Actors You Can't Help But Like

Zak Flaps

Ok, don't know what made me think of this, maybe cause it's late and I'm feeling weird!!

Who are those actors, and I don't mean those big hollywood leading men/ladies, I mean, those actors who always have bit parts, character actors maybe. But everytime you see them,usually in a small role, you think, I really like this guy/girl.

I have a few:

J.K Simmons - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799777/
Dan Hedaya - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000445/
Richard Jenkins - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420955/
Gary Cole - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170550/

This is it for now. I'll add more if I think of them.
Sorry if it's a stupid thread.

mle1324

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cooper_(actor)

I always felt that he performed well in nearly all of his films (well the ones I've seen him in) and that I would love to see him in a major role sometime in the future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Morshower

Thought he was brilliant in 24 especially in season 7. Not the type of actor that would suit a leading role but as a supporting one yes. For those who play Modern Warfare 2 this is the man who is the voice of Over Lord.

Some reasons for your choices would be nice, otherwise this thread is destined to become little more than a list thread.

Bodhisopha

Aissa Maiga - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0563740/

Edit in light of Darko's post: Because women that dark are something of a rarity in the movies. I guess i've just got jungle fever.

Hank_Jones

I'm going to get killed on this, but.....Adam Sandler.

I honestly don't know why, the guy is a fairly woeful actor and his films aren't particularly good, but I really like the guy.

Might be that I like Happy Gilmore and it grew from there.

I feel so dirty...unclean...unclean!!!

ziedth

Dwayne Johnson is a good one: I'd like to see him do more action films as generally his films are great mindless fun. He's even tempting me to watch the new fast and the furious movie.

Colin Farrel I think he gets a very hard time but outside of Alexander I always thought he has been very good in any film I have seen him in. Total Recall remake I honestly think Is gonna make or break him.

don ramo

michael cera, i dunno what it is, hes doesnt have enourmous range in his films, but i like nearly all his films, and they always have great soundtracks, i wonder does he have input into that or what,

and on that note i always enjoy any film with ellen page, juno really sold me on her, watched hard candy after juno which was a complete turn of pace, and weird youd think someone would go from juno to hard candy not the other way, i really look forward to any of her films,

john heder, didnt really like napolean dynamite, but really loved blades of glory and school for scoundrels, the man doesnt do enough films,

ricero

rob schneider

Hank_Jones

ricero wrote: »

rob schneider

Thanks, I feel a bit better about myself having mentioned Sandler.

Bubs102

Hank_Jones wrote: »

I'm going to get killed on this, but.....Adam Sandler.

I honestly don't know why, the guy is a fairly woeful actor and his films aren't particularly good, but I really like the guy.

Might be that I like Happy Gilmore and it grew from there.

I feel so dirty...unclean...unclean!!!

Nothing wrong with that. I think if you grew up with him watching Funny People turns into a truly emotional experience

phasers

Definitely Dwayne Johnson, I think it was after I saw him re-enact a sex scene in family guy with action figures that I realised how cool he was. I also really enjoyed the Scorpion King.

Will Ferrell is another. He seems a decent guy and I always enjoy him on screen even if the movie is crap.

Zak Flaps

I'm thinking more along the lines of the unsung heroes, the small part players. Colin Farrell, Dwayne Johnston, Michael Cera,Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, Adam Sandler are all big names,actors who have had the staring role in many movies. It's more the character actors i'm interested in.

The likes of a Larry Miller - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588777/
Fred Willard - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929609/
Catherine O' Hara - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001573/

Spunge

James Woods i think is just a pretty cool guy, was funny in family guy playing himself too.

Basq

Controversial one..


.. Danny Dyer!

He seems like an absolute knob.. but to be honest, he always puts in a very solid performance in his movies. Alright.. it probably helps that he's playing an unlikeable lug more often that not.

But can't help but like the guy.

Eirebear

Paul Giamatti

He's just so ultimately watchable when he's on screen. I first noticed him in Sideways, which quickly became one of my favourite "Sunday Afternoon" type films. Quickly followed by his ridiculously good portrayal of Harvey Pekar in American Splendour.

I'm sure he's not everyones cup of tea, and will never be a so called leading man, but he does have a tendancy to put a smile on my face.

MsDarcy

Brendan Gleeson - great character actor

Frances Mcdormend - Have no idea why but every time I see her in a film I just think she's great

Kirsten Stewart (despite the cringy-ness of twilight) unlike most hollywood actresses hasn't so far tried to create that perfect Hollywood image, incredibly awkward, jittery, just seems very real also has some good films other then the obvious.

PeterIanStaker

R. Lee Ermey . . .



. . . because you WILL listen, maggot!

Always has a charismatic, no-nonsense and authoriative screen presence, watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remakes just for him.

Crasp

Will Smith. I can't think of a single bad movie with him in it.


Morgan Freeman. nuff said.



I'm also a fan of Pierce Brosnan. I think he's quite good.

amacachi

Mike from Friends as I'll always call him.

Funglegunk

Michael Fassbender is a pretty likeable guy in most movies he's been in. Loved his accent in Inglorious Basterds! Even his presence as the hoity toity Irish villain in the terrible Jonah Hex hasn't diminished him in my eyes!

Also, Brad Dourif always puts in a solid performance even if he's in bad movies (I'm looking at you Alien Resurrection). He's always typecast as a vaguely perverted creep though, and I get the impression he's a creepy-ish person in general.

stoneill

Leonardo DiCaprio.

I've tried to dislike him immensely, but dammit, he is a good actor.

Lirange

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I'm thinking more along the lines of the unsung heroes, the small part players. Colin Farrell, Dwayne Johnston, Michael Cera,Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, Adam Sandler are all big names,actors who have had the staring role in many movies. It's more the character actors i'm interested in.

Zak will I have to quote it on every page?

Kiva.D

I'm chancing that you'll laugh at my choices, but I would watch anything with Dermot Mulroney, Jude Law, or George Clooney. Their eyes - mesmerizing!

DrumSteve

Dustin Hoffman- Just seems like a genuine enough bloke who also happens to be a great actor.

Jim Carrey- I almost prefer his serious stuff over the funny stuff... Almost. Just remember watching the mask, liar liar, ace ventura when I was younger and laughing my ass off.... "The... Pen.... Is..... Blluuuueeeeee........!"

ziedth

Paul Rudd i always like to see in a comedy. He's a little more mainstream now that he has done I love you man but before that I'd always be "ah cool Mike from friends".

Zak Flaps

Lirange wrote: »

Zak will I have to quote it on every page?

Seemingly so! Do people not read these posts properly??;)

Zak Flaps

NO BIG NAME STARS FROM NOW ON
:D:D

D1976

Jim Broadbent from Only Fools and Horses to Another Year.

Great actor

tricky D

Zak Flaps wrote: »

I'm thinking more along the lines of the unsung heroes, the small part players.

Yup, then I'll give you Tracey Walter who crops up in loads of films mainly as a bit part like in Midnight Run where he serves De Niro coffee as the feds catch up with him - nothing much, just a nice lil scene. Then there's Miller in Repo Man where Alex Cox gives him a really good run with some great an strange philosophical lines:

In the 1984 film Repo Man, Miller's "Plate 'o' Shrimp" theory outlines the idea of synchronicity. The Miller character states that while many people see life as a series of unconnected incidents, he believes that there is a "lattice of coincidence that lays on top of everything" that is "part of a cosmic unconsciousness."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity
(see my Location)

Almost never a main character but always a good little addition to any movie.


Wikipedia
IMDB

Zak Flaps

tricky D wrote: »

Yup, then I'll give you Tracey Walter who crops up in loads of films mainly as a bit part like in Midnight Run where he serves De Niro coffee as the feds catch up with him - nothing much, just a nice lil scene. Then there's Miller in Repo Man where Alex Cox gives him a really good run with some great an strange philosophical lines:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity
(see my Location)

Almost never a main character but always a good little addition to any movie.


Wikipedia
IMDB

Now that's exactly what I mean! Good choice. I didn't think I saw him before but now I realise I must have, because I remember that scene in Midnight Run. I think he gave him the coffee for free too!!

tricky D

He doesn't get round to that matter as the Feds drop in before he has the chance. He does give him the book of matches as Walsh's lighter is wet from the river. Nothing spectacular, just a typical Walter's bit part played with his typical and enjoyable charm.

rednik

John Carroll Lynch. Played the barber in Gran Torino. Has been in many films but never a lead. Was very good in Zodiac and Shutter Island. Most people wouldn't remember him but I always thought he was excellent and convincing in anything I have seen him in.

Zak Flaps

rednik wrote: »

John Carroll Lynch. Played the barber in Gran Torino. Has been in many films but never a lead. Was very good in Zodiac and Shutter Island. Most people wouldn't remember him but I always thought he was excellent and convincing in anything I have seen him in.

Ah yes I like him also, menacing in Zodiac and very likeable in Fargo. A great one for the list.

MagicMarker

William Fichtner



A fantastic actor, if I see something that he's in I'll be more willing to give it a watch than if he wasn't.

Great films behind him, Batman TDK, Armageddon, Heat, Equilibrium, Black Hawk Down, Contact, not to mention he was one of the best characters in Prison Break.

Sticky_Fingers

Bruce Campbell is nearly always entertaining in anything he has been in. I don't think he is a particularly good actor but I like him because he seems to know this himself and still gives it a go. His books are pretty entertaining too.

I'm also a big fan of Nathan Fillion of Firefly and Serenity fame, a good actor and apparently a really sound guy in real life. He is currently starring in the TV show Castle but unfortunately major big screen success has so far eluded him, hopefully he'll get there though.

ReacherCreature

Luis Guzman from Waiting and Anger Management among others.

John Turturro from the Transformers series. He's brilliant fun and I love watching him.

+1 for John Cusack, seems so natural, likeable guy.

Brad Pitt's a big name actor but I like the presence, charm and 'easiness' about him.

Zak Flaps

MagicMarker wrote: »

William Fichtner

A fantastic actor, if I see something that he's in I'll be more willing to give it a watch than if he wasn't.

Yes, William is always solid. Likeable actor, really liked his performance in Go.

Sticky_Fingers wrote: »

Bruce Campbell is nearly always entertaining in anything he has been in. I don't think he is a particularly good actor but I like him because he seems to know this himself and still gives it a go. His books are pretty entertaining too.

I'm also a big fan of Nathan Fillion of Firefly and Serenity fame, a good actor and apparently a really sound guy in real life.

Bruce is deadly. Love him in the Evil Dead series. I think you're right about him knowing his own limitations as an actor, but he just goes for it and has fun.Which is why he has a big cult following.

Nathan I liked in Firefly but I've never seen him pop up in anything else. He's a good comic actor.

ReacherCreature wrote: »

Luis Guzman from Waiting and Anger Management among others.

John Turturro from the Transformers series. He's brilliant fun and I love watching him.

Liked Luis Guzman in Boogie Nights and Carlito's Way.

John Turturro is just amazing in his Big Lebowski cameo.

ImpossibleDuck

Ah, the weird lad in Armageddon...He was Mr. Pink in Resevoir Dogs.

Ah here we go, Steve Buscemi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Buscemi
And Zooey Deschanel...love that girl, great singer too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooey_Deschanel

ah who else? Billy Connolly + Johnny Knoxville as mentioned above.

Sean Scott Williams is always a good laugh.


Oh and your man...Dylan Moran, irish comedian, writer and actor.

ReacherCreature

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Ah, the weird lad in Armageddon...He was Mr. Pink in Resevoir Dogs.

Ah here we go, Steve Buscemi.

Con Air too. Cracking lad.

Exclamation Marc

David Morse http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001556/

Love every role he's played (that I've seen) especially in The Green Mile and the Negotiator. He even gave me some joy in the film Disturbia!

Great actor, love watching him!

smilerf

Michael Shannon

Kiva.D

Frances McDormand, Hector Elizondo, Sarah Parish

(Ralph Fiennes, Amy Adams, Natasha Richardson - but they may be big named actors)

L'prof

RopeDrink wrote: »

John Cusack

Zak Flaps wrote: »

John Cusack

ReacherCreature wrote: »

John Cusack

Good actor, but my God do I hate his voice. Very watchable all the same!

ReacherCreature

His voice is a part of the appeal!

L'prof

ReacherCreature wrote: »

His voice is a part of the appeal!

If you say so :eek:

Zak Flaps

RopeDrink wrote: »

but the thread is named "Actors You Can't Help But Like" so don't rant for talking about them

I know it is!!!!
I edited my first post highlighting a few key areas, and tried to edit the thread name but it wouldn't let me do that!:(

Cartel Mike

Gary Oldman.
When he appears in a film the intensity changes.
Everything becomes darker and faster.

Until he played a cop in Batman. I don't want to see him playing straight cop roles where he's a good guy.
Maybe he needed the money.

indough

oldman as gordon is one of the best things about the new batman series

Exclamation Marc

Two more I extremely like;

Josh Brolin http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000982/

Barry Pepper http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001608/

filthymcnasty

Bruno Kirby
http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456124/

George Kennedy
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001421/

Steve Buscemi

and colin farrell (there i said it, i think he has a great film in him../hides)

Zak Flaps

filthymcnasty wrote: »

Bruno Kirby
http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456124/

George Kennedy
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001421/

Bruno - Fab in Spinal Tap
George - Fab in Naked Gun and Cool Hand Luke