Favorite Early Role By A Well-Known Actor?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 11:32pm

You know, when you're watching a movie from 20-30 years ago and see an actor who is well-known today but pops up in that film when they were first starting out.

I'd have to say Jeff Goldblum as Tricycle Man in NASHVILLE. Hilarious character.
Updated On: 8/2/07 at 11:32 PM

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:13am

Phillip Seymour Hoffman as one of the only good things about PATCH ADAMS.

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:14am

I loved Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 1:26am

Jack Nicholson in Little Shop of Horrors

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 11:04am

Chris Sarandon in "Dog day Afternoon"

everyone in "the outsiders"

Viggo MOrtensen in "Crimson tide"

Updated On: 8/3/07 at 11:04 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 11:09am

Dennis Quaid in Breaking Away.

Edit: If we're counting TV, George Clooney on Facts of Life.

Updated On: 8/3/07 at 11:09 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 11:54am

I respectfully take issue with "Well-Known."

It's as though one would try to imply that any certain performer is somehow validated or placed above other performers simply for the fact that they have been exploited by popular media (mostly for being white and attractive -- unless they're a man, in which case they only have to be white).

What really defines "Well-Known," and what about it makes it a desirable category to be placed in? Does it have to do with climbing the Hollywood ladder by sleeping with the right people, marrying a man 25 years your senior and as a result being given an opportunity at "stardom" and popular awards recognition, having your personal life plastered all over trashy magazines and somehow as a result being envied by the mainstream public who are made to feel mediocre by the glamour of your exploitation?

(Just a thought. Didn't intend to threadjack. And please do not take this as an attack on you, Cruel, or anyone else in this thread. The title just got me thinking.)

[RobbO]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 11:59am

brad pitt as the cowboy hitchhiker in "thelma & louise". oh to be a hairdryer.

[fabala4077]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:01pm

I loved Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace." That was before superstardom turned him into a one-character actor who was mostly boring to watch.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:10pm

Christopher Walken in ANNIE HALL
Naomi Watts in MULHOLLAND DRIVE

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:17pm

Sandy Suncan playing the Miller's Wife in the musical THE CANTERBURY TALES.

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:18pm

Marilyn in All About Eve

That was before superstardom turned him into a one-character actor who was mostly boring to watch.

Thank you! Besides the fact that he's hot, he is really over-rated and uninteresting to me in most of his movies.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:24pm

Sorry, folks, but I don't think that ARSENIC AND OLD LACE can be considered an early role of Cary Grant's. He'd already appeared in over 40 movies by time he made it, and what might be his best performance ever (in NOTORIOUS) was still to come.

[Dark_Angel]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 12:25pm

Margot Kidder in Sisters

[Weez]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 1:32pm

John Cusack in STAND BY ME. It's not exactly the biggest role, but it certainly caught my eye and turned me into a massive fan for most of the '90s.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 1:56pm

Not a movie, but my favorite would be Alec Baldwin as Joshua Rush, on Knots Landing. It remains my favorite thing he's ever done.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 2:33pm

John Malkovich in Dangerous Liasons

Jack Nicholson in The Witches of Eastwick and As Good As It Gets.

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 2:51pm

Susan Sarandon in Rocky Horror!

Updated On: 8/3/07 at 02:51 PM

[Ivan the Wonderful]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 2:53pm

Marcia Cross on Melrose Place.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:04pm

"John Malkovich in Dangerous Liasons

Jack Nicholson in The Witches of Eastwick and As Good As It Gets."

These are early roles? Malkovich had starred and costarred in a dozen films by 1988, and already had an oscar nomination.

By 1987, when WOE came out, Nicholson had been in the business since the late 50s! He already had two oscars by then...

[DG]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:16pm

I thought of Viggo, as well, but it was WITNESS that crossed my mind. When he came up the hill as the young Amish farmer to help with the barn-raising, I could NOT take my eyes off of him.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:20pm

"John Malkovich in Dangerous Liasons

Jack Nicholson in The Witches of Eastwick and As Good As It Gets."

WTF? Or how about Katherine Hepburn in On Golden Pond?

My vote would be Joan Cusack in Broadcast News. Her short scene nearly stole the entire film.

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:24pm

I'll do you one better, Matt.

Joan Cusack in SIXTEEN CANDLES as the girl with the headgear.

I could go even further back to MY BODYGUARD, but that performance defines the phrase "awkward phase."

Updated On: 8/3/07 at 03:24 PM

[DG]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:27pm

I would say Joan in SIXTEEN CANDLES, as well - she cracked me up - but then, that whole movie cracks me up.

Speaking of which - Michael Schoeffling - standing by the Porsche - *sigh*

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/3/07 at 3:32pm

Johnny Depp- Platoon.