That Signature Role

[DallasEast]

When you think of an actress or actor, what is that one single role they played which stands out for you in his or her career? That one movie or television character, which only she or he seem destined to play, and no one else could have possibly played it nearly as well?

Some of mine:

Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi
Denzel Washington as Malcolm X in Malcolm X
Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich
Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Silence Of The Lambs
Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles in Cabaret
Mo'Nique as Mary Lee Johnston in Precious
Hughie Laurie as Dr. Gregory House in House M.D.


Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in the Terminator movies. :laugh2:

 

[Yeagermeister]

Sarge PBR addict

 

[DallasEast]

Sarge PBR addict

:laugh1: That has truly been a role for the ages. :laugh2:

 

[Duane]

R Lee Ermey - Gunnery Sergeant Hartman - Full Metal Jacket
Wilford Brimley - Diabeetus
Jeff Bridges - The Dude - The Big Lebowski

 

[Yeagermeister]

:laugh1: That has truly been a role for the ages. :laugh2:

See also Otis the town drunk :laugh1:

 

[a_minimalist]

Natalie Portman - Leon the Professional
Tom Hardy - Bronson

 

[ologan]

Al Pacino- Michael Corleone;
Clark Gable- Rhett Butler;
Robert Duval- Gus McRae;
Tommy Lee Jones-Woodrow Call.

 

[DallasEast]

Natalie Portman - Leon the Professional
Tom Hardy - Bronson

Just wanted to comment that the FIRST time I saw her in The Professional I knew Portman would eventually win herself an Academy Award some day. I try to re-watch the movie at least once or twice a year. Gary Oldman's bad cop character is one you love to see get what he deserves in the end.

 

[Phoenix]

Bruce Willis - John McClain

Arnold - Terminator

Sigourney Weaver - Ripley

 

[Stash]

Dudley Moore as Arthur.

Recently proven to be a fact that nobody else could play the role.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Just wanted to comment that the FIRST time I saw her in The Professional I knew Portman would eventually win herself an Academy Award some day. I try to re-watch the movie at least once or twice a year. Gary Oldman's bad cop character is one you love to see get what he deserves in the end.

Gary Oldman is just so awesome in so many different roles.

That cop...Drexel in true romance.

 

[vta]

Jack Nicholson - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Gregory Peck - To Kill A Mockingbird

 

[03EBZ06]

Robert Blake - Baretta

Telly Savales - Kojak

Charles Bronson - Death Wish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervé_VillechaizeHerve Villechaize (ze plane, ze plane) - Fantasy Island

 

[03EBZ06]

Barbara Billingsley - June Cleaver
Jerry Mathers - Theodore Cleaver
Hugh Beaumont - Ward Cleaver
Tony Dow - Eddie Haskell

 

[vta]

Jackie Gleason - Ralph Cramden
Jack Klugman - Oscar Madison

 

[03EBZ06]

Raymond Burr - Perry Mason

Barbara Hale - Della Street

William Harper - Paul drake

 

[CowboyMike]

I keep wanting to think of one for Harrison Ford, but there are so many iconic roles for him that kind of just take on a persona for themselves. When you watch him as Han Solo, you don't think that he's also Indiana Jones, and vice versa. A testament to how good he is.

 

[vta]

I keep wanting to think of one for Harrison Ford, but there are so many iconic roles for him that kind of just take on a persona for themselves. When you watch him as Han Solo, you don't think that he's also Indiana Jones, and vice versa. A testament to how good he is.

I think the same goes for Oldman. From rotten cop to Sid Vicious to Mason Verger. His ability sort of transcends them all.

 

[a_minimalist]

Just wanted to comment that the FIRST time I saw her in The Professional I knew Portman would eventually win herself an Academy Award some day. I try to re-watch the movie at least once or twice a year. Gary Oldman's bad cop character is one you love to see get what he deserves in the end.

I watched it after her career began but when I watched it it was so easy to see what agents/directors/producers saw in her and why she became who she is. That performance still stands out to me and I rank it in the top 10 I've ever seen, and she was only a kid. I still don't think I've seen her do better.

Gary Oldman was awesome in it too!

 

[a_minimalist]

This is a slight variation to the topic but a possible signature role--this is pure speculation--could be the kid who plays Joffrey from A Game of Thrones. If he goes on to have a big career I'm sure people will be looking at his performance on the show.