“Underrated” is a difficult term to use when referring to actors. Appreciation for a tangible work of art – a song, a painting, a movie – is easy to label as “underrated”: If the public (and critical) perception of a work does not line up with the strength and quality you believe the work has, it is “underrated” in your eyes.
But how does one rate actors exactly? Is it public awareness? Most people aren’t aware of any actors outside of the handful that are currently on the A-list. Ask an average person on the street who Philip Seymour Hoffman is, chances are they won’t know beyond “that guy”, if that. But that doesn’t make him underrated – Hoffman is one of the most revered and respected actors working today (though, ten years ago, the “underrated” argument could have easily been made for him).
Is it awards recognition? We all know the Academy is not the most forward-thinking organization, and often rewards actors who disappear into obscurity after their win for a novel performance that everyone forgets about a year later. You will find Oscar-nominated actors on this list, but that does not change their underrated status. If these actors got what they deserved, they would be Oscar winners by now.
As a matter of fact, I believe all of these factors and more contribute to an actor being underrated. On this list you will find twelve of the most hard-working, dedicated actors working today, delivering some of the most powerful performances and showing some of the most impressive acting range… and failing to receive the widespread recognition, respect, and awards they deserve. You may not recognize their names immediately, but hopefully, you will someday soon. These are the unsung heroes of the acting world today. These are… the top 12 underrated actors and actresses.
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8 Comments
Rufus Sewell didn’t play Kate Winslet’s husband in The Holiday, more of her crush. Not that I like the film or anything…
Ah yes, right. A little hazy on the details on that one, I’ll admit :P
I have to disagree with you about Sam Rockwell.
Ejiofor needs to play Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!!!! especially since he already worked with Joss Whedon in Serenity
John Hawkes was also great in Hardball as Keanu’s shady friend. Might also add Liev Schreiber to the list as well, dude has mad skills and doesn’t seem to get much love.
Liev Schreiber is a good one too! I had a few runners up actually: Clea DuVall and Margo Martindale for the ladies (Martindale was astounding in season 2 of Justified); and Michael Shannon, Jared Harris and Elias Koteas for the guys. Koteas in particular has been around forever and been in dozens of movies, but never got the respect of Pacino or Nicholson. Harris has been gaining popularity lately because of Mad Men, but he’s been acting since the 90′s and is particularly good as Andy Warhol in Mary Harron’s I Shot Andy Warhol.
Seriously, this should be called the Indie Filmmakers wishlist and not 12 underrated actors. Seriously, all of these actors are on every indie casting list in America. Not really underrated if everybody wants them.
Blegh… luckily, there are other people out there who agree with me who also happen to be indie filmmakers, who like these actors and want to give them more work. They are still underrated if the only roles they can get are the ones that some film loving indie filmmakers can throw them every once in a while in tiny films nobody ends up seeing…!