An Actor's Definitive Role [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

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EliSnow

08-27-2006, 04:31 AM

I'm not sure this has ever been discussed on the board or the show, but I was wondering about this lately.  A number of actors or actresses obviously have definitive roles for which they will be remembered above all others.  This could be for a number of reasons.For instance, the role was so impressive or memorable it outshone all other roles by that actor, (Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs or Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct).   It may be because the movie(s) the role was in was so huge or popular that the actor is defined by that role, even though they had other roles (Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, Sean Connery as James Bond or Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz).  Or it could be because the actor/actress played that role (or similar roles) again and again (Harrison Ford as Han Solo or as Indiana Jones, or Stallone as Rocky, and Schwarzeneggar as the Terminator).For others, it's not so easy.  For instance, what is the definitive role for Al Pacino?  I would almost say Michael Corleone, but after playing similar characters in Scent of A Woman, Heat and other movies, is it a different character?Or what about DeNiro?   Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or some other role?Or Brando?  I think's it's Vito Corleone in The Godfather, but maybe that's just my generation.   It could be Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront or Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcare Named Desire.What do you think are the definitive roles for actors such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, or others?

This message was edited by EliSnow on 8-27-06 @ 8:50 AM

high fly

08-27-2006, 04:58 AM

For Harry Dean Stanton, definitely the character of Bud in Repo Man.

This message was edited by high fly on 8-27-06 @ 8:58 AM

Don Stugots

08-27-2006, 05:10 AM

craig hughes as opie.

bobrobot

08-27-2006, 05:40 AM

Bela Lugosi - DraculaBoris Karloff - Frankenstein's MonsterLon Chaney Jr. - WolfmanDwight Frye - Fritz (Dr. Frankenstein's hunchback assisstant)Maria Ouspenskaya - Gypsy Woman (The Wolfman)Ron Howard - Opie

Bulldogcakes

08-27-2006, 06:04 AM

I think you've answered your own question, Eli. Great actors dont have a single definitive role. They have a number of great performances, some weak ones and others in the middle. I know actors like Pacino and Deniro have been rather typecast in recent years. But look at Pacino's work in the 70's. Lots of terrific and diverse performances. He even did alot of Shakespeare in the 80's ("Looking for Richard") and still does broadway plays from time to time. A real actor's actor. Deniro has had many great performances, most in the 70's and early 80's. Though not as diverse a range of roles. Brando never was typecast, but if he didn't like a role, he wouldn't do it. Especially as he got older. But in his prime his range, technique and authenticity was probably the best ever. Which is why many consider him to be best actor this country has ever produced. Redford, Cruise and Mel Gibson have all had many memorable performances. I would say the ones that will stick will be the critical favorites, which the film schools will remind people about many years from now. And their most popular roles. Redford will always be remembered for All The presidents Men because of Watergate. Gibson will probably be remembered for Lethal Weapon, though I thought his best performances were in Braveheart, Man without a face and Forever Young.  

This message was edited by Bulldogcakes on 8-27-06 @ 10:14 AM

DreamWeaver

08-27-2006, 08:09 AM

Jason Alexander will forever be George Costanza.Jon Heder-Napolean Dynamite

FUNKMAN

08-27-2006, 08:25 AM

EliSnow wrote: For others, it's not so easy.  For instance, what is the definitive role for Al Pacino?  I would almost say Michael Corleone, but after playing similar characters in Scent of A Woman, Heat and other movies, is it a different character?Or what about DeNiro?   Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or some other role?Or Brando?  I think's it's Vito Corleone in The Godfather, but maybe that's just my generation.   It could be Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront or Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcare Named Desire.What do you think are the definitive roles for actors such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, or others?This message was edited by EliSnow on 8-27-06 @ 8:50 AM early Cruise - Risky Business  / later Cruise  'not sure maybe Miss Imp guy'Hanks - Forrest GumpDenzel - guess it would have to be his Oscar movie "denzel your life's an oscar ghegheghe"early Mel Gibson - Mad Max  / later  - BraveheartNewman - Butch Cassidy or the pool player guyDeniro - early Taxi Driver  everything else is a toss upPacino - early early  Dog Day Afternoon / a little later The Godfather

bobrobot

08-27-2006, 08:40 AM

C.W. Prather - The Voice (Joe Nosferatu: Homeless Vampire)Henry Fonda - Wyatt Earp (My Darling Clementine)

cougarjake13

08-27-2006, 11:12 AM

gary sinise was always lt. dan to me but now after watching csi:ny i'm starting to no longer see him as just lt. dan

fezident

08-27-2006, 03:16 PM

For some reason, actors who appear in SUCCESSFUL Scifi films are the ones who become the most identified with one role.  Christopher Reeve, Mark Hamill, William Shatner, etc etc.No matter what else they try to do, their obituary will ultimately read: "Star Wars star...." or something like that.Some of them can fight their way out. I'm sure Tobey Macguire won't be known as "Spiderman" for the rest of his life.  But for every Harrsion Ford....there's a Carrie Fisher.

FUNKMAN

08-27-2006, 03:20 PM

An Actor's Definitive Role East Side Dave - Gap

PaulF

08-27-2006, 07:46 PM

I also think by definition, it has to be a role that successive generations are likely to see or know about. For example, I always think of Jamie Lee Curtis from Halloween (and similar movies) but my nieces and nephews only know her from Freaky Friday.Kurt Russell - Snake Pliskin (Escape from New York)Bruce Willis - John McClane (DieHard movies)Kevin Costner - Ray Kinsella (Field of Dreams) <-- I can watch this movie every time its on, but not Dances with WolvesCharleton Heston - tough one between Ben-Hur, Moses, and Taylor (Planet of the Apes)Shirley Jones - Shirley Partridge (even though she is an Oscar winner)Ray Liotta - Henry Hill (Goodfellas)

King Imp

08-27-2006, 09:20 PM

EliSnow wrote: What do you think are the definitive roles for actors such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, or others?   The only one of this list that I can say has one definitive role that stands out among all his others would be Mel Gibson. The movie(s), Lethal Weapon.

PapaBear

08-27-2006, 09:31 PM

For me, Clint Howard will ALWAYS be Balok.<img height="240" src="http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200303/tos-003-the-real-balok/320x240.jpg" width="320" border="0" />

EliSnow

08-28-2006, 05:34 AM

King Imp wrote: EliSnow wrote: What do you think are the definitive roles for actors such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, or others?  The only one of this list that I can say has one definitive role that stands out among all his others would be Mel Gibson. The movie(s), Lethal Weapon. I think arguably Tom Cruise has a definitive role:  Maverick in Top Gun.  How many of his other characters are really just versions of that character?  Yes, other roles such as Born on the Fourth of July was a different role, but in the end, the characters Cruise plays are almost always cocky, brash characters (with some father issues) who over the course of the movie come to evolve (somewhat) and show  a deeper side.  Maverick was the first, and the definitive version of that role.

A.J.

08-28-2006, 05:40 AM

I loved him as General Buck Turgidson in "Dr. Strangelove..." but he will always be synonymous with:<img height="303" src="http://www.musicweb-international.com/film/may99/patton.jpg" width="300" border="0" />

jeffdwright2001

08-28-2006, 08:11 AM

EliSnow wrote:  What do you think are the definitive roles for actors such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, or others?  This message was edited by EliSnow on 8-27-06 @ 8:50 AM Perhaps this should be handled in a different thread but . . . I'm wondering if we can simplify things by narrowing it down to the "type" of role for some of the actors.  It's the ability to do more than one type of role that ultimately make you a bankable star over the long hall.  Because you are able to appeal to different demographics of an audience you are able to step in to roles that may not always pay the highest dollar, but because of their quantity ensure salaries over a longer period of time.Tom Cruise - as mentioned by others early on he was the brash "cocktail" person.  As of late he's MI/Collateral/Last Samurai Cruise.  His more artsy films really seem to be showcases for the film rather than the actor.Tom Hanks - loveable everyman with comic pieces.  Whether its Gump, Castaway guy, or the man stuck in the terminal is variations on the same theme.  Then you have the everyman without the heavier shades of comedy like Catch me if you Can, or That Thing you Do.  In those, he plays more of a straight arrow and lets the comedic elements happen around him.Mel Gibson - He really has types that have all proven fairly successful for him.  The aforementioned Lethal Weapon type movies, Braveheart along with The Patriot and a few others are the History/action roles, and then the "sensitive" roles: Man without a Face and Forever Young gives the audience of Mel's introspective side as an actor. Paul Newman and Robert Redford have had to redefine their roles as they have aged.  Unable to pull off Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid types of roles, they moved into more mature and Fatherly type roles.  From the Sting you see them migrate on to niche roles that play up certain personality traits.    Redford almost steps in to the roles Newman was playing 15 years prior as he becomes a mentor type person.  Sneakers, Spy Game, and even Horse Whisperer show an older Redford with more wisdom and experience.  At the time of Sundance, he would have played Brad Pitt's role in Spy Game, or would have taken a stab at The Legend of Bagger Vance.   Newman has moved on to roles that typically fall into the loveable curmedgeon type.  Before that he was the Rascal who never quite grew up.

keithy_19

08-28-2006, 09:17 PM

Cruise-Daniel Kaffee from A Few Good MenJack Nichleson-Nathan Jessep from A Few Good FriendTom Hanks-Forest Gump or PhiladelphiaMarlon Brando-The Godfather or A Street Car Named DesireGene Wilder-Willy WonkaOJ Simpson-The Lovable Nordberg

This message was edited by keithy_19 on 8-29-06 @ 1:19 AM

mendyweiss

08-29-2006, 04:11 AM