[mrblank]

i know hes has a decent career but i think he should be up their with the likes of colin firth hes got looks charm charisma

[The Terminator]

He's not exactly among the greatest actors ever, or anywhere close. Granted, that hasn't stopped many others' stars rising.

[Ted Cunterblast]

Interesting question...I would say it's a combination of luck and just not getting the right parts, as it is with most actors.

In Grant's case I would say the above is true.

In addition, I have to say I find Grant one of those 'one note' actors who rarely varies his acting style.

Looking at his career, he probably got saddled with that 'quintessential Brit' tag after Withnail, and was probably showered with offers of similar roles. I think that's a crucial time for an actor, because the choices you make after that initial success can determine how your whole career pans out.

And some of the films he made subsequently, like How to get ahead in advertising, Warlock, Hudson Hawk etc were questionable at best.

Yes, he also had roles in Dracula, Henry and June, The Player and Age of Innocence...but these were critially acclaimed movies rather than box office successes.
And after that he seems to have drifted...lots of TV, small roles in interesting and occasionally well known movies.

But he really has not had a major starring role in anything for a long time, hence why he is probably considered by most of the public as a recognisable face, always expected to play the Englishman when required...but that's as far as it goes.

[logansdad]

Like Charles Dance his Hollywood choices were awful!

[RebelScum]

It's not every actor's dream to become a massive star. Steady work and a nice lifestyle is enough for some.

[Ted Cunterblast]

Originally Posted by logansdad

Like Charles Dance his Hollywood choices were awful!

I would not nescessarily agree, I think it's more complex than that.

Like I said, he did Age of Innocence, The Player and Henry and June. You cannot say it's a bad choice to opt to work with Scorcese, or Altman and an all-star cast, or Philip Kaufman in an adaptation of a literary classic.

Those are not bad choices, the more interesting and indeed difficult question is why didn't those movies do anything to further his career?

[Gellymiss]

He did a rom com that was not very good. And they picked the worst co star, Samantha Mathis, to be with him. They looked odd together. I think that ended the road down Hugh Grant romcom Brit lover. I am not sure he was leading man material but definitely gave a wonderful performance in Withnail.

[Creamtea]

Originally Posted by Gellymiss

He did a rom com that was not very good. And they picked the worst co star, Samantha Mathis, to be with him. They looked odd together. I think that ended the road down Hugh Grant romcom Brit lover. I am not sure he was leading man material but definitely gave a wonderful performance in Withnail.

Jack and Sarah. I really like that film.

[mr muggles]

He's never truck me as the type thats really bothered by being a big league 'star'. He's always seemed more content to be a cult actor. He was certainly the darling of chat shows in the 90's. I think hes too intelligent to want all the Hollywood hoopla. Dosent he spend a fair amount of time in Africa?

[gashead]

Originally Posted by Ted Cunterblast

And some of the films he made subsequently, like How to get ahead in advertising, Warlock, Hudson Hawk etc were questionable at best.

Yes, he also had roles in Dracula, Henry and June, The Player and Age of Innocence...but these were critially acclaimed movies rather than box office successes.

I think these examples of films he's been in sums it up nicely. Who knows if it's by accident or design, but his roles seem to fall into two categories: a big role in a small (and all too often awful) film, or a small role in a big film. Either way, his performances tend to get overlooked I think, which is a shame, because he's a good actor. He still could - and should - become a big star (if he wants to); he's got a fairly unique look and voice, so there must be a role out there that's perfect for him.

[MissySmith]

Originally Posted by logansdad

Like Charles Dance his Hollywood choices were awful!

Like Charles Dance,his eyes are awful

[Chairman___Meow]

Cos he's a terrible c@nt.

[rfonzo]

He was very good in a film from 1987 called 'Withnail and I.'

[Mark A]

He does tend to look a bit like one of Dracula's henchmen. Forever destined to be a character actor rather than a movie star.

Regards

Mark

[mrblank]

what prompted my question was hes in a radio 4 play later today

[Mark A]

Got a face for radio, as they say?

Regards

Mark

[Takae]

He's a niche, isn't he? Too distinctive to be generic.

[Delboy219]

A friend of mine was sat near Richard on a train last week. The actor was seemingly offended by his burger king meal, and got up and sat elsewhere.

[Muttley76]

I'm not sure he was ever marked out for movie stardom, but the guy has had a pretty solid career. No shame in that.

Originally Posted by Chairman___Meow

Cos he's a terrible c@nt.

tut tut

[axlgod]

I remember reading his autobiography 'With Nails'.
He dedicated a whole chapter on the making of Hudson Hawk - & pissed a few people off, one being mega producer Joel Silver.
First rule of Hollywood, don't piss off Joel Silver.

[cunningham1471]

IMO he's an ok-ish actor. He does have the disadvantage of being really tall which can be a problem with some parts. If you are the lead you can make even a "standard" heighted woman look smaller than she is. He isn't what you would call "Hollywood hansome" so not likely to be a male lead either.
He also has that like him or hate him personality. I find him really difficult to watch on chat shows and game shows. I don't know if it's his voice, mannerisms, personality or something else but he just annoys me when I see him.
If he does that for other people especially in the entertainment industry they may see him as not being easy to use on the US chat show circuit. Whilst he is weel spoken, bordering on sounding posh, he isn't like Hugh Grant where he has the looks, the voice the "Englishness" that someone like Hugh Grant has.

[Andy2]

He's very English and unlikely to get big Hollywood parts because of that, unless playing a super-villain which he probably wanted to avoid.
After Withnail & I, he no doubt got many similar offers and wanted to avoid being typecast - so his choices were narrowing all the time.

[Pob-Bundy]

Originally Posted by Mark A

Got a face for radio, as they say?

Regards

Mark

That's what I think about Colin Firth aswell, dead behind the eyes and no range what so ever but it hasn't stopped him.

[mrblank]

Originally Posted by Pob-Bundy

That's what I think about Colin Firth aswell, dead behind the eyes and no range what so ever but it hasn't stopped him.

firth is a cold fish.i dont think he enjoys being a movie star.hes not the sort of person who would be comfortable goofing around on a chat show. cant stand him give me hugh grant anyday

[Alt-F4]

He's a bit of a nobhead, probably annoying to work with