A few actors are so talented, that they're virtually unrecognizable from role to role. They change everything - the whole persona. If you look at Malcolm McDowell in "A Clockwork Orange," "Time After Time," and "Blue Thunder," you'd barely know it was the same actor.

Gary Oldman is pretty good. He plays a lot of really different characters.

I was watching "What Lies Beneath" the other day and I realized that Michelle Pfeiffer was delivering her lines extremely close to the way real people speak. She was hesitating, as though figuring out the words as she went along, and once I even noticed her changing the subject in mid-sentence.

Some actors really seem to be listening when the other actors are speaking, as though they are hearing the lines for the first time.

Who do you consider to be an outstanding actor, or to have been outstanding in some particular role?

hmmm well My Favorites (other then Erik)
are NICOLE KIDMAN
SANDRA BULLOCK
MEG RYAN
JULIA ROBERTS
EWAN MCGREGOR

Katharine Hepburn, in any role she has ever done :D. Also Maureen O'Hara in The Quiet Man. Marilyn Monroe in The 7 year itch. Jean Simmons in Guys and Dolls, hmm.. what else.. Elizabeth Taylor- National Velvet & Cleopatra.. I could go on for hours!!

Outstanding Actors;

Christopher Walken


Robert Duvall

Paul Newman

Gene Hackman

Glenn Close

Holly Hunter

Kathy Bates

Jessica Tandy

Here are a few particular performances that I thought were outstanding:

Robert DeNiro - Raging Bull
Paul Newman - The Verdict
Gene Hackman - Mississippi Burning
Ralph Fiennes - Schindler's List
Nicholas Cage - Leaving Las Vegas
Edward Norton - American History X
Kevin Spacey - American Beauty

Dos it neccessarily have to be well known actors doing parts in different films? If so then:

Christopher Lloyd is hardly ever recogniseable, apart from his voice in any of his roles. Just watch in this order; Any Episode of TAXI with Jim in it, followed by CLUE:THE MOVIE, and finally BACK TO THE FUTURE- and notice the changes.

Dick Van Dyke- he played the old guy and bert in mary poppins- I've watched that film form I was like 2, and didn't realise it was him till a while back- I always wondered why the credits rearranged as an anagram to spell Dick Van Dyke.

Cliff DeYoung plays two people in Shock treatment- Brad Majors and Farley Flavours. He is completely unrecogniseable as Farley Flavours, looking the opposite of Brad- one has Curley hair, glasses, looks very different, even the shape of the face and skin and all- while Farley had greased back, suave hair, cool looking with no glasses and looked completely different.

Billy Bob Thornton comes to my mind as someone who looks virtually like a different person in every role. That man is a chameleon.

Tracey Ullman and Martin Short are comics that can fool people and really make you think that they're someone else.

Originally posted by webuster
Dos it neccessarily have to be well known actors doing parts in different films? If so then:

Christopher Lloyd is hardly ever recogniseable, apart from his voice in any of his roles. Just watch in this order; Any Episode of TAXI with Jim in it, followed by CLUE:THE MOVIE, and finally BACK TO THE FUTURE- and notice the changes.

Dick Van Dyke- he played the old guy and bert in mary poppins- I've watched that film form I was like 2, and didn't realise it was him till a while back- I always wondered why the credits rearranged as an anagram to spell Dick Van Dyke.

Cliff DeYoung plays two people in Shock treatment- Brad Majors and Farley Flavours. He is completely unrecogniseable as Farley Flavours, looking the opposite of Brad- one has Curley hair, glasses, looks very different, even the shape of the face and skin and all- while Farley had greased back, suave hair, cool looking with no glasses and looked completely different.


There are so many excellent actors . Cliff De Young was very good in the miniseries "Centennial"(1978) Robert Conrad and Richard Chamberlain were fabulous in that too!

I forgot to mention Chamberlain in my earlier post but in my opinion he is one of the best there is! Centennial, Shogun, The Bourne Identity and The Thorn Birds to name a few. He has been called "King of the Miniseries". That would be an insult to SOME movie actors but I cannot see any other actor playing his roles!
He's great!:)

Originally posted by Janice
Billy Bob Thornton comes to my mind as someone who looks virtually like a different person in every role. That man is a chameleon.



You guys keep mentioning all these actors that I didn't think of!:lol: Billy Bob Thornton! Yes!:thumbsup:

Penny Lane wrote:
Cliff De Young was very good in the miniseries "Centennial"(1978) Robert Conrad and Richard Chamberlain were fabulous in that too!

I LOVED "Centennial!" I saw it a long, long time ago, but have never forgotten it.

<OFF TOPIC>
I always go home to see my mother in Scarsdale, NY for Christmas, but stop off in Albany to stay with a friend for a few days first. I then take the train from Albany to Manhattan, and a lot of the trip is along the Hudson River. I remember a lot of scenes in "Centennial" of Conrad's character Pasquinel rowing canoes down rivers. When I watch the Hudson go by in the winter, still almost untouched by human hands, I always think of "Centennial," and think that this is probably similar to what the early American trappers like Pasquinel saw.
</OFF TOPIC>

Cary Grant.. He was amazing... same as Richard Burton, James Garner, Rock Hudson, John Wayne ( how can anyone forget The Duke!!) ill shut up now... lol

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BrandonS


I LOVED "Centennial!" I saw it a long, long time ago, but have never forgotten it.

<OFF TOPIC>
I always go home to see my mother in Scarsdale, NY for Christmas, but stop off in Albany to stay with a friend for a few days first. I then take the train from Albany to Manhattan, and a lot of the trip is along the Hudson River. I remember a lot of scenes in "Centennial" of Conrad's character Pasquinel rowing canoes down rivers. When I watch the Hudson go by in the winter, still almost untouched by human hands, I always think of "Centennial," and think that this is probably similar to what the early American trappers like Pasquinel saw.
</OFF TOPIC> [/QUOTE


I have the boxed set! I watch it every winter. It's AWESOME!:D

Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Lopez, Renee Zellwiger, Natalie Wood, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, & more I cant think of right now!

Originally posted by BrandonS


I LOVED "Centennial!" I saw it a long, long time ago, but have never forgotten it.

<OFF TOPIC>
I always go home to see my mother in Scarsdale, NY for Christmas, but stop off in Albany to stay with a friend for a few days first. I then take the train from Albany to Manhattan, and a lot of the trip is along the Hudson River. I remember a lot of scenes in "Centennial" of Conrad's character Pasquinel rowing canoes down rivers. When I watch the Hudson go by in the winter, still almost untouched by human hands, I always think of "Centennial," and think that this is probably similar to what the early American trappers like Pasquinel saw.
</OFF TOPIC>

Centennial Collage

:) :) :)

Originally posted by *ShortCake*:
Cary Grant.. He was amazing... same as Richard Burton, James Garner, Rock Hudson, John Wayne ( how can anyone forget The Duke!!) ill shut up now... lol
I certainly agree about Cary Grant, John Wayne, and James Garner (and have nothing against the others). What star quality they have!

-------

Marlene,

Thanks for the beautiful "Centennial" picture. It brings back memories. If you liked "Centennial," read Michener's other book "Chesapeake."

This is for you Brandon! Clay Basket and Pasquinel:)(Barbara Carerra and Robert Conrad)

Thanks again, Marlene. It makes me remember how much I loved that show.

Originally posted by BrandonS

I certainly agree about Cary Grant, John Wayne, and James Garner (and have nothing against the others). What star quality they have!

-------

Marlene,

Thanks for the beautiful "Centennial" picture. It brings back memories. If you liked "Centennial," read Michener's other book "Chesapeake."

Oopsie.. I forgot about Spencer Tracey too.. he was so funny!!!

Originally posted by *ShortCake*:
Oopsie.. I forgot about Spencer Tracey too.. he was so funny!!!
There was another one with tremendous star quality. I also liked his natural, understated style of acting. They say that there was no observable change in his behavior when the camera started rolling.

Originally posted by BrandonS

There was another one with tremendous star quality. I also liked his natural, understated style of acting. They say that there was no observable change in his behavior when the camera started rolling.

Yeah! Thats something that Kate pointed out in her biography.. Its a great read by the way!

Ellen Burstyn would definitely be on of the most talented actresses out there. There are some movies where I don't even recognize her...she's played everything from a twenty-eight year old dancer to a grandma stuck in a rocking chair. Not to mention she also completely changes her personality, her voice, and everything about her for each individual role...like Sara Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream doesn't seem to be played by the same person who played Alice in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Alright well I've had my obsessed moment of the day. :D

P.S. Patricia is like that too, can't forget about Patricia Clarkson. Here's the rest of my list of actors and actresses-

Julianne Moore
Renee Zellweger
Brad Pitt
Jared Leto
Drew Barrymore
Sandra Bullock

Julianne Moore and Brad Pitt are on my list too. They are among the small number of actors who are able to change the whole persona. Look at Brad Pitt in "Kalifornia" and compare it to his role in "Interview With the Vampire." Good list!

-

1-Steve Martin
2-John Ritter
3-Casey Affleck
4-Brad Pitt
5-Freddy Prince JR.
6-Queen Latifah
7-Vivica A Fox
8-Sandra Bullock
9-Janet Leigh
10-Lucille Ball
11-Victoria Principal

Cannot forget Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia Dehavalland, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, etc. :D

Sidney Poitier- i love that man, he is so great
Vivien Leigh
Clark Gable
Christopher Walken
Anthony Hopkins

Originally posted by BrandonS



-------

Marlene,

Thanks for the beautiful "Centennial" picture. It brings back memories. If you liked "Centennial," read Michener's other book "Chesapeake."

I have read Chesapeake. There were plans back in the 80's to film that one too but sadly it never happened! Did you know that there is a centennial fan club web site?I am a member.
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/centennialfanclub/

:)

No, I didn't know that. I'll take a look. I certainly hope that someone films Chesapeake someday. What an amazing movie that would make! It's the first Michener book I ever read. I am home sick with a sore throat today. About ten years ago, when I was also about to be home sick with a cold, I went to get supplies from the local supermarket, because I thought I might be sick in bed for awhile. Of course I bought food and meds, and I also bought every decent looking paperback in the supermarket. I had never read Michener before because I had always thought that he would be verbose and boring. What I discovered, though, was that he was verbose and interesting. That book really helped me while away the hours until I got better. It was a very moving story. I also was interested in the way each family's characteristics changed slowly from generation to generation. Thanks again for the Centennial club link.

Originally posted by BrandonS
No, I didn't know that. I'll take a look. I certainly hope that someone films Chesapeake someday. What an amazing movie that would make! It's the first Michener book I ever read. I am home sick with a sore throat today. About ten years ago, when I was also about to be home sick with a cold, I went to get supplies from the local supermarket, because I thought I might be sick in bed for awhile. Of course I bought food and meds, and I also bought every decent looking paperback in the supermarket. I had never read Michener before because I had always thought that he would be verbose and boring. What I discovered, though, was that he was verbose and interesting. That book really helped me while away the hours until I got better. It was a very moving story. I also was interested in the way each family's characteristics changed slowly from generation to generation. Thanks again for the Centennial club link.

You're welcome! Michener does get a bit long winded doesn't he?;) But the end product is worth every word!
By the way, hope you feel better soon. :)

By the way, hope you feel better soon. :)
Thank you *cough, cough* :)

Feel better soon!! I hate pollen season.. grr.. especially here in Florida! LOL its awful!

Hmmmm,this is difficult,but offhand,I think Bill Bixby was a good actor and Tuesday Weld and Elizabeth Montgomery were good actresses.If I think of more,I will post them. :D

*ShortCake* wrote:
Feel better soon!! I hate pollen season.. grr.. especially here in Florida! LOL its awful!

Another Floridian? Thanks for the kind thoughts. I don't get sick very often, but I think I'm making up for it this week.

Well, back to the topic at hand. Did anyone see "Little Buddha?" I think that Keannu Reeves was pretty convincing as Siddhartha. His Indian accent was believable.

Originally posted by BrandonS


Another Floridian? Thanks for the kind thoughts. I don't get sick very often, but I think I'm making up for it this week.

Well, back to the topic at hand. Did anyone see "Little Buddha?" I think that Keannu Reeves was pretty convincing as Sidhartha. His Indian accent was believable.

Yup another Floridian!! ( a true honest to god 10th generation one too! LOL) I havent seen Little Buddha.. I do like Keannu Reeves though he was in Speed right?

Yes, he was excellent in "Speed." He was also good in "Point Break," not to mention "The Matrix."

I also really like Doris Day.. she is a hoot!! I love the movie The Thrill of it All. I also like Myrna Loy, Irene Dunne, and Ann-Margret :)

Did you see "Lover Come Back," in which they invented a solid, candy form of alcohol called VIP? My mother took me to see it in a theater eons ago. It was hysterical.

Originally posted by BrandonS
Did you see "Lover Come Back," in which they invented a solid, candy form of alcohol called VIP? My mother took me to see it in a theater eons ago. It was hysterical.

LOL!! Yes!! I want to see that movie again so badly.. I have only seen it once on TCM. The scientist was so funny!

Vivien Leigh
and then a bunch of other people

Also Bogie, Ingrid Bergmann, and Lauren Bacall :D I'll stop now.. I think this is my favorite thread! haha

Once I saw this clip from a very old movie with Bogie in it. It must have been the early 30s or something, before he was famous. It was a scene with a lot of people in it, a party, I believe. The clip was only about a minute long, but everyone else in the scene was overacting abominably, whereas Bogie was doing this realistic, understated acting. The difference was very, very striking.

Originally posted by BrandonS
Once I saw this clip from a very old movie with Bogie in it. It must have been the early 30s or something, before he was famous. It was a scene with a lot of people in it, a party, I believe. The clip was only about a minute long, but everyone else in the scene was overacting abominably, whereas Bogie was doing this realistic, understated acting. The difference was very, very striking.


I loved him in Sabrina!! I saw that movie for the first time over the weekend.. its so great!!

Robert Stack was good.I was so sorry to hear he passed away. :(

Originally posted by vintagetvgirl
Robert Stack was good.I was so sorry to hear he passed away. :(

who was he? Thats sad! :(

Originally posted by *ShortCake*


who was he? Thats sad! :(

He hosted "Unsolved Mysteries" and he was in some movies,when he was younger - I can't remember the names,though.

Originally posted by vintagetvgirl


He hosted "Unsolved Mysteries" and he was in some movies,when he was younger - I can't remember the names,though.


ohh ok!! :)

Audrey Hepburn
Jack Nicholson
Pam Grier