9 Actors Who Haven't Topped Their Breakout Performance

7. William H. Macy As Jerry Lundegaard - Fargo

Before Fargo, character actor William H. Macy, toiled around in forgettable movies for forgettable directors, mostly blink-and-you'll-miss-them bit-parts as well ad the odd turn in an episode of something. Then the Coen Bro's cast him as the hapless Jerry Lundegaard in their Oscar-winning Fargo to put the actor on the proverbial map (Macy was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). One of the best character actors around, Macy went on a nice run of supporting turns in great films (Boogie Nights, Magnolia), putting in a fine lead performance in the underrated The Cooler, as well. Putting that handful of films aside, though, and Macy has never come close to matching his work in Fargo, his cinematic filmography pretty insipid since The Cooler way back in 2003.