MovieChat Forums > Six Feet Under (2001) Discussion > Best actors/actresses on the show?

Best actors/actresses on the show?

posted 10 years ago by drbaltar6
29 replies | jump to latest

For me, in terms of talent, it probably goes as follows...

5. Lauren Ambrose (her expressions are amazing)
4. Richard Jenkins (just overall he did a great job with all the variations of his character)
3. Frances Conroy (her freakouts are especially impressive - and adorable)
2. Rachel Griffiths (she seems to really understand her character, she always felt perfectly real; see I'll Take You)
1. Michael C. Hall (I'm not really sure how much of an explanation is needed here)

[–] evee-ahluwalia 10 years ago

I've just finished the very last season this evening. I hadn't watched the show before but my mum watched it when I was younger. I just balled like a baby, one of the greatest shows ever.

I would definitely say Claire, Ruth and Brenda are all very strong in their performances. I do just love the whole cast also as I've never seen a cast with such strong chemistry. I'm still babbling like a baby...bahhh =[

[–] evee-ahluwalia 10 years ago

Michael C Hall is an absolute genius. I think the show worked soo well because people could relate to a character or few. That's what made it so real =]

[–] drbaltar6 10 years ago

So you liked the finale! Not surprised. I have four episodes left, and I'm feeling kind of intimidated by the direction of things... But it is amazing that the finale seems to be so universally-loved. Is it really that perfect?

[–] evee-ahluwalia 10 years ago

Yes I absolutely loved it. I loved hpw hectic and uncontrollable all their lives were. That's what made it feel so real and believable as real life is very much like that. No matter how much you think you got control of something..
Something is bound to happen!!

[–] FredrikWiener 10 years ago

I would definitely say Claire, Ruth and Brenda are all very strong in their performances. I do just love the whole cast also as I've never seen a cast with such strong chemistry

Yes to this! While I think the overall cast is amazing, I'd say that the females (Conroy, Ambrose, and Griffiths) are the standouts.

To read makes our speaking English good

[–] justsway 10 years ago

I'd say Lauren just because how impressive she was considering her age at the time. Michael and Peter Krause are close. Hard to chose because the acting is some of the best I've seen, except for few missteps (the actress who plays Lisa always felt off to me, samesies for the guy who plays Gabriel).

[–] evee-ahluwalia 10 years ago

I think the actors who played Gabriel and Lisa are good actors. But the characters were very stuck in their ways so I think it was deliberate. I already miss the show and have failed to watch anything that's really drawn me in.
I really liked Breaking Bad and I did like Dexter but the last season but how it ended totally killed it for me.

[–] knappdarko 10 years ago

the show is full of great actors that's what makes it so good from the full cast (Michael c hall, frances conroy, james Cromwell)to the special guests such as Richard Jenkins, Kathy bates, Jeremy sisto,ben foster,patrica Clarkson) the show was full of talent and one the main reasons it is so well loved.

[–] sawfan1414 10 years ago

The best actor on this show is far away Michael C. Hall. His performance as David, in a word, was masterful. He was captivating every time he was on screen.

After him it'd be Lauren Ambrose, Frances Conroy & Peter Krause.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] AsYouWishButtercup 10 years ago

It still baffles me to this day that MCH never got an award for his performance on this show. At the time Peter Krause always got the attention. I still don't get it

[–] Final_Hitokiri 10 years ago

MCH also played an openly gay man that had (surprise) an actual relationship with actual relationship problems, which at the time wasn't as cool as it would be if he played a similar role today.

I don't really get why Peter Krause got all that attention, he's decent but that's about it. If you see him in "Parenthood", he's essentially an older Nate who has older kids and doesn't swear as much.

Michael C. Hall in "Dexter" was very different and actually quite menacing.

[–] StarStruckAmFay 10 years ago

It still baffles me to this day that MCH never got an award for his performance on this show. At the time Peter Krause always got the attention. I still don't get it

OMG, i agree with this so much!!! I don't understand it either!!!

[–] Tess22 10 years ago

It's one of the strongest ensembles ever on TV, and it's hard to choose a standout but I would say the best two are Rachel Griffiths and Michael C. Hall.

In the wrong hands, Brenda could have been a disaster and universally hated (I know she's divisive as it is, but most people at least find her interesting if not likeable). Played by Griffiths, she is fascinating, funny and vulnerable.

As you say, Hall doesn't really need an explanation. He's just amazing - particularly when you compare this role to his completely different performance in Dexter.

Interesting that these two characters are possibly the ones who undergo the most changes from season one to season five. Perhaps the writers trusted them with the material. Then again, my opinion on characters changes every time I watch, so I could well be wrong.

You don’t have to be angry to have an opinion worth hearing.

[–] TheOtherUprising 10 years ago

Hard not to love Micheal C. Hall. Its so impressive to see the range he has to be able to play his character in Six Feet Under to see him in Dexter. Both amazing performances.

Really enjoyed Lauren Ambrose in this as well and have always been a fan of Richard Jenkins.

[–] sandman_exe 10 years ago

1)Michael C Hall
2)James Cromwell
3)Frances Conroy and Lauren Ambrose
4)Peter Krause
5)Rachel Griffiths and Matthew St Patrick

[–] Future_Games 9 years ago

I don’t think there’s a single weak link in the cast. Everyone is fantastic, even those in minor roles.

My top five:

Lauren Ambrose - Claire
Frances Conroy - Ruth
Patricia Clarkson - Sarah
Michael C. Hall - David
Peter Krause - Nate

ROCK STARS HAVE KIDNAPPED MY SON