Joan Allen - It was in The Ice Storm that Joan really surprised and impressed me, and so I set out to see some more of her films and wow! She is one talented actress. And yet, I never see her on anybody's "top 10 actresses" list, nor has the Oscar graced her shelf (although she has been nominated).
Notable Roles: Manhunter, Nixon, The Crucible, The Ice Storm, Pleasantville, The Contender, The Bourne Supremacy, The Upside of Anger.

http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/fiennes.jpg
Ralph Fiennes - Okay, so Fiennes, too, has had some success with the Academy - but never more than a nomination. This just proves the consensus among viewers about Fiennes - good, but not good enough. I think that his role as Amon Goeth in Schindler's List should have locked him an Oscar win for sure. I think it is one of the single most profoundly amazing acting performances of all time. That was my first "introduction" per se to Ralph, and since then I have seen him in such an impressively varied slew of equally emotional and passionate roles that fail to impress the wide public time and time again. I definitely disagree with the consensus, and I think that Fiennes is one of the single most talented, versatile and best actors working today.
Notable Roles: Schindler's List, Quiz Show, The English Patient, Strange Days, The End of the Affair, Spider, Red Dragon, The Constant Gardener, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

[deadguy76]

My favorite guilty pleasure of Patricia Clarkson's would be Dirty Harry and the Dead Pool. :D

[Sigur509]

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/tv.yahoo.com/images/he/photo/tv_pix/nbc/my_name_is_earl/jason_lee/earl_haaseth2.jpg


But i guess he is getting his due now.

[dalomini]

http://adorocinema.cidadeinternet.com.br/personalidades/atores/william-h-macy/william-h-macy.jpg
William H. Macy
This guy is in some excellent movies and shines brightly in them. His most famous is definately, and well deservingly, Fargo, but many people (not the Schmoes, but them silly common folk) forget that he was also outstanding in ensemble pieces Magnolia and Boogie Nights. He was also awesome in The Cooler, Pleasantville, Mystery Men (i dont care what anyone else says this movie was hilarious), and even Seabuiscut.

http://www.poster.net/bale-christian/bale-christian-photo-christian-bale-6205293.jpg
Christian Bale
...I swear that that was the only pic I could find of him...this isn't my backround or anything.
In all seriousness, it's bothersome that I still have to refer to him as "the new Batman" when discussing him with the girlfriend (shamless plug to prove my masculinity), because hardly anybody who hasn't seen Batman Begins has heard of him. Need I say more than list his OTHER accomplishments: American Psycho (in my top 10), The New World, The Machinist, Empire of the Sun, Newsies (not gonna lie, guilty pleasure seein Bale sing and dance). How he wasn't nominated for an Oscar (I mean, Hurricane was good, but enough Denzel already) in 2000 was a crime. I hope he continues to kick ass and become the new face of acting, as he is fastly becoming oe of my favorites.

[zeppelin]

Well, maybe not so much anymore since his Oscar nomination, but Matt Dillon has been a very underrated actor for a long time now. He's given great performances in movies such as Rumble Fish and Drugstore Cowboy, and I'm glad he's just now finally starting to get his due.

As for actresses, Hope Davis would be at the top of my list of "why don't more people know her?" I usually don't like to say people were "robbed" of Oscar nominations, but I'll make an exception here, because she deserved to WIN for American Splendor.

[Monotreme]

Originally posted by zeppelin
As for actresses, Hope Davis would be at the top of my list of "why don't more people know her?" I usually don't like to say people were "robbed" of Oscar nominations, but I'll make an exception here, because she deserved to WIN for American Splendor.
Wow, that's a great one. So true. She appears in SO many supporting roles in little indie films... She needs a breakthrough role. But looking at her resume, one wouldn't think that she needs one. The Weather Man, The Matador, American Splendor, About Schmidt, Hearts In Atlantis...

[ThirdOuting]

Paddy Considine
Harry Dean Stanton
Ray Winston
Laura Dern

[Monotreme]

Another one that I just thought of:

http://www.videomax.ro/Images/Actors/1329_a_normal.jpg
Sam Rockwell - This actor has a still limited and yet mind-blowingly impressive body of recent work that would make the career of any actor. It was his brilliant, nuanced performance as Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind that really sealed this guy as a personal favourite actor of mine.
Notable Roles: Lawn Dogs, Jerry and Tom, The Green Mile, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Matchstick Men

[ComeNightfall]

I totally agree about Joan Allen and William H. Macy. They've never disappointed me yet.

I want to add:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/images/ph_don_cheadle.jpg
Don Cheadle

He's come along way since the CBS sitcom "The Golden Palace" in 1992. Even though he received an Oscar nomination for "Hotel Rwanda, and has given some great supporting performances in movies like "Devil With a Blue Dress," "Crash," and "Colors," he has yet to really get the acclaim and attention he deserves. He should be right up there with Denzel Washington.

[Hannibal21]

As far as actors working today, I agree with all that has been said here (especially Clarkson, Davis, Macy, and Fiennes), so I'll mention someone from the golden era:

Herbert Marshall
In all honesty I've really only seen him in four films (some of his most famous films, no less), but those four are enough for me to declare him as one of the greatest character actors of all time. Marshall was one of those actors who could who could disappear into the roles that he played with incredibly, layered nuanced performances, so that it always felt like he was being the characters, and not just putting on an act. His turns Razor's Edge and The Little Foxes are amongst some of the greatest supporting performances while I've ever seen, while Trouble In Paradise also showcased his terrific flair for comedy. It's really hard to believe, and a real shame, that he was never nominated for an Oscar for any of those films.

[hail2theking]

Dolph Lundgren - He's really come a long way since his trashy action movies of the 80's and his downfall with films like Sweepers and Agent Red. His acting has severly improved and he's proven to be a pretty good director, too.

Jean-Claude Van Damme - Like Dolph, he has sharpenned his acting skillslate in his career. Just look at Replicant, In Hell and Wake of Death

Mark Dacascos - A truly tallented martial artist who's never been given too many shots at being a big action star. He deffinately has the moves and charisma to be on top, but is constantly casted in low grade b-films (The Hunt for Eagle One) or forced to play second trumpet to the famous action star (Cradle 2 the Grave). Just take a look at Drive, Only the Strong and Brotherhood of the Wolf.

Gary Daniels - While he's not much of an actor, Daniels' martial arts skills could have easily earned him a place next to Van Damme. Instead, Daniels is found starring in movies that don't let him show off his skills or even aknowledge his starring possition (No Tomorrow, Epicenter).

[deadguy76]

Originally posted by ThirdOuting
Ray Winston I think it's spelled "Winstone"
My picks:
Sarah Polley - I love her crooked teeth!
Brad Dourif - Always intense in every role
David Patrick Kelly - An explosive package in even the smallest role
Parker Posey - Cause I think she's friggin' hot
James Woods - like a volcano ready to explode

[ThirdOuting]

Originally posted by deadguy76
I think it's spelled "Winstone"



typographical error ;)

Good call on James Woods, too.

[Antonio]

Robin Wright Penn, who deserved an Oscar for her phenomenal performance playing opposite her more famous husband (as well as Travolta and Tony Soprano) in SHE'S SO LOVELY (1997).

Also noteworthy: her supporting roles in UNBREAKABLE, THE PLEDGE, NINE LIVES and FORREST GUMP.

[The Young Son]

I gotta agree with Joan Allen. Every movie I see her in, she does a fantastic job. I first saw her in Face/Off. Then when The Bourne Supremacy came out I didn't even realise it was her in it. The role was just so radically different from what I had seen her in previously.

I also have to mention Julia Stiles. She hasn't had too many notable roles, but her street cred is going up. I really liked her small performances in the Bourne movies and also in O. Underrated I think.

[deadguy76]

Originally posted by The Young Son
I also have to mention Julia Stiles. She hasn't had too many notable roles, but her street cred is going up. I really liked her small performances in the Bourne movies and also in O. Underrated I think. [/B] I love Julia "Doggy" Stiles :D Even I didn't see the Business of Strangers but I remember her being one of the best things about Ten things I hate about you and the Bourne movies like you said. If she had big boobs she's be on the a-list instead of talentless hacks like Jennifer Love Hewitt or Jessica Simpson.

[FilmKing2000]

http://filmup.leonardo.it/curiosita/img/20000811a.jpg
Edward Norton - This guy seriously needs to start doing more roles. I love him in everything he does, and I think most movie-goers need to know his name and how good of an actor he is. Whenever I talk about him, most people say, "Who? Oh, you mean the guy from Fight Club?"
Although most people would consider his best performance to be either Derek Vinyard in American History X or the narrator in Fight Club, I would have to say is best peformance is actually as Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear. He just blew me away as he kept on changing personalities and accents. If it weren't for his great and chilling performance, the film would've been a bore.
Please Mr.Norton, make more movies!

[Backstabba]

Originally posted by FilmKing2000
http://filmup.leonardo.it/curiosita/img/20000811a.jpg
Edward Norton - This guy seriously needs to start doing more roles. I love him in everything he does, and I think most movie-goers need to know his name and how good of an actor he is. Whenever I talk about him, most people say, "Who? Oh, you mean the guy from Fight Club?"
Although most people would consider his best performance to be either Derek Vinyard in American History X or the narrator in Fight Club, I would have to say is best peformance is actually as Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear. He just blew me away as he kept on changing personalities and accents. If it weren't for his great and chilling performance, the film would've been a bore.
Please Mr.Norton, make more movies!

YES!
YES GODDAMNIT!
YESSSSS!!!!!!!!

Edward Norton is my favorite actor of all time (sorry Brando-Nicholson fans)....So....

Yay!

[Funnyman]

Denis Leary.......

After watching Rescue Me for 2 seasons, hes due....But needs a good role to push him over the top.....

He was amazing in The Ref and Judgment Night. Hell, He was the only good thing about Judgment Night, except the soundtrack

[Deckard]

It seems we are talking about actors with a few films under there belts (Damn I cant list Timothy Olyphant, Aaron Eckhart, Sam Rockwell....oh well)

10 that spring straight to mind are- (plus a few films I think shows their thespian range)

First question is Mickey Rourke (Animal Factory, Buffallo 66, Thursday, Year Of The Dragon Angel Heart etc) still underrated? Because if he is then he tops my list.

Steve McQueen- Pappilon, The Sand Pebbles, Hell Is For Heroes
Far more than just the one dimensional tough guy driver many perceived. Few actors have said so much with so little


Warren Oates- The Wild Bunch, Bring Me the Head Of Alfredo Garcia, Badlands etc
This man should be a fuckin legend ranked constantly discussed and reveered


Crispin Glover- River's Edge, Willard, Back to The Future, Dead Man etc
Possibly the greatest and most unique charecter actor since Lon Chaney.


Jason Patric- Narc, Rush, Your Friends and Neighbours
So talented, yet so ignored. When given a roll he can sink his teeth into Patric is amongst the most powerful presences ever to grace the celluloid screen

John Cazale- The Deer Hunter, Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather and The Conversation.
He had a very short career but managed to etch out some of the most memorable charecters in movie history.

Nick Nolte- The Good Thief, The Thin Red Line, Affliction etc
So under appreciated this man inhabits teh roles he cares about and truly captivates with every breath.

Val Kilmer- The Doors, The Salton Sea, Spartan, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
How this guy isnt top of the heap is just beyond me...a truly underrated and under used talent.

Aidan Quinn- The Assignment, Benny and Joon, The Mission, Avalon etc- Even in bad films Aidan always shines. He can hold the screen with the best in the business and sometimes better.

John Cusack- Say Anything, Grosse Point Blank, High Fidelity, Being John Malkovitch, Max etc- as many agree I am sure.

Rutger Hauer- The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Sin City, Soldier Of Orange, Batman Begins etc- This guy, much like Mickey Rourke delivered some of the finest performances of the 80's. Then dissappeared to video only to reappear in top form for Sin City and Batman Begins


Tons more but these are a few that I think should be A list actors and have certainly shown skills to equal the best the industry has produced.
_________________

[jaw2929]

I'll agree with Ed Norton, easily my favourite actor ever....

I would also like to add Anna Farris, she's a very funny chick and can also play serious or semi-serious roles (IE. Walk the Line)... Very under-rated actress....

[Sheriff Wydell]

Val Kilmer absolutely, dynamic actor is what he is, when he was young he gave a fucking phenomenal performance as Morrison in the Doors. An older performance? Wonderland as Holmes. Dynamite this man is. Explosive, powerful, and has range.

Bill Pullman is another actor that I love. If anybody has seen his beautiful performance in Zero Effect, or that depth of Lost Highway ten you will be mesmerized.

Woody Harrelson has never really been treated as a great actor too, when he gave performances in People Vs. Larry Flynt & Natural Born Killers that were stellar.

Ray Liotta is another actor who performed his life off in Goodfellas & Narc, yet has never been fully appreciated as a real talent.