12 Underrated Actors & Actresses Who Deserve More Recognition

9. Olivia Williams

Since winning the hearts of every tweed-wearing, horn-rimmed glasses-toting cinephile back in 1998 as the romantic lead (a loving kindergarten teacher) in Wes Anderson's Rushmore, London-born Olivia Williams has quietly been toiling away at one of the most impressive cinematic careers of her generation - and yet, nobody seemed to notice. While her contemporaries such as Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham-Carter reached stratospheric career heights, Williams remained on the sidelines, though her range and quality of roles rivals any of her compatriots. Like any good actress, it is her incredible range that remains Williams' signature strength. She is able to shift with graceful ease between tender motherly roles (An Education, Hanna) to cold ruthlessness (The Ghost Writer, Joss Whedon's short-lived but excellent TV series Dollhouse), and sometimes portrays both at the same time (as in the upcoming Hyde Park on Hudson, as first lady Elanor Roosevelt). Williams has the looks of a movie star, but she refuses to cease taking risks with her project choices, and seems perfectly comfortable in supporting roles or as part of an ensemble. On the one hand, this is a shame - I firmly believe that Williams has the talent (and the cheekbones) to attain a Cate Blanchett-level of success, and I wish more people were familiar with her. But her selflessness and dedication to the craft over the limelight is something to be admired. KEY ROLES: Rushmore (1998), An Education (2009), The Ghost Writer (2010). NEXT SEEN IN: Hyde Park on Hudson (UK release date: February 2013).