Supporting actors aren’t just those familiar faces who can steal a film. They show a way for movies to portray real life
Sometimes the characters and the actors playing them can be too charismatic to play second fiddle to the lead.
Here is a list of 10 scenarios where the supporting actor out-shined the lead:
Jules Winnfield Played by Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fictiion)
Jules, as he likes to describe himself, is a bad motherf***er. Samuel L. Jackson has been known for his eccentric dialogue delivery and swearing and it all started here. Jules is a hitman who shoots and cusses while peculiarly discussing things like a burger or a foot massage. He also likes to quote from Bible. At a point in the movie, he has “a moment of clarity” and decides to leave to “walk the earth” just cause he feels like it. Now that’s badass!
Lisa Rowe Played by Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted)
Can Angelina Jolie really play second fiddle to anyone? Lisa Rowe is the queen of Claymore Hospital, a mental institution. Lisa is charismatic and so most of the patients including the protagonist look up to her but she can be really cruel too, at one point she tells Susanna “You think you’re free? I’m free! You don’t know what freedom is! I’m free! I can breathe! And you – you’ll go choke on your average f***in’ mediocre life!” Lisa, despite being a bully is the most magnetic personality and easily the star of the movie.
Tyler Durden Played by Brad Pitt (Fight Club)
Just like his ex-wife, Brad Pitt was not going to take a backseat just because he is not the lead. Tyler Durden was everything the unnamed protagonist of Fight Club wanted to be. He had the looks, machismo and a fearless attitude and Pitt was the perfect guy to cast. He played the part of the cool guy to perfection. “In Tyler, we trust!”
Alan Played by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover)
Let’s be honest, Zach Galifianakis is The Hangover series. Alan is a one-man wolf pack that is before he meets Doug, Stu and Phil. Alan has no idea about how to behave socially and offends people easily. He is bizarre and does most of the dumb things throughout the series but often shows bits of genius. And well he is hilarious!
Fat Amy Played by Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect)
Rebel Wilson’s Fat Amy should have been nothing more than a comic relief but with her super confident and funny personality made everyone fall in love with her. She would say out loud what everybody’s thinking and always voiced her opinion probably why all women fell in love with her. She can be vulgar yet funny at times like her answer to why she calls herself Fat Amy- “so twig bit**es like you don’t do it behind my back.”
Arnie Played by Leonardo DiCaprio (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape)
Leonardo’s first Oscar nomination came playing Arnie, a 17 year old boy in a small town. Arnie has autism and spends most of his time with Gilbert, his older brother. Played by Johnny Depp, Gilbert always puts Arnie first who has a knack for getting himself in trouble. A young Leonardo does the role beautifully.
Tommy DeVito Played by Joe Pesci (Goodfellas)
Violent, entitled, unstable with a temper shorter than his height, Tommy is a powder keg waiting to burst. He tends to shoot, kill, or maim before he asks questions. He thinks that because he’s the nephew of a famed L.A. mob boss, he’s destined to become a core member of the Mafia. If you ever bump into Tommy at a New York bar, pull up a chair. This gifted raconteur will never run out of side-splitting stories from his life of crime. Just don’t tell him he’s funny. Seriously.
Sergeant Dignam Played by Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)
Mark Wahlberg’s aggressively vocal Sergeant Dignam stands out in a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. Dignam is a solid cop, handy with his fists and classically volatile. He’s rude and does as he pleases, is that desirable? Well as Dignam would say, “Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe f*** yourself.”
Dicky Eklund Played by Christian Bale (The Fighter)
From outshining to getting outshined, Mark Wahlberg’s Mickey was overshadowed by Christian Bale’s Dicky. When not high, Dicky is his brother’s boxing trainer. Despite being a crack-addict and being involved in criminal activities, Dicky is loved by everyone. He always talks about stories from his prime as a professional boxer. Bale’s portrayal of Dicky got him his only Academy award.
Han Solo Played by Harrison Ford (Star Wars)
He is a space cowboy who flies the Millennium Falcon, has the coolest side-kick, marries the Princess. Han Solo oozes machismo, the character is as iconic as Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones. Despite starting out as a ‘scoundrel’, Han always turned up for the galaxy when it mattered. It was no surprise that Alden Ehrenreich portrayal of Han Solo wasn’t well received cause well who could follow-up Mr. Ford?
