It would be foolish for me to act as though I had a full-proof equation for determining what makes an actor underrated… which is why I’m not going to pretend that this installment of The Ten is anything close to gospel. Everyone has their own definition — and they vary widely — but as I thought about the criterion and qualifying factors (award snubs, lack of lead roles, box office success, etc.) I came to realize that it boils down to there simply not being enough. Not enough recognition and not enough buzz… Not enough appearances – roles, characters, and parts – not enough respect, and admiration. Not enough praise.
Those actors listed below are simply ones that I believe there should be more of. Some of them you may deem better labeled as, “up and coming”, “past their prime”, or maybe even a “perpetual B-lister”, but the commonality they all share for the purpose of this article is that the quality of their work, be it just in a few roles in some cases, or over the entirety of lengthy careers in others, always leaves me wanting more.
But what it is it exactly that plants these guys in this particular conversation? I think it’s likely the comparisons that are often drawn between the underrated and those actors that are considered by the masses to be better, or more successful. Do any of these actors carry out their craft with greater skill than Pitt or Clooney? Do they deserve the recognition and fanfare of Damon and DiCaprio? The fact of the matter is, the answers to these questions are, and always will be subjective, so there will never be an easy or unanimous response. The important thing, I believe, is that at the very least we continue asking said questions, because in my opinion, the answer is very often yes.
10. Elias Koteas
Ok, so I have to get it out of my system, this guy is Casey FREAKING Jones in the glorious live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie series, so right out of the gate, I’m so far beyond partial it’s not even funny. But in all seriousness, this guy is the equivalent of a rock solid role player on a championship team. He’s a great actor that has been just about dynamite in everything he’s been in. His most notable role was likely 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as Monsieur Gateau, but he’s been just as notable in movies such as Let Me In andShutter Island.
9. Peter Sarsgaard
Garden State was likely the first time many moviegoers caught a glimpse of the actor, even though just a year prior he earned a Golden Globe nod for his performance in the under-the-radar, but critically well-received, Shattered Glass. He has a gift for taking on quality roles that consistently leave the audience feeling charmed yet uneasy. He does so most notably in his deft portrayal of David Goldman in the Oscar nominated, An Education. Sarsgaard often leaves the audience enticed, yet apprehensive about his characters motives. His performances exude a subtlety and savvy that is, unfortunately and all-to-often, overlooked.
8. Ben Foster
It’s hard to say why Foster can’t quite break through. He’s very skilled and has great range as an actor, but for whatever reason, has largely been stuck playing second fiddle. He brought a great deal of style to the savage and reckless Charlie Prince in 3:10 to Yuma, was effectively creepy as the Stranger in 30 Days of Night, and was criminally underutilized as Angel in X-Men: The Last Stand. One of his best performances came in one of his few shots in the lead role as Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery in The Messenger, holding his own alongside Woody Harrelson who earned a best supporting nomination from the academy for his role in the film.
7. Cillian Murphy
Murphy has found himself smack dab in the middle of some of the past few year’s biggest blockbuster hits in The Dark Knight series, as well as in Inception. He’s damn good in everything he’s in and makes great selections in regards to his roles. Sunshine is one of my favorite sci-fi flicks EVER, and 28 Days Later is, well, one of the finest movies I ever had the pleasure of watching dozens of times. Cillian Murphy is one of those actors that have me seeking out the movies that he’s starred in, because chances are they’ll always be well worth my and your time. Check out The Wind That Shakes the Barley on Netflix Instant Cue.
6. Tim Roth
For the most part, I tried to leave out actors with recent significant television success. Tim Roth was outstanding as Dr. Cal Lightman in the Fox program Lie to Me, which, unfortunately was cancelled after only three seasons. I’ll always think of him first as Mr. Orange, bleeding all over the white leather interior of the backseat of that Pontiac LeMans, clinging desperately to both life and the hand of Mr. White. He looked like he might be a future Tarantino go-to man following up with Pulp Fiction, but that’s where it ended. Just a year after, in ’95 however, he earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting role in Rob Roy.
5. Giovanni Ribisi
I think that Giovanni ends up on this list simply because in nearly everything he is known or remembered for, he’s been in a supporting role. And while that’s fine, I think he’s talented enough and has the range to really carry a successful film in the lead. He’s been in a bunch of good movies and always elevates the whole with his performances. From Saving Private Ryanand Lost in Translation to his slew of more recent successes in Public Enemies, Avatar, The Rum Diary, Contraband, Ted, and Gangster Squad, he clearly has some staying power and I believe he likely hasn’t yet hit his prime.
4. Jackie Earle Haley
Haley hadn’t acted in 13 years when he took on the role of Ronnie, in Little Children. This portrayal earned Haley an Oscar nomination, and had viewers like myself wondering if we’d ever be able to look at him again and not see that role (if you’ve seen it, you know where I’m coming from). He can play a creep with the best of them, which is why he was a natural choice to fill Robert Englund’s shoes in the A Nightmare On Elm Street reboot. He was a hoot in Semi Pro,and was a real nerd-pleaser as Rorscach in Watchmen. It’s hard to see Jackie breaking free from this list, but I’m sure that’s easier to deal with when getting roles in best picture nominated films like Lincoln.
3. Barry Pepper
He’s one of my favorites on the list, and I was pretty jazzed when I heard he was going to play Lucky Ned Pepper in the Coen Brother’s take on the classic True Grit. He didn’t disappoint either… at least me, anyways. Mr. Pepper certainly has a knack for playing a soldier. He played maybe the coolest character in Saving Private Ryan in Private Jackson, sniper extraordinaire,and was also money in We Were Soldiers, and Flags of our Fathers. He was awesome in The Green Mile, and definitely worth checking out in 25th Hour, and Casino Jack. If nothing else, he’s certainly done plenty to earn our forgiveness for his involvement in Battlefield Earth.
2. Brendan Gleeson
Gleeson boasts maybe the best body of work of anyone on this list, yet how many people do you know that would even recognize his name? It’s a total and complete shame, too. He’s been in some amazing films. Braveheart and Gangs of New York immediately come to mind, but those are just the obvious ones. You already know how I feel about 28 Days Later. And have you seen In Bruges? Goodness, you should have. Have you seen The Guard? Well, neither have I… but boy, I sure want to. There’s Safe House, Green Zone, The Village, Kingdom of Heaven,Beowulf, The Raven, and Cold Mountain… and again, those are just the bunch you’ve likely heard of. No doubt, there are gems worth unearthing here, folks.
1. Casey Affleck
Maybe it’s because he’ll forever be unfairly lodged in Ben’s shadow, but Casey Affleck, to me, is the epitome of an underrated actor. He has all the qualities I want to see in a lead role. He’s interesting, magnetic, and has talent for miles. It’s his voice and his presence; he’s somewhat diminutive yet commands attention. It’s his look – handsome and stately – yet boyish and accessible. At the onset of this list I stated that underrated meant, most simply, the desire or need for more. I WANT MORE Casey Affleck… more that I want another Oscar worthy screenplay from brother Ben. I feel as if I was given a taste of forbidden fruit in 2007, when Casey blew my mind all over the wild west with his performance in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and then went on to do the same even MORE so in Gone Baby Gone. The first of the aforementioned earned him an Oscar nomination, and the second… well, don’t even get me started on how much I feel that masterpiece got robbed. Casey Affleck has the potential to be one of the finest actors out there, and a guys really starts to wonder why he isn’t getting those roles. I’m starting to think quite honestly that maybe he just doesn’t want them. I just can’t come up with a better explanation.
Honorable Mention/Others Considered (in no particular order):
Vincent D’Onofrio – Major long term TV role with Law and Order Criminal Intent.
- See – Happy Accidents
Eddie Redmayne – Up and coming. Think the next James McAvoy.
- See – My Week With Marilyn
Jared Leto – Underrated by choice. Love or hate his band, it’s what he chose… and I respect it.
- See – Requiem for a Dream
Kyle Chandler – Major TV role. Blowing up recently. Best is yet to come… and quickly.
- See – Friday Night Lights (sports fan or not, it was in a league of it’s own… AMAZING TV show)
Sam Rockwell – FINALLY feel like he’s graduated off the list. Former #1.
- See – Moon, Seven Psychopaths
