Here Are 23 Of The Best Character Actors To Ever Grace Our Screens, According To The Good People Of Twitter
As the song goes, “Reese Witherspoon, she’s the prom queen / Bill Gates, captain of the chess team / Jack Black, the clown, Brad Pitt, the quarterback”. Well, this article goes out to the clowns… Sort of!
Warner Bros. PicturesCos we all know the Reese Witherspoons of the world are great, but it’s about time we give it up for those hardworking character actors. They often appear on the sidelines, but are just as brilliant as the main characters, if not better!
Recently, Twitter user Declan Cashin asked the good people of the bird app to name those “busy character actors that make everything they appear in better”. Here’s what people had to say…
1. Martha Plimpton
Vivien Killilea/Fox / Via Getty Images for Amazon Freevee
“I have loved this woman since she a very young actor. Astonishing on stage.”
– @pericb64
“I’ve literally never seen the woman give a bad performance”.
– @Tweet_Dec
2. Michael Stuhlbarg
Frazer Harrison/Sony Pictures Classics / Via Getty Images
“[He] has ridiculous amounts of range and is a scene stealer in everything without ever being the lead.”
– @1nclusionRider
“Should have won the Supp Actor Oscar for Call Me By Your Name “.
– @Tweet_Dec
3. Jennifer Coolidge
Lionel Hahn/Warner Bros. Pictures / Via Getty Images
“It’s gotta be Jennifer, right? Even before her Jenaissance, I loved her. Her role in A Cinderella Story is so iconic. I’m glad people are as obsessed with her now as I always was”.
– sam_cleal
“She’s finally got her recognition but she was the queen of this for decades”.
– @devjmatt
4. Maya Rudolph
Emma McIntyre/GA/The Hollywood Reporter / NBC / Via Getty Images
“Anyone say Maya yet?”
– @Samueltennant
“I just love her comedy so much! She always lights up the screen.”
– tori_honore
5. Richard Kind
Michael Loccisano/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via Getty Images
“[He’s] never had a bad performance in his life”.
– @julieriverrises
6. Patton Oswalt
Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via Getty Images
“Patton for the win”.
– @Aaron__Briggs
“No one else could’ve voiced Remy the rat for me.”
– josieayre1
7. Margaret Cho
Michael Tullberg/Searchlight Pictures / Via Getty Images
“She’s just the best, I’ve followed her for years!! I was overjoyed when I found out she was in Fire Island . Her role was so cute.”
— yeahsurejan
8. Judy Davis
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic/Netflix / Via Getty Images
“[She’s] able to steal a scene with a withering look from the sidelines”.
– @Daneeeboy
“A truly fabulous actor.”
— joannalumleyssilkroad
9. Missi Pyle
George Pimentel / WireImage/20th Century Fox / Via Getty Images
“MISSI PYLE HIVE RISE UP!”
– @JackDMurphy
“I wanna see Missi and Elaine Hendrix lead a rom-com”.
– @andre_moir
10. Jackie Hoffman
Steve Granitz / WireImage/FX / Via Getty Images
“From The Politician to The Other Two , I always love when she crops up in stuff!”
– bendzialdowski
11. Ann Dowd
Jon Kopaloff/Hulu / Via Getty Images
“Always quietly brilliant”.
– @GMiskelly
“Another vote for Ann”.
– @knoopie
12. Judy Greer
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic/Fox / Via Getty Images
“The unsung hero that is Judy”.
– @1nclusionRider
“SAY GOODBYE TO THESE!”
– elliebamuel
13. Kathryn Hahn
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / NBC / Via Getty Images
“Anything Kathryn is in turns to gold! One of my favourite recurring characters of all time is Jennifer Barkley in Parks and Rec . It doesn’t get better than that.”
– sam_cleal
14. Keith David
Amanda Edwards / FilmMagic/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via Getty Images
“The only answer is Keith. That voice, man!!”
– bendzialdowski
15. Cloris Leachman
Jason Merritt / WireImage/20th Century Fox / Via Getty Images
“I’ll add the adorable, funny Cloris to the list. I love her various grandma roles in Raising Hope , Malcolm in the Middle , and The Croods .”
– @babbamoo
16. Toby Jones
Stuart C. Wilson/Lionsgate / Via Getty Images
“One of the most dependable character actors out there”.
– @SeanMorrisHA
“People don’t know, but he was the voice of Dobby in the Harry Potter films. Love him!”
– sam_cleal
17. Kristen Johnston
Toni Anne Barson / ABC / Via Getty Images
“This title was made for Her”.
– @daisyblaines
18. Patricia Clarkson
Daniele Venturelli / WireImage / NBC / Via Getty Images
“She’s just SO GOOD. Never count out Patricia!”
– hanifahrahman
19. Allison Janney
Frazer Harrison/New Line Cinema / Via Getty Images
“Allison immensely comes to mind”.
– @Robbles79
20. Lance Reddick
Gregg DeGuire / WireImage/Summit Entertainment / Via Getty Images
“I love me some Lance! From The Wire to the John Wick movies, he can do no wrong IMO.”
– benarmson90
21. Dianne Wiest
Walter McBride / CBS / Via Getty Images
“So many great performances and my favourite is in the TV show, Life In Pieces . A hugely underrated show.”
– @HollyhPalmer
22. Joan Cusack
Dr. Billy Ingram / WireImage/Paramount Pictures / Via Getty Images
“Someone who makes everything they appear in better? How can you not think of Joan straight off the bat? My fave performance of hers is in Addams Family Values , but honestly, the list is LONG.”
– tori_honore
23. Margo Martindale
Araya Doheny / FilmMagic/Netflix / Via Getty Images
“I mean…the GOAT is obviously”.
– @_dhanum
“Let’s not pretend we aren’t all thinking of Character Actress Margo Martindale”.
– hanifahrahman
Do you agree with these choices? Is there anyone missing you would’ve liked to see on here? Let us know in the comments!