During a film discussion with anyone ..I suppose at a generic level, when a certain actor/actress name is introduced there has to be one film (not TV series) that enters to mind before too many specifics are offered as distraction.

After watching Syriana tonight, William Hurt showed up as a bit player and the first role I thought of him (so shoot me since it's not something more relevant) is Hobby from Artificial Intelligence.

Chow Yun Fat. Always will be remembered first as Tequila from Hard Boiled. The powdered face with the slung back toothpick after blowing away the HK police's "undercover" is a brilliant image.

Tom Hanks. After numerous memorable roles I'd always remember Big when Josh wakes up and find himself an adult (even though Bachelor Party or Bosom Buddies should probably be more relevant).

In any case ....what are some of yours and why?

Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth

With Sean Connery, I immediately think of bald and old Sean Connery and not James Bond Sean Connery.

I guess that proves which generation I belong to.

Al Pacino -- Dog Day Afternoon -- arguably his best performance of his career, it is quintessential classic Pacino.

Jeff Bridges -- The Big Lebowski -- need I say more?

DeNiro- Taxi Driver

Norton- Primal Fear

Liotta -Goodfellas

Pitt- Fight Club

Burstyn- The Exorcist

Russell- Escape From New York

Streep- Sophie's Choice

Altered States or Kiss of the Spider Woman

Great answer. Would have been mine too. Some other good responses too so far. How about:

Sean Penn - "Fast Times" (even though he won Oscars for "Mystic River" and "Milk")

Harrison Ford - "Raiders"

Sigourney Weaver - "Alien"/"Aliens"

Arnold - "The Terminator"

Glenn Close - "Fatal Attraction"

Of all three I have to go with "Spider Woman" or maybe even "Broadcast News" (new entry).

Stallone - Rocky

The Big Chill (for William Hurt)

at William Hurt being the most mentioned actor in this thread.

Why not? The guy unloaded a large volume of high-quality work onto the world for awhile there. In keeping with that theme, I think I associate him most strongly with Broadcast News or maybe The Accidental Tourist.

Streep for me is Silkwood.

Cher --> Moonstruck

Robert Mitchum - OUT OF THE PAST


Dan Duryea - SCARLET STREET


Elisha Cook Jr. - THE MALTESE FALCON


Sally Forrest - SON OF SINBAD

(Hubba, hubba!)

Jane Russell - THE OUTLAW


Aya Matsuura - YO YO GIRL COP

Leo Gorcey

Leo Gorcey - KID DYNAMITE

Huntz Hall - PARIS PLAYBOYS


Hey, they're two of my cultural heroes. (After Aya Matsuura, of course. )

Russell Crowe, GLADIATOR
Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet, TITANIC
Hugh Jackman, X-MEN
+1 for Cate Blanchett, ELIZABETH

Robert DeNiro - Casino
Kurt Russell - Big Trouble in Little China
Mark Whalberg - Boogie Nights
Stallone - Rocky
Chevy Chase - National Lampoon's Vacation (thanks mainly to its epic poster)
John Cusack - High Fidelity
Uma Thurman - Pulp Fiction
Val Kilmer -Tombstone
Clint Eastwood - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Johnny Depp - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Ben Stiller - Heavyweights
Patrick Swayze - Road House

Tadanobu Asano, ICHI THE KILLER
Clint Eastwood, THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY

Robin Williams - Popeye
Jeff Bridges - Tron
Dennis Quaid - Dreamscape
Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Terminator
Robert De Niro - The Godfather Part II
Joe Pesci & Robert Liotta - Goodfellas
Steve Martin - The Jerk

Tom Cruise - Taps
Tom Hanks - Bosom Buddies
Julianne Moore - Boogie Nights
Bruce Willis - Die Hard
Kurt Russell - The Computer That Wore Tennis Shoes
Goldie Hawn - Laugh In
Demi Moore - Ghost
Val Kilmer - Tombstone
Clint Eastwood - Dirty Harry
John Travolta - Welcome Back Kotter

Those were tv shows.

Yes, there hasn't.

Mifune as

So, Harrison Ford.

Is it Indiana Jones, Han Solo, or Deckard?

Charles Bronson - Death Wish

Harrison Ford is tough, even his Jack Ryan role is iconic.