Actors who always make great films/TV programmes

[V8mate]

Inspired by the 'actors who put you off' thread, which actors will ensure that you always watch any film/tv programmes they appear in?

I'll kick off with Olivia Coleman - just love the way she portrays her characters.

And no porn actresses!

[vixen1700]

I usually like Johnny Depp and Christopher Walken in almost everything they do.

Another few that spring to mind are Gary Oldman, Sean Bean, Paddy Considine and funnily enough George Clooney.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Another vote for Johnny Depp. A very diverse actor.

[Hawmaws]

Jeff Bridges or Gene Hackman

[Miguel Alvarez]

I'm not a movie buff but I've never considered Gene Hackman to be a great actor. I think he's been in great films but he comes in the same class as say Clint Eastwood.

I'd class Al Pachino as a great actor. Possibly Robert De Niro but then there are few films of that both have done I don't like.

[TheHeretic]

V8mate said:

Inspired by the 'actors who put you off' thread, which actors will ensure that you always watch any film/tv programmes they appear in?

I'll kick off with Olivia Coleman - just love the way she portrays her characters.

And no porn actresses!

After watching Tyrannosaur, and being a fan of Peep show, etc, I'd agree. I can't think of anything bad she has been in.

She is strangely attractive as well, in a weird way

[toasty]

John Hawkes
Bruce Campbell (ok maybe not 'good' films, more 'evil' films)

[Justin Cyder]

Anything with Brendan Gleeson is worth a looksee.

[Nightmare]

Depp and Pitt both make pretty much anything watchable
ditto jay and silent bob

[Halb]

Jeff Bridges, Gene Hackman, Brendan Gleeson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Christian Bale, Johhny Depp, Clint Eastwood, Steve Zahn, William H. Macy, Robert Downey Junior, Bill Murray, Kevin Spacey, Chris Cooper, Steve Buscemi, Tom Hardy, Charles Dance, Sean Bean.

That'll do for now.

[TheHeretic]

I don't think I've ever seen anything that Stephen Graham has been in that has been bad.

[anonymous-user]

Halb said:

Sean Bean.

You put that one in to check we're awake, right?

[hesnotthemessiah]

Another for Philip Seymour Hoffman. Clooney, De Niro, Eastwood, Pitt also.

[sherbert90]

Morgan Freeman. Chiefly because of his voice. Another one for Christopher Walken too, such a versatile actor. I like a lot of Tom Hanks films too.

[BenM77]

Russel Crowe picks his roles carefully, a very good actor IMO.

[onyx39]

sherbert90 said:

Morgan Freeman. Chiefly because of his voice. Another one for Christopher Walken too, such a versatile actor. I like a lot of Tom Hanks films too.

Agreed.... I think we need a thread for "cool voices".

[anonymous-user]

Almost guaranteed to be good if he's in it.

Also IMO: Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken and James Cromwell often make a film better just by appearing in it. Honourable mention to Russell Crowe too, but he didn't make the list because of Robin Hood.

[Pints]

I nominate Robert Downey Jr.

[DrTre]

In addition to most of those mentioned:
Phil Davies.
Paddy Considine.
Ray Winstone at a push (though I thought he was woeful in The Departed but then again I think the entire film is atrociously acted and scripted. Controversial, wooo).
Helen Mirren.
Judi Dench.

[checkmate91]

Maggie Smith.