For the Love of Character Actors

I love character actors. You know, those actors in small roles that you see in so many films, but they are never the star and it's rare that you know their names. They tend to play the same type of character each time, but you rely on them for that. Their characters don't have arcs, so you can trust what they appear to be. They are movie comfort food. Here are a few modern character actors that I've noticed again recently and what I know about them.

Clint Howard
Brother of famed child actor and director Ron Howard, Clint has appeared in over 200 films and television shows. (At least 17 of those films were directed by Ron Howard. See IMDb.) He has a very memorable, um, non-leading man face, and he generally plays a regular Joe just doing his job in the background or someone who is just kind of...off. MTV once awarded Mr. Howard their jokey version of a "Lifetime Achievement Award." But when he won he gave this utterly sincere speech, because he was truly touched by the recognition. They retired the award after that, and Clint was forever endeared to my heart.

Brian Doyle-Murray
Yes, another brother, but this time the brother of comedian Bill Murray. His gravely voice is his most defining characteristic. He generally plays good-natured, blue-collar or skeezy boss. (See Groundhog Day and Christmas Vacation.) I particularly like his role in Waiting for Guffman.

Cherry Jones
Cherry Jones has won awards for her theater work, but when she's in films or television she somehow falls more into the character actor world. I've seen her mostly play no nonsense, authoritative roles. (See Signs and Ocean's Twelve.) She's also lent her warm, subtly twangy voice to several audio books. She currently has a recurring role as a psychiatrist on NBC's Awake.

Danny Trejo
I'm pretty sure the only thing Danny Trejo plays is a Hispanic gangster or criminal. It could be because that was his real life for many years, but then he got clean, changed his life, and kind of stumbled into the movie business. There's just something about his face that I love even though I'm supposed to be terrified. On IMDb I counted 22 projects that he is a part of that are being released either this year or next.

Either I'm a Jerk or a Character Actor In Training

Lionel Barrymore's face in It's a Wonderful Life. 

In past few years I've realized that I was born an 85-year-old curmudgeon. The more I think of the stereotypes for the crotchety among the elderly, the more proof that I have that I would make an amazing cantankerous elderly character actor...if I wasn't in my 30s. Let's look at some examples:

• I do not like the company of children. I believe that they should only be seen or heard in controlled environments, like on TV or in the movies.
• I get annoyed when children play in the snow because it ruins the lovely view of a smooth snowscape.
• I cannot stand when people walk on the grass unless they are in a park or their own yard.
• I like cats. (Which has nothing to do with being a curmudgeon, but points to me becoming a crabby old cat lady, which seems to be socially worse that just a crabby old lady.)
• I cannot abide loud and/or bass heavy music.
• I cringe at those who yell instead of speak to communicate in public places. This includes talking on cell phones in public places.
• I am always right, especially when I figure out I'm on the wrong side of the argument.

But since I am in my 30s, this list makes me look like an uptight jerk instead of a curmudgeon you make excuses for because they are old and have "earned it." But I'm not just crotchety, I'm also a genius. I can work with what I have. If I keep cultivating these...quirks, I can call it job research in the effort to eventually become that cantankerous character actor. And it will be the easiest job in the world, because I will just be who I am. See? Genius.