MovieChat Forums > J.T. Walsh Discussion > Best Character Actor Ever?

Best Character Actor Ever?


He's probably my favorite. Incredible in Sling Blade. The classic, nerve-racking chair drag was an improvisation from J.T.

Who's your favorite character actor ever?

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Myself.

Everyone else's'?

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Wait... you're a character actor? I really hope you're serious.

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We all are Charlie.

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Nice. Very deep and philosophical. You officially woke me up. I had planned on not thinking a lot today.

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If that's the character you want to be then who am I to say you shouldn't be that?

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I don't know, even the best actors need a director sometimes. I appreciate the guidance (and fresh take on conversation).

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You'll get into it.

I know I did.

I can be whatever is needed of me at a jiffy, and the rest of the time I just watch.

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You understand that a conversation doesn't always have to be something you can "win". That's enough for me.

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It's possible to "Win" by losing.

You do know that I hope.

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White Men Can't Jump taught me that. "You're so stoooopid, Beeeeleeee!" Love Rosie Perez.

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Arguably, yes.

Did yeoman work in "Breakdown" - without conscience-a grown up "Ace" from "Stand By Me."

Remarkable in "House Of Games" --- you never see him coming there.

Had a bit in "Things Change"---exquisite.

Very intense. Bad ticker.

Fine citation, ck.

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I forgot about House of Games. Everything that I've seen of Mamet's, that has been brought to screen, I've really liked.

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Yes, that is an exceptional motion picture. Thorough, complete, a masterpiece.

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I had to look him up on IMDb but I've seen him in tons of things, just never knew his name.

Reminded me I just watch Needful Things again, my favourite King book.

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Certainly would be in a top ten list.

He was in A Few Good Men alongside Jack Nicholson. Apparently, they were good friends.

In his Oscar win acceptance speech of 2011, Nicholson dedicated his Oscar to a number of departed actors, including Walsh.

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I didn't know that about Jack. Good stuff.

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Loved him in the grifters!

As far as fav character actor...hard one! Get back to me...đź‘Ť

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maybe Walter matthau...

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Where's he at in Grifters, D?

I can't recall it.

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I recently watched Warrior (good movie, BTW) which featured Nick Nolte. He almost steals the entire movie in one scene as an ex-alcoholic father trying to re-connect with an estranged son.

He's one of those actors who has successfully transitioned from A-lister / marquee actor to solid character actor. Of course, it helps that he stays in his wheelhouse... usually the drunk or ex-drunk whose life is messed up. A case of "stick with what you know"... ;)

Dean Norris deserves a big nod. I watched a recent IMDB profile of him... it's amazing how many times he has been cast as a law enforcement official. He refers to himself as the 'alphabet actor' because of the many times he's played CIA, FBI, DEA, LAPD, NYPD, etc.

Back in the 80s and 90s, Brian Dennehy was EVERYWHERE. You don't see much of him anymore, but he was always cast as the cop or the rough-around-the-edges / working class character.

Michael Madsen -- the poor man's Mickey Rourke.

Mickey Rourke, LOL. He's another former B-lister who has transitioned to character roles. Did you see The Expendables? The Expendables was meant to be just a dumb, gimmicky action flick... meanwhile, Rourke thinks he's in a heavy drama by the way he delivered that monologue about the guilt that he feels over some of his war crimes.

Brian Cox. Wide range of roles. Equally adept at playing the heavy, to drunks to the loveable rogue. Trivia: He was the original Hannibal Lecter as seen in Manhunter, years before the role became synonymous with Anthony Hopkins.

The late great Harry Dean Stanton. Another one who instantly made anything he was in more interesting.

William Fichtner. Why he never transitioned into at least a B-lister is beyond me. He's got looks, improves anything that he's in, can work humour and drama...

Fichtner's Armageddon cast mate Will Patton. He's one of those actors who can convey menace or deep emotional hurt with just his eyes... JUST HIS FREAKIN' EYES.

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Brian Cox. Wide range of roles. Equally adept at playing the heavy, to drunks to the loveable rogue.


Has a key role in "The 25th Hour"---owns a bar/NYC-just after 9/11. He's alcoholic-his son (Edward Norton) is going away. {Spike Lee's film}---and he does the bar to a t...A portion of what's left of the fire fighters are in this bar, but, there is no joy here now...voices are low, heads are down. Lee shows them to us in far-a-way 3-D type shots. This bar is a like a funeral home. Just excellent positioning here by Lee.

Cox is excellent.

ADDENDUM: Had another strong spot in a film about a serial killer played by Owen Wilson, can't recall the movie title. The movie is irritating, but, Cox is mighty there.

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The Minus Man. So different for Owen Wilson. I actually thought that movie was okay. It wasn't great though.

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Great list. I really enjoyed Warrior. You're spot on about Nolte.

Another great choice with Dean. Awesome as Hank, of course. I thought he was one of the few highlights of the Secret in Their Eyes remake.

Always loved Tarantino's stuff, so definitely no argument about Madsen.

I actually did see The Expendables, just the first one anyway. I had forgotten most of it, but now that you mention it, I do remember feeling like that was out of place. I'll have to check that scene out again.

Manhunter is my favorite film of the series. I had seen Silence and a couple of the sequels before I even knew that Manhunter existed. Years ago, my dad was telling me about it and how great it was, so I got it for us to watch, and that night I was really chilled by Lecter for the first time. Controversial opinion: I actually prefer Cox's take on him.

Lucky has been on my watchlist for some time now. It kinda makes me sad every time I think about watching it, so I haven't yet. I hear it's great though. I guess I owe it to HDS to watch it.

I remember Fitchner from probably Prison Break and Contact the most, but he's been in so much.

And I can't see Will Patton without thinking of Remember the Titans. Whether he's fighting aliens or whatever else, I'll always think the character was a former high school football coach lol.

Again, great list.

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He's definitely up there, always gave a top performance no matter what.

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JT's work in Breakdown was fantastic. Very convincing, makes one heckuva bad guy.

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He had great turns in Tequila Sunrise and Outbreak as well. Usually, he was cast as the bad guy or the jerk (like in Tequila Sunrise--he was great). But in Outbreak he was (in a rare turn), cast in the role of a decent, honorable man, and nailed that as well. Similarly in A Few Good Men....he played an honorable guy. But usually, he played the a-hole. I truly miss J.T. Walsh.

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Leland Orser.

Was the guy in Seven who was made to rape the prostitute with the appliance...only had a few seconds to portray the horror of what he was forced to do, but he knew how to sell it.

Been in lots of movies since in similar roles. A very familiar face but always reliable and knows his stuff.

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