Worst well known actor?

[Ric_C]

Most of these comments seem to be confusing acting ability and screen / stage presence.

For example Nicolas Cage, Bruce Willis, Arnie, the Rock etc are all limited actors in terms of range, but they dominate the screen big style, hence they are good film actors. Some can do both stage and screen such as Anthony Hopkins, Kenneth Branagh, Joaquin Phoenix etc but some are suited more to film.

As for other examples, I'm really really not having David Jason or Michael Caine being bad actors.

[ŽižkovClaret]

David Jason, how he's got away with it for so long is criminal

Now there is a sentence open to interpretation.....

He's been "gliding" through his career since only fools really, but i guess he's in the "club"

[ŽižkovClaret]

Hugh Grant was decent in the new Guy Ritchie film, The Gentleman, which is also a very good film. I couldn’t believe it was him at first.

Aye he was enjoyably camp

[BurnleyFC]

Liam Neeson is pretty awful in almost everything he’s been in.

Still strangely watchable, though.

[jrgbfc]

Can't believe no one has said Jason Statham yet. I'm not having David Jason, his portrayal of Del Boy was superb acting.

[karatekid]

I know Arnie is not the best actor ever but I thought Predator and Aftermath were good performances.

[Tricky Trevor]

What about Frost and Porter House Blues, there's been some dross mentioned on this thread, but I wouldn't include Del Boy.
The problem is he's supposed to be playing an eccentric character, how can you play that role straight.

Can’t argue with Alec Guiness, we watched Ladykillers yesterday.
You are making the same point as me about the muscle heads.
David Jason gets his facial expressions wrong far too often for me, I just don’t rate him even though I’ve enjoyed his shows.

[ecc]

"For the most part, it is clear that the board lacks appreciation of acting and actors."

Pray enlighten us, Ian.

[tiger76]

Most of these comments seem to be confusing acting ability and screen / stage presence.

For example Nicolas Cage, Bruce Willis, Arnie, the Rock etc are all limited actors in terms of range, but they dominate the screen big style, hence they are good film actors. Some can do both stage and screen such as Anthony Hopkins, Kenneth Branagh, Joaquin Phoenix etc but some are suited more to film.

As for other examples, I'm really really not having David Jason or Michael Caine being bad actors.

If anybody thinks David Jason can't act,i suggest they watch his performance in Porterhouse Blue,and he wasn't too shabby in Frost either.

The Michael Caine answer's gotta be a wind up,you don't survive in that industry for 70+ years,without having talent,just browsing his resume,i didn't know he featured in Dixon of Dock Green,you learn something new everyday.

[Rileybobs]

The Michael Caine answer's gotta be a wind up,you don't survive in that industry for 70+ years,without having talent,just browsing his resume,i didn't know he featured in Dixon of Dock Green,you learn something new everyday.

Not a wind up at all, I just don’t find him convincing. He seems to play Michael Caine in most of the films I’ve seen him in. Most of the names mentioned have survived in the industry so I don’t think that can be used as yardstick.

The really bad actors (Vinnie Jones, Stallone) are so obvious that they are not really worth mentioning. I added Caine and Winstone as two renowned actors who have had successful careers who I don’t find believable.

[yTib]

keanu reeves.

[ashtonlongsider]

Suppose not being a massive film buff limits my qualification but i'd not even give a film with Schwarzenegger or Willis the opening credits. I'd tie Stallone in as well but my other half can watch the Rocky movies over and over again.

[Hipper]

David Jason also had parts in Porridge and of course Open All Hours. I enjoyed those contributions.

If you want to see crap acting look at the current Death In Paradise series.

[bfcjg]

Paddy McGuinness in Phoenix nights and Max and Paddy so wooden his stunt extra was a skirting board.

[BurnleyFC]

Bruce Willis is actually very good in Pulp Fiction.

Vin Diesel is another to add to the meat head, **** actor list.

[Tribesmen]

Miss Diana from Crossroads

[firstclaret]

Antonio Banderas

[iowalan]

eddie murphy ....i say EDDIE MURPHY

[IanMcL]

If anybody thinks David Jason can't act,i suggest they watch his performance in Porterhouse Blue,and he wasn't too shabby in Frost either.

The Michael Caine answer's gotta be a wind up,you don't survive in that industry for 70+ years,without having talent,just browsing his resume,i didn't know he featured in Dixon of Dock Green,you learn something new everyday.

Michael Caine has delivered acting teaching on the Actors Masterclass prog.

I remember him saying that on stage, you are larger than life, so it conveys to the Gods and on film, your face reveals everything, with the slightest movement.

[claretblue]

Liam Neeson is pretty awful in almost everything he’s been in.

he should be on the list!

[timshorts]

Suppose not being a massive film buff limits my qualification but i'd not even give a film with Schwarzenegger or Willis the opening credits. I'd tie Stallone in as well but my other half can watch the Rocky movies over and over again.

I hope your other side has a power of attorney in place. That sounds like the onset of short term memory loss.

[turfytopper]

Bit of fun...

Which famous actor really makes you wonder how they ever get any work?

For me....Nicholas Cage.

Nicolas Cage immediately came into my mind on reading the topic subject.

Totally agree. So I wondered how on earth he'd managed to have such an fantastic career....answer? Just check out who is relations are.

[Squarepusher]

Danny Dyer. Although, I'm not sure the term 'actor' technically applies to him, since he just plays himself in every role.

[Vino blanco]

I'm with Riley on Michael Caine. I thought he was believable in "Alfie" because he played a cockney boy, which is what he is. However in all his other roles he just seems to be playing a slightly different Alfie character. Every time I see him on screen I just think "Oh it's Alfie again but acting badly". I really don't rate him at all.

[TVC15]

I'm with Riley on Michael Caine. I thought he was believable in "Alfie" because he played a cockney boy, which is what he is. However in all his other roles he just seems to be playing a slightly different Alfie character. Every time I see him on screen I just think "Oh it's Alfie again but acting badly". I really don't rate him at all.

You not seen Cider House Rules then ?
He’s been in a hell of a lot of films in 60 year career and whilst a few like Get Carter (great film) and even more recently Harry Brown are a bit of the stereotype many more are nothing like this.
He’s also a decent comic actor with his cameo appearances in a few films.

Plus he’s in Dark Knight - a brilliant movie so I’ll forgive him just for that !

[tim_noone]

Michael Caine has delivered acting teaching on the Actors Masterclass prog.

I remember him saying that on stage, you are larger than life, so it conveys to the Gods and on film, your face reveals everything, with the slightest movement.

The man who would be king with Michael Caine Sean Connery and others...was an excellent film along with some fine acting.

[tim_noone]

Danny Dyer. Although, I'm not sure the term 'actor' technically applies to him, since he just plays himself in every role.

A lot of people in life actually find it difficult to be themselves....but I get what your saying.

[LoveCurryPies]

Danny Dyer. Although, I'm not sure the term 'actor' technically applies to him, since he just plays himself in every role.

You win!

[houseboy]

John Wayne .......by a country mile!

You got this in before me. Absolutely shocking for an alleged a-lister. The peak of his awfulness was his cameo in The Greatest Story Ever Told...his portrayal of the centurion could have been done better by anyone.
Director: John can you put some ‘awe’ into your performance?
Wayne: Awe surely this man was the son of God.

Closely followed by the girl who plays Stacey in Eastenders. How does she so often win awards?

[houseboy]

Kevin Costner

Not having this one. Great actor. Field of Dreams one of my favourite films ever.

[boatshed bill]

William Roche, aka Ken Barlow in Corrie. He only has one facial expression, that makes him look like he's trying to squeeze a 17 lb turd through his sphincter. He's so wooden, he makes the Cuprinol man seem believable. I know it's only Corrie, but he's robbed Granada blind for almost 60 yrs.

I often wonder if, when spoken to, he answers as Ken rather than as himself.

[houseboy]

Danny Dyer. Although, I'm not sure the term 'actor' technically applies to him, since he just plays himself in every role.

Absolutely. First time I saw him interviewed I wondered why he was in character...until I realised that he has only one persona...him. How did that guy make it? East end hard man? Don’t make me larf.

[dougcollins]

Another one for Nicholas Cage.

Caught him by accident last night in Grand Isle, wtf.

[LoveCurryPies]

Another one for Nicholas Cage.

Caught him by accident last night in Grand Isle, wtf.

I started watching that film but gave up after 5 minutes and that is why I started this thread.

[dougcollins]

I really should have done the same.

[Bertiebeehead]

Not having this one. Great actor. Field of Dreams one of my favourite films ever.

Ruined the untouchables, I’ve refused to watch anything with him in it since.

[joey13]

Tom Cruise

[IanMcL]

I really should have done the same.

One thread is enough!

[AfloatinClaret]

I recall once reading a quote regarding acting ability:
'Audie Murphy had only two acting poses hay on and hat off; Charles Bronson is from the same school, but sadly without the hat.

[ecc]

"For the most part, it is clear that the board lacks appreciation of acting and actors."

Pray enlighten us, Ian.

[dougcollins]

One thread is enough!

Very droll.

[boatshed bill]

I guess the main problem with actors is that they are obviously acting.

[Darnhill Claret]

Directors and casting directors choose the actors that they want because of their facial expression ability and their ability to show a lack of facial expressions. As boatshed bill says in film and especially theatre you don’t want to appear to be acting. In tv and some film, expression is everything in close up. Then there is filling the screen, clear diction, believability and box-office status. Top actors have it all, some only have a few. I never expected Ken Barlow to be a song and dance man. Just like Roy Cropper is the same every time he’s on screen.

[Darnhill Claret]

I’m not a Nicholas Cage fan either, but that doesn’t make him a bad actor.

[Rileybobs]

I’m not a Nicholas Cage fan either, but that doesn’t make him a bad actor.

Obviously you not liking someone doesn’t make them a bad actor. There are some Hollywood actors who are far less talented than their peers though, which I guess is what this thread is about. Some actors, such as Schwarzenegger, have made it as successful Hollywood stars for reasons other than their acting talent. Others have made it primarily based on their appearance. The music industry is littered with similar examples.

[LAM]

Surprised David Jason appears in this, for his Del Boy act alone.

Another vote for Liam Neeson here.

[Sarum]

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo

Flipper

Sooty


All 3 characters soon became a bit predictable really, not exactly helped by their second rate scriptwriters.

[box_of_frogs]

I’d happily go with Danny ‘hard man’ Dyer

[timshorts]

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo

Flipper

Sooty


All 3 characters soon became a bit predictable really, not exactly helped by their second rate scriptwriters.

n

Well I'd like to see ken Barlow and Danny dyer consistently put on magic acting performance as sooty manages with Matthew Corbett's fist up their arses. Sooty is by contrast a cosumate proffessional even if he is a blackpool fan.

[Devils_Advocate]

I think this thread of bad actors needs some females adding to it. Whilst my male choice of David Jason has surprisingly been questioned I think my female choice will get more universal support

Worst well known female actress for me is Julie Andrews. She was bloody awful as that hooker in pretty woman and Richard Gere must have been well p*ssed off having to work alongside her