Try to pick people who have a substantial filmography, not just one cool movie role.

Here's my three:

1. Sidney Greenstreet.
2. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai.
3. Terry Thomas

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Reese Whitherspoon

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Kevin Spacey
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Morgan Freeman/Jack Nicholson

Charlize Theron
Natalie Portman

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Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet

Plus I like Monica Bellucci because she's hot, speaks 4 languages fluently, and likes to be without her clothes on.

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old films
Jimmy Stewart
Gregory Peck
Humphrey Bogart
Cary Grant
Spencer Tracy

New(er) films
Tom Hanks
Dustin Hoffman (Has he ever had two movies where he plays the same type of character?)
Morgan Freeman
Sean Connery (I enjoy his Post Bond movies/characters more than his role as 007.)
Denzel Washington

I toyed with the idea of making more lists including Black actors. That way I could list more of the actors that I like. I hate leaving Sidney Poitier off the list. But then Edward G. Robinson, William Powell, Johnny Depp, James Cagney among others didn't make the 5 list either.

Old films Actresses
Katharine Hepburn
Ingrid Bergman
Grace Kelly
Audrey Hepburn
Maureen O'Hara

Newer films
Sally Field
Diane Keaton
Julia Roberts
Halle Berry
Sandra Bullock

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Gee...didn't people read the subtitle? ("Favorite actors/actresses - ...that you think few people on Packershome know about.)

I'll give zombieslayer half a point for naming Monica Bellucci. And 1/2 point to wpr for William Powell and maybe other "oldies" that might be unknown to the historically illiterate youngsters here.

The rest ... fail!

[wallme]

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Saoirse Ronan was pretty amazing in The Lovely Bones... And those eyes... Little young for most of you here, though, I reckon.

Stanley Tucci was quite good in that same movie, as well. Not a really well known guy for me.

Can't really think of any other "underground" actors right now.

Maybe Jim Rash for his role in Community.

actually I did see you title. (subtitle)

It is not an easy topic. Perhaps you intended it that way. Unless you follow foreign films, Small budget, independent, "Clerks-like" films or are a huge fan of the perpetual supporting actors, the chances are most people will have heard of the person referenced. One or two small parts leads to a larger role. One or two successful small budget films will lead often to a larger budget film.

That said I saw the thread had already been hijacked to I followed the rest of the flock.

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Argh! I forget that I need to be more precise with you guys.

What I should have said was "who you might have heard of or know the name of, but of whom you don't really know much about the overall quality of their ouevre.

o:)

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you could have said that. It probably wouldn't have helped me as I am familiar with Sidney Greenstreet and very much enjoy his work. I also have seen a few of Terry Thomas' movies and have liked what he has done but not enough to put him on any list.

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