Some guys get all the luck. Take Leonardo DiCaprio; when the man makes a movie, everyone sits up and takes notice. The same goes for Brad Pitt, an actor who commands a vast slab of the media’s attention despite turning in performances which are less than exceptional.
But behind the obvious movie-world monikers there is a legion of talented performers who can only dream of getting the credit they deserve. So, if you ever find yourself in a heated debate on the important issue of cinematic preference, try name-dropping some of these overlooked stars.
Edward Norton
On any list of the ill-appreciated and undeservedly ignored, Mr Norton’s name is sure to come up. No wonder, when you consider his progress from now-forgotten drama Primal Fear (1996): from a hyperactive poker cheat in Rounders (1998) and a zeitgeist embodying role in Fight Club (1999), to a mystical magician in The Illusionist (2006) and a conflicted English doctor in The Painted Veil (2006). Perhaps the best proof of his adaptability is his barn-storming neo-Nazi in American History X (1998), where his acting is as believable and complex as ever.
Don Cheadle
Just as versatile as Ed Norton, but even less celebrated, Don Cheadle has a reputation for supporting roles of astounding depth and raw emotion. His soulful intensity elevates even the most minor roles, as in Hamburger Hill (1987) and Boogie Nights (1998), to powerful ensemble works such as Traffic (2000), Crash (2005) and Brooklyn’s Finest (2010). The fact that he didn’t win the Oscar for his career-best part in genocide drama Hotel Rwanda (2004) only goes to show how under credited he is.
Sam Rockwell
As indie as they come, Rockwell is an actor who deserves to be taken more seriously by mainstream Hollywood. His peculiar ‘intelligent hill-billy’ look has been put to terrifying use in The Green Mile (1999), and his odd screen presence has served him well in a number of supporting parts. Despite finally bagging some juicy leading roles in Choke (2008) and the fascinating sci-fi Moon (2009), Sam looks set to be an eternal occupant of the outer reaches of superstardom… which is probably exactly what his fans want.
Charles Grodin
A textbook case of wasted potential, you might struggle to recall what Charles Grodin has even appeared in when looking at a picture of him. The man hasn’t really starred in much at all, despite having cut his acting chops with small roles and bit parts since the 50s. In fact, there’s only three films in which his appearance is truly notable: opposite Bobby De Niro in the seminal action-comedy Midnight Run (1988), opposite a gigantic St Bernard dog in Beethoven (1992) and its sequel, and in the delayed comedy Clifford (1994). In all of these movies, Grodin elevates the entire production, displaying a delirious comic timing that has had audiences in fits. Look no further than has tiny yet movie-stealing part in So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993) to see what all the fuss is about.
Joan Cusack
Speaking of scene-stealers, they don’t come much funnier than Joan Cusack, the feisty sister of Hollywood star John Cusack. Those of a certain age will know Joan best as the demented gold-digger Debbie in Addams Family Values (1993), but sadly her performances have arrived with little consistency. Hilarious supporting roles in Working Girl (1988) and In & Out (1997), on top of a wealth of appearances alongside her more famous brother, reveal glimpses of an acting depth that has never been fully utilised.
Simon Yam
A hugely-respected star in his native Hong Kong with almost 200 films under his belt, Hollywood has so far overlooked his potential. A backbone of the Hong Kong film industry and an enormously charismatic performer, Yam is the go-to man for crime dramas, consistently turning in impressive and complex performances. Whilst his parts in such films as Full Contact (1992), PTU (2003) and Election (2005) have astounded and chilled international film fans for years, the most that American film-makers have seen fit to use him for is as a stock Asian character in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003).
John Candy
The late and truly great Mr Candy never fails to kick-start a stream of chuckling, even in mediocre fare such as Armed and Dangerous (1986) and Delirious (1991). The big clown with the haunting laugh is a blast in his best films: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) and Uncle Buck (1989). Yet, at his most slobbishly loveable, Candy’s work is often laced with sadness and restrained emotion, an aspect that is even more poignant considering his private real-life unease and his untimely death in 1994.
James Woods
The dazzling actor James Woods deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as De Niro. Whenever he’s on screen, you have no choice but to pay attention to him. His choice of role has frequently been unconventional, most notably with the disturbing Cronenberg nightmare Videodrome (1983), but just as frequently Woods has followed the pedestrian route in his own inimitable style, as with the 1991 buddy comedy The Hard Way. Dark yet brash, brooding yet with a distinct knack for comedy, at his best he dominates Once Upon A Time In America (1984) and electrifies in the title role of Salvador (1986). Woods defines underrated.
On behalf of the Jam Magazine, the editor of said publication would like to express her undying love for a certain Mr. Edward Norton.