![]() The usual definition of a character actor is a supporting actor as opposed to a leading actor, but I think that is too limiting. ![]() What exactly is a character actor? After all, all actors play characters, including the leading actors (and I will be including in the subsequent paragraphs actors who in fact played quite a few leading roles in their careers). Bogart, Gable, Bergman, Hepburn, Brando, Taylor, Hoffman, Nicholson, Roberts, Hanks – these illustrious names and so many others that are synonymous with Hollywood royalty have provided us with so many rich movie memories.īut I want to cast a spotlight on those actors whose performances in movies and TV often get lost in the glare, but without whom the star would not shine so bright and the particular gifts of the screenwriter would be muted. I certainly am not going to disparage the unique talents that fill those shoes. The movie industry is star-driven, and so much of the success depends on an actor’s ability to “open” a film – the name recognition of the person above the title and their ability to generate excitement among the press and the fans. Intrinsically important to the success of the venture, but the glory and the spoils go to the stars. Durning was a highly decorated veteran of World War II, had landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day with the 1st Infantry Division (the only survivor of his unit), was wounded in Normandy, and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 100th Infantry Division.įor his military service, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. (I especially regretted it after I later learned that Mr. Durning and just tell him how much I appreciated his varied and illustrious career. I regretted not having taken the few moments to approach Mr. Turner was surrounded by a phalanx of bodyguards and was rushed to a waiting limousine, without so much as a wave to the crowd. As it were, when she came out the door quite some time later, Ms. I considered briefly breaking away from the crowd and asking for his autograph, but decided not to because I didn’t want to risk missing my chance to see Kathleen Turner. I remember the expression on his face as he looked at the crowd waiting by the door, and the sly smile he had before he sauntered down the street, with no one greeting him. There were probably at least 25 people waiting by the stage door but nobody, including me, paid much mind to Mr. While I was waiting, Charles Durning, who had the role of Big Daddy in the play, came out the stage door. Charles Durning and Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie.”Īfter the play ended, I bought a souvenir poster and waited at the backstage door, pen in hand, for Ms.
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