Why isn't William H. Macy as popular as other famous celebrities?

https://www.quora.com/Why-isnt-William-H-Macy-as-popular-as-other-famous-celebrities/answer/Jon-Mixon-1

He got a late start - Macy was a stage actor until the mid-1980s. He wasn’t routinely cast in films (besides those of David Mamet) until the mid-1990s when he was already in his mid-40s. Had he been popular earlier, he would be more famous now.

He’s never had a “breakout” role - Even Fargo, Boogie Nights and Shameless. his three biggest roles to date, weren’t blockbusters or Nielsen “sweethearts.” If he had a breakout role as the lead he would have been a bigger star by now.

His possible breakout roles, didn’t - Macy played key roles in Jurassic Park III, Sahara and Seabiscut only one of which was a commercial hit. Had they all been, Macy’s ticket would have been punched and he would have gone on to “bigger and better”.

He doesn’t have a franchise - Sahara could have been the beginning of a franchise for him, but it didn’t succeed. The same could be said for 1999’s Mystery Men. Unfortunately for Macy, he has never been able to find the success that lesser actors have experienced. Additionally, he’s been noticeably absent from the MCU.

He has a very unusual “look” - Macy isn’t a “traditionally handsome” man and that has made it difficult to cast him in many roles. He’s not a romantic lead (although he has played one) and he’s never been large enough or “scary” enough to play an action hero. Basically Macy is a character actor, not a lead, and his lack of major league fame has been the result.

Macy is an extremely talented actor who has had the fortune of consistently working for nearly 40 years. However, he’s never been an A-list actor and at 69, he’s unlikely to ever be one.

https://www.quora.com/Why-isnt-William-H-Macy-as-popular-as-other-famous-celebrities