Hoffman -- he's played everything. Lenny Bruce, Willie Loman, Rain Man, mild-mannered types (The Graduate, Kramer vs. Kramer, Outbreak) gangsters (Billy Bathgate, American BUffalo) corporate sleazeballs, kids' movie characters, the cross-dressing guy in Tootsie, you name it.
Hanks is up there too of course, but he just hit his Renaissance -- Hoffman's been at it non-stop for over thrity years.
I'd add de Niro for his willingness to do pretty much anything for a role, although he plays the same basic guy in just about every movie -- but the things he did for Raging Bull and Taxi Driver were pretty out there even if they weren't definitively versatile.
Phaedrus
Hanks is up there too of course, but he just hit his Renaissance -- Hoffman's been at it non-stop for over thrity years.
I'd add de Niro for his willingness to do pretty much anything for a role, although he plays the same basic guy in just about every movie -- but the things he did for Raging Bull and Taxi Driver were pretty out there even if they weren't definitively versatile.
Phaedrus
I nominate Robert Duvall.
He was Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, consiglieri in The Godfather, and in absolute scene-stealing performance as Captain Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. Not to mention Tender Mercies, (can't think of the movie where he was the preacher), and a bunch of others. He can go from completely charismatic to docile and meek and IMO, is always believable.
Other three guys that have to be right up there are Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Morgan freeman.
Be curious to know what the Judge thinks - he's the one here with the acting background.
He was Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, consiglieri in The Godfather, and in absolute scene-stealing performance as Captain Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. Not to mention Tender Mercies, (can't think of the movie where he was the preacher), and a bunch of others. He can go from completely charismatic to docile and meek and IMO, is always believable.
Other three guys that have to be right up there are Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Morgan freeman.
Be curious to know what the Judge thinks - he's the one here with the acting background.
mr tanaka and phaed,
de niro has played MANY different characters. remember the movie with robin williams about the people in coma's? that was excellent acting.
how about casino, goodfellas, this boys life?
man, there is just too many different character types to list. de niro has done it all. and done it all well.
that being said, i have to also agree with phaed about hoffman. he has done it all as well.
i liked the character he played in a movie called hero. pretty dumb movie but his acting was impressive.
de niro has played MANY different characters. remember the movie with robin williams about the people in coma's? that was excellent acting.
how about casino, goodfellas, this boys life?
man, there is just too many different character types to list. de niro has done it all. and done it all well.
that being said, i have to also agree with phaed about hoffman. he has done it all as well.
i liked the character he played in a movie called hero. pretty dumb movie but his acting was impressive.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RPM:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Railbird:
BTW, I am an expert in drama, I took it for 5 years in Community College.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
lmao. i thought community colleges were only 2 year programs?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Unless you go for that community college PhD
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Railbird:
BTW, I am an expert in drama, I took it for 5 years in Community College.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
lmao. i thought community colleges were only 2 year programs?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Unless you go for that community college PhD
Tom Cruise played an astronaut?
I must have missed that one. What is the name of that flick?
You got to give it up for Tom Hanks, I mean how many guys started out as a cross-dressing comedian (bosum buddies) and went on to win multiple Oscars? Point in fact, who was his co-star in that show?
Another great actor has got to be Al Pacino. Scar face, Godfather, Devil's advocate.
I must have missed that one. What is the name of that flick?
You got to give it up for Tom Hanks, I mean how many guys started out as a cross-dressing comedian (bosum buddies) and went on to win multiple Oscars? Point in fact, who was his co-star in that show?
Another great actor has got to be Al Pacino. Scar face, Godfather, Devil's advocate.
Jman-
I agree with you. Before I even opened the thread I thought of Hanks.
I can't speak for other generations but this guy has this generation nailed and I really don't think it is close..cmon....here's a bit of his work off the top of my head...
Catch me if you can
Forrest Gump
Big
Bosom Buddies
Splash
Philadelphia
Cast Away
Band of Brothers
You've Got Mail
Saving Private Ryan
the movie with the dog...something Hooch (sucked but shows a bit of his talent)
His resume screams versatility.
Deniro is awesome but he plays the same/similar role frequently.
Cruise overacts but if I was making a movie for profit not art you better believe I would call him FIRST...the guy is $$$$$$$.
Two to watch in the coming decade - Brad Pitt and Edward Norton...both solid actors.
I agree with you. Before I even opened the thread I thought of Hanks.
I can't speak for other generations but this guy has this generation nailed and I really don't think it is close..cmon....here's a bit of his work off the top of my head...
Catch me if you can
Forrest Gump
Big
Bosom Buddies
Splash
Philadelphia
Cast Away
Band of Brothers
You've Got Mail
Saving Private Ryan
the movie with the dog...something Hooch (sucked but shows a bit of his talent)
His resume screams versatility.
Deniro is awesome but he plays the same/similar role frequently.
Cruise overacts but if I was making a movie for profit not art you better believe I would call him FIRST...the guy is $$$$$$$.
Two to watch in the coming decade - Brad Pitt and Edward Norton...both solid actors.
