10 Iconic Film Performances With Hardly Any Screen Time
9. William Hurt A History Of Violence
David Cronenbergs bloody adaptation of John Wagner and Vince Lockes graphic novel captured the heart of many a critic with its unflinching portrayal of the consequences of violence (well, the clue is in the title) and though its main star Viggo Mortensen as former gangster turned small town diner owner Tom whose past comes back to haunt him received much of the praise, his co-star William Hurt also turned in a blistering performance despite being featured in just one scene. As Toms brother Richie Cusack, Hurt owns the screen with his portrayal of a vicious, bitter old-school gangster brimming with barely controlled rage and though the scene was less than ten minutes in length it earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2006.
