Great actor thread

Stealhead · 01-18-15, 11:45 PM

Seeing as we have the beautiful woman thread I figure why not have a great actor thread.

Im using the term actor unisex so this can include any male or female actor. Of course here we are interested in the acting skills not beauty or handsomeness. How about in addition to posting the persons name and picture we also list the films or films that best display their skill.

Personally I have always been a fan of Clint Eastwood. I especially like how he tends to play a character who has flaws yet manages to overcome them. In his western films I enjoy the gritty feel of his characters unlike John Wayne he has flaws yet is still a tough hombre I find it more convincing to see a hero that sometimes makes a mistake.

Hard to say what Eastwood film I like best but I really like Gran Torino mainly because Eastwood's character is at a low point in his life and he is older and frailer but he finds a new meaning and even sacrifices himself to help someone that he cares about. What's not to admire in a character like that?

GoldenRivet · 01-19-15, 12:53 AM

Tom Hanks

I have a hand full of actors that could make the list, but im going to have to give the nod to Mr Hanks.

Almost any film which places him in a starring role is sure to be a hit. I would have a hard time naming a film of his that didnt touch me on an intellectual or emotional level. One of the purposes of cinema is to do just that. From Big to Saving Private Ryan... from Cast Away to Forrest Gump.

Either Hanks is a supremely skilled and talented actor, or he is supremely skilled at selecting roles which best pair with his capabilities. Either way, what he puts up on screen works.

EDIT: @ Steelhead... i have always appreciated Eastwood as an actor, but i think i have grown most fond of him as a Director

Stealhead · 01-19-15, 01:27 AM

True Eastwood is a fairly good director as well. He had both roles in Gran Torino.

nikimcbee · 01-19-15, 01:29 AM

Man with no name, FTW.

Eichhörnchen · 01-19-15, 06:40 AM

So many great roles, but "Where Eagles Dare" is the one I watch over again.

Oberon · 01-19-15, 06:41 AM

Morgan Freeman

He adds a touch of gravitas to whatever role he's in, from Driving Miss Daisy to Se7en to Deep Impact and to Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
And that voice, my goodness that voice, probably one of the most sort after narrators in Hollywood.

Jimbuna · 01-19-15, 08:58 AM

Sean Connery

007, The Untouchables, Marnie, The Name of the Rose, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Murder on the Orient Express, Dragonheart, The Rock, etc. etc.

Sailor Steve · 01-19-15, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I really like Gran Torino

My personal favorite would be The Outlaw Josie Wales. That said, have you ever seen The Beguiled? Not his best film by a long shot, but the only one I know of in which he is actually the bad guy. If you haven't seen it, give it a shot.

Quote:

True Eastwood is a fairly good director as well.

I would say that Letters From Iwo Jima puts him in the ranks of the truly great directors.

U-15 · 01-19-15, 12:27 PM

A film bio as long as your arm.
He will obviously be remembered for his roles in The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and Bullitt; the latter having that fantastic car chase.

He was respected for doing many of his own stunts.

For me, my most memoranle Steve McQueen role was that of Henri Charriere, in the film Papillon.
One of the few films that is as good as the book.
A totally different role for McQueen then in 1973, which coincidentally, was the year the real Henri Charriere died.

For me McQueen plays Papillon beautifully, with quiet humour, determination and patience. The film left an indelible mark on me; so much so that whenever anybody is hassling me to do something quickly, I reply "one brick at a time", with reference to Papillon scraping at the bricks of his cell.

An often overlooked true great.

Mr Quatro · 01-19-15, 12:53 PM

Steve McQueen is my vote (add a poll at the end of the year)(can you do this?)

He was always so believable no matter what role he took on from cowboy with that fancy rifle to escaped prisoner on a motorcycle in "The Great Escape" (1963) to a sailor in "San Pebbles" (1966) to a cowboy in "Nevada Smith" (1966) to a thief in "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968) to a detective on the streets of San Francisco in "Bullitt" (1968) to race car driver in the movie "Le Mans" (1971) by which time he had gone broke only to wind up dying in a clinic in Mexico in November 1980 shipped back across the border in a 1957 Ford station wagon still holding the bible that Billy Graham had given him.

They roped off everything he left behind in a hanger in Palmdale, California and auctioned it all off.

He was known as "The king of cool"

eddie · 01-19-15, 02:54 PM

hard to pick just one. I agree with Eastwood,McQueen, Connery. But also have to throw in Paul Newman, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, but for today s actors, I would have to say Matt Damen. He has made some great movies.

U-15 · 01-19-15, 03:08 PM

Whatever part he played, he played it with a combination of dignity, quiet authority and humility, to the point that you forgot he was playing a part.
He was so versatile and able to play in so many genres.

Excellent in Hitchcock's Spellbound .
My favourite Peck role was that of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Again dignity, authority and humility coming to the fore.
A truly great actor.

ReallyDedPoet · 01-22-15, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Leo?

Welcome back.

Ha, ha. When I first saw this I thought you were making fun of all
of the diving in football ( soccer to us North Americans ) :-).

Though the same could be said in most sports now :-(.

fireftr18 · 01-22-15, 10:33 PM

How about this guy?

http://www.audiemurphy.com/
https://www.google.com/search?q=audi...CKABEIke&dpr=1

Aktungbby · 01-23-15, 12:37 AM

Well if your going that route; Go with the King: CLARK GABLE

Gable flew five combat missions, including one to Germany, as an observer-gunner in B-17 Flying Fortresses between May 4 and September 23, 1943, earning the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts. During one of the missions, Gable's aircraft was damaged by flak and attacked by fighters, which knocked out one of the engines and shot up the stabilizer. In the raid on Germany, one crewman was killed and two others were wounded, and flak went through Gable's boot and narrowly missed his head.
Der Fuhrer favored Gable above all other actors. During WWII, Hitler offered a sizable reward to anyone who could capture and bring Gable to him unscathed.
Gable's military awards were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He also qualified for and received aerial gunner wings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Gable

Stewart and Gable-1943 two serious non-shirkers who served while at he peak of their acting careers!

01-18-15, 11:45 PM	#1
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Great actor thread Seeing as we have the beautiful woman thread I figure why not have a great actor thread. Im using the term actor unisex so this can include any male or female actor. Of course here we are interested in the acting skills not beauty or handsomeness. How about in addition to posting the persons name and picture we also list the films or films that best display their skill. Personally I have always been a fan of Clint Eastwood. I especially like how he tends to play a character who has flaws yet manages to overcome them. In his western films I enjoy the gritty feel of his characters unlike John Wayne he has flaws yet is still a tough hombre I find it more convincing to see a hero that sometimes makes a mistake. Hard to say what Eastwood film I like best but I really like Gran Torino mainly because Eastwood's character is at a low point in his life and he is older and frailer but he finds a new meaning and even sacrifices himself to help someone that he cares about. What's not to admire in a character like that? Last edited by Stealhead; 01-19-15 at 12:07 AM.

01-19-15, 12:53 AM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Tom Hanks I have a hand full of actors that could make the list, but im going to have to give the nod to Mr Hanks. Almost any film which places him in a starring role is sure to be a hit. I would have a hard time naming a film of his that didnt touch me on an intellectual or emotional level. One of the purposes of cinema is to do just that. From Big to Saving Private Ryan... from Cast Away to Forrest Gump. Either Hanks is a supremely skilled and talented actor, or he is supremely skilled at selecting roles which best pair with his capabilities. Either way, what he puts up on screen works. EDIT: @ Steelhead... i have always appreciated Eastwood as an actor, but i think i have grown most fond of him as a Director __________________

01-19-15, 01:29 AM	#4
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Man with no name, FTW. __________________

01-19-15, 06:40 AM	#5
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,372 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Bugger me, Richard Burton of course... So many great roles, but "Where Eagles Dare" is the one I watch over again.

01-19-15, 08:58 AM	#7
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Sean Connery 007, The Untouchables, Marnie, The Name of the Rose, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Murder on the Orient Express, Dragonheart, The Rock, etc. etc. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-19-15, 01:27 AM	#3
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	True Eastwood is a fairly good director as well. He had both roles in Gran Torino.

01-19-15, 06:41 AM	#6
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Morgan Freeman He adds a touch of gravitas to whatever role he's in, from Driving Miss Daisy to Se7en to Deep Impact and to Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. And that voice, my goodness that voice, probably one of the most sort after narrators in Hollywood.

01-19-15, 12:27 PM	#9
U-15 Soundman Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Cannock Posts: 146 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	Steve McQueen A film bio as long as your arm. He will obviously be remembered for his roles in The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and Bullitt; the latter having that fantastic car chase. He was respected for doing many of his own stunts. For me, my most memoranle Steve McQueen role was that of Henri Charriere, in the film Papillon. One of the few films that is as good as the book. A totally different role for McQueen then in 1973, which coincidentally, was the year the real Henri Charriere died. For me McQueen plays Papillon beautifully, with quiet humour, determination and patience. The film left an indelible mark on me; so much so that whenever anybody is hassling me to do something quickly, I reply "one brick at a time", with reference to Papillon scraping at the bricks of his cell. An often overlooked true great. __________________ I hope they're still open, I'm bostin for a pint of Banks's U-15 [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

01-19-15, 12:53 PM	#10
Mr Quatro Navy Seal Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 6,772 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Steve McQueen is my vote (add a poll at the end of the year)(can you do this?) He was always so believable no matter what role he took on from cowboy with that fancy rifle to escaped prisoner on a motorcycle in "The Great Escape" (1963) to a sailor in "San Pebbles" (1966) to a cowboy in "Nevada Smith" (1966) to a thief in "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968) to a detective on the streets of San Francisco in "Bullitt" (1968) to race car driver in the movie "Le Mans" (1971) by which time he had gone broke only to wind up dying in a clinic in Mexico in November 1980 shipped back across the border in a 1957 Ford station wagon still holding the bible that Billy Graham had given him. They roped off everything he left behind in a hanger in Palmdale, California and auctioned it all off. He was known as "The king of cool"

01-19-15, 02:54 PM	#11
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	hard to pick just one. I agree with Eastwood,McQueen, Connery. But also have to throw in Paul Newman, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, but for today s actors, I would have to say Matt Damen. He has made some great movies. __________________ Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. I'm kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me. Al Capone

01-19-15, 03:08 PM	#12
U-15 Soundman Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Cannock Posts: 146 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	Gregory Peck Whatever part he played, he played it with a combination of dignity, quiet authority and humility, to the point that you forgot he was playing a part. He was so versatile and able to play in so many genres. Excellent in Hitchcock's Spellbound . My favourite Peck role was that of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Again dignity, authority and humility coming to the fore. A truly great actor. __________________ I hope they're still open, I'm bostin for a pint of Banks's U-15 [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

01-22-15, 10:33 PM	#14
fireftr18 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,528 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 0	How about this guy? http://www.audiemurphy.com/ https://www.google.com/search?q=audi...CKABEIke&dpr=1 __________________ Of all the forms of Martial Arts, Karaoke causes the most pain!

01-23-15, 12:37 AM	#15
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 29,984 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	puttin' it all on the line! Well if your going that route; Go with the King: CLARK GABLE Gable flew five combat missions, including one to Germany, as an observer-gunner in B-17 Flying Fortresses between May 4 and September 23, 1943, earning the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts. During one of the missions, Gable's aircraft was damaged by flak and attacked by fighters, which knocked out one of the engines and shot up the stabilizer. In the raid on Germany, one crewman was killed and two others were wounded, and flak went through Gable's boot and narrowly missed his head. Der Fuhrer favored Gable above all other actors. During WWII, Hitler offered a sizable reward to anyone who could capture and bring Gable to him unscathed. Gable's military awards were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He also qualified for and received aerial gunner wings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Gable Stewart and Gable-1943 two serious non-shirkers who served while at he peak of their acting careers! __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!