I have a special place in my heart for character actors. It’s only intensified due to the recent strikes in Hollywood. There are, arguably, about 100 actors who make millions and millions of dollars. Thousands more are recognizable but have never had a starring role. They’re more likely to be known as “that guy who was in that thing.”
These are the people who go from show to show, or movie to movie, reliably playing a similar role over and over so that they big stars can shine. Few of us know their names but the work they do is legendary.
This is James Hong. He’s finally starting to get recognized for his work. It’s about time. He’s appeared in 455 movies and shows, everything from M*A*S*H to Blade Runner to Seinfeld to Everything Everywhere All At Once. This gentleman is the go-to if you want an Asian authority figure. He also seems to be a genuinely nice guy who has been toiling in the shadows of others since — can you believe it — 1954.
All the rest of them
For every James Hong who gets his due, there’s a Zeljko Ivanek or Peter Stormare who never really get a starring role or an award. I’m willing to bet their names don’t mean anything to you, but it’s worth taking some time to look at their IMDB pages. You’ll realize that you’ve been watching them for decades.
It’s not just males either.
Alicia Coppola has had some meaty roles in a career that spans 31 years. Maybe you recall seeing Alicia in Shameless or NCIS:LA. Those are just two of the 90 roles you’ll find on their IMDB page. I don’t know about you, but whenever I see Alicia, I know that I’m in for a quality bit of TV.
How can you tell one “that guy” from another?
Screen Junkies, the people who do “Honest Trailers,” have created a catchy little song honoring some of the really great character actors of years past. Check it out:
There are also a pair of films, That Guy… who was in that thing and That Gal… who was in that thing (That Guy 2). Neither is available to stream for free right now, but if you happen to see either of them listed, check them out. They’re both a good, quick watch and they give you insight into the lives of working character actors.
