Archive for the ‘Supporting Actor Spotlight’ Category
You are currently browsing the archives for the Supporting Actor Spotlight category.
7
Aug
2011
Supporting Actor Spotlight: George Sanders
Name: George Henry Sanders
Famous Roles: Addison DeWitt in All About Eve (1950), Lord Henry Wotton in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), voice of Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (1967).
Trademark: His voice – smooth and rich with a sophisticated English accent. Excelled at playing the villain.
Awards and Achievements: Won the 1950 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in All About Eve. Also authored two crime novels and released an album entitled The George Sanders Touch: Songs for the Lovely Lady.
Why We Love Him: His voice! When portraying a villain, his voice is deliciously evil and seductive. Joseph L. Mankiewicz knew what he was doing when he selected Sanders for the opening narration of All About Eve. His voice over sets the tone perfectly for the snarky, biting dialogue that is to come.
24
Jun
2010
Supporting Actor Spotlight: Elisha Cook Jr.
Name: Elisha Vanslyck Cook Jr.
Famous Roles: Wilmer Cook (The Maltese Falcon, 1941), Harry Jones (The Big Sleep, 1946), Marty Waterman (Born to Kill, 1947), Frank “Stonewall” Torrey (Shane, 1953), George Peatty (The Killing, 1956)
Trademark: Often played the fall guy or cowardly villains.
Awards and Achievements: Not every great supporting actor is properly awarded for their contributions to film. Cook was never awarded an Academy Award or Golden Globe, but was rewarded with the nickname “Hollywood’s Lightest Heavy” for his numerous roles as cowardly villains and for being only 5’5”.
Why We Love Him: Like all good supporting actors, Elisha Cook Jr. knew how to make a big impression from a small part. One thing that sets him apart from other actors is his always-recognizable face. Sometimes I’ll be watching a film and then realize “hey! that’s Elisha Cook Jr.!” It doesn’t matter if you’re watching a film from the ’40s (Hellzapoppin, 1941) or one from the late ’60s (Rosemary’s Baby, 1968), he remains a distinctive actor. Check out Elisha Cook Jr. (and his memorable face) in this short scene from Born to Kill.
12
Oct
2009
Supporting Actor Spotlight: Thelma Ritter
Name: Thelma Ritter
Famous Roles: Birdie in All About Eve (1950), Ellen McNulty in The Mating Season (1951), Stella in Rear Window (1954), Alma in Pillow Talk (1959), and Isabelle Steers in The Misfits (1961).
Trademark: Often played the blunt but wise supporting character with great comedic timing.
Awards and Achievements: Nominated six times for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award: All About Eve (1950), The Mating Season (1951), With a Song in My Heart (1952), Pickup on South Street (1953), Pillow Talk (1959), Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). This makes Thelma Ritter tied with Deborah Kerr for the most nominations without a win for an actress. Was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes for All About Eve, The Mating Season, and Boeing Boeing (1965). Tied with co-star Gwen Verdon for Best Actress (Musical) at the Tony Awards for New Girl In Town (1957).
Why We Love Her: Thelma Ritter, even in supporting roles, always made a huge impact on whatever film she was in. Her character portrayals are always memorable, enjoyable, and never seem overshadowed by big stars like Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, or Jimmy Stewart. Although she is best known for her comedies, Ritter was a well seasoned actress who could also do dramas, musicals, radio, and stage.
What are your favorite Thelma Ritter films?
17
Sep
2009
Supporting Actor Spotlight: Claude Rains
Claude Rains is the Star of the month on Turner Classic Movies, so it’s only fitting that we give our own salute to one of our favorite actors.
Name: William Claude Rains
Famous Roles: Sen. Joseph Paine in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Capt. Louis Renault in Casablanca (1942), Job Skeffington in Mr. Skeffington (1944), Alexander Sebastian in Notorious (1946), Mr. Dryden in Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
Trademark: His distinctive, raspy voice and ability to adeptly play a wide range of roles.
.
Achievements and Awards: Nominated for four Academy Awards, but never won. Won a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Darkness at Noon, 1954).
.
Why we love him: In the words of Bette Davis, “He was a pip! The best!” and we agree. He could be a convincing dramatic actor in one film and the witty comedic role in the next. Next time you watch “Casablanca” keep an eye on him – the delivery of lines such as “I like to think you killed a man. It’s the romantic in me” is flawless. Even in supporting roles, Rains was never overshadowed by big stars in leading roles. His superb acting created some of the most memorable characters in film and Rains is always enjoyable to watch.
20
Jul
2009
Supporting Actor Spotlight: Karl Malden
Name: Mladen George Sekulovich
Notable Roles: Harold ‘Mitch’ Mitchell (Streetcar Named Desire – 1951), Father Barry (On the Waterfront – 1954), Archie Lee Meighan (Baby Doll – 1956), Sheriff Dad Longworth (One-Eyed Jacks – 1961), Gen. Omar Bradley (Patton – 1970).
Trademark: Played wide ranging roles from generals to priests, but often played an everyman.
Achievements and Awards: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1951 – Streetcar Named Desire), Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series (1985 – Fatal Vision), President of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Screen Actor’s Guild Lifetime Achievement Award (2003), inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame (2005).
Why we love him: Malden was one of the most versatile supporting actors in Hollywood and gave some of Hollywood’s most memorable performances in supporting roles. Malden is also credited, along with Marlon Brando, Elia Kazan, and other New York theatre stars, as bringing a more realistic style of acting to the screen. Malden always came across as a likeable guy who you wanted to root for and for this we want to thank Karl Malden for being a great supporting actor.
8
Jul
2009
Supporting Actor Spotlight Series
Very shortly, we’ll be starting a new post series discussing one of our favorite classic movie topics – the supporting actor. So many talented actors never quite get the attention they deserve (as this Daily Show clip points out after the death of Karl Malden). You never see Biography: Thelma Ritter or AFI Life Achievement Award: Thomas Mitchell, even though these actors are an essential part of the films they’re in. Never fear, talented supporting actors – Anatomy Of A Classic, uh, supports you.
Who’s your favorite?
