I have such love for Sam Neill. You know him as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, more than likely. But he's been in some brilliant stuff for decades. His work in films like Sleeping Dogs, My Brilliant Career, Possession, Dead Calm, and The Piano is brilliant.
Oh, and I haven't even gotten to In the Mouth of Madness and Event Horizon yet (especially that last one). Now there's an actor who hasn't gotten his due, at least stateside. Throw him an Honorary Academy Award, at least!
I'll just keep singing his praises for now, but there are so many other actors out there who also deserve recognition.
We heard about a few of them after Redditor a littlebitstevie asked the online community:
"Which actor or actress is far more talented than they are given credit for?"
Harvey Keitel
"Harvey Keitel. Too often he's given small roles but he really shines when he gets more screentime (Reservoir Dogs, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Duellists). He's also surprisingly good in period dramas, not just gangster flicks."
Conte_di_Luna
I agree with your assessment of his work in period pieces. The Piano is definitely one of his crowning achievements.
Stephen Root
"Stephen Root. He seems like he’s in almost everything and his characters are always excellent. My favorite role was Jimmy James in NewsRadio."
SoVerySleepy81
He's also very good at being creepy. Check him out in The Empty Man. What a film.
Sam Rockwell
"Sam Rockwell isn't exactly unknown but I'd like him to get some more high caliber roles, he can certainly handle them."
[deleted]
He's been brilliant for a long time, and well before he won the Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Check him out in stuff like Lawn Dogs and Moon, where he really shone.
Walton Goggins
"Walton Goggins, one of my favorites. Never seen a bad role from him."
RealJuanPedro
An excellent choice! He really shines in The Hateful Eight.
Guy Pearce
"Guy Pearce should have become a top leading man."
rojarty
He definitely had that Brad Pitt look in the Memento days. But don't feel too bad — he's done some excellent work since and he even won an Emmy for Mildred Pierce.
Tatiana Maslany
"I was honestly shocked at how little hype Tatiana Maslany has after watching Orphan Black. She embodied so many clones so well I was actually bummed that they weren't all real people cause I grew fond of all of them. Really goes to show that the most hyped≠the most talented."
Daniskindatall
She did win an Emmy for Orphan Black, which is great, but she definitely should be a much bigger star than she is. Check out She-Hulk yet?
David Tennant
"David Tennant. He‘s pretty famous but you rarely hear anyone talk about him outside of fandom context and it’s not like he participates in any greater productions. He has a very unique way to play characters but it‘s so evocative."
Kill_itwithfire
Tennant is a marvelous actor, and if his work on Broadchurch doesn't convince you, then nothing will.
Ben Foster
"Ben Foster. He gets good roles, but not as many or as often as he'd deserve and I think he's underrated and not known enough."
[deleted]
Foster is a wonderful actor who has been delivering great performances in independent cinema for a very long time. But true movie stardom appears to have evaded him. He's respected though, of that there's no doubt.
Karl Urban
"Karl Urban. Still hoping for Dredd 2."
_Face_
We're all hoping for Dredd 2. Get in line!
Ty Burrell
"Ty Burrell, the actor who plays Phil on Modern Family. Actually spectacular."
sadsydknee
I knew he was going to have career when I saw him in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead. His comic relief stole the show.
There are tons of wonderful actors out there and they're bringing us great joy on stage and on screen whether or not they have a high profile.
Have a favorite of your own? Tell us more in the comments below!
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram