Supporting Actors

So, what defines a "movie star"? It’s one of those things that really depends on who you ask... but my personal picks aren't going to be found on any lists of the wealthiest, most successful, or most famous names out there. Honestly, most people in the industry are hard to pin down by their actual names—you mostly just recognize their faces—but they show up in projects that absolutely shake up the cinematic world (for better or worse), and more often than not, they end up being the only redeeming quality of the whole damn movie. For me, these character actors are usually the reason I even bother sitting through a film... because I know that no matter how shallow or messy the material is, their performance is always going to be top-tier. So, putting aside all those massive, overhyped, pampered, gorgeous, and untouchable A-listers... I want to know who your favorites are. Who are the guys that make you actually stick around even when some hated "lead" is driving the show?
My personal shortlist...




Liev Schreiber
Gary Sinise
William Fichtner
Tom Sizemore
David Morse
Bill Paxton
Krunoslav Šarić
Michael Wincott

...though I could probably keep this list going forever. This is just a tiny sampling of actors who have credits in movies I wouldn't even give a second glance if they weren't in them...

I’d personally go with that trio—Tom Sizemore, David Morse, and Bill Paxton... though I can probably think of a few other names if I tried harder.

But man, I still remember those days when you'd see those three popping up in every other movie, usually playing one of those supporting roles that actually made the film interesting.

Anthony Smith3 said:I’d personally go with that trio—Tom Sizemore, David Morse, and Bill Paxton... though I can probably think of a few other names if I tried harder.

But man, I still remember those days when you'd see those three popping up in every other movie, usually playing one of those supporting roles that actually made the film interesting.

It’s probably only been a month or two since I went on a bit of a war movie binge, and honestly, Sizemore’s got quite the Hat Trick going with Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, and Falling Black Hawk. He even crossed paths with William Fichtner in both Pearl Harbor and Falling Black Hawk—neither were lead roles, obviously, but they really stood out from all the pretty-boy actors making up the main cast. It’s a shame Krunoslav Šarić hasn't landed any massive, standout roles lately... he was easily one of the most charismatic guys in American cinema.

Michael Wincott has an incredible voice.
He was really great in Alien and The Crow.🙏 He just has this perfect presence for those darker roles.

It’s gotta be Tom Sizemore and David Morse for me. Every single time. And honestly, I see Barry Pepper popping up all the time too. He’s got this knack for picking those supporting roles—you know, the ones that aren't necessarily the lead, but they absolutely nail the performance and make the movie work. Just look at his track record: *The Green Mile*, *Saving Private Ryan*, *25th Hour*, *Enemy of the State*, *We Were Soldiers*... the guy is everywhere!

Yeah... Barry Pepper... and there was a time when Michael Rapaport was constantly popping up in big movies in supporting roles too...

David Morse is my pick. He’s always got that soulful, melancholy look about him, doesn't he? But man, is he a talented actor.

Danny Trejo🙂

briskhound2 said:So, what defines a "movie star"? It’s one of those things that really depends on who you ask... but my personal picks aren't going to be found on any lists of the wealthiest, most successful, or most famous names out there. Honestly, most people in the industry are hard to pin down by their actual names—you mostly just recognize their faces—but they show up in projects that absolutely shake up the cinematic world (for better or worse), and more often than not, they end up being the only redeeming quality of the whole damn movie. For me, these character actors are usually the reason I even bother sitting through a film... because I know that no matter how shallow or messy the material is, their performance is always going to be top-tier. So, putting aside all those massive, overhyped, pampered, gorgeous, and untouchable A-listers... I want to know who your favorites are. Who are the guys that make you actually stick around even when some hated "lead" is driving the show?
My personal shortlist...




Liev Schreiber
Gary Sinise
William Fichtner
Tom Sizemore
David Morse
Bill Paxton
Krunoslav Šarić
Michael Wincott

...though I could probably keep this list going forever. This is just a tiny sampling of actors who have credits in movies I wouldn't even give a second glance if they weren't in them...

They all hold up, especially Bill Paxton, David Morse, and William Fichtner.

We should also mention John Turturro; the man has practically earned a PhD in delivering phenomenal supporting performances.

ruggedridge22 said:They all hold up, especially Bill Paxton, David Morse, and William Fichtner.

We should also mention John Turturro; the man has practically earned a PhD in delivering phenomenal supporting performances.

I had to 😁

Steve Buscemi

John Cazale 🙏

James Cromwell

-L.A. Confidential, -Eraser, -Babe(1, 2), -Deep Impact, -Romeo is Bleeding, -Pink Cadillac, -The People v.... Larry Flynt, -Robot, -The General's Daughter, -W, -Spider-Man 3, -Surrogates, -The Sum of All Fears, -The Longest Yard, -The Queen, -The Green Mile, -Salem's Lot, -Space Cowboys

Dennis Doyle3 said:

James Cromwell

-L.A. Confidential, -Eraser, -Babe(1, 2), -Deep Impact, -Romeo is Bleeding, -Pink Cadillac, -The People v.... Larry Flynt, -Robot, -The General's Daughter, -W, -Spider-Man 3, -Surrogates, -The Sum of All Fears, -The Longest Yard, -The Queen, -The Green Mile, -Salem's Lot, -Space Cowboys

As the inventor of the Warp drive, Zefram Cochrane... man, that's just l-e-g-e-n-d-a-r-y 🙏

Ernest Borgnine.

briskscout13 said:Ernest Borgnine.

He isn't some side character... he’s a total legend. Honestly, I'm sick of seeing his face everywhere just because he's always the lead actor. 😍
That guy is still going strong; he’s pushing 90 now, yet he carries himself and looks like he's only in his 70s.

Whenever someone in my family sees David Morse on screen, they immediately associate him with his role in Dr. House. I’ll mention he's in a movie, and my Grandmother will just roll her eyes and say, "Oh, you mean that guy Dr. House shoved a thermometer up his butt and left him like that?" 🤣

I find it rather curious that no one has mentioned him yet :

William Lee34 said:I find it rather curious that no one has mentioned him yet :

Yeah, he was great! It’s hard to keep track of all the supporting cast, but honestly, some of those character actors end up being way more interesting and better than the leads.

Bob Gunton:


He totally blew me away playing that corrupt warden in >. After that, he was solid in smaller roles in flicks like >, >, >, >, >, and >...

Philip Baker Hall


The guy had tons of supporting roles in all sorts of movies—stuff like >, >, >, >, >, >, >, >, >, >, and >...

David Strathairn


Most people know him from his lead role in >, but he was great in >, >, and > too. Personally? My favorite was him playing that intense, violent father/husband in >.

Tom Wilkinson


He was really good in >, >, >, >, and >...

John Hurt is actually one of my favorites ☕

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