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Happiness Comes In Small Doses, Folks

By Brian Prisco | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (44)

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There are certain stars that seem to burn brightly when given brief exposure, and yet may fade or twinkle less when overexposed. Sometimes, with just a cameo or a secondary, even tertiary role, an actor’s presence is like a welcome fresh breeze. It’s like tapas, a perfect sampling of their talent and verve that never overstays its welcome.

The following 12 actors are pretty awesome when nibbled as amuse bouche. I’m recognizing the greatness of these actors in ensemble pieces, roles with less screen time, or even just bit parts. That’s not to say all of them should never have leading roles. That’s not to say that there haven’t been better cameo performances. It’s just that when shining in brief glimpses, these actors and actresses tend to be at the top of their game.

Kevin Spacey: Moon, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Glengarry Glen Ross

Jack Black: Anchorman, Run Ronnie Run, Melvin Goes to Dinner, Bob Roberts, High Fidelity, The Jackal, Mars Attacks!



Winona Ryder: Star Trek, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, The Ten



Christopher Meloni: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Wet Hot American Summer, 12 Monkeys, Brief Interviews With Hideous Men



Matthew McConaughey: Dazed and Confused, Tropic Thunder



Jane Lynch: Julie & Julia, Talledega Nights, Role Models, Smiley Face, For Your Consideration, Best in Show, “Glee”



Amy Sedaris: Jennifer’s Body, Snow Angels, Romance & Cigarettes



Tom Cruise: Tropic Thunder, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Magnolia



Kelsey Grammer: Middle Men, X-Men: The Last Stand, Toy Story 2, An American Carol, Crazy on the Outside, “The Simpsons”



Will Ferrell: Drowning Mona, The Goods, Wedding Crashers, Austin Powers



Ricky Gervais: Stardust, Night at the Museum, Cemetery Junction, For Your Consideration, “Extras”



Ben Stiller: Happy Gilmore, The Cable Guy, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, “Arrested Development,” The Royal Tenenbaums, Heavy Weights









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Comments

100% agreed about Ben Stiller. Spot on.

Posted by: samantha t at August 20, 2010 3:05 PM

I disagree. I think the world needs more Christopher Meloni in its life. Oh and more Dean Winters too.

Posted by: Fredo at August 20, 2010 3:09 PM

Great list. I noticed that most of those people were comedic actors that have been over-exposed in some way. Are you saying something there?
Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go fondle my sweaters...

Posted by: MTGColorPie at August 20, 2010 3:10 PM

Christopher Meloni

Don't forget "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas"!

Posted by: Jay at August 20, 2010 3:27 PM

Agreed. Although I do adore Amy Sedaris.
Strangers With Candy is a fave go-to.

Posted by: Odnon. at August 20, 2010 3:33 PM

First name that leaped into my head for this list was seth rogen.

Posted by: EricD at August 20, 2010 3:36 PM

Hmm! I tend to think Spacey in "The Usual Suspects" was top of his game and therefore moves him out of this list.

Also, I don't think there's a part small enough for me to tolerate Ben Stiller.

Posted by: PaddyDog at August 20, 2010 3:45 PM

Don't forget Will Ferrell's supporting role in Zoolander as Mugatu. Comic genius.

Posted by: Les at August 20, 2010 3:49 PM

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

(In this case, that means I (5) strongly agree with Les)

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at August 20, 2010 4:14 PM

The list should be retitled "Barry Jive and the Cameo Five", because really, Jack Black is the poster boy for this group.

Posted by: WestCoastPat at August 20, 2010 4:14 PM

I love that clip from High Fidelity. It never fails to cheer me up. And I officially say "NOO!" in my Jack Black accent on a weekly basis.

Gotta say though that I loved Jane Lynch in all of the Christopher Guest movies, so I can definitely deal with her in larger doses.

I do love a good cameo though.

Posted by: grace b at August 20, 2010 4:20 PM

I loved Sienna Miller in Stardust and Layer Cake. She's perfect for supporting roles--memorable without completely stealing the show.

Posted by: Claire at August 20, 2010 4:35 PM

Except for Cruise, Ferrell and Stiller I think this list is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY off the the mark. Even Wynona can manage to carry a full movie load, depending on the movie.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 20, 2010 4:36 PM

I don't remember all these people being in austin powers. Definetely agree on Ricky Gervais, every film with him in the lead becomes the same film, his episode of the simpsons was the worst thing ever too.

Posted by: Steph at August 20, 2010 4:51 PM

Run fucking Ronnie Run!

Posted by: seth at August 20, 2010 4:59 PM

Black is definitely a "a little goes a long way" type. His manic fat guy shtick gets old quickly.

I think Stiller is actually not annoying when (and only when) he's playing against type (ie, spazzy, uptight, neurotic sad sack). He's quite charming in "Keeping the Faith."

I think I'm just sick of Ferrell because he's in seemingly every other comedy being produced. He needs to go away for awhile so we can miss him.

Posted by: Slash at August 20, 2010 4:59 PM

Jane Lynch was also fantastic in “Arrested Development” as Cindi Lightballoon AKA the “great redwood of a whore”.

Posted by: LowSlash at August 20, 2010 5:25 PM

I hope Christopher Meloni and Jane Lynch develop a new series of Thin Man movies just to prove your ass wrong, Prisco.

Posted by: RobP at August 20, 2010 5:32 PM

agree with you on Jack Black

Posted by: caro at August 20, 2010 5:41 PM

One more for Ben Stiller and Jack Black -- Orange County. Their scene together is one of the best of the movie.

Posted by: JP at August 20, 2010 5:50 PM

@RobP I would watch the shit out of that!

Posted by: LowSlash at August 20, 2010 6:28 PM

I just saw the Community episode with Jack Black. He was in it way too much.

Posted by: ERM at August 20, 2010 6:46 PM

Kevin Bacon is a fantastic supporting actor, but can't seem to carry a movie on his own.

Posted by: Truncheon at August 20, 2010 6:52 PM

Pfshhhht, Truncheon, you've obviously never seen Footloose. It's a god damn masterpiece.

Posted by: A-schaef at August 20, 2010 7:37 PM

David Brent...you don't like David Brent?

Posted by: stryker1121 at August 20, 2010 7:38 PM

Truncheon, I don`t know if he necessarily carried the movie, Murder in the First, damn near though, but I thought Kevin Bacon was phenomenal in that movie.

Posted by: Jadine at August 20, 2010 8:59 PM

I LOVE Amy Sedaris. Back up off, Prisco. This is your final warning.

Posted by: VInce Noit at August 21, 2010 12:08 AM

RobP,
Agreed. I can watch Christopher Meloni all day and into the night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcnxjBEKbec&feature=related

Yowza.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at August 21, 2010 2:26 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with this list. However, I think Ferrell had a nice turn in "Stranger Than Fiction" as did Gervais in "Ghost Town"; both of which they had starring roles but played down their screeching comedic tendencies. Nothing gets to me like the sad clown. I think I would also add Steve Carell to the list. He owned the funniest scene in "Bruce Almighty" and was sublime in "Little Miss Sunshine".

Posted by: AlwaysSunnyinNJ at August 21, 2010 9:42 AM

There can never be too much Jane Lynch.

Posted by: greer at August 21, 2010 10:34 AM

I think I disagree with Spacey. Besides The Usual Suspects, I think he was the best thing about American Beauty (and I don't care what anyone thinks of that). Also, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. So, yeah, I'm pretty sure I disagree with the inclusion of Spacey here.

I don't really know about Jane Lynch, either... has she ever even really *had* a leading role in anything? I feel like everything she's done has been ensemble work.

As for Kevin Bacon, I mean, The Hollow Man alone is enough to cement his status as a leading man. (Also, this: "you've obviously never seen Footloose. It's a god damn masterpiece." = HELLS YES.)

Posted by: Anna von Beav at August 21, 2010 11:29 AM

(Oh, my point about Jane Lynch is that she might very well be able to carry a film. I feel like we don't really have a way of knowing that, because she hasn't had the opportunity yet. [That I know of.])

Posted by: Anna von Beav at August 21, 2010 11:31 AM

I dont know why everyone forgets Ben Stiller in Heavyweights. Easily his best performance.

Posted by: Dr. Mario at August 21, 2010 3:39 PM

Anna Von Beav. No disrespect. I was totally kidding. I hate Footloose.

Although it might have to do with the fact that I was in the god-awful stage musical a couple years back. That was a bad experience.

Posted by: A-schaef at August 21, 2010 5:21 PM

wanna see a lot of Christopher Meloni ??? netflix the series OZ ---- i find it difficult to watch him now -

Posted by: marcia at August 21, 2010 5:51 PM

Tom Cruise shouldn't be in ANYTHING.

I can handle Will Ferrell as a leading man, especially since I saw Stranger Than Fiction.

I like Kevin Spacey carrying a film, though just barely.

Jane Lynch, gimme MORE!

Posted by: Snuggiepants at August 22, 2010 7:23 PM

Kevin Spacey's best role is Swimming with Sharks. But he hasn't been in anything good since Hurlyburly in 1998.

Posted by: Brenton at August 23, 2010 12:39 AM

Anna Von Beav, I'll back you up on Footlose love.

I love Footloose.

Also, that typo is so staying...

Posted by: stopthemadness at August 23, 2010 2:52 AM

I'll begrudgingly give Cruise his due in Born on the 4th of July, but that's pretty much it. Oh, and Legend before he got his nose fixed and his teeth capped.

Christopher Meloni I could take in any way, any shape, any form, any position, any hole....

Yeah I went too far on that one.

Posted by: scorzi at August 23, 2010 3:42 PM

I have to chime in on the Jane Lynch love, I think most of her exposure is from ensemble films so I think it is tough to say that she should stick to cameos. I would like to see her with a leading role or two before she gets relegated to this kind of list.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at August 28, 2010 4:33 PM

I also want to add that Will Ferrell was more than bearable in Stranger Than Fiction. He really worked in that movie, but I'm not sure that you can make lightning strike twice with him in a leading role.

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Posted by: Cheap fashion dresses at January 5, 2011 9:43 PM

Black is definitely a "a little goes a long way" type. His manic fat guy shtick gets old quickly.
I think Stiller is actually not annoying when (and only when) he's playing against type (ie, spazzy, uptight, neurotic sad sack). He's quite charming in "Keeping the Faith."
I think I'm just sick of Ferrell because he's in seemingly every other comedy being produced. He needs to go away for awhile so we can miss him.

Posted by: cos evening dresses at March 1, 2011 12:28 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with this list. However, I think Ferrell had a nice turn in "Stranger Than Fiction" as did Gervais in "Ghost Town"; both of which they had starring roles but played down their screeching comedic tendencies. Nothing gets to me like the sad clown. I think I would also add Steve Carell to the list. He owned the funniest scene in "Bruce Almighty" and was sublime in "Little Miss Sunshine".

Posted by: bleach cosplay at March 9, 2011 4:00 AM