In honor of American badass Charles Durning, what's everyone's Mount Rushmore of character actors? Define character actor as you see fit. I've got Hal Holbrook, Charles Durning, Jason Robards, and James Cromwell. A lot of old white guys but the phrase veteran character actor screams old white guy.

Vincent Schiavelli, Michael Wincott, Lance Henriksen, Rutger Hauer

Off the top of my head.(I hate limiting such discussions to so few)

Robert Ryan, Christopher Plummer, Brian Cox, Mads Mikkelsen

This is hard-
Harry Dean Stanton, Lance Henriksen, John Cazale (RIP), Steve Buscemi. That list could change tomorrow.

JT Walsh, M. Emmet Walsh, Martin Balsam, Eli Wallach

Only one man. Harry Fuckin' Dean Stanton.

Michael Shannon
JK Simmons
Michael Ironside
David Morse

James Cromwell needs to be up there.

J.T. Walsh for sure.

I'd probably also include Ward Bond.

After those two I'd really have to give it some thought...

I was going to say JT Walsh so I'll toss out William H Macy and Paul Gleason.

Mine would have to be:

John Cazale- Made an impression with so little work.

Steve Buscemi- I always smile when Buscemi makes an appearance.

Dick Miller- The same like Buscemi. He's the elder statesman character actor.

John C. Reilly- I've always liked John C. Reilly. It's always fun to watch an older movie and seeing Reilly in it.

Wow, some great names mentioned in this thread.

Good stuff.

I was knocked out when I saw Pete Postlethwaite on the London stage and was glad to see him take on movie roles.

1) John Heder

2) Channing Tatum

3) Josh Hartnett

4) Jake Lloyd

First name I thought of when clicking on to this thread.

Sydney Greenstreet
Walter Brennan
M. Emmet Walsh
James Hong

Harry Dean Stanton
M. Emmett Walsh
Steve Buscemi
Christopher Walken

JT Walsh
Jack Elam
William Fichtner
Mako

These guys are Western Character Icons: Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr, Slim Pickens, and Jack Elam.

Jack MacGowran
Ned Beatty
Brian Cox
John Carrol Lynch


Holy shit this is the hardest call ever. I tried to bring some new names to the table. So many great actors.
I hate you cleaver.


Great thread... some amazing choices guys.

Jason Schwartzman
Bill Murray
Brian Cox
Luke Wilson

..... sorry, I couldn't resist

I feel like there should be one or two old-school choices, such as the aforementioned Walter Brennan (who won 3 Oscars for Supporting Actor) or Ed Wynn. I'm interested to see what names Ash Ketchum suggests.

Sydney Greenstreet
Dick Miller
Whit Bissell
Gilbert Roland

In the immortal words of Frank (Henry Fonda) in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST: "Now that you've called me by name..."

I'd have to go with these guys:

Thomas Mitchell:


Victor McLaglen:


John Carradine:


Walter Brennan (of course):


Can you imagine those faces on Mount Rushmore? I can.


Among those still living, I'd have to go with:
Gene Hackman
Robert Duvall
Harry Dean Stanton
Lance Henriksen

Along with Ben Johnson, I would add the great Brian Dehenny ( I hope I spelt his name right).

Strother Martin is another!