Richard Jenkins has proved, over and over again, that he is a fine actor, able to transform into any character that he takes on. His decades-long career has spanned across several genres, including science-fiction, horror, and drama. At the same time, he has also had a successful television career. He, in fact, recently played Lionel Dahmer, the father of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (Evan Peters) in the highly talked-about Netflix series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Jenkins delivers sheer intensity and passion with every moment that he is on-screen. It doesn’t matter the size of the role; Jenkins will take a character and add layers and depth. He also has great talent when it comes to playing docile and everyday characters.
Jenkins was born in DeKalb, Illinois and worked as a truck driver before his acting career (per his interview with Deadline). The actor started working in theater at the Trinity Repertory Company. He eventually earned a part in the film Feasting with Panthers. After that, Jenkins’ career began to gain momentum, and he continued to land parts in movies such as Blue Steel and The Witches of Eastwick. He has worked with several prominent directors, including the Coen brothers, Adam McKay, and Guillermo del Toro. At the same time, he has earned multiple Academy Award nominations. Let’s dive into the best films of Richard Jenkins’ career.
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7 The Cabin in the Woods
Lionsgate Films
In the highly popular horror film, The Cabin in the Woods, Jenkins plays a facility technician named Gary Sitterson. He is one of the controllers of a facility watching the fate of college students who are being tormented by horrific creatures. Jenkins brings a lot of humor to the role, and his chemistry with Bradley Whitford and the rest of the cast was great. He brought the perfect emotion and energy to the character, and was certainly the right casting choice.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 Kajillionaire
Universal Pictures / Focus Features
In the acclaimed film Kajillionaire, Jenkins plays a con artist named Robert Dyne, who leads his family through a series of scams to survive. Jenkins brings so much to the role and creates an entertaining and neurotic character. He works very well with Evan Rachel Wood and Debra Winger, and he is a joy to watch on-screen. At the same time, he conveys the sheer frustration of surviving in the current economic times.
5 Let Me In
Hammer Films
Jenkins delivers a very dark performance in the horror remake Let Me In. He plays Thomas, the adult companion of Abby (Chloe Grace Moretz), who is a blood-sucking vampire. It is inferred that his character has been caring for Abby since he was a child, and we see the toll that this has had through Jenkins’ performance. He creates a character filled with frustration, anger, and torment.
4 Burn After Reading
StudioCanal
Jenkins is an absolute scene-stealer in the Coen brothers’ black comedy Burn After Reading. He plays a gym manager named Ted, who gets roped into a deadly situation. Jenkins perfectly encapsulates the life of a man filled with quiet desperation. At the same time, he shows us a character desperate to win the attention of a woman. It was a fine supporting character, and Jenkins had great chemistry with the cast, which included legends like Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, and Tilda Swinton.
3 Step Brothers
Gary Sanchez Productions
Jenkins definitely proved that he is capable of taking on comedic roles, as evidenced by his performance in Adam McKay’s Step Brothers. Jenkins plays Robert Doback, a man completely frustrated with his stay-at-home son and step-son. There are so many great moments delivered by Jenkins, and his chemistry with John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell was fantastic.
2 The Shape of Water
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Jenkins earned an Academy Award nomination for his supporting performance in The Shape of Water. He plays Giles, the gay friend of Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins). He assists Elisa through her adventure of rescuing an amphibian creature. Jenkins delivers a very entertaining and emotional performance. Through his words and delivery, we can feel his life and backstory. Jenkins proved, once again, that he is an absolute scene stealer when it comes to supporting roles. At the same time, his chemistry with Hawkins was top-notch.
1 The Visitor
Overture Films
Jenkins, once again, plays a man of quiet desperation in the film The Visitor. Jenkins deservingly earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance. He plays an isolated man who befriends a group of immigrants, giving him a new lease on life. At the same time, his character learns about several societal issues including race and prejudice. Jenkins is captivating every moment that he was on-screen, and the performance solidified his capabilities as one of the most incredible actors of his generation.
