Scene stealer

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A scene stealer is a character in a film or dramatic performance who dominates the audience's attention, thus "stealing the scene" or "stealing the show". The term is usually used of a supporting character, such a sidekick, best friend, confidant, villain, etc. Often the term is used of a minor character who has unexpectedly (and perhaps inappropriately) drawn attention away from the star. One of the most famous of these is Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet. Sometimes the term is used pejoratively, and is applied to minor actors with a hammy or self-aggrandizing style.

Some scene-stealers, such as Beatrice Straight and Judi Dench, have won Academy Awards for their appearances in a single scene of a movie, and others, such as William Hurt have been nominated.

[edit] List of characters or performances commonly considered scene or show stealing