Most underrated actors in Hollywood...

[gut]

Might as well make a flip side to the other thread. Most people on this list will probably fit the stereotype of the "character actor", AKA "the guys/women who do not possess enough sex appeal for the 16-35 age crowd and thus will never be the lead in a studio project." For those types, the first two that pop into my head would be Stephen Root and Stephen Rea.

For people who are regularly highly billed actors, I would go with Ralph Fiennes. He had prominent roles in two of my 10 favorite movies of the last decade (the Constant Gardener and In Bruges) while playing almost polar opposite characters between the two.

[BCR]

When I think underrated, I think character actors for the most part. A few of those who I respect are:

David Morse



James Cromwell





There are obviously better, and more famous character actors like Harvey Keitel, Malkovich, Turturro, Giamatti, but pretty much everyone knows those guys are great in the right role.

[SrslySirius]

James Cromwell

I'm always getting this guy mixed up with Rene Auberjonois, as they look quite similar and both have ties to Star Trek.

[Baron Von Strucker]

Kurt Russel

Helen Mirren

[Anal_Hershiser]

When I think underrated, I think character actors for the most part. A few of those who I respect are:

David Morse



James Cromwell





There are obviously better, and more famous character actors like Harvey Keitel, Malkovich, Turturro, Giamatti, but pretty much everyone knows those guys are great in the right role.

David Morse was the first person that popped into my head when I read the title of the thread. I'd add Michael Biehn and Tim Roth. Roth's character in Rob Roy is one of the greatest characters of all time.

[Mad Dad]

Christian Bale



Honourable mention to Bubbles from TPB

[4Dragons]

Dunno if he's that underrated, but I would have liked to see him work more than I have.


Joseph Turkel

[DRK Star]

Mandy Patinkin

[Dan Druff]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is underrated mostly because he hates fame and therefore tries to play down his acting accomplishments.

Most times actors say they hate fame, they are full of shit, but Levitt is telling the truth. I knew him and his brother about 20 years ago, and even then, he hated when people call him a "star". He also runs some music website where he plays down who he actually is, and takes on the alias "RegularJoe", which is very telling of what he sometimes wishes he was.

[Rollo Tomasi]

Gary Oldman

[vegas1369]

I think he gets the credit he is due, but I just want to say I am seriously impressed with Paul Giamatti. Just got done not too long ago watching John Adams. THAT is some damn fine acting. He was outstanding in Sideways, but John Adams is on a whole other level of acting ability that not too many people could pull off. If only he hadn't done Lady In the Water his resume' would be pretty much flawless. Seriously, WTF was he thinking doing that abomination.

An actor who I think is underrated would be Stephen Dillane. He has been mostly a TV actor, at least of late, who was also in John Adams and now plays Stannis Baratheon on Game of Thrones. Why this guy has not gotten major movie roles is a mystery to me. Dude has got game...

[4Dragons]

Mandy Patinkin

[lewfather]

Bruce Campbell

[SrslySirius]

I think most of you are posting under-appreciated actors rather than underrated ones. There is a subtle difference.

[tony bagadonuts]

Mandy Patinkin

Bizarre, I tried to post Mandy Patinkin at exactly the same time but it didn't go through and I left for our early Thanksgiving dinner. I'm watching him now on Homeland and he is and always has been rock solid.

[John Stamos]

Has been in my top 5 for many years now but doesn't immediately jump out to the average person as a top actor.

[nightmarefish]

[4Dragons]

Has been in my top 5 for many years now but doesn't immediately jump out to the average person as a top actor.

[SrslySirius]

[lewfather]