19 Times Famous Actors Somehow Got Neglected Because They Played A Minor Part
It can be difficult to immediately identify these actors.
Some actors are famous enough to get their names in the credits, yet somehow they still end up feeling like background noise. Eddie Redmayne, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Colman, and Taron Egerton have all played roles that are technically “supporting,” but emotionally they hit like cameos that stole the entire scene.
And it gets weird fast, because these parts are tied to major storylines you already know. Redmayne shows up as William Stafford beside Scarlett Johansson’s Mary Boleyn, Colman becomes Carol Thatcher in The Iron Lady, and Egerton is Elton John in Rocketman, even though the movie is literally built around his early connection with Taupin. Meanwhile, Brad Dourif turns up as a Catholic priest in Moonlighting, Michael Gambon brings Judy into the spotlight in Judy, and David Harbour supports Task Force X in Suicide Squad.
Here are 19 times these famous faces got shoved into minor roles, and it still somehow felt criminal.
1. Eddie Redmayne
According to Digital Spy, the 34-year-old British Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne played William Stafford, the husband of Scarlett Johansson’s Mary Boleyn. The actor claims he was hilariously miscast in “The Other Boleyn Girl.”
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them / Heyday Films and co-producers, © The Other Boleyn Girl / Columbia Pictures and co-producers2. Chris Hemsworth
In the movie A Perfect Getaway, Kale, along with Cleo, was encountered by Cliff and Cydney on the drive to the start of the hiking trail. After several teeth were discovered in Kale’s backpack, he and Cleo were arrested for the killings.
Thor: The Dark World / Marvel Studios and co-producers, © A Perfect Getaway / Rogue and co-producers3. In The Iron Lady, Olivia Colman played the role of Carol Thatcher, the daughter of the main character, Margaret Thatcher.
The Favourite / Fox Searchlight Pictures and co-producers, © The Iron Lady / DJ Films and co-producers
4. In the movie Rocketman, Taron Egerton played Elton John, a talented musician.
The film is named after John’s 1972 song “Rocket Man” and chronicles the tale of John’s early days in England as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his creative connection with Taupin.
Kingsman: The Secret Service / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © Rocketman / Paramount Pictures and co-producers
5. In Moonlighting, Brad Dourif played Father McDonovan in the Season 3 episode “All Creatures Great and… Not So Great.”
The Catholic priest is smitten with a woman who attends confession regularly. The woman has stated that she intends to commit suicide this week.
He employs Blue Moon Investigations to track her down since she vanishes before he can catch up with her.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema and co-producers, © Moonlighting / ABC Circle Films and co-producers
6. In the movie Practical Magic, Evan Rachel Wood played Sally’s (Bullock) daughter Kylie Owens before rising to fame for her role in “Westworld.”
She looked and acted a lot like her Aunt Gillian, and she was only approximately 11 years old at the time (Kidman).
Westworld / Bad Robot and co-producers, © Practical Magic / DiNovi Pictures and co-producers
7. In Judy, Michael Gambon played the supporting role of Bernard Delfont.
He was the one who brought Judy in to perform at his venue. The character is grumpy and upset at her drug and alcohol-induced unreliability but is unmistakably moved.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Judy / Pathé and co-producers
8. In Suicide Squad, David Harbour played Dexter Tolliver. Dexter Tolliver is the President’s National Security Advisor, and he ends up supporting Amanda Waller’s Task Force X concept because of its potential assets.
Stranger Things / 21 Laps Entertainment and co-producers, © Suicide Squad / Atlas Entertainment and co-producers
9. In Midnight in Paris, Corey Stoll played the role of Ernest Hemingway, a famous American novelist. The character here, in a way, is said to be an idealized and romanticized version of Hemingway.
House of Cards / Media Rights Capital (MRC) and co-producers, © Midnight in Paris / Mediapro and co-producers
10. In Casanova, Omid Djalili played the role of Lupo. Francesca misidentifies Casanova as Lupo Salvato (Casanova’s servant), and Casanova amuses her because she despises the infamous Casanova.
The Mummy / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © Casanova / Touchstone Pictures and co-producers
It’s like the friend who accidentally revealed Jordans ex’s new relationship, sparking drama with unresolved feelings.
11. Adam Scott is most likely best known for his role on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” Scott appeared in 96 episodes of the long-running comedy series as Ben Wyatt (via IMDb).
However, Adam Scott also played Johnny Meyer in The Aviator. He had a small role in the film, but his portrayal as Hughes’ publicity agent Johnny Meyer is memorable.
Hughes hired Meyer from Warner Bros. during his time in Hollywood. Meyer was a real-life publicist of the time.
Big Little Lies / Home Box Office (HBO) and co-producers, © The Aviator / Forward Pass and co-producers
12. In the movie Mary Poppins Returns, Julie Walters played Ellen, Michael’s and Jane’s long-time housekeeper.
The character was previously portrayed by Hermione Baddeley in the original film.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Mary Poppins Returns / Lucamar Productions and co-producers
13. In The Office Series, Dakota Johnson reprises her role as Dakota in its last episode, fittingly continuing the show’s habit of utilizing the actors’ true names for their roles.
Dakota begins working at Dunder Mifflin as a new accountant after the documentary airs, as the firm needed to fill positions for the numerous Scranton branch workers who were fired or quit.
Fifty Shades of Grey / Focus Features and co-producers, © The Office / Reveille Productions and co-producers
14. Drew Barrymore
The most memorable role in 50 First Dates is probably Lucy Whitmore, portrayed by Drew Barrymore. However, she also played one of the two female assistants for Two-Face in the film Batman Forever.
50 First Dates / Columbia Pictures and co-producers, © Batman Forever / Warner Bros. and co-producers
15. In the movie Cry-Baby, Willem Dafoe played the role of Hateful Guard, a minor character in the film.
His ass slap on Johnny Depp was improvised, making it one of the funniest moments in cinema.
At Eternity’s Gate / CBS Films and co-producers, © Cry-Baby / Universal Pictures and co-producers
16. Rose McGowan plays the evil sorceress Marique in the Conan the Barbarian film, but her exaggerated forehead – aka her “10-head,” as she called her character’s look, was simply due to movie magic.
Charmed / Spelling Television and co-producers, © Conan the Barbarian / Lionsgate and co-producers
17. In Mona Lisa Smile, Ginnifer Goodwin played the role of Constance “Connie” Baker.
Betty convinces Connie that Charlie, Betty’s cousin, is simply using her since his parents had planned for him to marry Deb MacIntyre. Connie leaves the relationship because she believes in Betty’s narrative.
However, Connie and Charlie reunite a few weeks later, with Charlie stating that he has already chosen not to marry Deb, so Connie and he get back together.
Why Women Kill / Imagine Entertainment and co-producers, © Mona Lisa Smile / Revolution Studios and co-producers
18. Sean Astin playing Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is definitely his most famous role.
However, what people don’t know is that he also played a part in the film 50 First Dates as Doug Whitmore. He is Lucy’s older brother, a lisping, steroid-dependent bodybuilder.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema and co-producers, © 50 First Dates / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
19. In the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel, F. Murray Abraham played the role of old Zero at the start of the film.
Zero is the main character of the movie, while Tony Revolori played the younger version of the character.
Homeland / Teakwood Lane Productions and co-producers, © The Grand Budapest Hotel / Fox Searchlight Pictures and co-producers
The Other Boleyn Girl makes it extra awkward, because Eddie Redmayne is stuck playing Mary Boleyn’s husband, even though he clearly belongs in the spotlight.
Then A Perfect Getaway throws Chris Hemsworth into a story where Kale and Cleo get arrested after teeth are found in a backpack, which is not exactly the kind of role that lets you breathe.
Olivia Colman’s The Iron Lady moment is almost the opposite problem, since Carol Thatcher is tied to the main character’s life, but she still gets treated like a side note.
And by the time you hit Suicide Squad, David Harbour’s Dexter Tolliver is the guy who helps back Task Force X, but you still feel like he deserved more than “supporting” status.
One of our interests around here is researching the filmographies of well-known actors and actresses. We're interested in those modest roles that served as stepping stones to fame rather than whether they went on to become TV stars.
After all, Hollywood demands top-notch production workers for blockbusters.
These actors didn’t just get neglected, they got shortchanged.
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