Acting's One Hit Wonders

[Yerdaddy]

There are some actors who, if not for a single performance we'd never know who the hell they are. Some of them stink, but just had that one role that fit their personality. Some are good actors but got typecast for that one signature role they can't break out of. Most of them stink though.

Tom Beringer - Platoon. That was an outstanding performance. I won't use the cliche: Nobody else could have done that role, but his performance was so right for the movie that I can't picture anyone else playing Barnes in that movie. It just wouldn't have been the same. But other than Platoon I think Tom Berenger stinks as an actor. I know he was in a couple other significant movies, like The Big Chill, but I think he's crap in most of them. In fact, other than a handful of A-list movies he's done over the years most of the movies he's done are B-list straight-to-video. Platoon made him a household name, but without it he's nobody.

Judd Nelson - Breakfast Club. Obviously that was a great ensemble cast with great performances but Nelson was the star. He was perfect. But what has he done since? New Jack City would have been fine or better with anyone else in that role. St. Elmo's fire - I don't even remember what he did in that movie. Without the role of Bender Judd really would be working in the custodial arts.

Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange. This one kills me because I get a thrill every time I see him on screen. He seems like such a cool guy in real life but most of the time he's on screen he acts like he's just doing a cameo. I think what happened to McDowell is that he had the role as Alex so early on in his career that he wasn't getting roles in good movies. Eventually I think he just went with it and made a career out of being Malcolm McDowell... the guy who played Alex. Which is a shame because I think that role showed so much talent that we never saw again from McDowell. I don't think I've ever seen anything but the naughty bits of Caligula so I don't remember just how good he was in it, but I also can't remember anything that McDowell was actually good in. Tank Girl?

There are some other actors that I can think of in one role only but can't remember if they'd done anything else worthy of a career:

Charlie Sheen - Platoon. Has he done anything worth a shit other than Platoon? I love Hot Shots, (I caught the last half the other night and the dumb Zucker-humor in it really held up well), but it aint exactly acting.
Henry Winkler - Happy Days
Paulo - Caddyshack.
Sharon Stone - Basic Instinct
All non-Alec Baldwins - Stephen wins them credit for "The Usual Suspects". Other than that what have they done? A forgetable co-starring role in "Backdraft"? Pauley Shore's sidekick in "Bio-Dome"? Aside from that role their best performance was taking a missile in South Park: The Movie.

I started thinking about the subject watching Blind Furie in my Cambodian hotel room the other night. Even our beloved Rutger Hauer has only broken out of cult movie stardom in "Blade Runner" as far as I can remember. He had a great scene in Sin City but it was a sinlge scene in a vignete movie. I'm not complaining and neither is he. Like McDowell, I love seeing him on screen but he's basically a cult movie actor with one real hit role.

[Ritalin]

Here's one: Matthew Broderick IS Ferris Buehler.

He was pretty good in Biloxi Blues (one of my favorite sleeper movies), but honestly any time I see him it's "hey, there's Ferris Buehler."

[A.J.]

Tom Beringer - Platoon. That was an outstanding performance. I won't use the cliche: Nobody else could have done that role, but his performance was so right for the movie that I can't picture anyone else playing Barnes in that movie. It just wouldn't have been the same. But other than Platoon I think Tom Berenger stinks as an actor. I know he was in a couple other significant movies, like The Big Chill, but I think he's crap in most of them. In fact, other than a handful of A-list movies he's done over the years most of the movies he's done are B-list straight-to-video. Platoon made him a household name, but without it he's nobody.

You obviously haven't seen "Major League" or "Major League 2".

Charlie Sheen - Platoon. Has he done anything worth a shit other than Platoon? I love Hot Shots, (I caught the last half the other night and the dumb Zucker-humor in it really held up well), but it aint exactly acting.

"Wall Street"? And...ummm..."Major League" or "Major League 2".

Even our beloved Rutger Hauer has only broken out of cult movie stardom in "Blade Runner" as far as I can remember. He had a great scene in Sin City but it was a sinlge scene in a vignete movie. I'm not complaining and neither is he. Like McDowell, I love seeing him on screen but he's basically a cult movie actor with one real hit role.

He was great in "Night Hawks" with Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams.

I guess you could classify James Dean as a "3-hit wonder".

[AJDELAWARE]

Charlie Sheen definitely ruled in the Major League movies, not to mention his 2 and a half men show does relatively well from what I understand.


Oh weird stuff - A.J. - when I hit "quote" in your previous post, a few lines showed up in the quote, that didnt show up in your post - specifically what Im assuming to be about Sheen

*edit - now they are showing up, I guess I caught you mid-edit and the board hadn't refreshed the post yet.

[Yerdaddy]

You obviously haven't seen "Major League" or "Major League 2".

I did. That's where I got the idea to put Charlie Sheen on there.

"Wall Street"? And...ummm..."Major League" or "Major League 2".

Never saw Wall Street. Would you call it a hit performance for Sheen?

He was great in "Night Hawks" with Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams.

That's true, and I loved that movie when I was 13. But it did star Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams...

Hell, Stalone's lucky I don't throw his ass on there for Rocky under the rule of: "if not for a single performance we'd never know who the hell they are!"

Oh and:

Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian in ESB and ROTJ. (He may have done good work before or after but I've never seen him do anything but mug for camera as if to say "Hello white women. I'm Billy Dee Williams. Now go change your panties.")

I guess you could classify James Dean as a "3-hit wonder".

That reminds me:

Brandon Lee - The Crow

[AJDELAWARE]

Brandon Lee - The Crow

Well he really got cut short though I would say. Its hard to act from beyond the grave.

[Yerdaddy]

Well he really got cut short though I would say. Its hard to act from beyond the grave.

That's a bullshit excuse! It was right about the time that, with the right taxidermist he could have done at least 3 "Weekend at Bernie's" sequals. He was coasting after The Crow and I think it's because all the fame just went to his head.

[Tallman388]

Oh and:

Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian in ESB and ROTJ. (He may have done good work before or after but I've never seen him do anything but mug for camera as if to say "Hello white women. I'm Billy Dee Williams. Now go change your panties.")

I think you're underestimating his power as a shill/spokesmodel for Colt 45:

"How about a nice, tall, cool, smooth Colt 45..."

[EliSnow]

I think Sheen gets out of this category with Wall Street.

I'd love to throw Demi Moore in (I think she's as overrated as Sharon Stone), but I can't. She had three hits in row (Ghost, Indecent Proposal, and Disclosure), but I think those are more for the subject matter involved, and co-stars than it was her.

[Tall_James]

Acting's One Hit Wonders

Paul O.

[AJDELAWARE]

Paul O.

I think its already in the original list.

[Tall_James]

I think its already in the original list.

Damn you for being faster than my self-editing skills.

Ignore my previous post.

[Freitag]

Speaking of Wall Street, Darryl Hannah fits nicely in here.

So does Carrie Fisher.

[Freitag]

Malcolm McDowell - love seeing him on screen but he's basically a cult movie actor with one real hit role.

Mitigating factor - he killed Jim Kirk and had a great line - "Time is the fire in which we burn." I say for that, he gets a pass.

[Freitag]

The real question is, I think there's a difference between being a one-hit wonder, having a successful career with one role that defines it, and being typecast.

Sheen has had a successful career with a few defining roles.

Henry Winkler was typecast as Fonzie, something he didn't shake until he got old enough not to be Fonzie anymore, and he got roles in "The Waterboy" which was a great sleeper supporting role, and his work in Arrested Development.

Another example - outside of Fatal Attraction, can anyone remember Glenn Close's body of work? No. But she's had a pretty sustained career.

I think Sharon Stone is the best example here so far. One big movie, and a lot of garbage that followed it.

[EliSnow]

Mitigating factor - he killed Jim Kirk and had a great line - "Time is the fire in which we burn." I say for that, he gets a pass.

It may be the pot talking to the kettle, but there's only one response to this post:

Dork.

[Doogie]

I think Sheen gets out of this category with Wall Street.

I'd love to throw Demi Moore in (I think she's as overrated as Sharon Stone), but I can't. She had three hits in row (Ghost, Indecent Proposal, and Disclosure), but I think those are more for the subject matter involved, and co-stars than it was her.

Disclosure was a piece of shit movie with that stupid selling tag "She sexually harrassed me..." But you are right on the money. This chick is way the fuck overrated.

[AJDELAWARE]

Carrie Fisher.

She was in a lot of good stuff, but not many of them were huge roles:

When Harry Met Sally
Blues Brothers
Star Wars
The Burbs

[A.J.]

So does Carrie Fisher.

She was in a lot of good stuff, but not many of them were huge roles:

When Harry Met Sally
Blues Brothers
Star Wars
The Burbs

The first Austin Powers.

[EliSnow]

She was in a lot of good stuff, but not many of them were huge roles:

When Harry Met Sally
Blues Brothers
Star Wars
The Burbs

Throw in her first movie Shampoo as well.

[A.J.]

Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian in ESB and ROTJ. (He may have done good work before or after but I've never seen him do anything but mug for camera as if to say "Hello white women. I'm Billy Dee Williams. Now go change your panties.")

"Brian's Song", "Lady Sings the Blues" and "Mahogany".

[Fat_Sunny]

All The Big Characters In American Graffiti Went On To Fame And Fortune Except The Really Cool Guy, Milner.

F_S Didn't Even Know His Name, But He Looked It Up And It Was Paul Le Mat. That Movie Launched Harrison Ford And Richard Dreyfus And Ron Howard And McKenzie Phillips And Shirley (Of LaVerne And Shirley...F_S Is Drawing A Blank On Her Name).

Why Did Paul LeMat Get Left In The Dust?

[EliSnow]

All The Big Characters In American Graffiti Went On To Fame And Fortune Except The Really Cool Guy, Milner.

F_S Didn't Even Know His Name, But He Looked It Up And It Was Paul Le Mat. That Movie Launched Harrison Ford And Richard Dreyfus And Ron Howard And McKenzie Phillips And Shirley (Of LaVerne And Shirley...F_S Is Drawing A Blank On Her Name).

Why Did Paul LeMat Get Left In The Dust?

Wasn't he the abusive husband who got torched by Farrah Fawcett in The Burning Bed?

EDIT: Imdb.com has confirmed this fact, and that my memory is very weird.

[Freitag]

The first Austin Powers.

That was Mimi Rodgers.

[EliSnow]

That was Mimi Rodgers.

Carrie Fisher was in it as well, as the uncredited therapist in the father-son group therapy scene.

[Freitag]

It may be the pot talking to the kettle, but there's only one response to this post:

Dork.


Ah nah nah nah - out of the 10 trek movies, I think he's top 3 of villians. Khan, Plummer's klingon captain, and Soran.

Speaking of which, does Ricardo Montalban get added to this list?

[EliSnow]

Ah nah nah nah - out of the 10 trek movies, I think he's top 3 of villians. Khan, Plummer's klingon captain, and Soran.

I didn't think he was that great at all. Yes, he may be top three but that's only because the rest completely sucked. Heck, the first, fourth and fifth movies didn't really have villains anyway. Plus the drop-off between him and Plummer is pretty big.

Speaking of which, does Ricardo Montalban get added to this list?

To immerse myself in dorkiness, I'll say no, only because I don't think the role was a "wonder." Yes, his role as Khan has made an indelible mark on our pop culture, but I don't think he became a "wonder" ala Sharon Stone because of it, such that he made movies for years afterwards. Partly because it wasn't the lead role in the movie.

[Freitag]

So if Shatner didn't win an emmy as Denny Crane, he would have been a one-hit wonder as Kirk, even though he played Kirk for 30 years?

[EliSnow]

So if Shatner didn't win an emmy as Denny Crane, he would have been a one-hit wonder as Kirk, even though he played Kirk for 30 years?

http://www.ussvictoria.co.uk/fullofshat/images/tj.jpg

[AKA]

Tom Beringer was actually good in "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" - as was Daryl Hannah, although she can be excused from everything thanks to "Kill Bill" 1 & 2

That's a strong case against Malcolm McDowell - however, the performance he did before "Clockwork Orange" in "If" was pretty strong. He does chew up the scene better than about anyone else - he is forever in geekdom as the man who killed "Kirk" - and he is a good guy.

Judd Nelson cracked me up in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," but that was more of a cameo, I suppose.

Charlie Sheen rocked the fat ass in "Wall Street"

Sharon Stone was fun in that Mars movie with Arnold, and she was cool in "Casino"

[AJDELAWARE]

Would a single movie success + continued tv success = one hit wonder? Or is it a strictly movie thing.


Plus, who can forget Henry Winkler in the timless classic - THE WATER BOY.

[AKA]

Ah nah nah nah - out of the 10 trek movies, I think he's top 3 of villians. Khan, Plummer's klingon captain, and Soran.

Yeah, but two of them should lose points for playing Mr. Roark on different versions of "Fantasy Island" - and, out of 10 trek movies, Malcolm is in one of bottom three

* Five, Nemesis, and Generations - closing followed by the first one and Inserection.

[Freitag]

http://www.ussvictoria.co.uk/fullofshat/images/tj.jpg



Well played.

[Yerdaddy]

She was in a lot of good stuff, but not many of them were huge roles:

When Harry Met Sally
Blues Brothers
Star Wars
The Burbs

I say she almost gets out of it with Blues Brothers but she's really only got one speaking scene in the movie and she's just supporting Belushi. The rest of the movie she's a cameo. The character is great but it could have been played by anyone and the only thing you'd lose was the ability to say "Isn't that Princess Leah trying to kill the Blues Brothers?"

The rest are forgettable roles. This is about one-hit wonders, not one-movie wonders. I say she's a one hit wonder.

And speaking of Star Wars - MARK HAMIL! The ultimate one-hit wonder. (And A.J. I know you want to say Corvette Summer so don't! You can post screen grabs of the car though because that was the star of the movie.)

[Freitag]

Sharon Stone was fun in that Mars movie with Arnold, and she was cool in "Casino"


Stone's performance in Casino was the weakest point of an otherwise flawless movie. The performance does not hold up well.

[Freitag]

Marisa Tomei

Mira Sorvino

Molly Ringwald

[EliSnow]

Stone's performance in Casino was the weakest point of an otherwise flawless movie. The performance does not hold up well.

I agree. The only reason people were talking about it was she had a string of loser movies, none of them having any substance, and suddenly she did a decent job in a Scorcese movie. That role, like her career, was overrated.

A similar thing happened with Madonna in Evita. Why everyone went nuts for it, when it was essentially a two hour music video, is beyond me.

[Ritalin]

Marisa Tomei

Mira Sorvino

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald - Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. I know they seem like the same movie, but still.....

[mdr55]

The kid from Home Alone

Erika Green (Goonies)

Kevin Costner

Nicholas Cage

[Ritalin]

The kid from Home Alone

Erika Green (Goonies)

Kevin Costner

Nicholas Cage

Kevin Costner and Nicholas Cage?

Oh no, I'm not falling for it.

[TheMojoPin]

Stone's performance in Casino was the weakest point of an otherwise flawless movie. The performance does not hold up well.

I could not disagree more. I think her performance is one of the major points as to why I think Casino is a better film than Goodfellas.

[Yerdaddy]

Tom Beringer was actually good in "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" - as was Daryl Hannah, although she can be excused from everything thanks to "Kill Bill" 1 & 2

First of all I think you're only bringing up Kill Bill because we saw it together. Admit that was the greatest date of your life and you still have the popcorn bucket and some of the kernels I sucked on and spit out on the floor.

Second, "At Play in the Fields of What?" Never heard of it. Disqualified. And was he actually good because I've honestly never seen him be good in anything except Platoon.

That's a strong case against Malcolm McDowell - however, the performance he did before "Clockwork Orange" in "If" was pretty strong. He does chew up the scene better than about anyone else - he is forever in geekdom as the man who killed "Kirk" - and he is a good guy.

"If" anyone has heard of the movie speak up and maybe we can consider it. I totally want to give Malcolm more credit than Clockwork, and I'm sure he's been good in stuff but can we qualify it as a hit role? And I'm going to check the local bootleg DVD store here with the greatest selection I've ever seen and if they have Caligula I'll watch it twice - once for all the naughty bits and once to see if McDowell's performance rates a hit.

Judd Nelson cracked me up in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," but that was more of a cameo, I suppose.

I think everybody we've named had a cameo in that movie. Mark Hamill was funny but partially because he was parodying his one and only hit role.

Charlie Sheen rocked the fat ass in "Wall Street"

Sounds like he might have got his second hit in this movie. But if he's actually got acting talent what the hell is he doing in garbage like "Shadow Conspiracy" that I saw a few nights ago and couldn't figure out why a studio would bankroll in the first place?

Sharon Stone was fun in that Mars movie with Arnold, and she was cool in "Casino"

Honestly I thought she ruined "Casino" so, for me, she gets negative points for that.

[TheMojoPin]

And speaking of Star Wars - MARK HAMIL! The ultimate one-hit wonder. (And A.J. I know you want to say Corvette Summer so don't! You can post screen grabs of the car though because that was the star of the movie.)

The only reason I'd say poor old Mark doesn't count is because of the massive amount of animated voicework he's done over the last 15 years or so, especially playing the animated version of the Joker. The man is, in my opinion, going to forever have the definitive version of that character.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_JEa71aS3oU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_JEa71aS3oU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[TheMojoPin]

Malcolm McDowell is pretty damn awesome in Gangster no. 1, but I'd agree that most of his career is a letdown.

[Yerdaddy]

Marisa Tomei

Mira Sorvino

Molly Ringwald

I'd say no to Marisa Tomei - she's got a pretty good resume doing chick flicks and small or indie movies. She's got nothing to be ashamed of.

Mira got the Oscar and dated Terantino and has been coasting ever since. I give her the "Ah Ha Award" for acting.

Molly Ringwald had Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink and Breakfast Club.

[mdr55]

Morgan Fairchild

[mdr55]

Susanna Hoffs

[Ritalin]

Vanessa Del Rio

[mdr55]

Heather Locklear (was she in any other movies other than Firestarter?....for the brief time she was in it?)(not sure if Swamp Thing was a tv movie)

[KCfromDC]

With the few obvious exceptions (Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey), most everyone in this:

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/1d/images.art.com/images/-/Dazed-and-Confused-Movie-Poster-C10036132.jpeg

[EliSnow]

With the few obvious exceptions (Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey), most everyone in this:

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/1d/images.art.com/images/-/Dazed-and-Confused-Movie-Poster-C10036132.jpeg

Were any one of them "wonders" because of that movie? I'd say no.

[Recyclerz]

"If" anyone has heard of the movie speak up and maybe we can consider it. I totally want to give Malcolm more credit than Clockwork, and I'm sure he's been good in stuff but can we qualify it as a hit role? And I'm going to check the local bootleg DVD store here with the greatest selection I've ever seen and if they have Caligula I'll watch it twice - once for all the naughty bits and once to see if McDowell's performance rates a hit.



"If" and "O Lucky Man" are two must-see movies if you like "A Clockwork Orange". He did them with a British director named (I think) Lindsay Anderson and although they weren't hits in the US (as far as I know) I think they qualify as cult classics for people who like their movies to force them to think a bit. In fact, I could make a case that McDowell had one of the strongest string of performances in these movies that anyone could come up with.

[The Silencer]

The guy who played Herman Munster...The only other big role he had was that he was the judge in My Cousin Vinny, pretty sure on that lol!

[EliSnow]

The guy who played Herman Munster...The only other big role he had was that he was the judge in My Cousin Vinny, pretty sure on that lol!

Fred McGwynne had a pretty solid career, mostly in television. But he was one of the leads on "Car 54, Where Are You." He also had a solid role on Pet Sematary, and had bit roles in other movies.

[JustJon]

With the few obvious exceptions (Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey), most everyone in this:

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/1d/images.art.com/images/-/Dazed-and-Confused-Movie-Poster-C10036132.jpeg

You really don't know the cast of that movie, do you?

And Adam Goldberg - star of The Hebrew Hammer - was on R&F before their vacation.

[A.J.]

Fred McGwynne had a pretty solid career, mostly in television. But he was one of the leads on "Car 54, Where Are You." He also had a solid role on Pet Sematary, and had bit roles in other movies.

Like "On the Waterfront".

And it's "Gwynne".

[A.J.]

And speaking of Star Wars - MARK HAMIL! The ultimate one-hit wonder. (And A.J. I know you want to say Corvette Summer so don't! You can post screen grabs of the car though because that was the star of the movie.)

I could have said "Eight Is Enough". He was the original David Bradford but left after the pilot.

He could have been the star that Grant Goodeve was...

[Yerdaddy]

I could have said "Eight Is Enough". He was the original David Bradford but left after the pilot.

He could have been the star that Grant Goodeve was...

You get this:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CS46fSSkKww"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CS46fSSkKww" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[sailor]

whatever you may think of its artistic merit, two and a half men is a huge vehicle for sheen. and while its VERY dated now, wall street was great when it came out.

[EliSnow]

Like "On the Waterfront".

And it's "Gwynne".

You're right. I don't know where I got the "Mc" from.

[PhishHead]

With the few obvious exceptions (Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey), most everyone in this:

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/1d/images.art.com/images/-/Dazed-and-Confused-Movie-Poster-C10036132.jpeg


You really don't know the cast of that movie, do you?

And Adam Goldberg - star of The Hebrew Hammer - was on R&F before their vacation.

Jason London - yes it was his biggest role, but he was in Broken Vessels and thats enough for me.
Milla Jovovich - not even close to her biggest role
Rory Cochrane - was a mainstain on CSI miami
Parker Posey - Queen of the Indie Movies
Cole Hauser - has had some major roles
Joey Lauren Adams - Chasing Amy, Mallrats
and as mentioned above Adam Goldberg, who also has had a guess spot on Entourage this entire season.
Wiley Wiggins - Waking Life
Anthony Rapp - was the original Mark in Rent.

[EliSnow]

Jason London - yes it was his biggest role, but he was in Broken Vessels and thats enough for me.
Milla Jovovich - not even close to her biggest role
Rory Cochrane - immortalized as Lucas on Empire Records, and, thus, forever linked to Rex Manning Day, and was a mainstaiy on CSI miami
Parker Posey - Queen of the Indie Movies
Cole Hauser - has had some major roles
Joey Lauren Adams - Chasing Amy, Mallrats
and as mentioned above Adam Goldberg, who also has had a guess spot on Entourage this entire season.
Wiley Wiggins - Waking Life
Anthony Rapp - was the original Mark in Rent.

Fixed it.

[PhishHead]

Fixed it.

I immortalize him as Slater.

[EliSnow]

I lusted for him as Slater.

Again, fixed it.

[RogerDornShortHops]

Sharon Stone was better in Casino than she was in Basic Instinct.

[Yerdaddy]

"Brian's Song", "Lady Sings the Blues" and "Mahogany".

OK Billy Dee gets off the list. He's just a coaster who's tapped more white women than me.

Let's review so far:
Tom Berenger - I say OHW

Judd Nelson - OHW

Malcolm McDowell - I gotta leave it open. I'd love to see the stuff he did before Clockwork but I don't know if it counts as a hit. Possibly the Star Trek gig but seeing as the two Star Trek movies I've seen are the only two movies that have put me to sleep I'm leaning towards OHW. Let's put Malcom to a vote: OHW or no?

Paulo - One Hit Waiter.

Charlie Sheen - Looks like "Wall Street" saves him. No.

Sharon Stone - OHW

All non-Alec Baldwins - OHW

Rutger Hauer - I don't know. Vote? OHW or No?

Matthew Broderick - "Biloxi Blues" is legit and "Glory" is definitely a hit. No. Ferris Bueller is certainly his defining role but that's a different thread. (I thought about Bill Paxton for this thread because I always see him as Chet from "Weird Science", and I think he's a crappy actor, but he's done too much to be included. How about a "Defining Roles" thread?)

Brandon Lee - One Hit Slacker!

Darryl Hannah - No.

Carrie Fisher - OHW

Henry Winkler - definitely OHW.

Glenn Close - definitely not. She doesn't often do my kind of movies, but she's got too many Oscar nominations.

Fred Gwynne - No. "My Cousin Vinny", "Pet Cemetary" (which I also watched this week - I think satellite cable is better here than in the States - last night I watched "Excalibur" followed immediately by "Chinatown". I'm not getting any work done.) and he had a strong career before most of our times.

Marissa Tomei – No.

Ricardo Montalban – Mr. Roarke is his defining role but he was a mainstay long before and I think having a “Wrath of…” before his Star Trek character’s name counts as a hit.

Shatner – Three great hits: 1. as Captain Kirk, 2. as TJ Hooker, and 3. as Shatner. (And I have to give him a personal fourth as Tabasco sauce in Yemen. When I got tired of the food and started to go through a bottle of the stuff every other day I could never remember the Arabic word for it, which was “shataa”. Finally I started calling it “Shatner” to remember it and now at about 5 different shops in the Old City of Sana’a you can ask for “Shatner” and get a nice bottle of Tabasco sauce.)

Mira Sorvino - OHW

Molly Ringwald – No.

Madonna – I’m not sure if Evita or “Who’s that Girl” (is that even the name of it?) count as acting hits? Can we get a vote on whether Madonna is a one- two- or zero-hit wonder?

McCauley Culkin – Probably. Can anyone find a second hit role?

Erika Green (Goonies) – I say zero hits.

Kevin Costner or Nicholas Cage – come on!

Morgan Fairchild – except as John Lovitz’s girlfriend I’m not sure what her one hit would be?

Susanna Hoffs – who?

Vanessa Del Rio – She’s had lots of hits: on the chin, on the back, on the rack, in the butt, in the hair, in the mouth…

Heather Locklear – No. She doesn’t have as many acting hits as Tommy Lee hits, but she’s got more than one.



I’ll put these up for debate:

Pam Dawber – “Mork and Mindy”

Gabriel Kaplain – “Welcome Back Kotter”, although I have seen him in some other stuff I just can’t remember if it’s anything that would count as a hit?

Cleavon Little – Blazing Saddles

Louise Fletcher – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Oprah Winfrey – The Color Purple

Linda Blair – The Exorcist

Rebecca De Mornay – Risky Business

[Yerdaddy]

Sharon Stone was better in Casino than she was in Basic Instinct.

You mean she was different in the two movies?

[A.J.]

(And I have to give him a personal fourth as Tabasco sauce in Yemen. When I got tired of the food and started to go through a bottle of the stuff every other day I could never remember the Arabic word for it, which was “shataa”. Finally I started calling it “Shatner” to remember it and now at about 5 different shops in the Old City of Sana’a you can ask for “Shatner” and get a nice bottle of Tabasco sauce.)

I've been having the Shatners for the last couple of days. You'd think I had drunk a bottle of tabasco sauce.

[RogerDornShortHops]

She received an Oscar nomination for Casino! You can't possibly call someone a OHW when there's another movie out there that a) she got Oscar nomination for b) was directed by Martin Scorcese.

[IamPixie]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GNJNAGP8L._AA280_.jpg

Fairuza Balk in the craft

[RhinoinMN]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GNJNAGP8L._AA280_.jpg

Fairuza Balk in the craft

She was also in American History X

and don't forget "The Waterboy":flush:

[RogerDornShortHops]

How about Denise Richards in Wild Things?

It was a hit for me.

[grlNIN]

Molly Ringwald – No.

Madonna – I’m not sure if Evita or “Who’s that Girl” (is that even the name of it?) count as acting hits? Can we get a vote on whether Madonna is a one- two- or zero-hit wonder?

McCauley Culkin – Probably. Can anyone find a second hit role?


Rebecca De Mornay – Risky Business

1.) "The Stand" is all i can remember after her John Hughes stint, aside from her cameo in "Not Another Teen Movie".

2.) "The Next Best Thing" was after "Evita"(i don't believe there was anything in between). Neither of them are good movies, however i liked her in "A League of Their Own" but im sure the role of an alcoholic, chain smoking, loosey goosey wasn't far off from her life story.

3.)He was in "Party Monster" and "Saved!". Two really different roles, i read that he was well received for "...Monster" and he was actually funny in "Saved!".

4.) Made for T.V.'s "The Shining" and "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle".

[mendyweiss]

http://meggan.typepad.com/quiddity/images/squealliekapig.jpg
Bill Mckinney-

Now let's you just drop them pants !

What's this all about ?

Don't say nothin, just do it !

THem panties, take em off

Looks like we got us a sow here

I bet you can squeal like a pig

SQUEAL !! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

eeeeeeeeeee

LOUDER EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

EEEEEEEE OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH !!!!

[RogerDornShortHops]

Culkin followed Home Alone with My Girl, which was a smash hit. Also, he played one of the kids in Uncle Buck.

[Yerdaddy]

She received an Oscar nomination for Casino! You can't possibly call someone a OHW when there's another movie out there that a) she got Oscar nomination for b) was directed by Martin Scorcese.

You're right. I didn't know about the Oscar nomination. She's off the list. I still think she sucks though.

[EliSnow]

Some thoughts:


Malcolm McDowell - I gotta leave it open. I'd love to see the stuff he did before Clockwork but I don't know if it counts as a hit. Possibly the Star Trek gig but seeing as the two Star Trek movies I've seen are the only two movies that have put me to sleep I'm leaning towards OHW. Let's put Malcom to a vote: OHW or no?

Abstain.

Rutger Hauer - I don't know. Vote? OHW or No?

No, and I'll for one huge reason that no one's thought of yet:

The Hitcher.

Add that to Nighthawks, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke (for some reason I have a fondness for that movie), and a solid career with bit character roles on tv ("Alias" and "Smallville") and movies ("Batman Begins," "Sin City"), and I think he's made some good movies.


How about a "Defining Roles" thread?

That's a pretty great idea (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52018)

Shatner – Three great hits: 1. as Captain Kirk, 2. as TJ Hooker, and 3. as Shatner. (And I have to give him a personal fourth as Tabasco sauce in Yemen. When I got tired of the food and started to go through a bottle of the stuff every other day I could never remember the Arabic word for it, which was “shataa”. Finally I started calling it “Shatner” to remember it and now at about 5 different shops in the Old City of Sana’a you can ask for “Shatner” and get a nice bottle of Tabasco sauce.)

You have to give him Denny Crane on Boston Legal too.

Madonna – I’m not sure if Evita or “Who’s that Girl” (is that even the name of it?) count as acting hits? Can we get a vote on whether Madonna is a one- two- or zero-hit wonder?

A lot of people were talking about her after Desperately Seeking Susan. I never saw it, but allegedly she was great in that movie. So I'd say OHW, and not give her Evita. Again, she wasn't that good in that movie, and it wasn't like it was a stretch being a two hour music video.

McCauley Culkin – Probably. Can anyone find a second hit role?

Uncle Buck and My Girl. Not sure that saves him though.



Rebecca De Mornay – Risky Business

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

[RogerDornShortHops]

You're right. I didn't know about the Oscar nomination. She's off the list. I still think she sucks though.

Touche.....the broad is the absolute pits.

[Doogie]

The kid from Home Alone

Erika Green (Goonies)

Kevin Costner

Nicholas Cage

Dude Costner had several hits. Bull Durham, Field of Dreams which was a fucking HUGE movie in 1989, Dances With Wolves, Wyatt Earp, Tin Cup, and Open Range. Lets also not forget he was in the great college road trip movie Fandango. While that is not a classic, it isnt a piece of crap movie either.

Like or hate the movie, the Rock was a huge movie for Nick Cage, as was Leaving Las Vegas. He was also pretty good in Adaptation so I dont know how you can call him a one hit wonder.

[drjoek]

It may not exactly answer the question BUT
Adam Sandler has made more shit movies in which he "acts" actually ,plays himself in EVERY movie he has ever done. I see NO actual talent in what he does but who am I to argue with his success.
I have the same arguement about Ben Stiller. His act mostly consists of wearing a funny hairdo and leering at his real life wife. Again America obviously disagrees with me.

Actual answer to your question
Billy Crystal

[Yerdaddy]

She was also in American History X

and don't forget "The Waterboy":flush:

I'm only going to say this once: NOBODY GETS CREDIT FOR "THE WATERBOY"!!!!

However Firehosea Balkaki gets credit not only for AHX but "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead". She was great in that.

[EliSnow]

Billy Crystal

Not that I'm a fan, but the guy has When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and Analyze This. No way he's a one hit wonder.

[drusilla]

Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange. This one kills me because I get a thrill every time I see him on screen. He seems like such a cool guy in real life but most of the time he's on screen he acts like he's just doing a cameo. I think what happened to McDowell is that he had the role as Alex so early on in his career that he wasn't getting roles in good movies. Eventually I think he just went with it and made a career out of being Malcolm McDowell... the guy who played Alex. Which is a shame because I think that role showed so much talent that we never saw again from McDowell. I don't think I've ever seen anything but the naughty bits of Caligula so I don't remember just how good he was in it, but I also can't remember anything that McDowell was actually good in. Tank Girl?




anything he touches turns to gold in my eyes. especially caligula. he's just amazing in it (it's where i got my name - not that stupid buffy shit). i think you need to check him out as a reluctant vampire working in a bloodbank in an episode of tales from the crypt. his voice is music to my ears. though i heard not even the great malcolm mcdowell could save the new Halloween. check out one of his really early roles in if... i think that is what made him a star overseas before clockwork.

[RogerDornShortHops]

Are we considering a "hit" one that we as individuals liked, a movie that had major box office success, or both?

[drusilla]

"If" and "O Lucky Man" are two must-see movies if you like "A Clockwork Orange". He did them with a British director named (I think) Lindsay Anderson and although they weren't hits in the US (as far as I know) I think they qualify as cult classics for people who like their movies to force them to think a bit. In fact, I could make a case that McDowell had one of the strongest string of performances in these movies that anyone could come up with.

^^^

[drusilla]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GNJNAGP8L._AA280_.jpg

Fairuza Balk in the craft

she was in the worst witch as a child with tim curry. one of my favorite movies when i was younger.

[EliSnow]

Are we considering a "hit" one that we as individuals liked, a movie that had major box office success, or both?

I think it has to be considered a critical or commercial success to be a hit. If it's something you just liked, and didn't fit into the other three.

I realize that hurts my Ladyhawke entry for Rutger Hauer.

[RogerDornShortHops]

[QUOTE=EliSnow;1448068][SIZE="3"][FONT="Arial"]I think it has to be considered a critical or commercial success to be a hit. If it's something you just liked, and didn't fit into the other three.


In that case, how could you say My Girl doesn't save Culkin?

[drusilla]

Susanna Hoffs


i admit that she never really did anything more than the allnighter which i've seen 80,000 times, but she was in ming tea in 2 austin powers movies & let's not forget that she was the front woman for the bangels.

[EliSnow]

I think it has to be considered a critical or commercial success to be a hit. If it's something you just liked, and didn't fit into the other three.

I realize that hurts my Ladyhawke entry for Rutger Hauer.

As well as my anit-Madonna/Evita schtick.

[EliSnow]

I think it has to be considered a critical or commercial success to be a hit. If it's something you just liked, and didn't fit into the other two.

I realize that hurts my Ladyhawke entry for Rutger Hauer.



In that case, how could you say My Girl doesn't save Culkin?

I'm not saying it doesn't, but I'm also not sure it does, only because it was a supporting role. But it was still pretty big, so I guess I'd give it to him.

[Yerdaddy]

She was also in American History X

and don't forget "The Waterboy":flush:

Some thoughts:



Abstain.



No, and I'll for one huge reason that no one's thought of yet:

The Hitcher.

Add that to Nighthawks, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke (for some reason I have a fondness for that movie), and a solid career with bit character roles on tv ("Alias" and "Smallville") and movies ("Batman Begins," "Sin City"), and I think he's made some good movies.

To be honest I never saw all of The Hitcher. It does get strong ratings on IMDB. What did he play i n"Batman Begins"? I kind of forgot that movie before the credits finished.

That's a pretty great idea (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52018)



You have to give him Denny Crane on Boston Legal too.



A lot of people were talking about her after Desperately Seeking Susan. I never saw it, but allegedly she was great in that movie. So I'd say OHW, and not give her Evita. Again, she wasn't that good in that movie, and it wasn't like it was a stretch being a two hour music video.

Sounds good to me. I did like her playing herself in "A League of Their Own" but it wasn't a big role and she was upstaged by Rosie O'Donnell of all people.

Uncle Buck and My Girl. Not sure that saves him though.

Uncle Buck counts. Not to sound like Micheal Jackson or anything, but I'll give that role a hit any day!

Don't know about My Girl cuz just the thought of seeing that movie puts me zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Awful movie! But I do remember it and she was the star. I don't know. I suspect she only got the role because of Risky Business and went back to B-movie land afterwards. I'd vote OHW.

[drusilla]

Uncle Buck counts. Not to sound like Micheal Jackson or anything, but I'll give that role a hit any day!

Don't know about My Girl cuz just the thought of seeing that movie puts me zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz






you should see saved & party monster like ninny said. he was great in saved & it really made me no longer hate him.

[RogerDornShortHops]

I'm not saying it doesn't, but I'm also not sure it does, only because it was a supporting role. But it was still pretty big, so I guess I'd give it to him.

Culkin & Anna Chlumsky produced on-screen magic only rivaled by the likes of Bogart and Bergman.

[EliSnow]

To be honest I never saw all of The Hitcher. It does get strong ratings on IMDB. What did he play i n"Batman Begins"? I kind of forgot that movie before the credits finished.

I can't remember his character's name, but he played the head of Wayne Industries.


Awful movie! But I do remember it and she was the star. I don't know. I suspect she only got the role because of Risky Business and went back to B-movie land afterwards. I'd vote OHW.

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle came nine years after Risky Business. In Hollywood time, that's a long freakin' time, so I don't think she got the former because of the latter. Rethink your vote, sir.

[EliSnow]

Culkin & Anna Chlumsky produced on-screen magic only rivaled by the likes of Bogart and Bergman.

You shouldn't drink before noon. :drunk:

[drusilla]

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle came nine years after Risky Business. In Hollywood time, that's a long freakin' time, so I don't think she got the former because of the latter. Rethink your vote, sir.


she was also in identity.

[drjoek]

Lori Heuring
She was real hot in
http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/3/5933-large.jpg
Havent seen her since
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/0703-the/kapture3.itz

[Yerdaddy]

It may not exactly answer the question BUT
Adam Sandler has made more shit movies in which he "acts" actually ,plays himself in EVERY movie he has ever done. I see NO actual talent in what he does but who am I to argue with his success.
I have the same arguement about Ben Stiller. His act mostly consists of wearing a funny hairdo and leering at his real life wife. Again America obviously disagrees with me.

Actual answer to your question
Billy Crystal

Oh hell no! On all three. Having a long run with shtick that makes hundreds of millions of dollars doesn't count as one hit wonder. And as a child of the 80s throwing Billy Crystal out there is fighting words. He gets a pass before 1980 with "Soap" and "Rabbit Test" alone! And he's got a half dozen classics after that. You're lucky we're all fat, drunk and stupid or my generation would be looking for you after that crack, Buddy!

[grlNIN]

she was in the worst witch as a child with tim curry. one of my favorite movies when i was younger.

BEST.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5223/ww1mh7.jpg

[EliSnow]

How about Bud Cort?

Or Jaye Davidson? I know he was in Stargate, but do we give it to him as a second hit?

[drjoek]

Oh hell no! On all three. Having a long run with shtick that makes hundreds of millions of dollars doesn't count as one hit wonder. And as a child of the 80s throwing Billy Crystal out there is fighting words. He gets a pass before 1980 with "Soap" and "Rabbit Test" alone! And he's got a half dozen classics after that. You're lucky we're all fat, drunk and stupid or my generation would be looking for you after that crack, Buddy!

Yeah I was admitting Sandler and Stiller didn't fall under one hit wonder status. I just don't get how they have sustained a career doing the same bit over and over.
I'll stand by my Crystal evaluation. He like the other two is just playing Billy Crystal

Cars (2006) (voice) .... Mike Car

Analyze That (2002) .... Ben Sobel

Mike's New Car (2002) (V) (voice) .... Mike Wazowski
Monsters, Inc. (2001) (voice) .... Mike Wazowski
America's Sweethearts (2001) .... Lee Phillips



Analyze This (1999) .... Dr. Ben Sobel
My Giant (1998) .... Sam 'Sammy' Kamin
Deconstructing Harry (1997) .... Larry/The Devil (Harry's Character)
Fathers' Day (1997) .... Jack Lawrence

Hamlet (1996) .... First Gravedigger
... aka William Shakespeare's Hamlet

-
Forget Paris (1995) .... Mickey Gordon
In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994) (TV) (voice) .... The Voice of America
"The Critic" (1 episode, 1994)
- L.A. Jay (1994) TV Episode (voice)
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994) .... Mitch Robbins
... aka City Slickers II (USA: short title)
... aka City Slickers: The Legend of Curly's Gold (UK)
Mr. Saturday Night (1992) .... Buddy Young, Jr.
Horton Hatches the Egg (1992) (voice) .... Narrator
City Slickers (1991) .... Mitch Robbins



When Harry Met Sally... (1989) .... Harry Burns
... aka When Harry Met Sally (USA: DVD box title)

Convince me otherwise.

[EliSnow]

Yeah I was admitting Sandler and Stiller didn't fall under one hit wonder status. I just don't get how they have sustained a career doing the same bit over and over.
I'll stand by my Crystal evaluation. He like the other two is just playing Billy Crystal



Convince me otherwise.

If you're going by that evaluation, then John Wayne is a one hit wonder because he played the same character every time.

Billy Crystal had three huge freakin' hits where he was the lead/co-lead: When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Analyze This. He's no one-hit wonder.

[drusilla]

it's been said before, but SOAP!!!!


also love him in running scared.

[mikeyboy]

it's been said before, but SOAP!!!!


also love him in running scared.

I was going to say SOAP as well. Also remember that he had that one huge season on Saturday Night Live.

[Yerdaddy]

Yeah I was admitting Sandler and Stiller didn't fall under one hit wonder status. I just don't get how they have sustained a career doing the same bit over and over.
I'll stand by my Crystal evaluation. He like the other two is just playing Billy Crystal

Cars (2006) (voice) .... Mike Car

Analyze That (2002) .... Ben Sobel

Mike's New Car (2002) (V) (voice) .... Mike Wazowski
Monsters, Inc. (2001) (voice) .... Mike Wazowski
America's Sweethearts (2001) .... Lee Phillips



Analyze This (1999) .... Dr. Ben Sobel
My Giant (1998) .... Sam 'Sammy' Kamin
Deconstructing Harry (1997) .... Larry/The Devil (Harry's Character)
Fathers' Day (1997) .... Jack Lawrence

Hamlet (1996) .... First Gravedigger
... aka William Shakespeare's Hamlet

-
Forget Paris (1995) .... Mickey Gordon
In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994) (TV) (voice) .... The Voice of America
"The Critic" (1 episode, 1994)
- L.A. Jay (1994) TV Episode (voice)
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994) .... Mitch Robbins
... aka City Slickers II (USA: short title)
... aka City Slickers: The Legend of Curly's Gold (UK)
Mr. Saturday Night (1992) .... Buddy Young, Jr.
Horton Hatches the Egg (1992) (voice) .... Narrator
City Slickers (1991) .... Mitch Robbins



When Harry Met Sally... (1989) .... Harry Burns
... aka When Harry Met Sally (USA: DVD box title)

Convince me otherwise.

You're talking about a whole other subject. You're talking about type-casting. The same has been said of Bobby DeNiro - that all of his characters have been some version of the same guy. That doesn't mean he's only got one hit movie.

And as to why they sustain a career: people like the bit.

[Judge Smails]

Haing S. Ngor won an Academy Award in his very first acting role ever (The Killing Fields) and then fell off the face of the earth, apparently. Beat that.

[EliSnow]

Haing S. Ngor won an Academy Award in his very first acting role ever (The Killing Fields) and then fell off the face of the earth, apparently. Beat that.

He didn't fall off the face of the earth afterwards. According to imdb.com, he had a bunch of tv guest roles afterwards and up until he was murdered in 1996.

However, I think you're right about being a one hit wonder.

[drusilla]

whoever said jaye davidson back there was pretty on point too.

[ChrisTheCop]

http://www.cindy-morgan.com/WebPageArt/AU-C00003-big.jpg

These two worked before and after Caddyshack, but considering what a huge hit it was, and the national exposure they got... I'm surprised neither of them ever amounted to anything.

Michael Okeefe
Cindy Morgan

[drusilla]

i just saw him in a really fucked up csi last night

but he also starred in the sluggers wife alongside rebecca demournay back in the 80's that used to be on hbo all the time.

[RhinoinMN]

Culkin & Anna Chlumsky produced on-screen magic only rivaled by the likes of Bogart and Bergman.

Anna Chlumsky, at the time with that movie (My Girl), created as much hype as Dakota Fanning does now. Where is Ms. Chlumsky now? And does she belong on the list? Or better yet, Jamie Lee Curtis for Halloween. Scare flick, but definitely a hit.

[EliSnow]

Anna Chlumsky, at the time with that movie (My Girl), created as much hype as Dakota Fanning does now. Where is Ms. Chlumsky now? And does she belong on the list? Or better yet, Jamie Lee Curtis for Halloween. Scare flick, but definitely a hit.

For Jamie Lee Curtis, subsequently she had Trading Places, True Lies, and Freaky Friday.

[RhinoinMN]

For Jamie Lee Curtis, subsequently she had Trading Places, True Lies, and Freaky Friday.

Right after I posted I remembered that she was in "A Fish Called Wanda." Which I thought she did well in. My bad.

[EliSnow]

Right after I posted I remembered that she was in "A Fish Called Wanda." Which I thought she did well in. My bad.

I forgot about that one.

[Servo]

Today on the show they mentioned Sigourney Weaver, but I was thinking of the other actress from "Aliens" - Carrie Henn, who played Newt. She's the ultimate one-hit wonder, having never acted before "Aliens" or since.

Carrie Henn (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001343/)

[A.J.]

Today on the show they mentioned Sigourney Weaver, but I was thinking of the other actress from "Aliens" - Carrie Henn, who played Newt. She's the ultimate one-hit wonder, having never acted before "Aliens" or since.

Carrie Henn (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001343/)

Same with Peter Ostrum from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".

http://videodetective.com/photos/550/023132_9.jpg

[Yerdaddy]

http://www.cindy-morgan.com/WebPageArt/AU-C00003-big.jpg

These two worked before and after Caddyshack, but considering what a huge hit it was, and the national exposure they got... I'm surprised neither of them ever amounted to anything.

Michael Okeefe
Cindy Morgan

Lacy Underalls certainly amounted to something... In my pants!

I've seen both of them in TV roles recently, but I can't remember what. She had a small part in a TV show sometime around Caddyshack and he was in something recent.

Cindy Morgan gets a OHW status for sure. She's a good one because I always thought I'd see a lot more of her after that movie.

But Michael O'Keefe got an Oscar nomination along with Robert Duvall for The Great Santini just before Caddyshack, so he's off the hook.

[Yerdaddy]

Haing S. Ngor won an Academy Award in his very first acting role ever (The Killing Fields) and then fell off the face of the earth, apparently. Beat that.

Technically you're probably right that he's a one hit wonder. However he was never an actor at all before that movie and in fact was a doctor who survived the Killing Fields in much the same way as his character did - except that I think his wife and child died in the camps. That he was able to pull off that performance and go on to have a respectable acting career until he was murdered was pretty impressive.

I'd have to call him the most respectable OHW of them all.

[sailor]

Speaking of Wall Street, Darryl Hannah fits nicely in here.

So does Carrie Fisher.

i think fisher should get a pass for hannah and her sisters and when harry met sally.

[EliSnow]

i think fisher should get a pass for hannah and her sisters and when harry met sally.

Agreed.

No one has any thoughts on Bud Cort, who was Harold of "Harold & Maude:"

http://www.follow-me-now.de/assets/images/Harold_und_Maude-Ruth_Gordon_und_Bud_Cort.jpeg

[RhinoinMN]

How about Eric Roberts? I know he works alot, but I only remember him from Runaway Train which he was nominated for an Oscar. Oh, and he was in those stupid Mariah Carey videos.
http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/58/78/06m.jpg
And going back to a Rebecca DeMornay referrence, she was in this movie also.

[EliSnow]

How about Eric Roberts? I know he works alot, but I only remember him from Runaway Train which he was nominated for an Oscar. Oh, and he was in those stupid Mariah Carey videos.

You're not giving him any credit for Best of the Best?!!! For shame!

Actually, I'd give him Pope of Greenwich Village and Star 80.

[Yerdaddy]

Agreed.

No one has any thoughts on Bud Cort, who was Harold of "Harold & Maude:"

http://www.follow-me-now.de/assets/images/Harold_und_Maude-Ruth_Gordon_und_Bud_Cort.jpeg

This thread is getting depressing! From IMDB: (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001069/bio)

In 1979 he suffered a major life and career setback when he was almost killed in a car accident on the Hollywood Freeway. Consequently, he spent years enduring plastic surgery and physical therapy, the loss of his savings because of enormous hospital bills, a losing court case regarding the accident, and the disruption of his blooming career.


He did also play the kid in MASH who Duvall accuses of killing his patient for being too slow. It's not a starring role but he was a key player in that and another ensemble - Life Aquatic. But overall, yes, I suppose he's another sad one hit wonder.

[Yerdaddy]

How about Eric Roberts? I know he works alot, but I only remember him from Runaway Train which he was nominated for an Oscar. Oh, and he was in those stupid Mariah Carey videos.
http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/58/78/06m.jpg
And going back to a Rebecca DeMornay referrence, she was in this movie also.

That reminds me of another great spin-off thread: Worst Actors Ever!

I think I'd give him props for Pope of Greenwich Village too, if only for the great line: "What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to."

By some miracle he's not a OHW.

[EliSnow]

This thread is getting depressing! From IMDB: (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001069/bio)



He did also play the kid in MASH who Duvall accuses of killing his patient for being too slow. It's not a starring role but he was a key player in that and another ensemble - Life Aquatic. But overall, yes, I suppose he's another sad one hit wonder.

Shit. I didn't know that about him.

[Yerdaddy]

i think fisher should get a pass for hannah and her sisters and when harry met sally.

Personally I'd be more likely to give her a "hit" for Blues Brothers than either of these. In Harry Met Sally I don't think the role or the performance was significant enough. It's been a long time since I've seen it but I don't even remember her being in Hannah and Her Sisters.

I look at her career and I see she was Princess Leah and... was in these other movies. Add to that she's the daughter of two Hollywood legends (and had a publicity-inducing stint in rehab) and none of these other roles are impressive. But I also remember an interview with her on Charlie Rose or something where she had nothing good to say about acting and Hollywood. She basically said she hated it and couldn't be asked to do it. I remember respecting her for that and going out and renting Postcards From the Edge that she wrote the book and screenplay for and was impressed. I give her more credit as a writer than as an actress.

But I'm still open. If someone seconds the nomination for Hannah and her sisters I'll concede. And, of course, it is only my opinion that matters.

[EliSnow]

Personally I'd be more likely to give her a "hit" for Blues Brothers than either of these. In Harry Met Sally I don't think the role or the performance was significant enough. It's been a long time since I've seen it but I don't even remember her being in Hannah and Her Sisters.

I look at her career and I see she was Princess Leah and... was in these other movies. Add to that she's the daughter of two Hollywood legends (and had a publicity-inducing stint in rehab) and none of these other roles are impressive. But I also remember an interview with her on Charlie Rose or something where she had nothing good to say about acting and Hollywood. She basically said she hated it and couldn't be asked to do it. I remember respecting her for that and going out and renting Postcards From the Edge that she wrote the book and screenplay for and was impressed. I give her more credit as a writer than as an actress.

But I'm still open. If someone seconds the nomination for Hannah and her sisters I'll concede. And, of course, it is only my opinion that matters.

I think you have to give it to her for When Harry Met Sally. Crystal and Ryan were the leads, and Fisher and Kirby were the main supporting roles, and were in most of the movie.

[Freakshow]

Jason Schwarzman.

[RhinoinMN]

Jason Schwarzman.

Fantastic in Rushmore and the other movies were duds. Maybe I Heart Huckabees, but alot of people seem to be on the fence about that movie. He may be to novice to add to the list though.

[EliSnow]

Fantastic in Rushmore and the other movies were duds. Maybe I Heart Huckabees, but alot of people seem to be on the fence about that movie. He may be to novice to add to the list though.

Yeah, I think it's too early for him.

[Freakshow]

He's done the stupid actor thing where he's trying to be a musician. I wasn't sure if was even doing movies anymore, but I see he's in the Darjeeling limited, so maybe he has a shot. But Rushmore was 8 or 9 years ago already.

[Yerdaddy]

I think you have to give it to her for When Harry Met Sally. Crystal and Ryan were the leads, and Fisher and Kirby were the main supporting roles, and were in most of the movie.

Take the movie mentioned above this post: I Heart Huckabees. Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman were the main support characters in that movie and they stole the movie. I don't think you could say that about Kirby or Fisher and if you could say that about one or the other I think it would be Kirby. Carrie Fisher just doesn't really bring anything interesting to any role (inlcuding Harry-Sally) except: "Hey! That's Carrie Fisher." Or, more likely, "Hey! That's Princess Leah." I wouldn't call that a hit role. It's work in a big movie, sure. But is it a hit role?

OK, here's what I'm going to do: because it's my opinion that matters, and my ego is totally dependent on being right about everything, I'll make this compromise - Carry Fisher is not a one hit wonder because of her performance in The Blues Brothers. It's the role that stands out the most in my mind after Star Wars, and she actually still looked pretty hot in that movie. I still say it's a cameo, (and she was probably cast because Belushi wanted her drug connections), but it was a good cameo. And I don't have to curl up under the desk in the fetal position like Jim Baker when the feds showed up (and on his wedding night) just because I didn't get my way. Happy?

[RhinoinMN]

He's done the stupid actor thing where he's trying to be a musician. I wasn't sure if was even doing movies anymore, but I see he's in the Darjeeling limited, so maybe he has a shot. But Rushmore was 8 or 9 years ago already.

True.

He is going to be in another Wes Anderson movie with a pretty good cast. If he tanks this one, then I would definitely say yes.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432283/

[Yerdaddy]

He's done the stupid actor thing where he's trying to be a musician. I wasn't sure if was even doing movies anymore, but I see he's in the Darjeeling limited, so maybe he has a shot. But Rushmore was 8 or 9 years ago already.

I'd give it to him for Huckabees. It was a good indie movie that wasn't going to be a smash hit at the box offices and he was very good in it. He'll have a hard time living up to Rushmore, but I'd call Huckabees a hit acting role.

[Freakshow]

It seemed really derivitive of the Rushmore role to me. I think he's falling into the Charlie Sheen category of you original post. The only guy who did a good job in I [heartsymbol] Huckabees was the tall African dude.

[Yerdaddy]

It seemed really derivitive of the Rushmore role to me. I think he's falling into the Charlie Sheen category of you original post. The only guy who did a good job in I [heartsymbol] Huckabees was the tall African dude.

The African guy must be a sign of something. He's got two lines and people remember him more than you. Maybe he's a sign you should join a band because you're a shitty actor?

I think he was good. Good enough anyway. I even think Jude Law was good. Whalberg not so much, but Shwartzbewithyou or whatever his name is was good. Maybe we'll keep the jury out until his wes anderson movie comes out. Then we can burry him.

[Freakshow]

Was that the same actor as in Garden State? For some reason those two movies have melted into one in my brain. That might be the source of the problem.

[EliSnow]

Was that the same actor as in Garden State? For some reason those two movies have melted into one in my brain. That might be the source of the problem.

Zach Braff from Scrubs was in Garden State.

[Freakshow]

I meant the African guy.

[Judge Smails]

I'm way too lazy to read through six pages, so I'm sorry if he's been mentioned before:

Keir Dullea

http://www.cs.bilkent.edu.tr/~david/sigart/2001_A_Space_odyssey.gif

[EliSnow]

I meant the African guy.

Oh, sorry.

[Yerdaddy]

You mean Shania Twain?

[Yerdaddy]

I'm way too lazy to read through six pages, so I'm sorry if he's been mentioned before:

Keir Dullea

http://www.cs.bilkent.edu.tr/~david/sigart/2001_A_Space_odyssey.gif

According to IMDB his ex-wife is married to Kathie Lee Gifford's ex-husband Frank Gifford. That's the closest to relevance he's got since 2001.

Keir Dullea = OHW

[Yerdaddy]

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/5322/silenceofthelambs108yl4.jpg

Anthony Heald

Basically a character actor with one shining unforgettable performance.

[Yerdaddy]

Same with Peter Ostrum from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".

http://videodetective.com/photos/550/023132_9.jpg

I'll see your Peter Ostrum and raise you T.J. Kuhn.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2562/raisingarizona100ir2.jpg

Went into rehab right after the movie's release, briefly dated Heather Locklear, was nearly beaten to death by Jason Schaller, Jaryd Waterhouse, Jacob Haines and Christopher Aydon - the four actors who played Mikey in "Look Who's Talking" - after he spiked Waterhouse's formula with strained broccoli at the Viper Room, briefly dated Demi Moore, became a Scientologist, and was last seen cleaning the pool in a leather G-string diaper at Neverland Ranch.

I'm still waiting for his made-for-TV bio-pic/ tell-all book/ Oprah cry-fest comeback tour though.

[TheMojoPin]

The fake ghost boy in Three Men and a Baby.

And no, I don't mean Ted Danson. Or Steve Guttenberg. Or Tom Selleck. Or director Leonard Nimoy.

Damn, that movie is a black hole of one note actors.

[RhinoinMN]

Don't know if this was said already,
Aileen Quinn from Annie.
http://ia.imdb.com/media/imdb/01/I/98/40/26m.jpg

[Freakshow]

i've been thinking about this thread lately, and I still think i'm right with Schwartzman. He was pretty meh in Darjeeling, which I still liked overall.

[Dirtbag]

Reading this thread for the first time today and this made me laugh really hard:

The only reason I'd say poor old Mark doesn't count is because of the massive amount of animated voicework he's done over the last 15 years or so, especially playing the animated version of the Joker. The man is, in my opinion, going to forever have the definitive version of that character.

This is the probably the wrong category, but does Samuel L. Jackson count? I know he's been in hundreds of movies, many of them huge successes, but if it weren't for Tarantino nobody would know who he is and he's been coasting doing a Jules impression for almost twenty years now.