Talk:Character actor

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[edit] Completely Incorrect

This entire page is completely incorrect. This page defines a supporting character actor which is arguably not even an example of a character actor. To say that Chris Tucker is a character actor because he is often cast as a stereotypical black sidekick defines him as a typecast actor, not a character actor. A character actor is the exact opposite of this phenomenon. Whereas Chris Tucker is cast to play roles that are (stereotypically) extremely close to his actual personality, a character actor is an actor whose actual personality is rarely exhibited in the roles that they play. For instance, Johnny Depp is a character actor. This can be observed in the stark differences between his most famous roles (Edward Scissorhands, Captain Jack Sparrow, J.M. Barrie, etc.). Although Johnny uses similar techniques in playing these characters, very little of his actual personality leaks into these roles. Johnny Depp is NOT a supporting character in any of these roles. I don't want to create any controversy by editing this entire page, but if nothing is noted in the discussion soon, I certainly will redo this article, as the page is completely incorrect. Also, it's worth noting that I'm American, and the definition cited on this page is incorrect in America as well as the UK. --meb429

Why is Tom Hanks identified as a former character actor? He has been playing lead roles for virtually his entire career. --Metropolitan90 07:54, Jun 23, 2005 (UTC)

I'd say that his early stand-up and skit stuff, plus his Bosom Buddies stint and the fact that his early film work was all of the same type makes the sentence accurate as written. Quill 23:15, 21 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Lord Olivier?

Yes, he was a peer--not sure what you're asking. I agree the sentence is awkward, perhaps the author was trying to say that Olivier was unlike a character actor? Quill 23:15, 21 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Definition

Think I should point out that traditionally "character actor" means something quite different in the UK to the USA, and that this should be reflected in the article.--MacRusgail 22:06, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

I've heard it used to describe actors like Johnny Depp or Gary Oldman, who prefer to play a wide variety of unusual roles.--Fallout boy 16:04, 16 December 2005 (UTC)
The UK definition seems to be valid across Europe, such as in Germany, where a character actor is a versatile actor who usually plays unconventional roles. It is also applicable to former lead/hero actors or comedians who later turn to "deeper", more sophisticated roles, like Sean Connery, Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, or Gene Hackman.
This is just the opposite of the article's definition. Maybe the article is wrong??!? -- megA 11:10, 26 November 2006 (UTC)
I have always thought of a character actor as someone who is hired to play a certain type of character, i.e. wise old man (Morgan Freeman), mechanic (George Kennedy, Harry Dean Stanton), corrupt senator (Brian Cox), police chief (Peter Boyle), intense sniper (Barry Pepper). Type casting is particularly prevalent amongst character actors, but not exclusive to them; Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves are both leading actors who have struggled with typecasting, the former more successfully than the latter. James Mason was a leading actor, but he was often typecast as Nazi generals, whereas Anton Diffring, who also played Nazi generals, was a character actor, because that was his bag. And of course this is all fluid, because Morgan Freeman has worked as a lead actor, and as a support actor. Harry Dean Stanton was lead in "Paris, Texas". But then again who am I? We would need a proper reference book, or Roger Ebert, to determine Ernest Borgnine's position in the cinematic firmament (he was a character actor, but he won an Oscar in a lead role). -Ashley Pomeroy 22:17, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
Wikkipedia is wrong, you have defined "Type Casting" not "Character Actor"

[edit] Copy Edit

Made the following change to the second paragraph: They tend to help the leading character "aspire" the major change that always occurs to him/her. To: They tend to help the leading character aquire the major change that always occurs to him/her. I do think it's possible the author meant to say something like: They tend to help the leading character aspire "to" the major change that always occurs to him/her., but I think that is even more awkward and so assume that was not the intent.

Joe

[edit] List of character actors?

Does anyone think we should make a list of notable character actors?--Raguleader 18:03, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

I have removed Steve Buscemi from the list of character actors, as I don't see at all why he should be considered belonging to this category. Even if some don't agree, it is definitely arguable, and as this list is supposed to show typical examples of character actors, Steve Buscemi shouldn't be quoted here. Nabab 14:38, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

Ironically, Steve Buscemi not only is (or at least was) a character actor, but he was pretty much the very definition of character actor - he's the first person I always think of when describing the concept. He was that guy that you knew instantly, you recognized him in every movie, you could sort of describe him, and you had no idea who he was. Perhaps he's gained enough fame now that it's no longer true, but it certainly was a few years ago. Wait a few more years, we can put him back... "Get me a young Steve Buscemi." --JayLevitt (talk) 21:36, 20 January 2008 (UTC)
And I'd throw in David Morse in that list as well. I think in my eyes he's the perfect fit as an accomplished character actor in Hollywood. What say denizens of the democratic/fascist kingdom? Bioskope (talk) 21:25, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] "Reasons to become a character actor"

"Actors from outside of the U.S. may be famous in their own countries, but find their roles limited in the U.S. for any number of reasons (see Marcel Dalio, Cantinflas and Jet Li)."

^ How is this automatically a reason to become a character actor? Please do NOT assume an American audience! Tomalak Geret'kal (talk) 23:48, 15 March 2008 (UTC)