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Television actors you think should have been bigger stars...

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Movie actors are often deemed superior to television actors - not always as some movie stars like George Clooney started on TV.

This is open ended so add anyone you like who you think should be more noteworthy than perhaps they are.

Watching Boston Legal lately and some of James Spader's films such as Crash, the Secretary I have to say that this guy has a unique personae that I think has had him missed by the film industry a little.

He created in the Alan Shore character perhaps the most interesting lawyer and while a lot of it is writing - his performance is so spot on. He's very good at playing people a little off - there is always more going on with him.

Spader has a photographic memory and can read a page virtually instantly and be able to recite huge passages of dialogue - which helped him over other actors on those huge court room summations.

I could even argue that Shatner missed his calling in comedy - he is truly funny. But he certainly didn't miss the spotlight in film.

Michael C Hall starred in Six Feet Under and Dexter - he's still a young guy and may make it big on the big screen but he's another I would add.

Hugh Laurie - goes without saying that the hammy simpleton thick British accent in Black Adder can pull off a crusty grouch in House is a spectacular talent. House arguably proved his ability but where was Hollywood before that?

I mean Hollywood has the likes of Keanu Reeves? Jeez. Maybe in large part why a lot of people hate most American films is because of lousy casting.

Some of these American television cable channels are offering a lot more meat on the bones than most of the films coming out.

Follow Ups:

Michael Becker - Craiger56 14:50:54 04/12/10 (0)
Outstanding performances in "24".
Sponge Bob. nt - tinear 08:04:55 04/12/10 (0)
fs
Andy Griffith.....he has shown a lot of range in made-for-TV films . . . - mr grits 18:37:36 04/11/10 (0)
and could have done a lot more on screen. I think he got trapped into his corn pone image with his stand up and TV roles to the point no one really wanted to bank on him.

Share a bowl of grits with someone you love tonight.
RE: Television actors you think should have been bigger stars... - mpathus 21:13:34 04/10/10 (0)
Christina Applegate would be my choice.

I too like James Spader's work in films like "Bad Influence", "Less Than Zero" and "Supernova".

In "Bad Influence" Spader's a hoot when dancing around high and doing a hold-up, wearing a bunny mask - priceless.
Illeana Douglas - dave c 20:56:13 04/10/10 (3)
I have no idea why she hasn't become a huge star.

Well, actually I do and those are probably all the things I like about her.

Edits: 04/10/10
- RE: Illeana Douglas: esp. after the 1999/2000 series "Action" - grinagog 05:22:43 04/11/10 (2)
  which has some of the funniest, darkest + most politically incorrect moments the small screen has ever dared to beam our way. She is so good in this ( ! )
  
  GW
  - exactly what I was thinking pof - dave c 13:57:38 04/11/10 (1)
    It's the best and funniest (half) series I've ever seen.
    - RE: exactly what I was thinking pof - Ruinthere@sbcglobal.net 16:30:15 04/17/10 (0)
      I said it before, it was one of the BEST shows ever "way too much for broadcast TV" I loved the show.
      
      Anne Heche couldn't open a clam
      
      That's about all she's been opening lately.
      
      Classic, sounds like something from Family Guy.
      
      DagW00d
Heather Paige Kent - grinagog 20:19:13 04/10/10 (0)
whose only claim to small-screen fame was a sitcom "That's life" which had a stellar cast including Ellen Burstyn, Paul Sorvino + Debi Mazar
Thought she was brilliant in this and expected her to be snapped up for a Hollywood blockbuster or at least another series that would showcase her talent....
Hugh Laurie is hugely popular in the UK; I'm not sure how much of his humor would cross-over to US audiences tho'
100% agree with you that cable TV is providing some really good dramas; "The Shield" "The Wire" + "Breaking Bad" magnets for talent that Hollywood either ignores or squanders
GW

GW

Edits: 04/10/10

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