samuel l jackson - pulp fiction
mark wahlberg - the departed
tommy lee jones - the fugitive
christian bale - the fighter
hugo weaving - the matrix
gene hackman - the unforgiven
christoph waltz - inglorious basterds
JK simmons - spiderman
He certainly 'stole the show' of the whole film, but was he part of an ensemble cast?
In the original Stepford Wives, Paula Prentiss (as the extrovert best friend) totally stole the show from Katharine Ross.
In Mary, Queen of Scots, Glenda Jackson's turn as Elizabeth I was a tour de force in comparison to the more natural (but boring, in terms of the larger than life style of a historical epic) Vanessa Redgrave.
Rex Harrison was far more interesting as Caesar than Elizabeth Taylor or Richard Burton as Cleopatra and Antony. The film died with Caesar.
I would say that Anthony Hopkins stole the show as Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, but Jodie Foster was so great in the role of Clarice that she actually held her own and they were neck-a-neck in terms of dominating the movie.
Marlon Brando pretty much made himself the most memorable character in the first Godfather movie.
Hers was a great character, she played the in-your-face extrovert superbly, I do agree with that, but Katharine Ross played a blinder in this film - more fragile, but still "together" and her realisation and desperate attempt to escape at the end made the film as haunting as it is.
Kathy Burke in 'Elizabeth'.
As good as Cate Blanchet was, and she was brilliant, Kathy Burke was outstanding in her (very small) role.
Why they didn't do a prequel featuring her character is a mystery to me.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the ultimate upstaging: Orson Welles as Harry Lime in The Third Man (1949). Although that is mainly about screen time rather than star quality!
Eli Wallach in The Misfits. Up against three Hollywood heavyweights (albeit dying ones) and IMO comes out on top.
Then there's the only memorable thing about the very average True Crime where James Woods turns up for one scene and nicks the whole film off Clint Eastwood.
I was observing to see how many posts we could go before Heath got mentioned .
You could also say Jack Nicholson in the original Batman film. But then you have to consider that the role of the Joker is a perfect platform for an actor to 'steal the show' because he is an extrovert, which is a contrast to the darker character of Batman himself.
Comments
He certainly 'stole the show' of the whole film, but was he part of an ensemble cast?
Anne Hathaway in Les Mis definitely.
I do love that lady.
What's Up Doc
Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
At Long Last Love
High Anxiety
Whoopie goldberg in Ghost.
He got nominated at the oscars for best supporting actor, Martin Landau won it.
Hers was a great character, she played the in-your-face extrovert superbly, I do agree with that, but Katharine Ross played a blinder in this film - more fragile, but still "together" and her realisation and desperate attempt to escape at the end made the film as haunting as it is.
Can be no doubt about that.
Patricia Clarkson - Pieces of April
Martha Plimpton - The River Rat
Kathy Burke in 'Elizabeth'.
As good as Cate Blanchet was, and she was brilliant, Kathy Burke was outstanding in her (very small) role.
Why they didn't do a prequel featuring her character is a mystery to me.
Then there's the only memorable thing about the very average True Crime where James Woods turns up for one scene and nicks the whole film off Clint Eastwood.
Also, every film Timothy Carey ever appeared in.
Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit (2010)
Emily Blunt - The Devil Wears Prada
Eddie Murphy, surely?
Angelina Jolie in Girl Interupted
You could also say Jack Nicholson in the original Batman film. But then you have to consider that the role of the Joker is a perfect platform for an actor to 'steal the show' because he is an extrovert, which is a contrast to the darker character of Batman himself.