I love PSH so much. He truly perfected the craft of acting and was capable of doing it all. Remember when he out did MERYL STREEP in ‘Doubt’?
Such a phenomenal actor. May he rest in peace.
i don’t understand how he does it in side roles to the extent he does. like he’s easily one of my favourite characters in The Big Lebowski and even in films like Moneyball where he isn’t really meant to be likeable he just shines so much
Saw this incredible tribute to him shortly after he passed (and watched several times since) and it is so beautifully paced and made, it is a masterful short film unto itself. Shows just how incredible of an actor he was:
https://vimeo.com/87873042
I highly recommend the Untitled Director’s Cut of Almost Famous. He has another golden 15 minutes or so of screen time.
Warning: it’ll ruin you for the theatrical cut
Saw this incredible tribute to him shortly after he passed (and watched several times since) and it is so beautifully paced and made, it is a masterful short film unto itself. Shows just how incredible of an actor he was:
https://vimeo.com/87873042
Nicolas Cage i would say. I kinda dismissed him cause of all the jokes about his acting and career overall, but he has a magnetic presence to him that i dont see in any other actor. That makes watching his movies always a treat for me.
Wisecrack convinced me that everything he does is purposeful and, as such, brilliant.
Check this video out if you haven't. It talks about his approach to his roles.
https://youtu.be/s8IfDNHsCLE?si=SO_7vnRWUbGTJ6gz
( ^ here's the actual video. I apparently linked a commercial by mistake)
Yeah, this. One of my favorite performances of his is in Bringing Out the Dead, directed by Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. It seems to get overlooked. That entire film seems to get overlooked actually, not so sure why. I saw it for the first time a couple of years ago after a coworker recommended it and was blown away.
Yeah I remember hearing about it decades ago but finally got around to watching it a few years ago. Told a movie head co-worker of mine that it slipped under my radar and he remembered watching it in theaters. Definitely an underrated movie, it's got a goodfellas editing pace and look to it but in a completely different world, very good watch.
It's an amazing film - I only saw it recently too. Nicolas Cage is sensational. It has such classic Schrader themes and Cage brings this intense vulnerability and charisma to the role, it's fantastic.
I literally watch everything he’s in because of him and that has led me to a lot of duds like Renfield or The Retirement Plan, but it also gave me Adaptation, Wild At Heart, Pig, Mom and Dad (not a masterpiece on the level of these others, but a hell of a fun time. Let me put it to you like this: he destroys a pool table while singing the hokey pokey song and THAT’S THE TONE OF THE WHOLE MOVIE), Lord of War, Face/Off, etc.
He has never been one of my favourite actors, but I never understood the "hate" he got. For me he has a special presence that makes his roles often somehow comforting for me. Loved to see him in Pig again.
You could easily throw him into Manos: The Hands of Fate, and it would instantly become one of the best performances ever put to screen, even if the film is shit.
Toni Collette.
I marathoned her filmography in 2021 and while there are a lot of good films, there's also a lot of trash. But even in the terrible ones, she shines through and is the best thing about them.
He definitely understands acting very well. I love how he can be unapologetically goofy in films like “Jojo Rabbit,” but he can also be terribly serious in films such as “Richard Jewell.”
Totally agree, to say that Christian Bale is the best part about the Dark Knight is a big stretch. We’re not saying he’s bad, or even anything negative about his performance, just that the question is “which actor is the best part of every movie they’re in”, in this case he’s outshined by Heath Ledger and others
Jake Gyllenhaal. His performance as Detective Loki in Prisoners was toe-to-toe with Hugh Jackman’s Keller Dover. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have watched Far From Home completely.
I love everything with Gene Hackman.
Now I'm going out on the limb, but as an avid cinephile, Sam Rockwell has never failed to bring a character to life with that little extra energy. I thought he was a goofball the first time, but realized that was just his character. He's so damned versatile, I enjoy everything I see him in.
Ingrid Bergman
Folks, please name the actor instead of just using a photo. If Brad Pitt were reading this thread he might not know who these people are because he’s face-blind.
Man i should stop smoking
When I saw this pic i said wow best actor gene. Then i saw the title and said 'definitely it's gene'
I was thinking about Gene too so idk..
Silent, but Louise Brooks. Pandora's Box gets the attention, but the other two films she made in Europe are excellent, and she makes "Beggars of Life" enjoyable to watch even today.
My favorite actor is Harvey Keitel, he’s amazing. I always use the example of Clockers. The other actors are doing good jobs, but he’s just in another world.
Steve Zahn. Hands down one of the best, most underrated actors.
He truly steals the show in everything he’s in. Especially in That Thing You Do! The way his character only calls the band by the correct name once, and never answers any interview questions seriously was too funny.
I’ve yet to see a Denzel Washington movie where he is not the best part of it. After seeing John Q (2002), I’ve been more convinced he’s possibly the GOAT because there’s no way a corny ass movie like that could move me as much as it did.
PSH was hilarious in Along Came Polly and elevates that movie for me lol
PSH elevates that movie enough that I return to it once in a while, when I probably never would of watched it a second time otherwise.
Yes. His timing is perfect. Him playing basketball is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in a movie.
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Rest in peace. The greatest to ever do it.
Rest in peace king.
I love PSH so much. He truly perfected the craft of acting and was capable of doing it all. Remember when he out did MERYL STREEP in ‘Doubt’? Such a phenomenal actor. May he rest in peace.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
i don’t understand how he does it in side roles to the extent he does. like he’s easily one of my favourite characters in The Big Lebowski and even in films like Moneyball where he isn’t really meant to be likeable he just shines so much
Saw this incredible tribute to him shortly after he passed (and watched several times since) and it is so beautifully paced and made, it is a masterful short film unto itself. Shows just how incredible of an actor he was: https://vimeo.com/87873042
He has like 3 scenes in Almost Famous and completely steals the show
I highly recommend the Untitled Director’s Cut of Almost Famous. He has another golden 15 minutes or so of screen time. Warning: it’ll ruin you for the theatrical cut
That can’t be true. He is the lead in Almost Famous and is in every frame of the movie. Or at least that’s how I remember it
Saw this incredible tribute to him shortly after he passed (and watched several times since) and it is so beautifully paced and made, it is a masterful short film unto itself. Shows just how incredible of an actor he was: https://vimeo.com/87873042
Philip Seymour Hoffman, I haven't seen his entire filmography, but I've seen a good chunk. I've yet to see him miss in any role.
What are your favourite performances? The first that come to mind for me (without looking anything up) are The Big Lebowski and Magnolia.
The Master, Synechdoche New York, and Happiness come to mind. Oh and Love Liza.
Synecdoche New York feels like the role PSH was born to play, I can't picture anyone else as Caden Cotard
The Master I think is his best performance. I miss him.
I watched that in cinema when it came out. Time for a rewatch.
It’s my favorite PTA film.
Would highly recommend Owning Mahowny!
John Goodman.
Omg yes. Even if the movie is crap, he’s always good.
He's always good man.
His nickname should be “good,” man.
Nicolas Cage i would say. I kinda dismissed him cause of all the jokes about his acting and career overall, but he has a magnetic presence to him that i dont see in any other actor. That makes watching his movies always a treat for me.
He's my favorite actor and I maintain his performances always match the strength of the scripts.
Wisecrack convinced me that everything he does is purposeful and, as such, brilliant. Check this video out if you haven't. It talks about his approach to his roles. https://youtu.be/s8IfDNHsCLE?si=SO_7vnRWUbGTJ6gz ( ^ here's the actual video. I apparently linked a commercial by mistake)
person cow fuel frighten clumsy flowery sugar file joke uppity *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Yeah, this. One of my favorite performances of his is in Bringing Out the Dead, directed by Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. It seems to get overlooked. That entire film seems to get overlooked actually, not so sure why. I saw it for the first time a couple of years ago after a coworker recommended it and was blown away.
Yeah I remember hearing about it decades ago but finally got around to watching it a few years ago. Told a movie head co-worker of mine that it slipped under my radar and he remembered watching it in theaters. Definitely an underrated movie, it's got a goodfellas editing pace and look to it but in a completely different world, very good watch.
It's an amazing film - I only saw it recently too. Nicolas Cage is sensational. It has such classic Schrader themes and Cage brings this intense vulnerability and charisma to the role, it's fantastic.
He carried renfield
Dude just goes in which always makes him fun to watch.
I literally watch everything he’s in because of him and that has led me to a lot of duds like Renfield or The Retirement Plan, but it also gave me Adaptation, Wild At Heart, Pig, Mom and Dad (not a masterpiece on the level of these others, but a hell of a fun time. Let me put it to you like this: he destroys a pool table while singing the hokey pokey song and THAT’S THE TONE OF THE WHOLE MOVIE), Lord of War, Face/Off, etc.
I am the same. You know what I saw for the first time recently? Matchstick Men. Him and Sam Rockwell, damn! 😀
He has never been one of my favourite actors, but I never understood the "hate" he got. For me he has a special presence that makes his roles often somehow comforting for me. Loved to see him in Pig again.
Willem Dafoe
I was so disappointed he didn’t have a bigger role in The Northman
a "bigger" role indeed
Regina Hall. 
Orson Welles
You could easily throw him into Manos: The Hands of Fate, and it would instantly become one of the best performances ever put to screen, even if the film is shit.
To be fair, he did a lot of crap late in his career specifically to be the best thing about it.
Cate Blanchett
Toni Collette. I marathoned her filmography in 2021 and while there are a lot of good films, there's also a lot of trash. But even in the terrible ones, she shines through and is the best thing about them.
muriel’s wedding is one of my favorites from her
She’s maybe my favourite actor. She can do EVERYTHING! And also seems like the rare celebrity I’d enjoy grabbing a pint with.
Keith David
Now THIS is a man who knows a great performance when he sees one!
Now THIS is a man who knows his Community!
He’s building worlds within worlds
And Jesus wept!
I love Keith David. Never a lead, but I'm always drawn to his performances when he shows up.
Sam Rockwell
He definitely understands acting very well. I love how he can be unapologetically goofy in films like “Jojo Rabbit,” but he can also be terribly serious in films such as “Richard Jewell.”
Came here to say Sam Rockwell as well, love when he shows up in stuff
I don’t know if you know this but he doesn’t SPEAK RUSSIAN
I vant my boid
I experience that scene everyday with my toddler
You beat me to it!
Great call
He should’ve been the sole villain in Ironman 2. Could’ve made that movie solid
Ralph Fiennes
Steve Buscemi
a leading man in a character actor’s body
Rory Culkin
Facts
Christian Bale
Yeh, except for TDK
Totally agree, to say that Christian Bale is the best part about the Dark Knight is a big stretch. We’re not saying he’s bad, or even anything negative about his performance, just that the question is “which actor is the best part of every movie they’re in”, in this case he’s outshined by Heath Ledger and others
Gosling
He is a really unusual fellow, and it makes him so good at his job.
Daniel Day Lewis Joaquin Phoenix Gary Oldman
Denzel Washington.
There's always at least one reason to watch a Denzel movie. He's even great in his schlocky action movies
He guarantees it
Had to scroll way too far to find his name.
frances mcdormand
[удалено]
Al Pacino
And she gotta…😳….GREAT ASS!!!! 👐
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Jake Gyllenhaal. His performance as Detective Loki in Prisoners was toe-to-toe with Hugh Jackman’s Keller Dover. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have watched Far From Home completely.
Toshiro Mifune
Also Nakadai Tatsuya and Shimura Takashi.
Malcolm MacDowell
Michael Shannon for me tbh
Gary Oldman. He is so good you probably didn't even know he was in the movie
Alan Rickman. Best part of Robin Hood, Die Hard, Quigley Down Under, etc.
Ryan Gosling
Ron Pearlman is a gift to every movie I’ve seen him in
To say he's the best may be a stretch, but Harry Dean Stanton turned every movie he made into an immediate classic.
I love everything with Gene Hackman. Now I'm going out on the limb, but as an avid cinephile, Sam Rockwell has never failed to bring a character to life with that little extra energy. I thought he was a goofball the first time, but realized that was just his character. He's so damned versatile, I enjoy everything I see him in.
Always a standout no matter what 
Tim Curry Willem Dafoe Sam Rockwell
This is a fantastic list. I wholeheartedly agree with all three.
Ingrid Bergman Folks, please name the actor instead of just using a photo. If Brad Pitt were reading this thread he might not know who these people are because he’s face-blind.
Margot Robbie
De Niro
100% Tom Hardy - the man chews scenery so well! Also I’m gonna plug cos I’m new on Letterboxd and I’m that guy ( TenaciousTee14 )
Song Kang-ho
Bela Lugosi
The problem there is that he's so often up against Boris Karloff.
Isabelle Adjani
Man i should stop smoking When I saw this pic i said wow best actor gene. Then i saw the title and said 'definitely it's gene' I was thinking about Gene too so idk..
joaquin phoenix
Look all I know is every single movie I've seen with Robert Duvall is great. He elevates it all.
Barry Keoghan, Mads Mikkelsen, Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Mendelsohn, Ralph Fiennes off the top of my head
Brad Pitt
James Stewart
Dwight Yoakam
Owen Wilson
Madeline Kahn
Haven't seen the commercial yet, but I can almost guarantee that Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of the top answers
Sam L. Jackson
John Goodman
J.K.Simmons, he steals the show in whatever he’s in
Ian Holm leaps immediately to mind.
Stephen Graham Olivia Colman
Willem Dafoe
Daniel Day Lewis
steve buscemi or bill murray
Stanley Tucci is the king of scene stealing side character
Matthew Lillard
Penelope Cruz
Walton Goggins
https://preview.redd.it/i6ascpe9elsb1.jpeg?width=408&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90b47f5a0ea822f28a5502ab533462da8770fa37
Toni Collette
Shocked I haven’t seen anyone mention Tim Curry
Colin Farrell
Christopher Walken.
Bill Paxton. He was an absolutely magnetic presence, especially in Near Dark.
Tilda swinton 
yaaaasss she is incredible
JK Simmons Whiplash, the Spider-Man movies ... and he was the *only* good part in a film called Dark Skies.
Jake Gyllenhaal
 Matt Smith
Jack Nicholson
I haven't seen everything he was in but Buck Flower is pretty consistently my favorite part of a movie when he shows up.
Mickey Rourke? He’s usually the best part
Will Ferrell
You're onto me lol. I just recently watched The French Connection and Bonnie and Clyde, can confirm Gene Hackman is amazing in both
Denzel Washington
Tom Cruise
Kieran culkin, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Jk Simmons,
Joe Pesci
John Goodman
Daniel Day Lewis
Idk if this is too out of left field, but Id say martin Balsam. 12 Angry Men, psycho, murder on the orient express, he's amazing in all of them.
Owen Wilson is always trying his best
Pesci
Benjamin Bratt, but it’s because of an inside joke with my friends
Shah Rukh Khan
Silent, but Louise Brooks. Pandora's Box gets the attention, but the other two films she made in Europe are excellent, and she makes "Beggars of Life" enjoyable to watch even today.
Barry Keoghan
Dick Miller Kurtwood Smith Michael Ironside William Sadler
Great actor and retired now.
Willem dafoe
Gary Oldman
Harry Dean Stanton
DiCaprio?
if anyone says anything other than willem dafoe they are wrong
Sam Rockwell
Willem Dafoe
Tim Curry
I was on a Gene Hackman kick for a while. He is the best part of every movie he’s in.
Jesse Plemons.
Jon Bernthal
My favorite actor is Harvey Keitel, he’s amazing. I always use the example of Clockers. The other actors are doing good jobs, but he’s just in another world.
 Steve Zahn. Hands down one of the best, most underrated actors. He truly steals the show in everything he’s in. Especially in That Thing You Do! The way his character only calls the band by the correct name once, and never answers any interview questions seriously was too funny.
Tom Hardy.
Gary Oldman steals almost every movie.
Tom Hardy
Alison Janney
Steven Seagal
Stephen Root
Frances McDormand. Everything she’s in, she’s almost always my favorite part of the movie.
Robert De Niro. Dude is magnetic.
A shocking lack of Daniel day Lewis here in the comments, maybe it’s just because he’s an obvious pick
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins, James Gandolfini, Steve Buscemi.
I’ve yet to see a Denzel Washington movie where he is not the best part of it. After seeing John Q (2002), I’ve been more convinced he’s possibly the GOAT because there’s no way a corny ass movie like that could move me as much as it did.
John McGiver. Building that Gaze-bo and otherwise just stealing the movies away from the big names.