Summary

Despite their recognisable natural endowment and receive acclaimed roles in their filmography , some actors still have n’t been able-bodied to star in a breakout or notable lead role . Though they sometimes star as the lead in a television serial , their motion picture study has mostly been circumscribe to support character . The reason for this vary reckon on the actor .

Some actors , such as Danny Pudi or Benedict Wong , have become for the most part associated with one of their more popular roles , therefore it ’s hard to connect with any other character portrayed by them . However , other actors have become known as " character actors , " meaning much of their body of work has been as a support case . Typically , these actors amount across as have an well-situated sentence adapting to a mixed bag of genres . In both case , these actors have n’t been move over the prospect to diddle a significant lead function , despite their experience and abilities .

For some thespian , all it ’s take is one great role to cement them as ethnical icons . These stars are recognize for one classic character .

Christopher Reeve Superman, Leonard Nimoy Spock, Carrie Fisher Leia

10Holt McCallany

Known as Bill Tench in Mindhunter

Holt McCallany has starred in a miscellany of roles throughout his calling , includingFight Club , Burn Notice , and most recently , The Iron Claw . McCallany ’s performance inThe Iron Clawwas a gravid takeaway from the pic , as his portrait of Fritz Von Erich was aim and commanding . However , his most notable part is as Bill Tench inMindhunter , where McCallanyexcels as the hard-nosed and grounded FBI broker . McCallany lead the FX seriesLights Outand showcased a captivating , dramatic performance , but like leading roles have yet to be envision in films .

9William Fichtner

Known as Alexander Mahone in Prison Break

Fans of the television seriesPrison Breakwill make out WilliamFichtner as Alexander Mahone . He skillfully portrays Mahone ’s cleverness and antagonistic behavior to the character of Michael Scofield , but quickly became a rooter best-loved as his clock time on the series progress . While Fichtner has n’t had opportunities for lead part in film , his supporting work showcases histalent for dramatic acting and his power to fit in with a assortment of cast . He was nominated for ensemble cast awards forNine Lives , Black Hawk Down , andCrash .

8Danny Pudi

Known as Abed Nadir in Community

Danny Pudi is mostly recognized for his comedic roles , especially as the characterAbed Nadir inCommunity . During the yearsCommunitywas on air , Pudi received muchpraise from critic and fans for his operation , realise him three Critics ' Choice Television Award nomination . Despite his comedic talent , Pudi has n’t had a breakout run role , especially in moving picture . However , in 2016 , Pudi conduce the filmThe Tiger Hunter , portraying an aspiring engineer in a charming and comedic role that show he ’s capable of more leading role in cinema .

Community is finally getting to satisfy its " 6 seasons and a motion picture " promise . Here ’s everything we know about its liberation and stamp .

7Margo Martindale

Known as Mags Bennett in Justified

Margo Martindale is among the more well - experience character actresses in Hollywood . She ’s taken on bear out roles in films such asAugust : Osage County , Million Dollar Baby , and more recently , Cocaine Bear . Despite a lack of substantial tip roles in film , Martindale ’s range and talent for dramatic characters have n’t gone unnoticed . She played Claudia , an vivid and self-assertive KGB handler onThe Americans . For this use , she won two Emmy Awards for Supporting Actress in a Drama .

6Jim Rash

Known as Dean Craig Pelton in Community

Known most for his recurring role inCommunityas Dean Craig Pelton , Jim Rash has appeared in legion goggle box and movie function as a supporting character . While he did asterisk as one of the nominal characters inBernard and Huey , the comedy picture show never take off and receive negative review article . Despite this , Rash has thetalent for a leading use , on and off - screen . He was nominated for a Critics ' Choice Television Award for his role inCommunityand win the Academy Award for the screenplay ofThe Descendants , which he co - wrote .

5Luis Guzmán

Known as Chino in Out of Sight and as Gomez Addams in Wednesday

Luis Guzmán ’s credits in film and television are extensive and admit bear role inMagnolia , Out of Sight , andNarcos . Most recently , he took on the role of Gomez Addams in Netflix’sWednesday , with his personation being one of the most similar to that ofGomez Addams ascertain in the comics . Throughout his vocation , Guzmán has incessantly shown his deepness as an role player , especially when it come to excited and vivid purpose . Whether it ’s Ray Castro inTrafficor José Gacha inNarcos , Guzmán has proven he can do by a leading persona .

4Judy Greer

Known for 13 Going on 30 and 27 Dresses

In 2014 , Judy Greer released her autobiographical book detailing her career as a graphic symbol actress . Since the showtime of her career in 1997 , Greer has over 100 credits to her name in film and television . Throughout Greer ’s career , she ’s adapted her performing skills for a variety of literary genre , including comedy , drama , action , and repulsion . In 2015 , Greer took on a uncommon lead character inAddicted to Fresno , a drollery flick atomic number 27 - starring Natasha Lyonne . The film received negative reviews from critic , and it ultimately was n’t a success , but many noted the dynamic between Greer and Lyonne to be a highlight .

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3Hiam Abbass

Known as Marcia Roy in Succession

have late role in television series likeRamyandSuccession , Hiam Abbass has shown her performing skill in striking part . The latter shows Abbass as Marcia , the third married woman of Logan who his children are skeptical of when it comes to her intention . ThoughAbbass has mostly starred in international plastic film , she ’s had supporting roles put to work with Steven Spielberg inMunichand Tom McCarthy’s , The Visitor . InThe Visitor , Abbass plays Mouna , a mother whose son has been arrested and is facing the possibility of exile . Abbass get an equal balance of emotion and determination , worthy of a leading part .

2Alan Tudyk

Known as Wat in A Knight’s Tale and Wash in Firefly

Alan Tudyk has star in many films throughout his career , principally in supporting roles or doing vocalism work . In fact , for Disney films alone , Tudyk has lent his interpreter toWreck - It - Ralph , Big Hero 6,Moana , Frozen , and more . Tudykexcels in funniness , with a few striking part at times . More recently , Tudyk leads the Syfy seriesResident Alien , with his comedic timing . It ’s only a matter of time before a standardized leading role for Tudyk is seen in films .

1Benedict Wong

Known as Wong in Doctor Strange

In recent years , Benedict Wong has become an crucial and well - get character in the MCU . He ’s played Wong in various Marvel projects , includingDoctor StrangeandShe - whale : Attorney at Law . However , before that , he starred in a few television receiver shows , play , and other films . In 2021 , he wasnominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his supporting theatrical role inNine day . The dramatic play film stars Wong as Kyo , the help to a human race in the pre - creation who ascertain which souls get to be deliver . Differing from other projects , the film showcases Wong ’s versatility .

A composite image of Donald Glover as Troy Barnes smiling toward the camera and an image of the cast of Community posing together

Judy Greer TV characters

Custom image of (left to right) Judy Greer, Danny Pudi, and Luis Guzmán

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich in The Iron Claw

William Fichtner in an office in Prison Break

Margo Martindale sitting at a table with her fingers clasped together.

Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) holds a microphone in the cafeteria in Community

Luis Guzmán As Gabato next to his helicopter in Journey 2 The Mysterious Island

Hiam Abbass in Succession

Alan Tudyk in Resident Alien season 2