Reply With QuoteNot quite Hollywood, but I read an interview with Peter Bowles about how he could never land a role when he was younger as he was more suited to playing older characters. Might not be be too late for Berenger.
A films just started on the telly with Tom Berrenger in it.
Got me thinking although he is well known, he's never quite made it as the leading man.
Who else can we add to this list?
Not quite Hollywood, but I read an interview with Peter Bowles about how he could never land a role when he was younger as he was more suited to playing older characters. Might not be be too late for Berenger.
Sam Elliot and James Brolin never had their careers take off and they both had the looks and abilities. More so Sam.
Rip Torn was probably the king of supporting actors.
Add Philip Seymour Hoffman to that list.Originally Posted by hogthrob
Christopher Walken and Steve Buscemi both have an extensive filmography but few lead roles.
Jude Law came to mind, I don't think much with him in the lead has ever done well with box office or critics.
Tom Berenger was pretty big for a while in the late 80's/early 90's - particularly in his Platoon/Major League/Born of the 4th of July period - he was certainly verging on A-list.
Hollywood is very fickle though - he then had a bit of a run of mediocre performing films, and was then relegated to supporting and character roles. He's normally pretty good in all he does, he's just not a big enough name to carry a major film.
As has been said, there are quite a lot of these guys who "nearly" became massive, by just didn't get the right roles in the right movies, and so missed their window. A lot of them end up on TV.
Don Cheadle.
He was also in the Sniper series of films. First one was good but the tailed off rapidly in the others
Harvey Keitel springs to mind.
'Someone to watch over me' was his only big film as the lead with the then Mrs Cruise, Mimi Rodgers.
Dolph Lundgren.
liev schreiber Is another one who seems a fine actor but can't see to get the lead role
Bill Paxton is another.
Ray Donovan?
TV not film, many "supporting" screen actors seem to have moved into lead TV roles over the last few years.
My Ma thought Tom Berenger was the bees knees haha.
rutger hauer never quite lived up to his potential, especially after such a good start (blade runner!!)
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Ron Jeremy
The peerless Robert Duvall.
Which was actually a TV movie . Although I'm pretty sure Ridley Scott directed it.
He was a very big name in the Netherlands before he moved over to Hollywood though. He still does pretty well , rarely out of work I would say.
Very serious actor , saw some interviews of him on late night variety shows and he is dull as ditchwater.
However he's regarded as borderline crazy. ( watch Bad Lieutenant)
If you want a laugh google up the story of why he was replaced on Eyes Wide Shut.
Not exactly set the world on fire though which is what this thread is about.
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Very serious actor , saw some interviews of him on late night variety shows and he is dull as ditchwater.
However he's regarded as borderline crazy. ( watch Bad Lieutenant)
Yep not many leading film roles but lots of supporting roles most notably Traffic, Swordfish, Oceans (trilogy) 11/12/13, Iron Man & Avengers (took over the role from Terrence Howard).
He had a lead role (2012-16) in the TV show House of Lies which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Last edited by classics; 18th June 2016 at 22:36.
Very true
I once read someone say that if they were making a film about Harvey Keitel... Robert de Nero would play him
James Mason felt he was always second choice - his roles first having been offered to someone else - Eric Portman, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Montgomery Clift, even Noel Coward (offered Lolita)
Ed Harris never seemed to make the grade.
Also the fella that played Baby's dad in Dirty Dancing. He always pops up in films but I've no idea who he is.
John Cazale
James Rebhorn
It always amuses me when I recall that he used to be a court stenographer.
He was the lead actor on Ulysses' gaze. In my youth it was a rite of passage to watch that movie if you wanted to call yourself a film buff. Highly NOT recommend.
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Will do. Cheers.
That's quite an honour, I can see why.
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