Sounds like bullshit.
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The Top 50 Actors Countdown - You Casted Your Votes
- Thread starter Johnny Unusual
- Start date
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
44. Keanu Reeves
AS
Bell Pepper
48 Points, 2 Lists, #9 Kirin
Iconic Roles: Neo (The Matrix), John Wick (John Wick, Ted “Theodore” Logan (Bill & Ted series), Stereo Teen (Letting Go)
Keanu started his career relatively young and gaining success playing teens (in his 20s) in hit films like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Parenthood. He eventually moved onto more adult roles. While he did do some more dramatic roles (many of which were lambasted), it was in the field of action where Keanu found success. Much like Bruce Willis in the first Die Hard, he wasn’t the musclebound hero of the decade before but was lean and tough and a bit human. Though Point Break and Speed were hits, his Matrix work pushed him further into even greater stardom. Reeves toyed with directing and documentaries and other areas of film while continuing his acting career but gained a HUGE resurgence with the surprising popularity of the film John Wick, which re-established him not only as a star, but both a commercial and critical favourite.
We really don’t deserve Keanu. I’ve heard sometimes the question of “why do some talented actors just stay away and weaker actors stick around” and often that’s because sometimes the “talent” are assholes no one wants to work with and the “weaker” ones are good to work with, are giving a try, are doing everything they can while still being cool. I think Keanu was perceived as this but I think he was misunderstood. He was a bit of a punchline for a while thanks to some serious miscasting (Keanu doesn’t belong in a period piece). I think now we finally get there are roles that aren’t for him and that’s OK because the roles that fit within his tone are stellar: action movies and broad comedy. I think he gets both the aura of cool and the nature of comedy, possibly because they are secretly connected (I’m of the opinion that cool is inherently ridiculous). And I think knowing that in real life he is by all accounts “the best”, is just icing on the cake, a cake we finally all understand to be amazing.
What is an actor without humility? AN ACTOR STILL! BUT I cannot deny, he was TRANSCENDANT in that picture in which he was sad!
I met him once. The nicest man. He kept spices in his pocket. Without asking, he gave them to me and disappeared into the night. I’ll never forget the chili I made with it. It wasn’t it’s heat that brought tears to my eyes, it was his love.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Technically no, but check this out. Keanu appeared on the Tracy Ullman Show where the Simpsons debuted as a series of shorts. The very same night his episode aired the Simpsons Christmas Special, the very first Simpsons episode, aired. Coincidence of Keanu magic?
ACTING!
AS
Bell Pepper
48 Points, 2 Lists, #9 Kirin
Iconic Roles: Neo (The Matrix), John Wick (John Wick, Ted “Theodore” Logan (Bill & Ted series), Stereo Teen (Letting Go)
Keanu started his career relatively young and gaining success playing teens (in his 20s) in hit films like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Parenthood. He eventually moved onto more adult roles. While he did do some more dramatic roles (many of which were lambasted), it was in the field of action where Keanu found success. Much like Bruce Willis in the first Die Hard, he wasn’t the musclebound hero of the decade before but was lean and tough and a bit human. Though Point Break and Speed were hits, his Matrix work pushed him further into even greater stardom. Reeves toyed with directing and documentaries and other areas of film while continuing his acting career but gained a HUGE resurgence with the surprising popularity of the film John Wick, which re-established him not only as a star, but both a commercial and critical favourite.
We really don’t deserve Keanu. I’ve heard sometimes the question of “why do some talented actors just stay away and weaker actors stick around” and often that’s because sometimes the “talent” are assholes no one wants to work with and the “weaker” ones are good to work with, are giving a try, are doing everything they can while still being cool. I think Keanu was perceived as this but I think he was misunderstood. He was a bit of a punchline for a while thanks to some serious miscasting (Keanu doesn’t belong in a period piece). I think now we finally get there are roles that aren’t for him and that’s OK because the roles that fit within his tone are stellar: action movies and broad comedy. I think he gets both the aura of cool and the nature of comedy, possibly because they are secretly connected (I’m of the opinion that cool is inherently ridiculous). And I think knowing that in real life he is by all accounts “the best”, is just icing on the cake, a cake we finally all understand to be amazing.
What is an actor without humility? AN ACTOR STILL! BUT I cannot deny, he was TRANSCENDANT in that picture in which he was sad!
I met him once. The nicest man. He kept spices in his pocket. Without asking, he gave them to me and disappeared into the night. I’ll never forget the chili I made with it. It wasn’t it’s heat that brought tears to my eyes, it was his love.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Technically no, but check this out. Keanu appeared on the Tracy Ullman Show where the Simpsons debuted as a series of shorts. The very same night his episode aired the Simpsons Christmas Special, the very first Simpsons episode, aired. Coincidence of Keanu magic?
ACTING!
Yeah, this, all this exactly, is what landed Keanu so high on my list. And I haven't even seen the Wick movies!
Keanu is the only person in the world who gets to be Keanu Reeves all the time.
Not only that; he’s the only person who is paid to be Keanu Reeves.
Not only that; he’s the only person who is paid to be Keanu Reeves.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
43. Jennifer Lawrence
AS
Orange taking a shower
48 Points, 2 Lists, #1 Olli
Iconic Roles: Katniss Everdean (The Hunger Games), Ree Dolly (Winter’s Bone), Rosalyn Rosenfield (American Hustle), Baby Mystique (Jim Henson’s X-Babies)
Lawrence, a performer in church plays and school musicals, was discovered in New York while on a family vacation at age 14. A year or two later she went from TV guest spots to regular in the Bill Engvall Show and a year after it ended, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her work in Winter’s Bone at age 20. From then on, Lawrence shot to superstardom, earning her first Oscar for the feel good romance Silver Linings Playbook and prominence in two huge film franchises; as the lead in The Hunger Games and as a young antiheroic Mystique in the X-Men prequel/quasi-reboot series. She went onto other acclaimed work such as American Hustle, Joy and the divisive Mother!
Lawrence is the youngest actor on the list and when she hit, she hit hard and fast. She does get a lot of comment on her “beauty” (certainly within her own Wikipedia page) and they aren’t wrong but I feel like it is a distraction from the fact that she’s a powerhouse who challenges herself, intentionally picking roles unlike her real life and trying to work away from her experience. She earned her way into becoming the second most powerful actress in Hollywood after Angelina Jolie Even when her films aren’t the best, she tends bring a lot of strength and personality to her characters.
I truly believed she was HUNGRY!
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Neither
ACTING!
AS
Orange taking a shower
48 Points, 2 Lists, #1 Olli
Iconic Roles: Katniss Everdean (The Hunger Games), Ree Dolly (Winter’s Bone), Rosalyn Rosenfield (American Hustle), Baby Mystique (Jim Henson’s X-Babies)
Lawrence, a performer in church plays and school musicals, was discovered in New York while on a family vacation at age 14. A year or two later she went from TV guest spots to regular in the Bill Engvall Show and a year after it ended, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her work in Winter’s Bone at age 20. From then on, Lawrence shot to superstardom, earning her first Oscar for the feel good romance Silver Linings Playbook and prominence in two huge film franchises; as the lead in The Hunger Games and as a young antiheroic Mystique in the X-Men prequel/quasi-reboot series. She went onto other acclaimed work such as American Hustle, Joy and the divisive Mother!
Lawrence is the youngest actor on the list and when she hit, she hit hard and fast. She does get a lot of comment on her “beauty” (certainly within her own Wikipedia page) and they aren’t wrong but I feel like it is a distraction from the fact that she’s a powerhouse who challenges herself, intentionally picking roles unlike her real life and trying to work away from her experience. She earned her way into becoming the second most powerful actress in Hollywood after Angelina Jolie Even when her films aren’t the best, she tends bring a lot of strength and personality to her characters.
I truly believed she was HUNGRY!
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Neither
ACTING!
Last edited:
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
42. Donald Glover
AS
The Soursop Wanderer
49 Points, 2 Lists, #9 Beta Metroid
Iconic Roles: Troy Barnes (Community), Lando Calrissian (Solo: A Star Wars Story), “Earn” Marks (Atlanta), A Reference to Make Nerds Feel Superior For Understanding the Loaded Casting (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Donald Glover began his career as a comedy writer, attracting the attention of Tina Fey for the writing room of 30 Rock. Eventually he moved to the Youtube team Derrick Comedy, which eventually made the cult hit film Mystery Team, before moving on to his breakout role as former high school football star Troy Barnes on the sitcom Community. After deciding to leave the series for personal and professional reasons (namely a desire for more creative freedom and opportunities), he went onto a career as rapper Childish Gambino. He continued to act and in 2015 debuted Atlanta, a television series starring, written by and directed by Glover, playing a manager in the Atlanta rap scene. After thunderous acclaim for his albums Awaken My Love and his impactful music video for “This is America”, he starred as major characters such as Lando Calrissian and Simba and released the short film Guava Island.
Glover is one of those creative forces who seems completely determined to forge his own path. There’s no question he could have remained successful as a writer or a comedic actor but he goes so much further. It’s not just that he’s charismatic (he is) or that he’s smart and industrious (he is), the guy seems to know exactly what he wants to do and does it. A lot of actors transitioning into music becomes just playing around but he proved to be one of music’s vital creators. He show ran his own critically acclaimed series. And the thing is, he compared his new Atlanta series to being on par with the Sopranos on his best. For most people, I’d be like “uh-huh” but with Glover, only a fool wouldn’t trust him.
I true talent but not having as many guava as you’d hope.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: No but he was voted “Most Likely to Write For the Simpsons” in his high school year book and started his writing career with a spec script. Also, I still wish they made the Deadpool cartoon he wrote.
ACTING!
AS
The Soursop Wanderer
49 Points, 2 Lists, #9 Beta Metroid
Iconic Roles: Troy Barnes (Community), Lando Calrissian (Solo: A Star Wars Story), “Earn” Marks (Atlanta), A Reference to Make Nerds Feel Superior For Understanding the Loaded Casting (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Donald Glover began his career as a comedy writer, attracting the attention of Tina Fey for the writing room of 30 Rock. Eventually he moved to the Youtube team Derrick Comedy, which eventually made the cult hit film Mystery Team, before moving on to his breakout role as former high school football star Troy Barnes on the sitcom Community. After deciding to leave the series for personal and professional reasons (namely a desire for more creative freedom and opportunities), he went onto a career as rapper Childish Gambino. He continued to act and in 2015 debuted Atlanta, a television series starring, written by and directed by Glover, playing a manager in the Atlanta rap scene. After thunderous acclaim for his albums Awaken My Love and his impactful music video for “This is America”, he starred as major characters such as Lando Calrissian and Simba and released the short film Guava Island.
Glover is one of those creative forces who seems completely determined to forge his own path. There’s no question he could have remained successful as a writer or a comedic actor but he goes so much further. It’s not just that he’s charismatic (he is) or that he’s smart and industrious (he is), the guy seems to know exactly what he wants to do and does it. A lot of actors transitioning into music becomes just playing around but he proved to be one of music’s vital creators. He show ran his own critically acclaimed series. And the thing is, he compared his new Atlanta series to being on par with the Sopranos on his best. For most people, I’d be like “uh-huh” but with Glover, only a fool wouldn’t trust him.
I true talent but not having as many guava as you’d hope.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: No but he was voted “Most Likely to Write For the Simpsons” in his high school year book and started his writing career with a spec script. Also, I still wish they made the Deadpool cartoon he wrote.
ACTING!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
41. Philip Seymour Hoffman
AS
Mr. Fig, the pharmacist
50 Points, 2 lists, #7 Adrenaline
Iconic Roles: Truman Capote (Capote), Lancaster Dodd (The Master), Father Brendan Flynn (Doubt), The Count but not the one from Sesame Street (The Boat that Rocked)
Philip Seymour Hoffman caught some good notices in his first major film role as a spoiled student in Scent of a Woman but it was in the late 90s when he started working with noted and rising auteurs when he began getting really successful. Granted, the silly popcorn film Twister was a major boost to his recognizability to the public but his appearances in Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski and Happiness got him huge respect in the film community. Roger Ebert called him one of the best new character actors and his rode it into a respectable career playing a variety of characters. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Hoffman also gained a number of notices for his work in the theatre, which he continued for the rest of his life. After years of acclaim, he began getting awards for his portrayal of Truman Capote in the film Capote. In 2012, long time collaborator Paul Thomas Anderson game him the title role in the film The Master, about a manipulative cult leader who finds himself accepting a troubled a dangerous war vet into his movement. Phillip Seymour Hoffman of a drug overdose in 2014, the end of a long struggle with drug addiction
If I had to think of a word that comes to mind with Hoffman’s character, it’s chaffing. Obviously drama is from conflict but I feel like his characters are often chaffing against something bigger, sometimes dealt with in anger, sometimes in trying to slow down and tackle it intellectually, sometimes just accepting. He’s also been described as emotionally raw and vulnerable but while he can do soft, often that wasn’t the case. He often appeared as a character either expressing some anger and frustration or trying to hide a darker edge under faux friendliness but I feel through a number of very different roles, a lot of them had this through line. Sadly, while is sounds like Hoffman was sweet and humble in real life, perhaps that chaffing sense reflected his real life, as it sounded like the work did take an emotional toll for him. In his words "The job isn't difficult. Doing it well is difficult." But he thought it was worth doing and though he accepted roles in big budget movies, he was often willing to get a smaller paycheck for a more rewarding job.
PSH understood what acting MEANS. EXCEPT THE JOB IS DIFFICULT! WHEN YOU WORK WITH ME!
Good man. He let me carpool with him. Though it was mostly me sneaking into his trunk and hoping we were heading to the same studio. Sometimes, it paid off.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Nope.
ACTING!
AS
Mr. Fig, the pharmacist
50 Points, 2 lists, #7 Adrenaline
Iconic Roles: Truman Capote (Capote), Lancaster Dodd (The Master), Father Brendan Flynn (Doubt), The Count but not the one from Sesame Street (The Boat that Rocked)
Philip Seymour Hoffman caught some good notices in his first major film role as a spoiled student in Scent of a Woman but it was in the late 90s when he started working with noted and rising auteurs when he began getting really successful. Granted, the silly popcorn film Twister was a major boost to his recognizability to the public but his appearances in Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski and Happiness got him huge respect in the film community. Roger Ebert called him one of the best new character actors and his rode it into a respectable career playing a variety of characters. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Hoffman also gained a number of notices for his work in the theatre, which he continued for the rest of his life. After years of acclaim, he began getting awards for his portrayal of Truman Capote in the film Capote. In 2012, long time collaborator Paul Thomas Anderson game him the title role in the film The Master, about a manipulative cult leader who finds himself accepting a troubled a dangerous war vet into his movement. Phillip Seymour Hoffman of a drug overdose in 2014, the end of a long struggle with drug addiction
If I had to think of a word that comes to mind with Hoffman’s character, it’s chaffing. Obviously drama is from conflict but I feel like his characters are often chaffing against something bigger, sometimes dealt with in anger, sometimes in trying to slow down and tackle it intellectually, sometimes just accepting. He’s also been described as emotionally raw and vulnerable but while he can do soft, often that wasn’t the case. He often appeared as a character either expressing some anger and frustration or trying to hide a darker edge under faux friendliness but I feel through a number of very different roles, a lot of them had this through line. Sadly, while is sounds like Hoffman was sweet and humble in real life, perhaps that chaffing sense reflected his real life, as it sounded like the work did take an emotional toll for him. In his words "The job isn't difficult. Doing it well is difficult." But he thought it was worth doing and though he accepted roles in big budget movies, he was often willing to get a smaller paycheck for a more rewarding job.
PSH understood what acting MEANS. EXCEPT THE JOB IS DIFFICULT! WHEN YOU WORK WITH ME!
Good man. He let me carpool with him. Though it was mostly me sneaking into his trunk and hoping we were heading to the same studio. Sometimes, it paid off.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Nope.
ACTING!
Last edited:
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Great moments in acting...
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
40. Catherine O’Hara
AS
Miss Apricot
50 Points, 2 Lists, #5 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Moira Rose (Schitt’s Creek), Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice), Mickey Crabbe (A Mighty Wind), Ma Spademinder (Intergalactic Thanksgiving)
Catherine O’Hara began her career with The Second City comedy enterprise in her hometown of Toronto and did a lot of voice acting for animated projects and specials. Eventually in the late 70s, The Second City ended up getting their own series, the acclaimed sketch series SCTV, responsible for some of the biggest comedy stars of the 80s, for which O’Hara starred in and wrote for. She ended up playing important supporting roles in big comedies such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone. From then she regularly worked both in live action and animation including playing the romantic interest in the cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas and even doing some directing for The Outer Limits and Dream On. She would become a frequent contributor to the films of Christopher Guest, who would make mockumentaries where the actors where asked to improvise their roles. In 2015, she appeared in the acclaimed comedy Schitt’s Creek as the eccentric soap opera actress Moira Rose, arguably her most memorable character.
I’ll admit, while I’ve heard nothing but good thing about Schitt’s Creek, I haven’t checked it out yet. I hear O’Hara is amazing but for me, I remember her as a childhood fixture and her appearances in SCTV. But the role that I really love her from is A Mighty Wind. The Guest comedies are great and a lot of comedy comes from the human failings of the characters but her subplot with Levy, while certainly funny was so unabashedly sentimental and sweet and touching in a way you don’t expect and it owes a lot to these characters who we know are in very different places in their lives and can’t come together again but are finding a passion once lost as their big musical number comes. O’Hara is hilarious and sweet. It’s a shame that she never became quite as big as John Candy or Rick Moranis, but it’s great that people are discovering how amazing she is now and that she’s got a pretty great career under her belt.
Moira is the only actress I see as a MENTOR! I love her lifelong work as the character of Catherine O’Hara.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Sadly no.
ACTING!
AS
Miss Apricot
50 Points, 2 Lists, #5 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Moira Rose (Schitt’s Creek), Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice), Mickey Crabbe (A Mighty Wind), Ma Spademinder (Intergalactic Thanksgiving)
Catherine O’Hara began her career with The Second City comedy enterprise in her hometown of Toronto and did a lot of voice acting for animated projects and specials. Eventually in the late 70s, The Second City ended up getting their own series, the acclaimed sketch series SCTV, responsible for some of the biggest comedy stars of the 80s, for which O’Hara starred in and wrote for. She ended up playing important supporting roles in big comedies such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone. From then she regularly worked both in live action and animation including playing the romantic interest in the cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas and even doing some directing for The Outer Limits and Dream On. She would become a frequent contributor to the films of Christopher Guest, who would make mockumentaries where the actors where asked to improvise their roles. In 2015, she appeared in the acclaimed comedy Schitt’s Creek as the eccentric soap opera actress Moira Rose, arguably her most memorable character.
I’ll admit, while I’ve heard nothing but good thing about Schitt’s Creek, I haven’t checked it out yet. I hear O’Hara is amazing but for me, I remember her as a childhood fixture and her appearances in SCTV. But the role that I really love her from is A Mighty Wind. The Guest comedies are great and a lot of comedy comes from the human failings of the characters but her subplot with Levy, while certainly funny was so unabashedly sentimental and sweet and touching in a way you don’t expect and it owes a lot to these characters who we know are in very different places in their lives and can’t come together again but are finding a passion once lost as their big musical number comes. O’Hara is hilarious and sweet. It’s a shame that she never became quite as big as John Candy or Rick Moranis, but it’s great that people are discovering how amazing she is now and that she’s got a pretty great career under her belt.
Moira is the only actress I see as a MENTOR! I love her lifelong work as the character of Catherine O’Hara.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Sadly no.
ACTING!
Catherine O’Hara is one of those people I only recently realized was in everything I ever loved through the 80s and 90s.
And also is the best part of Schitts Creek, which I have only barely watched
And also is the best part of Schitts Creek, which I have only barely watched
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
The Day-O scene from Beetlejuice is still just one of the most out there choices for a possession scene in a movie and she absolutely sold it.
I did not realize she was in Nightmare Before Christmas despite watching that a billion times.
I should probably give both of these a rewatch, it's been at least 20 years for each one, maybe even 30.
I did not realize she was in Nightmare Before Christmas despite watching that a billion times.
I should probably give both of these a rewatch, it's been at least 20 years for each one, maybe even 30.
I'll join the chorus saying that Schitt's Creek is great. Katie and I took a long break after the first season, but we eventually came back because of everyone saying it's great, and they were right. It's all gold starting from Season 2. Catherine O'Hara is incredible.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
39. Billy West
AS
The Papa Monster
51 Points, 2 Lists, #5 JBear
Iconic Roles: Fry (Futurama), Doug Funniee (Doug), Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy), Red (M & M’s: The Lost Formula video game/commercial)
Billy West began his career on radio, doing comedy bits on The Big Mattress in Boston before moving onto the Howard Stern Show. Eventually he left for LA, where he went into animation voice acting, eventually landing two major roles in the early Nickolodeon Nicktoons line up: Stimpy of Ren and Stimpy (later also voicing Ren after the exit of creator/actor/creep John K.) and Doug Funnie of Doug. While he worked consistently through the 90s, it was 1999 when he hit his biggest role, Fry in Matt Greoning’s follow up to the cultural sensation The Simpsons, Futurama. West tried out nearly for every character and ended up voicing many major characters, including a few intended for other actors. Though West would be a fixture of American animation, Futurama would be the series he would most connected with. He was also the voice of notable advertising mascots, including the Honey Nuts Cheerios Bee and the Red M & M. You know, until they de-sexualized him, the prudes.
CW: Jokes about domestic abuse.
Billy West has had quite a career. Stimpy and Doug were memorable characters in shows that were extremely different and, at the time, were far more idiosyncratic than anything else airing; one feeding off old-school cartoon anarchy and the other being a gentler coming-of-age comedy, both of which he nailed. But Futurama was the show that, though an ensemble, seemed particularly like a showcase for West not only in the large breadth of characters and beyond that, many of them were allowed to have levels and pathos, even in a show that was often as broad as Futurama. West described Fry as himself in his mid-20s and I feel like they are the characters he has the strongest emotional attachment to and it certainly extends it to his audience, a wonderful marriage of writing and actor. Of course, the other notable thing is because he voices so many characters, he will even have long conversations with himself and while one might be able to hear this is the same man, the differences in the acting are fantastic.
AS
The Papa Monster
51 Points, 2 Lists, #5 JBear
Iconic Roles: Fry (Futurama), Doug Funniee (Doug), Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy), Red (M & M’s: The Lost Formula video game/commercial)
Billy West began his career on radio, doing comedy bits on The Big Mattress in Boston before moving onto the Howard Stern Show. Eventually he left for LA, where he went into animation voice acting, eventually landing two major roles in the early Nickolodeon Nicktoons line up: Stimpy of Ren and Stimpy (later also voicing Ren after the exit of creator/actor/creep John K.) and Doug Funnie of Doug. While he worked consistently through the 90s, it was 1999 when he hit his biggest role, Fry in Matt Greoning’s follow up to the cultural sensation The Simpsons, Futurama. West tried out nearly for every character and ended up voicing many major characters, including a few intended for other actors. Though West would be a fixture of American animation, Futurama would be the series he would most connected with. He was also the voice of notable advertising mascots, including the Honey Nuts Cheerios Bee and the Red M & M. You know, until they de-sexualized him, the prudes.
CW: Jokes about domestic abuse.
Billy West has had quite a career. Stimpy and Doug were memorable characters in shows that were extremely different and, at the time, were far more idiosyncratic than anything else airing; one feeding off old-school cartoon anarchy and the other being a gentler coming-of-age comedy, both of which he nailed. But Futurama was the show that, though an ensemble, seemed particularly like a showcase for West not only in the large breadth of characters and beyond that, many of them were allowed to have levels and pathos, even in a show that was often as broad as Futurama. West described Fry as himself in his mid-20s and I feel like they are the characters he has the strongest emotional attachment to and it certainly extends it to his audience, a wonderful marriage of writing and actor. Of course, the other notable thing is because he voices so many characters, he will even have long conversations with himself and while one might be able to hear this is the same man, the differences in the acting are fantastic.
West has to have an in with Mars or General Mills, right?
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Yes, in the Simpsons/Futurama crossover episode. Also most of the original cast did appear on Futurama in an episode about Star Trek.
ACTING!
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so far i think ps hoffman is the only one from my list to show up but cool list so far. I wanted to add more voice acting but im wholly unschooled in that field so i whiffed. Billy West is worthy though.
norman mailer's foray into filmmaking was never a success, but tough guys don't dance is actually a pretty intriguing movie. It's really just that it's almost inhuman in how bizarre the performances and dialog is, but it's confident enough in it that it feels like extreme imagination more than inadequate filmmaking. Add in isabella rosellini hot off of blue velvet and a badalamenti score and it is actually lynchian.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
38. Brie Larson
AS
Miss Lemon
51 Points, 2 Lists, #4 WildcatJF
Iconic Roles: Joy Newsome (Room), Grace (Short Term 12), “Envy” Adams (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), Captain Marvel (that)
Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers at age 6 was the youngest student of the American Conservatory Theatre and after her parents divorced a year later, her mother moved to LA so her children could fulfill their acting ambitions. Changing her name to the easier to pronounce Larson, and began a career as a child actor taking minor acting roles in television. After a role as Bob Saget’s daughter in the sitcom Raising Dad, a series of opportunities falling through lead her taking on a role in music, leading to some notable success, before returning to acting in the family film Hoot. She worked continually but it was in 2010 when she started to make a bigger impact in critically acclaimed comedies Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Greenberg and in 2014 starred in Short Term 12, her first leading role. Then she starred in the drama Room, for which she won an Academy Award and was the first lead in a Marvel Studios movie (sorry, Elektra, you don’t count) as Captain Marvel.
OK, so I feel like this is unfortunately the person I have the least experience with on the list. I already feel a bit awkward talking up some of these when I can only base them on a handful of roles I’ve seen but I get the impression that the two I am familiar with, Envy Adams and Captain Marvel, are much more arch than her more overtly acclaimed work. But I will say, I do like her arch stuff.
She was AMAZING as Tommy Wisseau!
I’ll be honest, I’m just hoping she can get me an in with Marvel so I can play the Champion of the Universe.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: No.
ACTING!
AS
Miss Lemon
51 Points, 2 Lists, #4 WildcatJF
Iconic Roles: Joy Newsome (Room), Grace (Short Term 12), “Envy” Adams (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), Captain Marvel (that)
Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers at age 6 was the youngest student of the American Conservatory Theatre and after her parents divorced a year later, her mother moved to LA so her children could fulfill their acting ambitions. Changing her name to the easier to pronounce Larson, and began a career as a child actor taking minor acting roles in television. After a role as Bob Saget’s daughter in the sitcom Raising Dad, a series of opportunities falling through lead her taking on a role in music, leading to some notable success, before returning to acting in the family film Hoot. She worked continually but it was in 2010 when she started to make a bigger impact in critically acclaimed comedies Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Greenberg and in 2014 starred in Short Term 12, her first leading role. Then she starred in the drama Room, for which she won an Academy Award and was the first lead in a Marvel Studios movie (sorry, Elektra, you don’t count) as Captain Marvel.
OK, so I feel like this is unfortunately the person I have the least experience with on the list. I already feel a bit awkward talking up some of these when I can only base them on a handful of roles I’ve seen but I get the impression that the two I am familiar with, Envy Adams and Captain Marvel, are much more arch than her more overtly acclaimed work. But I will say, I do like her arch stuff.
She was AMAZING as Tommy Wisseau!
I’ll be honest, I’m just hoping she can get me an in with Marvel so I can play the Champion of the Universe.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: No.
ACTING!
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Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
37. Bob Odenkirk
AS
The Garlic Wanderer
52 Points, 2 Lists, #4 JBear
Iconic Roles: Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill (Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul), Hutch Mansell (Nobody), Ben Bagdikian (The Post), Animal Groupie #4 (Dr. Doolittle 2)
Bob Odenkirk started writing comedy in college, eventually becoming a writer on Saturday Night Live while also doing a live comedy show with Conan O’Brien and Robert Smigel. Eventually he left SNL to focus on performing and became a performer and writer for The Ben Stiller show, including his iconic “Manson Lassie” sketch. Eventually, he and David Cross created Mr. Show (interestingly, the duo didn’t want the show to be a duo-focused show but acquiesced to HBO’s request), which launched the careers of some of the most influential comedic actors of the next two decades. He would go on to direct three films (one a small critical success, the others critical and commercial flops), regularly work in smaller roles on film and television and produce comedy television series and find up and discover upcoming talent (Tim & Eric, The Birthday Boys). In 2009, he landed his most iconic role as the amoral criminal lawyer/”criminal” lawyer Saul Goodman in the crime drama Breaking Bad. The character often brought comic relief and was popular enough to land his own prequel series Better Call Saul, a more dramatic turn for the character detailing his journey from morally flexible lawyer to criminal. Most recently, Bob used his popularity to transition to action in the John Wick-esque hit action film Nobody.
Choosing a clip from Better Call Saul was SOOOO hard. Some spoilers here if you haven't seen season 4.
It’s funny here that Jimmy mentions not suffering fools because I feel that way when I hear Bob talk. Not to say he’s impatient or even curt but he just takes comedy and his craft seriously and he wants to work with people who can also bring it. He’s definitely a comedian who does well heightened but there’s a real matter of fact Earthiness. He strikes me as a man of work ethic and I feel like that shows that he can do broad wackos and more subdued comedic characters (he certainly got to do both in Mr. Show, which was often wacky but also featured some Christopher Guest-like pieces). But I think with Saul Goodman, he showed why so many comedic actors transition so well to drama, with a rich understanding of a characters emotional state. He and the writers managed to take one of the broadest characters of Breaking Bad and make him on of the most complex protagonists on TV (in a show full of them! Rhea Seehorn was almost on my list and the fact that she still hasn’t gotten an Emmy nod is a fucking crime). I think Bob also sees the sadness in his pathetic characters and knows how to use it (often the saddest part is when they don’t realize how sad they are, out of ignorance or denial).
AS
The Garlic Wanderer
52 Points, 2 Lists, #4 JBear
Iconic Roles: Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill (Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul), Hutch Mansell (Nobody), Ben Bagdikian (The Post), Animal Groupie #4 (Dr. Doolittle 2)
Bob Odenkirk started writing comedy in college, eventually becoming a writer on Saturday Night Live while also doing a live comedy show with Conan O’Brien and Robert Smigel. Eventually he left SNL to focus on performing and became a performer and writer for The Ben Stiller show, including his iconic “Manson Lassie” sketch. Eventually, he and David Cross created Mr. Show (interestingly, the duo didn’t want the show to be a duo-focused show but acquiesced to HBO’s request), which launched the careers of some of the most influential comedic actors of the next two decades. He would go on to direct three films (one a small critical success, the others critical and commercial flops), regularly work in smaller roles on film and television and produce comedy television series and find up and discover upcoming talent (Tim & Eric, The Birthday Boys). In 2009, he landed his most iconic role as the amoral criminal lawyer/”criminal” lawyer Saul Goodman in the crime drama Breaking Bad. The character often brought comic relief and was popular enough to land his own prequel series Better Call Saul, a more dramatic turn for the character detailing his journey from morally flexible lawyer to criminal. Most recently, Bob used his popularity to transition to action in the John Wick-esque hit action film Nobody.
Choosing a clip from Better Call Saul was SOOOO hard. Some spoilers here if you haven't seen season 4.
It’s funny here that Jimmy mentions not suffering fools because I feel that way when I hear Bob talk. Not to say he’s impatient or even curt but he just takes comedy and his craft seriously and he wants to work with people who can also bring it. He’s definitely a comedian who does well heightened but there’s a real matter of fact Earthiness. He strikes me as a man of work ethic and I feel like that shows that he can do broad wackos and more subdued comedic characters (he certainly got to do both in Mr. Show, which was often wacky but also featured some Christopher Guest-like pieces). But I think with Saul Goodman, he showed why so many comedic actors transition so well to drama, with a rich understanding of a characters emotional state. He and the writers managed to take one of the broadest characters of Breaking Bad and make him on of the most complex protagonists on TV (in a show full of them! Rhea Seehorn was almost on my list and the fact that she still hasn’t gotten an Emmy nod is a fucking crime). I think Bob also sees the sadness in his pathetic characters and knows how to use it (often the saddest part is when they don’t realize how sad they are, out of ignorance or denial).
I met him on the set of Saturday Night Live, when they would film me doing what I would do on any set.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: He played an unnamed mob lawyer in the Simpsons episode “The Fat Blue Line”.
ACTING!
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Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
36. Stephen Root
AS
Bar Keep
52 Points, 2 Lists, #3 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Milton Waddams (Office Space), Jimmy James (Newsradio), Bill Dauterive/Buck Strickland (King of the Hill), Chode (Tripping the Rift… I feel like I was praying for a leading role for Root, only for it to be answered by a monkey’s paw)
Making his acting debut in 1986, Stephen Root began as a stage actor before having smaller roles in movies like Monkey Shines. His big breakthrough was in the sitcom Newsradio which, despite unleashing the evil of Joe Rogan on the world, was very good and featured Root as an eccentric billionaire who finds comradery among the radio station he owns (pretty much the same character as Alec Baldwin in Newsradio but a decade prior). He also became one of the main cast members of the long running animated comedy King of the Hill and Root later found an iconic status in the cult/DVD hit film Office Space as sadsack employee Milton, both created by Mike Judge. Root also became a recurring actor for the Coen Brothers and frequently had smaller roles on television and film and in animation. Most recently, was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in Barry.
I’m rarely happier than if I realize Root is in something. Yeah, of course he’s going to appear in a show. He always does. But if he pops up, I’m still going to point like a toddler and go “oh, oh”! Because he’s always a delight to see. His characters often work in two major modes; a unique form of pathetic buffoon or completely ingratiating (this can either be sincere or sinister). But in animation, he’s much more of a chameleon, playing supervillains, superheroes, Santa Claus, and an insane gingerbread man. He’s never not around but there’s something about the man that when he’s around, it’s like the world is a better place, even when playing terrifying villains, which he does from time to time.
Six degrees of Stephen Root is probably both harder to play but gets you everywhere quicker.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Oh, yes. VERY recently, he played a jerky golfer Bart caddied for in an episode called “Wad Goals” and appeared as Klingon Captain K’Vada in the two part The Next Generation episode “Unification”.
ACTING!
AS
Bar Keep
52 Points, 2 Lists, #3 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Milton Waddams (Office Space), Jimmy James (Newsradio), Bill Dauterive/Buck Strickland (King of the Hill), Chode (Tripping the Rift… I feel like I was praying for a leading role for Root, only for it to be answered by a monkey’s paw)
Making his acting debut in 1986, Stephen Root began as a stage actor before having smaller roles in movies like Monkey Shines. His big breakthrough was in the sitcom Newsradio which, despite unleashing the evil of Joe Rogan on the world, was very good and featured Root as an eccentric billionaire who finds comradery among the radio station he owns (pretty much the same character as Alec Baldwin in Newsradio but a decade prior). He also became one of the main cast members of the long running animated comedy King of the Hill and Root later found an iconic status in the cult/DVD hit film Office Space as sadsack employee Milton, both created by Mike Judge. Root also became a recurring actor for the Coen Brothers and frequently had smaller roles on television and film and in animation. Most recently, was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in Barry.
I’m rarely happier than if I realize Root is in something. Yeah, of course he’s going to appear in a show. He always does. But if he pops up, I’m still going to point like a toddler and go “oh, oh”! Because he’s always a delight to see. His characters often work in two major modes; a unique form of pathetic buffoon or completely ingratiating (this can either be sincere or sinister). But in animation, he’s much more of a chameleon, playing supervillains, superheroes, Santa Claus, and an insane gingerbread man. He’s never not around but there’s something about the man that when he’s around, it’s like the world is a better place, even when playing terrifying villains, which he does from time to time.
Six degrees of Stephen Root is probably both harder to play but gets you everywhere quicker.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Oh, yes. VERY recently, he played a jerky golfer Bart caddied for in an episode called “Wad Goals” and appeared as Klingon Captain K’Vada in the two part The Next Generation episode “Unification”.
ACTING!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
35. Phil Hartman
AS
General Cantaloupe
52 Points, 2 Lists, #1 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Lionel Hutz/Troy McClure (the Simpsons), Bill McNeil (Newsradio), Bill Clinton (Saturday Night Live), Hugh McAttack (McDonald’s commercial)
Phil Hartman was a graphic designer who wanted a social outlet for his creativity and ended up taking comedy classes with the Groundlings. Hartman eventually paid his way into the group by redesigning the group’s logo and merchandise and met Paul Reubins and the two collaborated on a stage show which would become The Pee-Wee Herman Show. Hartman was a writer for many of the Pee-Wee Herman projects and even appeared on the children’s show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse as Captain Carl. Eventually, Hartman joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, acting in many memorable roles including the Anal Retentive Chef and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. He left the show in 1994 after his closest collaborators had left and felt out of place among popular but less sophisticated performers like Adam Sandler. However, by then he had already gained an iconic gig voicing many characters on The Simpsons, most notably the recurring fan favourite characters terrible lawyer Lionel Hutz and Hollywood ham Troy McClure. Not long after SNL, he began starring in Newsradio as self-obsessed veteran reporter Bill McNeil. He began getting more screen attention in family friendly comedies such as Houseguest, Sgt. Bilko and Small Soldiers. In May of 1998, Hartman was murdered by his wife, who later killed herself hours later.
I remember hearing about the death of Phil Hartman and it was easily the first celebrity death that gutted me. I was a huge fan of his at age 16, particular finding his Simpsons characters just amazing and it hurt to realize those characters were going to be gone and that the man who consistently made me laugh through much of my childhood and teen years was gone. The funny thing is, the more I look into him, the more talented his was. He drew some iconic record covers and was a screen writer as well. He excelled at the inherent buffoonishness of people in some form of authority. Not necessarily conventional authority like the police or presidents (though he did do those), but more the idea that people of a certain status or “expertise” can try to have an aura of trust with the target, only to reveal their own weaknesses and impotence. Bill McNeil and Troy McClure were fun odes to showbiz phoniness and Lionel Hutz and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer’s “professionalism” barely hid a corrupt mind. Yet the man’s genuine decency shone through his “phoniness”, something sweet and genuine that makes the comedy work.
Sorry. I need some time to myself.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Lots of Simpsons. Yet still not enough.
ACTING!
AS
General Cantaloupe
52 Points, 2 Lists, #1 Octopus Prime
Iconic Roles: Lionel Hutz/Troy McClure (the Simpsons), Bill McNeil (Newsradio), Bill Clinton (Saturday Night Live), Hugh McAttack (McDonald’s commercial)
Phil Hartman was a graphic designer who wanted a social outlet for his creativity and ended up taking comedy classes with the Groundlings. Hartman eventually paid his way into the group by redesigning the group’s logo and merchandise and met Paul Reubins and the two collaborated on a stage show which would become The Pee-Wee Herman Show. Hartman was a writer for many of the Pee-Wee Herman projects and even appeared on the children’s show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse as Captain Carl. Eventually, Hartman joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, acting in many memorable roles including the Anal Retentive Chef and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. He left the show in 1994 after his closest collaborators had left and felt out of place among popular but less sophisticated performers like Adam Sandler. However, by then he had already gained an iconic gig voicing many characters on The Simpsons, most notably the recurring fan favourite characters terrible lawyer Lionel Hutz and Hollywood ham Troy McClure. Not long after SNL, he began starring in Newsradio as self-obsessed veteran reporter Bill McNeil. He began getting more screen attention in family friendly comedies such as Houseguest, Sgt. Bilko and Small Soldiers. In May of 1998, Hartman was murdered by his wife, who later killed herself hours later.
I remember hearing about the death of Phil Hartman and it was easily the first celebrity death that gutted me. I was a huge fan of his at age 16, particular finding his Simpsons characters just amazing and it hurt to realize those characters were going to be gone and that the man who consistently made me laugh through much of my childhood and teen years was gone. The funny thing is, the more I look into him, the more talented his was. He drew some iconic record covers and was a screen writer as well. He excelled at the inherent buffoonishness of people in some form of authority. Not necessarily conventional authority like the police or presidents (though he did do those), but more the idea that people of a certain status or “expertise” can try to have an aura of trust with the target, only to reveal their own weaknesses and impotence. Bill McNeil and Troy McClure were fun odes to showbiz phoniness and Lionel Hutz and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer’s “professionalism” barely hid a corrupt mind. Yet the man’s genuine decency shone through his “phoniness”, something sweet and genuine that makes the comedy work.
Sorry. I need some time to myself.
Simpsons or Star Trek?: Lots of Simpsons. Yet still not enough.
ACTING!
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really wouldn't have thought to put either if i'm being honest. hartman is nothing if not iconic as far as his simpsons roles go, but that's really all i know him for. root is great in everything he's done and there's really little i love more than a great character actor. Don't need him to be the lead, he'll steal every scene he's in anyway
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
And they work great together.