Every day is someone's birthday (actors).

A thread for actors. Starting from 00 🙂

bluenomad2 said:A thread for actors. Starting from 00 🙂

Who on earth is actually going to wait until then! 🙂 😁

Today we’re honoring two pretty famous faces.
Robert Donat. To be honest, I don't know the first thing about him...


Then there's Edward Everett Horton. I honestly love seeing him pop up in any movie... the second he appears on screen, the whole film just jumps up a notch in my estimation. He was in >, if I recall correctly, which I think is his most iconic role. It seems like he was always cast in these lighthearted comedies, though I couldn't tell you if he ever tackled a heavy drama... and I've never actually seen him carry a film as the lead.


We're also celebrating these two guys who have spent their careers mostly in the shadows, despite being well-known names. They haven't had many leading roles...
Peter Graves


Brad Douriff

Brad Douriff is my favorite of the four. First saw him in an X-Files episode, Beyond the Sea, playing some kind of prophet. Incredible performance. Later found out he’s actually the doll Chucky. A gem. 🙂

He just has a knack for those twisted roles. Still, I think he's best known as Billy from Let. He had a standout part in Deadwood, too.

Horton is my favorite in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's a movie people either love or hate. Personally, I love it. 😁

bluenomad2 said:Brad Douriff is my favorite of the four. First saw him in an X-Files episode, Beyond the Sea, playing some kind of prophet. Incredible performance. Later found out he’s actually the doll Chucky. A gem. 🙂

He just has a knack for those twisted roles. Still, I think he's best known as Billy from Let. He had a standout part in Deadwood, too.

Horton is my favorite in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's a movie people either love or hate. Personally, I love it. 😁

As a kid, I used to have absolute nightmares because of that voice... 😲

I honestly think most people today probably recognize Douriff best from his role in LOTR. Though, if you’re a fan of one of the greatest shows ever, Deadwood, you definitely know him from there too. He also had a pretty standout part in Mississippi Burning.

I’ve always had this random itch to see him and Crispin Glover team up for some weird, trippy movie. Edit: okay, I just did a quick Google search to see if my brain was playing tricks on me—and yep, that movie actually exists! It's called The Wizard of Gore.

Just Die Hard?

Not really. Honestly, looking at the landscape today, there aren't many acclaimed actresses left. That's why I'm posting about an incredible actress tomorrow. And frankly, I’d prefer if we didn't have types like Zac Efron or Nina Dobrev popping up here—talentless actors don't belong in this conversation. I intended this thread for truly great actors, the kind we can all recognize and actually have an opinion on.

I know threads like this attract people who would just throw in names like Dakota Fanning or Channing Tatum. This is primarily for actual cinephiles who don't mind watching something old and value quality regardless of the era. There isn't much for various Ninas or Zacs to find here.

I just stumbled upon a fascinating bit of trivia... it turns out Peter Graves was actually the younger brother of that legendary cowboy icon James Arness, the man who headlined what remains the longest-running western series in television history, Gunsmoke. They were both part of the same family tree...

bluenomad2 said:Brad Douriff is my favorite of the four. First saw him in an X-Files episode, Beyond the Sea, playing some kind of prophet. Incredible performance. Later found out he’s actually the doll Chucky. A gem. 🙂

He just has a knack for those twisted roles. Still, I think he's best known as Billy from Let. He had a standout part in Deadwood, too.

Horton is my favorite in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's a movie people either love or hate. Personally, I love it. 😁

Mr. Dourif actually has his own dedicated thread on this forum, which I believe I started myself. He really is a phenomenal actor, and isn't it interesting that his daughter, Fiona Douriff, is an actress as well? She appeared in the film Curse of Chucky and also had a part in the series Gentlemen from the Holistic Agency.

Happy birthday to Bruce Willis, Glenn Close, Ursula Andress, and Patrick McGoohan 🎉





Bruce Willis was one of my favorites growing up. I grew up on his Die Hard, along with Sly and Arnold Schwarzenegger—the only real action stars back then. Later, specifically in the 90s, he tried some more serious roles; he wasn't bad at it, even with that constant half-smile 😁 I actually enjoyed seeing him on screen. The Sixth Sense, the trashy Armageddon, and of course, The Fifth Element. As for recent stuff, nothing stands out, maybe Looper or RED. They aren't masterpieces, but they're fun enough, especially RED.

Glenn Close is easily the most talented actress on this list. She has a powerful, charismatic presence that never quite hit mainstream superstardom. She wasn't your typical Hollywood beauty, but she dominated every scene. For me, her best work is in Dangerous Liaisons. Most people probably remember her from Fatal Attraction 😁 playing against Douglas (who was the ultimate leading man back then). The Big Chill, Reversal of Fortune, The Natural, Paradise Road... all solid films and performances. She may not be a massive celebrity, but I honestly don't see any young actress today who can touch her.

Regarding TV, she was excellent in The Shield as the boss to Vic and his strike team. And then there’s Damages. That’s the role the younger crowd will definitely recognize her for.

Ursula Andress isn't known so much for acting as she is for being the first Bond girl. By definition, that makes her an icon. I saw her in Red Sun, a decent action Western, though honestly, I watched that more for Toshiro Mifune, Charles Bronson, and Alain Delon 🙏

And Patrick McGoohan. What can you say? One of the most important British actors of the last fifty years. Many might not have heard of him, but The Prisoner is one of the most significant series ever made, and it directly influenced Twin Peaks. He has interesting roles in Scanners and Braveheart. I haven't seen many of his movies, but I've watched all his series. Highly recommended if you haven't seen them.

Joshua Kern said:Mr. Dourif actually has his own dedicated thread on this forum, which I believe I started myself. He really is a phenomenal actor, and isn't it interesting that his daughter, Fiona Douriff, is an actress as well? She appeared in the film Curse of Chucky and also had a part in the series Gentlemen from the Holistic Agency.

Wait, she's Bart!? 😲 I had absolutely no clue she was his daughter—she is seriously phenomenal in that role.

What can I even say about Bruce Willis? Aside from those legendary action flicks, he’s actually pulled off some really solid dramatic performances—think Pulp Fiction, Unbreakable, The Sixth Sense, Moonrise Kingdom... but honestly, if you ask me, he’s at his absolute best in 12 Monkeys. No contest. That scene in the car where he hears the music for the first time and gets that look in his eyes? Just breathtaking. Terry Gilliam really squeezed the absolute best out of him.

It’s such a bummer that lately he seems to be in like twelve movies a year, and most of them are just straight-to-video B-movies. His last truly great one was definitely Looper.

Hold up, hold up a second... Red Sun... featuring Alain Delon, Charles Bronson, AND Toshiro Mifune all in one movie!? Okay, I need to go hunt that down immediately.

Patrick McGoohan actually plays the warden at Alcatraz alongside Clint Eastwood—mostly just small roles, though, so he didn't exactly stick in my mind.

bluenomad2 said:Happy birthday to Bruce Willis, Glenn Close, Ursula Andress, and Patrick McGoohan 🎉





Bruce Willis was one of my favorites growing up. I grew up on his Die Hard, along with Sly and Arnold Schwarzenegger—the only real action stars back then. Later, specifically in the 90s, he tried some more serious roles; he wasn't bad at it, even with that constant half-smile 😁 I actually enjoyed seeing him on screen. The Sixth Sense, the trashy Armageddon, and of course, The Fifth Element. As for recent stuff, nothing stands out, maybe Looper or RED. They aren't masterpieces, but they're fun enough, especially RED.

Glenn Close is easily the most talented actress on this list. She has a powerful, charismatic presence that never quite hit mainstream superstardom. She wasn't your typical Hollywood beauty, but she dominated every scene. For me, her best work is in Dangerous Liaisons. Most people probably remember her from Fatal Attraction 😁 playing against Douglas (who was the ultimate leading man back then). The Big Chill, Reversal of Fortune, The Natural, Paradise Road... all solid films and performances. She may not be a massive celebrity, but I honestly don't see any young actress today who can touch her.

Regarding TV, she was excellent in The Shield as the boss to Vic and his strike team. And then there’s Damages. That’s the role the younger crowd will definitely recognize her for.

Ursula Andress isn't known so much for acting as she is for being the first Bond girl. By definition, that makes her an icon. I saw her in Red Sun, a decent action Western, though honestly, I watched that more for Toshiro Mifune, Charles Bronson, and Alain Delon 🙏

And Patrick McGoohan. What can you say? One of the most important British actors of the last fifty years. Many might not have heard of him, but The Prisoner is one of the most significant series ever made, and it directly influenced Twin Peaks. He has interesting roles in Scanners and Braveheart. I haven't seen many of his movies, but I've watched all his series. Highly recommended if you haven't seen them.

I don't have anything profound or groundbreaking to say about these three superstars😁 besides wishing them a happy birthday.

But for Patrick, my mind goes straight to Braveheart and that absolutely menacing Edward who spends his time bullying poor little Scots.



Man, the chills I get from him in that role... that medieval aristocratic arrogance he pulls off is just unmatched.🙂

Please, don't let it slip your mind, BW in the series Moonlighting... five seasons, 66 episodes, and if you weren't completely floored by his charm back then, I honestly don't think you ever will be 😍

Douglas Clark2 said:Please, don't let it slip your mind, BW in the series Moonlighting... five seasons, 66 episodes, and if you weren't completely floored by his charm back then, I honestly don't think you ever will be 😍

BW didn't really have any charm until he started taking down terrorists in skyscrapers...☕

By the way, when he was cast as McClaine, people actually laughed because they only knew him as the guy getting walked all over by Cybill Shepherd, who totally owned every scene, whether it was the dialogue, the acting, or just being more physically present. 😁

It’s basically what happened with Diane Keaton when she landed the role of Batman; fans went ballistic because they only saw her as that comedy actress from Bubimir.😁

bluenomad2 said:It’s basically what happened with Diane Keaton when she landed the role of Batman; fans went ballistic because they only saw her as that comedy actress from Bubimir.😁

People just didn't believe he could pull off a transformation—classic skeptical moviegoers right there.😁

I remember laughing at Bruce (who was just a little kid back then), and I can still feel that exact moment my smirk froze on my face.🙂

Laura Palmer25 said:I don't have anything profound or groundbreaking to say about these three superstars😁 besides wishing them a happy birthday.

But for Patrick, my mind goes straight to Braveheart and that absolutely menacing Edward who spends his time bullying poor little Scots.



Man, the chills I get from him in that role... that medieval aristocratic arrogance he pulls off is just unmatched.🙂

I had no idea he played that part; he’s definitely one of those slick, slippery supporting characters.

Happy Birthday to Holly Hunter, William Hurt, and David Thewlis. 🎉


Holly Hunter was excellent in Piano, Raising Arizona, and Broadcast News. She was always a highly talented actress, though her screen time felt far too brief.

I thought William Hurt died last year. 🤦 He was also in Broadcast News alongside Holly. He was excellent in Kiss of the Spider Woman, the film that earned him an Oscar. But for me, his best role is definitely in Body Heat. 😁 Kathleen Turner has that rare, magnetic chemistry. She shared the screen with Glenn Close in The Big Chill. Altered States remains one of those underrated 80s horror gems—it’s excellent. Lately, she’s been solid as General Ross in the Marvel films. Never overhyped by marketing, but her filmography is genuinely strong.

The younger crowd will probably only know David Thewlis as Professor Lupin from Harry Potter, but he’s actually here because of his performance in the incredible film Naked. That’s where he really showed what he can do. He also lends his voice to that wonderful animated film Anomalies. Most of the other roles I've seen him in have been supporting, but now he's set to appear in the third season of Fargo.