Who were/are the most overrated film actors/actresses?

[elperromagico]

Living or dead, who are the most overrated? In the interests of remaining fair and/or balanced, I'm not going to express an opinion.

[trotsky]

1. Tom Cruise

When I first read BartCop go off railing on Cruise, I seriously thought, "Holy shit, I'm not the only one who thinks he sucks!"

LOL

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Tom Cruise

my first choice he is, too!

Welcome to the club of Cruise haters.

He's the Billy Joel of acting.

[philosophie_en_rose]

9. Ditto Tom

Plus John Travolta.

I don't know if the $ology is a coincidence, but they are both overrated and overpaid.

[ploppy]

61. Tom Cruise

totally creeps me out. Did I mention he ruins movies by being in them?

[NashVegas]

67. Magnolia

I actually thought he was good in that. Barry Levinson coaxed a good performance out of him, too (Rain Man).

The rest though ...

[eileen from OH]

2. Andi McDowell

She shows up in good films but she is soooooo awful.

eileen from OH

[mlawson]

7. Now, now... She lives here in town.

So we must be nice. :-)

Actually, her ex husband is a close buddy of mine. You should hear what HE says about her. :evilgrin:

[Southsideirish]

16. What does he say???? She lives in Biltmore Forest, right?

I think she is so pretty - what a smile! She was fantastic in Sex, Lies and Videotape.
I may be moving down there this year - how do you like it?

[mlawson]

21. She built a castle in Biltmore Forest.

His house isn't exactly shabby. Oh, they are not on speaking terms, yet they share custody of their kids. "HER people bring ______ to meet me, etc etc." The usual extremely bitter divorced parents comments. It utterly amazes me that they stayed together for one day.

Asheville is great. I am a native, so it's hard for me to be objective. If you like it when you visit, you will still love it when you move here; it doesn't change during the process. It is expensive, though, especially the housing.

[Skittles]

29. come on, spill it !

we are semi-annonymous here! :D

[tridim]

11. I loved her in "Groundhog Day"

She's cute as a button too.

[Red State Rebel]

37. I liked her in that too....just saw it on the dish last week.

[spooky3]

22. I totally agree!!!

She was on a Sat. Night rerun (from the Phil Hartman era) and the contrast in abilities between her and ANY cast member should have embarrassed her.

[Bronco69]

4. Ahnold!!

Can't act worth a damn!! :-(

[blackcat77]

5. Meryl Streep. nt

[soleft]

30. How can you watch the scene in Sophie's Choice when

she has to make Sophie's Choice and say that Meryl Streep is overrated.

It was the singular greatest performance in cinematic history.

[tishaLA]

35. That's only ONE performance.

The rest, IMHO, is dreck. Maybe a dingo ate her talent.

[Loonman]

48. Sophie's Choice was good

The rest of her films are pretentious crap.

[soleft]

90. 52 peformances listed here - which ones were the pretentious crap?

Prime (2005) (announced)
Chaos (2004/II) (pre-production)
Flora Plum (2004) (pre-production)
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) (filming) .... Aunt Josephine
Manchurian Candidate, The (2004) (filming) .... Raymond's mother, Eleanor Shaw

"Angels in America" (2003) (mini) TV Series .... The Rabbi/Hannah Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg
Hours, The (2002) .... Clarissa Vaughan
Adaptation. (2002) .... Susan Orlean
"School" (2001) (mini) TV Series (voice) .... Narrator
Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) (voice) .... Blue Fairy
... aka A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) (USA: poster title) Chrysanthemum (2000) .... Narrator

Music of the Heart (1999) .... Roberta Guaspari
One True Thing (1998) .... Kate Gulden
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) .... Kate Mundy ...
First Do No Harm (1997) (TV) .... Lori Reimuller
Marvin's Room (1996) .... Lee
Before and After (1996) .... Carolyn Ryan
Bridges of Madison County, The (1995) .... Francesca Johnson
River Wild, The (1994) .... Gail
"Century of Women, A" (1994) (mini) TV Series (voice)
House of the Spirits, The (1993) .... Clara
... aka Åndernes hus (1993) (Denmark)
... aka Casa dos Espíritos, A (1993) (Portugal)
... aka Geisterhaus, Das (1993) (Germany)
Death Becomes Her (1992) .... Madeline Ashton
Defending Your Life (1991) .... Julia
"Race to Save the Planet" (1990) TV Series .... Hostess
Postcards from the Edge (1990) .... Suzanne Vale

Rabbit Ears: The Fisherman and His Wife (1989) (V) .... Storyteller She-Devil (1989) .... Mary Fisher
Tailor of Gloucester, The (1988) (V) .... Narrator
Cry in the Dark, A (1988) .... Lindy Chamberlain
... aka Evil Angels (1988) (Australia)
Ironweed (1987) .... Helen Archer
Rabbit Ears: The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1987) (V) (voice) .... Storyteller Rabbit Ears: The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1987) (V) (voice) .... Storyteller
Heartburn (1986) .... Rachel Louise Samstat/Forman
Out of Africa (1985) .... Karen Christence Dinesen Blixen-Finecke Plenty (1985) .... Susan Traherne
Little Ears: The Velveteen Rabbit (1984) (V) .... Storyteller
Falling in Love (1984) .... Molly Gilmore
Silkwood (1983) .... Karen Silkwood
Sophie's Choice (1982) .... Sophie
Still of the Night (1982) .... Brooke Reynolds

Alice at the Palace (1982) (TV) .... Alice
French Lieutenant's Woman, The (1981) .... Sarah/Anna

Uncommon Women... and Others (1979) (TV) .... Leilah
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) .... Joanna Kramer
Seduction of Joe Tynan, The (1979) .... Karen Traynor
Manhattan (1979) .... Jill
Deer Hunter, The (1978) .... Linda
"Holocaust" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Inga Helms Weiss Julia (1977) .... Anne Marie
Deadliest Season, The (1977) (TV) .... Sharon Miller
Secret Service (1977) (TV) .... Edith Varney
Everybody Rides the Carousel (1975) (voice) .... Stage 6

[Jen72]

77. I agree Streep is an amazing actress...

I esp love her in Sophie's Choice, Postcards From The Edge, Adaptation, Silkwood, The Hours and Bridges Of Madison County.

[joeybee12]

64. Wholeheartedly agree! She's a decent actress, but she's given more

really bad performances than good ones.

Very, very, very hammy actress. You can always tell on her face that she' thinking of her next line or facial expression.

[mndemocrat_29]

6. The most overrated

Kevin Costner
Mel Gibson
Helen Hunt
Mike Myers
Adam Sandler

There are more, but I can't think of them right now.

[Faygo Kid]

89. Good list - lots more, but can't disagree with any of these.

Glad to see Julia Roberts getting lots of votes, too.

[Devil Dog Dem]

8. Julia Roberts

wtf?

[Dissenting_Prole]

12. Right on!

The Woman ain't really that Pretty.

She's Pretty much average.

[texasmom]

36. Definitely Julia! n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

63. Totally agreed!

:hi:

[Demonaut]

74. Agree, what a waste of time in Casino

[lazarus]

76. Amen

In the immortal words of Rodney Dangerfield: "Last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it."

Was the weakest part of Ocean's Eleven to me.

Okay, she's not a bad actress, but she's not All That.

[tridim]

10. Macaulay Culkin and Melanie Griffith

Both horrible actors.

[salinen]

15. Jim Balushi

Or however you spell it.

[spooky3]

24. And in MG's case, I'm thinking "Plastic Surgeons Gone Wild."

[beawr]

13. Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon,

Abbott and Costello (I Know, not actors, but I never liked them)
Frank Sinatra (as an actor)
Donna Reed
Ronald Reagan (as a President)

[mitchum]

14. Flame away, but it's Jack Nicholson

He was VERY good in "Chinatown", "The Last Detail", "The King of Marvin Gardens" and "Five Easy Pieces", but he's really been little more than a balding smirk for the past couple of decades

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

32. Carnal Knowledge was his best movie ever

Yeah, he hasn't done anything good since the '80s as far as I can remember.

[DS1]

44. No, Jack Nicholson 2 - Christian Slater

.

[blondeatlast]

60. YES! Honestly, the only thing I could stand him in is "Chinatown."

Oh yeah, and "Little Shop of Horrors."

[joeybee12]

66. You're absolutely right--he's a character actor, with one character

He does it well, but when he tries anything else--like About Schmidt, he falls flat.

[HuckleB]

92. Jack's good, but, yes, definitely overrated.

[madaboutharry]

17. Michelle Pheiffer

She was pretty good in The Witches of Eastwick and Married to the Mob, but when it comes to a heavy dramatic role she always looks like she is trying too hard.

[Southsideirish]

19. Au contraire - she was wonderful in "What Lies Beneath"

I have seen it about 25 times - and I know good movies. Its not "Citizen Kane" but its a darn good thriller.

[madaboutharry]

25. I liked "What Lies Beneth" too, but

I am talking about movies like "The Deep End of the Ocean" and "White Oleander." I think she can be great, but she has her limits.

[NashVegas]

69. Wow

About White Oleaner. For someone who was on the screen as little as she was, she did a great job of completely dominating the movie. A truly unforgettable performance in a so-so movie, I thought.

Michelle should have been nominated for her performance as Cat Woman, and if her people hadn't played it safe by pushing the insipid Love Fieldinstead, she might have some gold on her mantle.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

23. She was great in "Dangerous Liaisons"

I think she's a pretty good actress overall.

[sasquatch]

18. Mel Gibson

Loved him in 'Braveheart', couldn't stand him in anything else.

[EstimatedProphet]

20. Ditto to Julia Roberts

And I'll raise you a Kevin Costner

[Tripper11]

26. Nicole Kidman....

the woman does nothing for me except bores me.

She's not attractive, she acts the same way in every movie.

edit : spell check, what spell check :P

[blondeatlast]

54. She played herself "To Die For." On second thought, maybe she is good;

she made me sympathize with Tom Cruise.

That takes serious talent!

[joeybee12]

68. She can't act at all--nothing but blank expressions--the fact that she

got an Oscar is the greatest travesty of the 21st century!

Most bad actresses/actors I can ignore, but she is just dreadful, and she represents all that is bad with Hollywood--a great big publicity machine that tries to make the public believe that an unattractive (take off all the make-up and you've a pasty, skinny, dull, unimaginative face) and talentless faghag (Yup, you heard that right, who do you think I'm referring to?) is a gifted, beautiful actress. I want to puke!

NOW, ask me what I REALLY think of her!

[agingdem]

27. Oh, where to start...

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Nicole Kidman, Rosanne Barr, Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Mel Gibson, Sylvestor Stallone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Andi MacDowell, Andy Garcia, Emily Procter...

[soleft]

31. Over-rated means they were supposed to be good to begin with

Like Robert DeNiro or Glenn Close

[Skittles]

28. Sandra Bullock

her cutesey act wore thin a few films ago

[woofless]

33. Jim Carrey

is just plain NOT funny.

[durutti]

50. Totally agree.

Same with Jerry Seinfeld.

[ProfessorGAC]

58. Carey, Yes. Seinfeld, No

Seinfeld never claimed to be an actor. During his show, he always said he was intimidated by the fact that he was surrounded by skilled actors and that he a "just a stand-up comic". So, i give him a pass, because he's not claiming any acting credentials.

Carey, on the other hand, is horrible. Everything is so over the top that i find him unwatchable. Not one movie he's made could i get through. He doesn't make me laugh, and when he's trying to be serious, he's so hammy that it hurts to watch.
The Professor

[Jen72]

79. The only film I ever loved of Jim Carrey's

was The Trueman Show, every thing else s just annoying crap.

[ProfessorGAC]

80. I Couldn't Even Watch That One!

It's a great premise. Well directed and nicely written. Carey ruined it for me.
The Professor

[poppabear36]

34. Vincent D'Onofrio and Sean Penn

Look at me - I'm ACTING!

[oxymoron]

40. Vincent D'Onofrio!

King of the pregnant pause. I can't stand to watch him!

[solinvictus]

38. Winona Ryder

Geez, she plays herself in every role. I only say her because Julia Roberts is taken.

[Kat45]

39. Gwyneth Paltrow. n/t

Edited to try to figure out how to spell her name.

[Spirochete]

41. Vin Diesel

Jude Law

[LiviaOlivia]

42. The three lead actors in 'Cold Mountain'

And all usual coporate actors:
(Their corporate employers rate them highly)
Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Gov. Arnold, Sandra Bullock,
John Travolta, Nicholas Cage, Julia Roberts, Colin Farrell,
Angelina Jolie, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez,
Matt Damon, Kirstin Dunst, Kneanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz,
Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, etc., etc.

[shugah]

43. oh people! people! it is without any doubt

jessica lang (lange?)

i'm with everyone on tom cruise (he was awfully cute in risky business, tho) but was he ever really sold as "an actor?" he's always seemed pretty content to be sold as "tom cruise."

but jessica? omfg! she reeks! she almost ruined the otherwise perfect movie Titus. she can't act to save her life, and she should be banned from ever performing shakespeare.

[blondeatlast]

55. Ohmigourd--YES!

[FloridaJudy]

45. "Ben and JayLo"

I've had it to *here* with these two brats. They're famous just for being famous. Neither of them has done squat to make this world a better place.

Give me their money and their publicity and I'll do my damnest to fight preventable diseases. We medical folks actually can eliminate syphilis and polio, given the resources.

[terrya]

46. Jimmy Stewart.

Entirely overrated as an actor.

[rustydog]

70. Wella, Wella, Wella, you'd better take that BACK fella!

[Faygo Kid]

86. You won't get much support for that observation here.

Since you didn't expand on your opinion, neither will I.

[terrya]

87. All right, I'll expand on my opinion.

In every single role Jimmy Stewart did, I always thought he was playing Jimmy Stewart...he was one of those actors (like John Wayne) who essentially was playing himself. Even in movies like "Vertigo".

[Faygo Kid]

88. The power of personality

You could say that about Wayne, indeed, but also Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Gene Hackman, Gregory Peck, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, et al. They filled the screen. That doesn't make them overrated actors, just powerful ones. Besides, Stewart could be not just charming, but chilling - check out "Vertigo," his westerns and, yes, "It's a Wonderful Life." Some very scary and dark portrayals there. Anyway, to each his or her own.

[sleipnir]

47. Orlando Bloom, Drew Barrymore, Vin Diesel....my current top three

n/t

[pippin]

49. Gwnyth Paltry

I mean Gwnyth Paltrow. Bland blonde, can't act worth peas but celebrated and trumpeted via her Hollywood connections.

[kmla]

51. John Wayne and Charlton Heston.

Both were extremely one dimensional. The only part they can play is the tough guy who looks like he is looking into a strong wind everywhere he goes...

[Faygo Kid]

81. You are wrong on Wayne.

Watch "The Searchers" or "The Shootist." He was an actor of terrific depth who could and did play morally conflicted characters. Forget his politics. The man could act. Heston was more wooden in my opinion, but really good in "Planet of the Apes." Your politics are getting in the way, methinks.

[LynneSin]

52. Renee Zellwegger - YUCK YUCK YUCK

I kinda liked her in Bridget Jones, but now I find her the most irritating actress.

[Cat Atomic]

53. John Wayne.

He was a fraud. And his movies just flat-out sucked ass.

You know, Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name could've murdered John Wayne's Shootist with a napkin.

[Faygo Kid]

82. See post #81

Did you ever see "The Shootist?" It had nothing to do with who was the toughest. Try it again.

[lpbk2713]

56. Usually any singer that tries to capitalize on their popularity in acting.

Cher, Madonna, Elvis. I can't think of one singer that has done a halfway decent job in acting.

[blondeatlast]

59. Cher was great in "Moonstruck," but she had the help of an

exceptional cast, fabulous script, great direction . . .

[NashVegas]

71. Ruben Blades

Charms me everytime I see him on the screen.

Bowie's not so bad, either, but he knows his limitations.

[Faygo Kid]

84. Sinatra was good.

"From Here to Eternity," "The Man with the Golden Arm," "Von Ryan's Express," "The Manchurian Candidate." Enuff said.

[blondeatlast]

57. Cameron Diaz annoys the hell out of me.

[tinrobot]

62. Absolutely...

I'll admit she's OK in some films, but whenever she's interviewed, she totally blows her cover.

[jimbo fett]

73. I'm on your bandwagon. Cameron is a talentless buckethead.

[NashVegas]

65. Russell Crowe

It's fascinating to go back and re-watch LA Confidential. The performance that made him the it boy was entirely a one-note deal. Since then, he's left me dry in both Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.

He's a great movie star, but no way is he a great actor.

[ProfessorGAC]

72. DiCaprio

Hey Lenny, tone it down a bit, can't ya?
The Professor

[CreamyGoodness]

75. Angelina Jolie

She actually has potential, but she hasn't been living up to it in recent years.

[Jen72]

78. Mel Gibson...

Bruce Willis
John Wayne
Tom Cruise
Van Dammn
Charlton Heston
Woody Allen
Freddie Prince JR


Catherine Zeta Jones
Liz Taylor
Demi Moore
Melaine Griffths
Sarah Michelle Geller
Barbra Steisand
Julie Andrews

[Draven]

83. Mel Gibson, Ahnold, Kevin Costner...

Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler (his only good movie was Happy Gilmore), Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Nichole Kidman, Jack Nicholson (he's a creepy old man)...

There's others who I forgot at the moment...

[Faygo Kid]

85. Adam Sandler. $20 million a film?

Blecch. Puke. Horrors. The Apocalypse. The mentality of why GWB is popular. The lowest common denominator. Films not good enough to line a birdcage. A complete insult to the human race. Hope I made my point.

[HuckleB]

91. Tom Hanks.

I'm not saying he's bad, but he's big time overrated.