Buttmunker

I really admire this guy's acting. Mr. Jones graduated at the top of his class from Harvard, so he's definitely a smart motherf@cker, so what does he do with his life? ACTING!

Aside from his deliberate "overacting" roles, such as Natural Born Killers and Batman Forever, Jones is a real good egg when it comes to performance.

He was no slouch in the early 80s, earning an Emmy for his performance as Gary Gilmore in The Executioner's Song

He had another role in a big film - Coal Miner's Daughter, as the husband. But it was not a juicy enough role, and Jones is kind of just "there." Nothing for him to really do in that one, but it was a big Oscar film, and a lot of people saw it; most importantly, they saw him.

His small role in the Oscar-nominated film Love Story gave him exposure, and that was 1970. Tommy Lee Jones has done good work in the 70s, including his role as Howard Hugues in The Amazing Howard Hugues (another TV movie).

As the 80s rolled around, aside from his Emmy turn in 1982, he really wasn't a "big star." He did a lot of TV stuff, but no big movies.

Once the 90s rolled around, I guess Mr. Jones was tired of treading water, and decided to swim.
Films such as JFK (earning his first Oscar-nomination - for best supporting actor), Under Siege, The Fugitive (winning the Oscar for supporting actor), Heaven and Earth, The Client, Natural Born Killers, Blue Sky, Cobb, and Men in Black.

The next decade showed him in other big films, such as Rules of Engagement, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, No Country for Old Men, and In the Valley of Elah (another Oscar-nomination there).

There's a lot of films I never saw, like The Eyes of Laura Mars or Jackson County Jail, both from the 70s, which I heard were good.

What are some of your favorites from Mr. Jones?

Cardsfan111

Loved him in The Fugitive and the MiB films. He also appeared in the pilot episode of the television show, Charlie's Angels.

Buttmunker

was he a bad guy that the Angels had to capture?

JumpCutz

He was great in The Eyes of Laura Mars and Stormy Monday.

His performance as Clay Shaw in JFK is my favorite, followed by his work in NCFOM, The Fugitive, Heaven and Earth and The Executioner's Song.

Very talented man.

Cardsfan111

I actually saw this episode, but it's been about two years ago. He had a pretty significant role in it but I can't remember specifically if he was a bad guy or not.

Larry C.

Why does it surprise you that that inteligent ppl go into acting? James Woods is a member of Mensa. Oh and how can you leave out his best film ever!!!!!

islandclaws

"I'll just get my gear..."

He was awesome supporting Devane in Rolling Thunder.

I've always held Jones up in the same high regard as Gene Hackman. He's a damn great actor with some fantastic performances and a great screen presence.

Kmical

I have that movie! Not exactly anyone's best work ...

rw2516

Same movie, later

"Gonna kill a bunch of people"

AnonomusBob15

Tommy Lee Jones is the kind of great actor that can make a medicore film like The Hunted (2003) watchable. In the Valley of Elah, JFK, No Country, Fugitive, he's always been one of the best.

Buttmunker

When a studio hires Mr. Jones, they're getting quality. Mr. Jones always gives his best.

sauce07

TLJ is awesome. My neighbor is actually cousins with him, and tells stories about them growing up (along with Boxcar Willie). He's told me some stories I wouldn't share here, but let's just say that if you get a chance to be his personal assistant, don't.

My favorite TLJ performances are JFK, Under Siege and NCFOM.

Ash Ketchum

I like Jones in some movies (JFK, HEAVEN AND EARTH) and find him annoying in others (UNDER SIEGE, THE FUGITIVE). In THE FUGITIVE he's only a U.S. Marshal for cryin' out loud, but he runs around barking orders in that high-pitched Texas accent as if he were the commanding officer on D-Day or something. Ridiculous. The Chicago cops and the local FBI men would have laughed in his face.

Anyway, here are Jones' greatest performances:

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Numanoid

I guess I'm the only one that thinks TLJ plays TLJ in almost all of his movies. But like Clint Eastwood and Harrison Ford, he's still enjoyable to watch.

BJacks

Uh, no. The US Marshalls are the lead agency in any escaped prisoner case. Tommy Lee Jones' character was the agent in charge.

Sessa17

Nope, I've posted it before IMO he is one of the most overrated actors ever. I actually think he is a very limited performer. Take a failry comparable actor that could play the same type of parts like an Ed Harris who absolutely blows TLJ away in range, gravitas, and screen presence.

EdTheRipper

I think he's great.

foofighters7

Never been a huge fan but think he is good. I thought 3 Burials of M E was terrific.

Travis McClain

One thing I appreciate about Jones's performances is, he always appears to be attentive. When I watch him listening, it doesn't come off as him just waiting for his turn to give his lines. (I'm looking at you, Jack Nicholson!)

Solid Snake

I like TLJ. LOVE him in NCFOM. Liked him in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Guillermo Arriaga (writer for Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, The Three Burials Melquiades Estrada and the writer/director for The Burning Plain) loves to tell us here at UNT about TLJ and how he came to know him. Seems like he's a very educated guy on film among other things.

The Antipodean

I think he's quite underrated because people think he's doing a "schtick." But he does a nice job of layering and providing different shades of his basic laconic, gruff character -- I'll second the love for 3 Burials, which is just astounding, and he was amazing as well in No Country. Hell, I'll even give it up for Men In Black -- I found him far funnier and more interesting than Will Smith, really.

tylergfoster

This is an interesting observation, and I agree.

Ash Ketchum

(Oops. Shows how much I know.)
Uh, yeah, thanks!, I was waitin' for someone to correct me. What else are you guys good for?

And what am I good for? Finding those Japanese commercials Jones was in. Check 'em out.

Trevor

Agree as well. Gives me the impression that if I ever met him he would actually listen to my floundering attempts at appreciation.

Think he's great in many roles, but am particularly fond of The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Jaymole

I am very interested in seeing him in In the Electric Mist, but regretably, the USA DVD is the bastardized version