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Robert Forster: a coolly charismatic character actor with an intensely sympathetic air

posted 3 years ago by [deleted]
8 replies | jump to latest

One of my favorite actors in Hollywood. Robert Forster, who sadly passed away almost two years ago, If there ever was a King of understated Cool, it was him. I’ve always enjoyed his smooth and plainspoken characters. Although he unfairly languished in relative obscurity for long stretches of his career before getting a career resurgence from Tarantino by being cast as the urbane and worldly bail bondsman Max Cherry in Jackie Brown (1997), he showed incredible depth as an actor in less critically acclaimed roles. Like in Delta Force (1986) where he played a hot tempered Arab terrorist going toe to toe with Chuck Norris. The movie itself is run of the mill action propaganda from the 1980’s. But Forster made that role, and in all honesty I actually thought he was Arab for the longest time, before I saw him in other movies. That’s how good and authentic his portrayal was.

Any movie buffs out there; I recommend giving this underrated actor a look. You won’t be disappointed.

[–] Jones70 (6534) 3 years ago

I like Medium Cool a lot, Avalanche, Stunts, and Alligator were all pretty good too.

[–] gluserty (626) 3 years ago

Yeah, fitting that Forster was the star of a film called "Medium Cool"; I agree with AndyUjku87 in that Forster had an understated coolness about him, like he was secure with himself and self-assured. I like a lot of stuff he did: "Committed" (1991), "American Perfekt" (1997), "It's the Rage" (1999), "Me, Myself, and Irene", "Mulholland Drive", and, of course, "Jackie Brown". I thought it was a joy to watch him perform (I feel the same way about another Robert, Robert Urich).

[–] Seperatrix (1220) 3 years ago

He was cool-great as Sheriff Truman in Season 3 of Twin Peaks (2017) as well.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Yeah that’s the vibe I always got from him; self assured and secure with himself. You hit the nail on the head with that one. He showed those characteristics in the movie Diamond Men (2000) opposite a brash Donnie Walhberg.

Even in Delta Force he was the “cooler” or calmer of the duo Arab hijackers. He really immersed himself in that role....his Arabic almost flawless and his manner of speaking/gesturing very local/authentic.

[–] gluserty (626) 3 years ago

Yeah, I was going to mention "The Delta Force", so I'm glad you did; I thought Forster was great in that spot as well (cue "The Delta Force" theme, which the film certainly did, early and very often:-).

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

He was so convincing. That’s why until I saw him in other flicks I thought he was Arab.

[–] liscarkat (18410) 3 years ago

Forster had a really good series in the early '70s called "Banyon", about a private detective in Los Angeles in the 1930s.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Yeah and every time something good started taking off for him...the show would then get cancelled etc. He was rather unlucky through long stretches of his career. What I like so much about him is that he didn’t let it get him down. There was no complaining or publicity seeking from him. Something that today’s Hollywood celebrity crowd has like second nature when their careers begin to decline.

Robert just kept telling himself he could win it in the later innings...and he did. A rare breed that has almost become extinct.