What actor or actress surprised you by playing a part that was unusual for them?
For example, I saw a PBS broadcast of "Twelfth Night" which featured Helen Hunt. She was so amazing. Who knew she could do anything beyond playing opposite Paul Reiser and running from a tornado? She certainly earned my respect that day!
What about you? Who has surprised you?

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If you asked me what I came here to do, I would tell you that I came to live out loud. - Emile Zola

Linda Hunt's performance in 'The Year of Living Dangerously'.
She played a man. (And not in the Tootsie, Victor/Victoria sense.)

John Guilgud in "Arthur".One of the true giants--an absolutely magnificant , classical actor.But in a comedy? Who knew he'd be so terrific? I will never forget this extremely dignified man looking at Dudley Moore and calling him , "You little s__t."

You know, I really want to see Harrison Ford play a bad guy. He's always Mr Goody Goody Here-To-Save-The-World. Have there been nay movies where he has played the part of bad guy?

I was very pleasantly surprised by Timothy Dalton's "Mr. Rochester" in Jane Eyre. His version is the closest to the book done, and he has a natural virile, romantic talent that translated very well to that role. Different from his "James Bond."

Hiya Terry, I don't think there are any Harrison Ford films where he played a bad character. Blade Runner was his darkest character. His shortest scene was in Apocalypse Now.

On the flip side of the Harrison Ford question, has Kevin Spacey ever played someone NOT creepy and weird?

I think you're right about Harrison Ford never playing the bad guy.
He should be careful or he'll get typecast and not get offered good roles anymore. LOL

As for Kevin Spacey, I can think of three movies off hand that he wasn't creepy/weird.

Outbreak----Dedicated Virologist
L.A. Confidential----Suave Policeman
The Negotiator----No Nonsense Hostage Negotiator

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You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

[This message has been edited by Leprechaun (edited 10-20-1999).]

Meryl Streep never fails to amaze me.Her characterizations are so complete it is like never watching the same actress twice.Everything that she does is fresh and surprising.

I have to agree with chelseabelle. I love Meryl Streep. I have enjoyed all her movies and will not hesitate to pick one up if she is in one. I have to say that I really like Tommy Lee Jones too. I loved him in "House Of Cards" best.

I think James Woods is always a surprise when he acts. He has done everything.
I can't wait to see Vampires. I know it has been out in the US for ages, but it is only coming out in the UK next week.

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Deciphering the World as I see it !!

I agree with chelseabelle and sandalwood about Meryl Streep.She always amazes me. In "Sophies Choice","Silkwood","Out Of Africa","Postcards From The Edge", "A Cry In The Dark", "One True Thing", she plays such very different women in all of them, and I find her so very believable each time.Her co-star in "The Bridges Of Madison County" also surprised me. I never thought of Clint Eastwood as a romantic leading man, but I thought he showed real sensitivity and tenderness in that movie.

As to Harrison Ford playing a bad guy, he gets awfully close in Mosquito Coast...Frenzy, he wasn't very together...he was a disturbed Viet Nam viet in Heros and though not really a bad guy he was certainly smarmy in his debut in Getting Straight (or Bob Falfa, in American Graffetti).

As to Actors that surprise me...Steve Martan (Leap of Faith & Simple Twist of Fate) Gary Senese and Viggo Mortenson for men.
Winona Rider, Cameron Diaz and Annette Benning.

I have just seen Sixth Sense, I know...it has been out for ages but I believe Bruce Willis was excellent....I didn't think he could play any part without shooting someone.

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Deciphering the World as I see it !!

Hi Sypher, yes, he did well in that sensitive part didn't he?

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

Harrison Ford could never play a bad guy
His best movie was Witness
my son's second name is after him lol

regards

Caer

Some actors suprise me by acting so magnificently in one movie, then so poorly in another movie. I loved John Travolta in movies like Phenomenon, and to an extent, Pulp Fiction, but then he stars in movies like Broken Arrow and Faceoff, which don't reflect his acting abilities in the least.

I love Robin Williams too! He adds his own personality to all his movies, which always pleasantly suprises me. I watched a screening of his last movie, Bicentennial Man, which I just loved! I wouldn't think that would be such a good movie, but I highly recommend it!

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"O my Strength, I watch for you; you O God, are my fortress, my loving God." --Ps 59:9

Will Paton and Kevin Pollack
Will has such a wide range and isn't afraind to be evil, menacing or sleezy. He truly personify's the old actors adage "There are no small roles, only small actors" He can milk even the smallest role. Remember him as the cop in "The Client"? It was a very small part but he infused that role with a sense of palpable menace.
Kevin, primarily a stand up comic, (With a wicked Capt.Kirk) is surprisingly sympathetic in Unusual Suspects and stedfastly noble in A Few Good Men.

Harrison Ford wasn't very nice in "American Grafitti"

Yeah...like I said...smarmy.

David Straithern: In "The Firm" as the older jailbird brother; then as the underplayed C.O. in "Memphis Belle" or the Women's Baseball Commisioner in "A League of Their Own" or the Blind Guy in "Sneakers" or the Rat-bastard husband in "Delores Clairbourne". What a range this guy has!

Don't forget Gary Senise!

I think the most surprising role I ever saw was when John Ritter was in Sling Blade. WOW what a departure for him.
I haven't seen Magnolia yet, but people say Tom Cruise plays a very surprising role.

How about Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman? they consistently choose roles that are strong and "become" someone else everytime. I think Duvall is probably one of the best in our time.

hungreee

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned this one- perhaps it's too obvious: Hillary Swank in Boys Don't Cry. A long, long way from Beverly Hills 90210...

Though I have to say I had a jolt reading hungreesman's take on it, just remembering my own astonishment at John Ritter in Sling Blade. Whoah! Amazing.

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Karin
Twins in Training!

Karin,
You and I think alike (I've noticed a few times.) I saw Boys Don't Cry way back in November. It continues to haunt me. She was absolutely incredible. Not just because she made me believe she was a boy, but also because she made me UNDERSTAND Brandon. So powerful.
hungreee

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~~The purpose of life is a life of purpose~~