Top 10 Supporting Actors

There are thousands of actors in this world, but only the very talented can shine in the supporting role. Those making the cut are actors or actresses who are able to completely transform themselves in every single role that they play, someone who has been in numerous different films, quite rarely playing the lead protagonist, but instead delivering a powerful, often "scene stealing" performance as a supporting role.  So, below is my Top 10 Supporting Actors – performers who are exceedingly versatile.

10. Amy Adams

Amy Adams is one of the freshest and versatile female actresses in show business at the moment. She has an impressive body of work, not only on screen, but from Broadway as well. As with many actresses in this list, she is able to transform into the characters with no fear of being ugly – there is no sense of self-consciousness or control in her work. She has made very bold choices when it comes to movies, ranging from the naïve, fairy-princess Giselle in Enchanted (2007) to tough, street-smart in Charlene in The Fighter (2010). I don’t think there could be a bigger difference between the two characters! And she does both with true conviction.

9. Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand takes kooky, quirky and lovable characters and moulds them into complex, touching beings. Her resume is filled with different roles from all different genres, with bold daring choices of characters that make her a standout character actor. From the witty pregnant cop, Marge, in Fargo (1996) to up tight Miss Clavel in the children’s movie Madeline (1998), her versatility is obvious. She is an actress who is not afraid to commit, who actively avoids ‘leading lady’ roles, which has served her career very well.

8. Paul Giamatti

When I think of Paul Giamatti, I think of the (not very good) movie Big Fat Liar (2002). This pre-teen comedy doesn’t make you think ‘great actor’ if this is all you have seen him in. For a long time, as a young teenager, that was all I had seen him in. Until finally, I saw him in Sideways (2004) and I learned the true brilliance of Giamatti’s talent. Although he has done some terrible films, as most actors have and cannot avoid, he has done some brilliant roles, changing them for every movie. Most recently, his transformation into cold-blooded slave seller in 12 Years A Slave (2013) sent shivers up my spine; his bluntness and brutality bringing the horrible character to life, making the whole situation such an unpleasant reality.

7. Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton has complete transformations for every single character she plays, and you will never see the same character twice. All characters are calculated, carefully constructed and executed with precision – she does not care for the aesthetic, but for what is underneath a character. From an evil Snow Queen in the Narnia trilogy to a distressed housewife Eva in We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011). Her stillness and maternal strength as Eva in the final exchange with Kevin is breath-taking, disturbing and moving all at once.

6. Paul Dano

The unexpected rise of Paul Dano is an exciting one; he has pulled out Oscar-nominated performances and at the young age of 29, has performed a great variety of roles. I first saw him in Little Miss Sunshine (2006) as silent, determined Dwayne. I was shocked at the transformation when I recently watched his cruel, disgusting character of Tibeats in 12 Years A Slave (2013). He has many other notable roles, from resolute religious Paul/Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood (2007) to cute Calvin in Ruby Sparks (2012). One to watch, he’ll have one heck of a career.

5. Toni Collette  

Toni Collette is one of the most talented actresses of our generation. She never shies away from ugly characters, playing women who are misunderstood, which do not fit into any stereotypical ‘box’. She’s featured in a variety of films in different genres from The Hours (2002), The Sixth Sense (1999), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), In Her Shoes (2005), Mary and Max (2009) to name a few. My favourite role that she plays is Fiona, Marcus’ suicidal mother in About A Boy (2004). She balances the mixture between insanity, sorrow and joy without losing any grounding in reality. Collette is always a pleasant surprise, as you can always expect something new and fresh. And honestly, I do not think she has ever been in one bad film.

4. Judy Greer

Judy Greer is a comedy character actress that has appeared in numerous supporting roles, creating quirky, witty characters that steal the show. Her staple television characters such as sexy PA Kitty Sanchez in Arrested Development show her more maddened side, able to play for comedy to the extreme. But her more tender performances, such as broken wife Julie Speer in The Descendants  (2011) and naïve, fun-loving Alice the waitress in Adaptation (2002) captures a vulnerable side to her that you don’t always get to see.

3. William H. Macy

I grew up watching William Macy in Jurassic Park 3 (2001). I didn’t realise how talented he really was until I was allowed to watch Fargo (1996). Not that Macy was bad in Jurassic Park 3, but I saw how he completely transformed into the nervous, talk-it-out, nice guy in Fargo that I could never have had imagined him playing. Throughout his career, he has played a whole host of characters, almost never the charismatic, ‘leading man’. Who can forget his portrayal of nerdy, unsatisfied Donnie in Magnolia (1999)? He seamlessly creates wonderfully flawed characters, always individuals, always unique.

2. Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter is an actress with extreme versatility. Yes, she’s become very famous for portraying quirky, oddball characters, namely found in her work with Tim Burton such as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (2007), but that’s not all she can do. She’s done some outstanding, subtle, character roles, such as Ophelia in Zefferelli’s Hamlet (1990), Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech (2010) and Mrs. Potter in Toast (2010). It’s fair to say she probably has one of the most diverse resumes for any screen actress, and she’s one of the best character actors.

1. Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci is one of my favourite actors – you’ll be surprised just how many films he is in! Always one to go for the kooky, supporting characters, Tucci has an impressive resume and does not look like he will be stopping soon. He has been working on Broadway and in Hollywood for over thirty years, he’s a character actor pro, you could say. You’ll most recently recognise him from The Hunger Games trilogy, playing bright, exuberant (and creepy!) television host Caesar Flickerman. Other notable roles include Elliot Zwiekel in A Life Less Ordinary (1997), Dave Kingman in rom-com America’s Sweethearts (2001), Frank Nitti in Road to Perdition (2002), Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada (2006). My favourite character he has played is Dill in Easy A (2009). He just seems like the coolest, hilarious and bluntest dad, “you sound like you’re having sex in here, which I know cannot be true due to the fact you have a homosexual boyfriend”. Tucci has an on-screen charm and natural comedic edge, he always steals the show even with his five minute appearances, making him one of the top character actors ever.