Animals were harmed in these films
A character actor who scooped an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1951), Karl Malden later became known to television audiences as Lt. Mike Stone in 'The Streets of San Francisco' (1972–1977).
Twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor—for 'Shampoo' (1975),and 'Heaven Can Wait' (1978)– Jack Warden began his film career in 1951.
Martin Balsam enjoyed a prolific career in character roles in film, in theater, and on television. One of his best-known roles was as Juror #1 in '12 Angry Men' (1957).
During a career that began in 1949 with the film 'Battleground,' James Whitmore appeared in numerous movies and television shows. He was twice nominated for Academy Awards, for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Lloyd Bridges, father of actors Jeff and Beau, appeared in more than 150 feature films and several television shows. He's fondly remembered for his comedic turn in 'Airplane!' (1980).
Known for his offbeat, sometimes sinister roles, Steve Buscemi has turned character acting into a fine art, as demonstrated in movies such as 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992) and 'Fargo' (1996).
Essentially a thespian of the stage, English actor Michael Hordern was nonetheless a familiar face on cinema screens throughout the 1950s and 1960s, often playing eccentric or military type characters. In later years, he narrated episodes of the children's animation series 'Paddington,' based on the 'Paddington Bear' children's book series.
Possessed of a face like weathered granite, and a crooked nose to match, it's no surprise Jack Palance was known for playing tough guys and villains. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in 'City Slickers' (1991).
Robert Morley was frequently cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment and recognized by his "ungainly bulk, bushy eyebrows, thick lips and double chin, ... particularly effective when cast as a pompous windbag," as noted by one film critic. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1939 for his performance in 'Marie Antoinette.'
Hungarian-American actor Peter Lorre portrayed all sorts of creepy and unsavory characters in his 35-year film career, and became a featured player in many Hollywood crime and mystery films.
Lee J. Cobb was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for 'The Brothers Karamazov' (1958) and 'On the Waterfront' (1954). His gruff authoritarian persona won him several roles as a police officer, notably in 'Coogan's Bluff' (1968), and 'The Exorcist' (1973).
Character actor Geoffrey Lewis was especially known for his work alongside Clint Eastwood, in films that include 'High Plains Drifter' (1973) and 'Every Which Way But Loose' (1978). He is the father of actress Juliette Lewis.
Robert Prosky's notable movies include 'Thief' (1981) and 'The Natural' (1984). Television audiences remember him as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on the hit police drama 'Hill Street Blues.'
Sources: (American Film Institute)
Michael Peña's film credits include 'World Trade Center' (2006) and 'American Hustle' (2013). He also portrayed tank driver Trini "Gordo" Garcia in the acclaimed Second World War drama 'Fury' (2014).
Xander Berkeley is one of those faces that crop up often on screen but whose name is not immediately familiar. But you'll recognize him instantly in 'A Few Good Men' (1992), 'Apollo 13' (1995), and 'Air Force One' (1997). And, of course, he's known for portraying Gregory on the television series 'The Walking Dead.'
English actor Toby Jones is well known to British television audiences, and for appearing in supporting roles in films between 1992 and 2005. He has since made a mark on Hollywood in movies that include 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' (2011) and 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' (2018).
Jon Bernthal came to notice portraying Shane Walsh in 'The Walking Dead.' The actor has since appeared in supporting and leading roles in films such as 'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013), 'Fury' (2014), and 'Ford v Ferrari' (2019). He also starred in the Netflix show 'The Punisher.'
A prominent supporting role in 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998) and top credit in 'Boiler Room' (2000) cemented Giovanni Ribisi's reputation as a highly respected character actor. Numerous movie roles have followed, and he's recently been seen on the small screen as Marius Josipović/Pete Murphy in 'Sneaky Pete' (2015–2019).
Canadian-born Oliver Platt apparently makes his decisions about accepting acting roles based on the role being "different from what I just did...I do have to be interested in the role." Which is good news for cinema audiences—Platt's screen credits include movies as diverse as 'Indecent Proposal' (1993), 'Executive Decision' (1996), and 'The Ice Harvest' (2005).
Robert Loggia was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'Jagged Edge' (1985), one of numerous films he appeared in throughout a 60-year-career. He often played heavies or no-nonsense military types.
Recognized in film and television, one of J.K. Simmons' most celebrated roles is that of J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007). In 2014, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'Whiplash.'
A hugely popular and very busy character actor, James Rebhorn appeared in over 100 films, television series, and plays. His credits include 'Independence Day' (1996), 'The Game' (1997), and 'The International' (2009).
English actor Denholm Elliot was perfectly cast as Dr. Marcus Brody in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981) and 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'A Room with a View' (1985).
'Quiz Show' (1994), 'Get Shorty' (1995), 'The Hurricane' (1999), and 'Ocean's Thirteen' (2007) are among the movies that have benefited from David Paymer's acting input. He's prolific in television, too.
Jack Weston made portraying sweaty losers, sleazeball villains, and clumsy comics look easy in a career that spanned 40 years. He appeared alongside Steve McQueen twice, in 'The Cincinnati Kid' (1965) and 'The Thomas Crown Affair' (1968).
English actor Lennie James' name is associated more with television, for shows like 'Line of Duty,' 'The Walking Dead,' and 'Fear the Walking Dead.' But he has appeared in more than 20 films, including 'Snatch' (2000) and 'Colombiana' (2011).
Scatman Crother's character Richard Hallorann being axed to death by a deranged Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining' (1980) was just one of many scenes the actor made his own in a 55-year career that saw him become one of cinema's most beloved character actors.
Who can forget Charles Durning's character's horrified look when he realizes Dorothy (Dustin Hoffman) is in fact a man in the hit movie 'Tootsie' (1982)? Durning was another highly respected character actor, and garnered two Best Supporting Actor nominations for his efforts on screen.
Character actor Strother Martin delivered one of the most quoted lines in movie history, the immortal "What we've got here is failure to communicate," uttered in 'Cool Hand Luke' (1967).
A Canadian actor of stage and screen, Hume Cronyn's first Hollywood film was Alfred Hitchcock's 'Shadow of a Doubt' (1943). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'The Seventh Cross' (1944), which also featured his wife, Jessica Tandy.
Interesting characters are an essential element in any movie plotline. But there are some film actors who make a living specifically out of character acting. They may not be big.name leading men A-listers, but their faces have appeared in numerous Hollywood movies, with some even walking off with an Academy Award for their efforts.
Click through the following gallery and get in character with these cinema stars from past and present.
Cinema's favorite character actors
Familiar faces that help characterize movie plotlines
MOVIES Film
Interesting characters are an essential element in any movie plotline. But there are some film actors who make a living specifically out of character acting. They may not be big.name leading men A-listers, but their faces have appeared in numerous Hollywood movies, with some even walking off with an Academy Award for their efforts.
Click through the following gallery and get in character with these cinema stars from past and present.