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How is Ian McShane NOT one of our most famous actors today?

posted 9 years ago by cham-3
8 replies | jump to latest

This guy can act, worthy of Daniel Day Lewis or Marlon Brando in my opinion. I can't believe he has not been more recognized or given juicier roles throughout his life. What happened?

Looking through his imdb list, this lack of notoriety is not for lack of trying. At least 40-50 roles through his life, and still, when talking about Deadwood seems to be the only time I hear his name referenced. That was more than 10 years ago now. I know being famous does not equate with talent. I enjoy actors or actresses that quietly do amazing work, and are humble enough to stay out of the limelight. I also understand if he could care less about receiving praise or becoming a household name, I do, but something still doesn't compute.

I think when I originally watched Deadwood, I figured it would just be a matter of time before people would realize and give him the accolades he deserved, but I guess things just did not turn out that way. Does anyone have any idea what happened to this guy? He should be nothing short of a legend, especially by now at his elder age, but instead he has ended up being closer to a cult tv/movie star at best, and completely forgotten at worst.

[–] xMCGRUBERx 9 years ago

Al swearingen was like the greatest character of alltime. Love this dude. I dont know if i put him in that caliber, personally. But in the words of al swearingen... Hes *beep* outstanding!!

[–] kevinpbarber 9 years ago

Some good points here, but console yourself with the thought that his appointment in game of thrones 6 still merits headline news on entertainment websites such as this one and others
Great actor

[–] gorkee23 9 years ago

I think his best role is Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean.

He could eat Davy Jones and everyone else alive.

[–] billymac72 9 years ago

He is really terrific. I had never heard of him until Deadwood. I was not a fan of the show, actually, but was really impressed with his intensity. There seemed something really familiar about him, but when I looked him up, I don't think I had seen anything he had been in except for a Mystery Science Theater 3000 feature called Code Name: Diamondhead (worth seeking out!).

Enjoying his twisted character on Ray Donovan currently.

[–] gabste 9 years ago

Agreed. He's fantastic. Can't wait to see him in Game of Thrones

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary"

[–] Doom 9 years ago

Agree. Big time.

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Wait a minute... who am I here?

[–] ARNKxx 8 years ago

Fantastic, but the best character of all time to me was in Blood Simple, The Man of the Year.

[–] CrystalisK 8 years ago

Im currently in season 2 of Deadwood and was blown away with him, this guy is the definition of cool just like Lee Van Cleef from the Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns. I honestly dont understand why i havent seen him in anything besiddes this before, i dont even recall the episode he was in GoT.

He has a amazing voice and intensity, does he just not want to be in bigger works or is he being ignored by hollywood for some reason ? Atleast i hope HBO will make more use of him in all of their upcoming shows this guy deserves to be way more on screen than what ive seen of him so far. Along with Powers Boothe/Cy Tolloiver he is the best thing about Deadwood they are the show. Powers Boothe is another guy im surprised i havent seen in more prolific stuff.