When it comes to watching movies or TV shows, all eyes are on the main character. It is their story after all, the plot revolves around them. Our attention is supposed to be fixed on the main character, but sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes a secondary character is so magnetic or outlandish that they simply demand all the attention, we often say they “steal the scene”. Certain actors are gifted with this particularly eccentric quality, and because of that they are often seen reprising roles that are familiar to how the audience remembers their prior performances.
These actors and actresses are known as character actors. They are the people who specialize in playing those unusual and eccentric roles they come to be remembered for. While these roles are commonly reprized by comedic actors, such is not always the case. Whoever they are, when they take to the screen they have your attention. Although they’re never the main character, they’ll leave you hoping for a spin-off in their honor. Here is a list of the top character actors ranked by who deserves more attention.
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10 Jennifer Coolidge
Warner Bros. Television
American actress Jennifer Coolidge is a familiar face to many, but until recently has been known more by the names of her roles than as herself. Making her first on-screen appearance in Seinfeld, Coolidge then went on to acting in many supportive roles throughout the early 2000s. Having studied acting through multiple collegiate programs, she originally saw herself becoming a serious actress like Meryl Streep. However, she eventually found her place as a comedic actress and perhaps hasn’t slipped out of character since. In interviews and speeches she projects herself as she’s always been perceived on screen; casual, loose lipped, and perhaps intoxicated.
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Some of her most memorable roles include Stiffler’s Mom in the American Pie film series, Paula from Legally Blonde, and Fanny in the Dreamworks animated pictureRobots. In all those roles she is an older woman capable of offering guidance with a tinge of mildly inappropriate lustfulness. After many years of similar roles, she has recently been cast in The White Lotus where she doesn’t break her mold much, but is expertly present to contrast the drama of the series with her natural ability to humor. Playing Tanya on the show has revitalized her career and finally made her a household name.
9 Ken Jeong
Warner Bros.
American actor Ken Jeong wears many hats. He is a stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and licensed physician. His medical career and acting career have always intertwined since he began pursuing acting at the same time he was getting into medical school. While working as a practicing physician, Jeong began to perform stand-up comedy gigs which would eventually land him acting jobs on TV. After appearing on The Office, Jeong made his film debut in Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up. From 2006 onward he ceased to practice medicine and has sustained a career in entertainment.
Perhaps most people discovered Ken Jeong through his outrageous appearance in The Hangover. He has also famously played Señor Chang on Dan Harmon’s comedy seriesCommunity. The overlapping trait of his most memorable roles seems to be literal insanity. His acting style is loud, button pushing, and perhaps even threatening. His characters stick out like a sore thumb in any ensemble he’s a part of as he typically plays an antagonistic role that the protagonist teeters their loyalty with.
8 Luis Guzmán
MGM Worldwide
The American actor of Puerto Rican descent, Luis Guzman is famous for being in many memorable films throughout the 80s and 90s. With a career spanning over 40 years, Guzman is primarily known for his work as a character actor. He is frequently cast for his large build, wolf man-like face which lend themselves well to villainous roles. Likewise, he has played many roles throughout the years as sidekicks, thugs, or policemen.
Guzman’s own favorite actor is said to be Marlon Brando. He admires that Brando seemed to be living the role rather than acting. It’s not wonder he has formed such a successful brand for himself as an actor playing roles which suit his persona. In his own words, “Leading men crash and burn. Character actors are around forever”.
7 Tiffany Haddish
Universal Pictures
Tiffany Haddish is a stand-up comedian and actress who managed a few TV roles in both drama and comedy before breaking into the film industry. Her role in the 2017 film Girls Trip evolved her career and yielded a higher demand for her attention grabbing character on screen. That same year she was the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award for hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live.
Her characters are notable for having an edge to them. She can pull off sweet and gentle, but the next minute may spew something profane that complicates her character. In one adjective, she does crazy very well. Haddish appeared in Eric Andre’s Bad Trip in which she played Trina, an intimidating character who could lighten the mood in a room and weigh it right back down like a light switch. Her volatility and ability to surprise is her strength as an actress.
6 Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza is an actress, comedian, and producer who got her start performing improvisational and sketch comedy. She became adored by fans after starring as April Ludgate in NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Throughout her still blooming career she has had a variety of both leading and supporting roles. When we see her in a supporting role, chances are she is committed to the deadpan style of acting she is known for. The style may just be her true personality since she is often seen embodying her famous characteristics in interviews and speeches.
Recently having acted in more roles in the Thriller genre, Plaza brings her dark sense of humor into most of her roles. While she has the ability to play different sorts of roles, she is most often cast as characters that are familiar to her career. Her offbeat, beguiling persona is cherished by many and may continue to assist her career in the long run rather than define it.
5 Benedict Wong
Marvel Studios
British actor Benedict Wong is primarily known as Kublai Khan on Netflix’s Marco Polo, and Wong in the MCU’s Doctor Strange. Despite having a few British sitcom roles in his early career, Wong has primarily appeared in action and thriller films. He frequently appears in space films and films where he is cast into East Asian roles such as on Marco Polo. However, Wong would prefer if people didn’t hang up on the details of his identity and just looked at his work as if he’s any other British actor.
4 Awkwafina
ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks
The American actress and rapper Nora Lum is better known by her stage name, Awkwafina. She has stated that adopting a stage name allowed her outgoing personality to go unrepressed, and with the name has been forging the path of a successful career. After gaining some popularity for her comedy music on YouTube, Awkwafina scored a few tv roles and eventually broke into film. Taking supporting roles in films like Neighbors 2 and Oceans 8, Awkwafina eventually landed a big role in Crazy Rich Asians.
In the romantic comedy, her scenes may be the sole aspect responsible for the film’s participation in the comedy genre. In true fashion of a character actor, she steals every scene she’s in and leaves you wanting more of her wit. Her trademark low, raspy voice is the backbone to her comedic persona.
3 Ben Schwartz
American actor and comedian Ben Schwartz is perhaps best characterized by his role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. The character is ripe with a confidence that Schwartz is able to bring into all of his roles, all the while maintaining a sophomoric exterior. He has had an impressive career in voice work including Leonardo from Ninja Turtles and Sonic The Hedgehog. Such cartoon characters are the perfect example of Schwartz’s ability to maintain his trademark silliness in a leading position.
2 Joel Fry
HBO
A British actor known for playing Hizdohr Zo Loraq on Game of Thrones, Joel Fry has actually participated in far more comedic productions. Aside from Game of Thrones, Fry has primarily been cast in British sitcoms as tall and goofy characters who display unexpected wisdom. His character type was rather exemplified with his role in the 2019 comedy Yesterday. He played Rocky, a witty sidekick who had a knack for petty squabble but was reliable nonetheless. Such a character was nearly repeated in Fry’s portrayal of Jasper in the 2021 film Cruella, starring Emma Stone. We can expect to see more from Joel Fry since he’s just broken into the mainstream in his recent roles.
1 Diane Morgan
Yellow Door Productions
British actress Diane Morgan also holds the title of comedian, writer, and television presenter. She has starred in several different British sitcoms, mockumentaries and dark comedies throughout her career. She is most famous for portraying Philomena Cunk, a dimwitted TV host who never knows a thing about what she is reporting on. Cunk has been the focal point to numerous mockumentaries since the character’s conception. Her now trademark role, Diane Morgan’s Philomena Cunk has gone viral on social media for her deadpan style contributing to viewers’ confusion on whether the role is satire or serious. Clearly her acting skills deserve more recognition.
