Unsung Heroes: Character Actors Of Yesteryear

I’d actually like to start a few blogs about actors you look at a know you’ve seen them somewhere and then they disappeared only to return somewhere else. Or that they just gave up acting. They’re mostly character actors. And though most people don’t really aspire to be these types, character actors are constantly working. Peter Lorre is famous for being one. And his modern day doppelganger, Steve Buscemi actually jumped the line and went into stardom in “Boardwalk Empire.” For me, I’ve always respected those “that guy!” As in, “hey, it’s THAT GUY in that movie, watsa’ he doing in this movie.” I love these characters because people don’t know their names. Nor should you. They have a face and recognizable but very few people can place them. Let’s get something clear though…in movies, they are seen as…flawed or weird looking. In reality, they are probably more attractive than 50% of the population. They are “Hollywood ugly.” Another thing, they are necessary. John C. McGinley said it on Kevin Pollak’s chat show, if you want to be a working actor (and not a star) strive and do your best to be the guy who explains the shit the lead actor won’t. In other words, you fill in the gaps. It’s a real skill to make exposition NOT sound like…um…corny. Lead actors don’t want it. They want to be silent and strong. They’ve learned (or more accurately, their agents have discovered) the less they talk the more their value. That’s why you have the guy who will do the talking. Oliver Platt has made a living like that. As has Kevin Pollak. They are that character in the movie that breaks down everything that is going on. According to McGinley, you find a way to be that guy, you will never stop working. AND with big name actors. The other thing about these few blogs too, is that there are some of these types of actors that are just plain forgotten. That saddens me the most. Because they brought so much joy to my childhood, in one that had so very little answers. People like Scott Valentine, or Mary Cordorette become really obscure and just…they’ve elected to move on with life. Jan Smithers (“WKRP In Cincinnati”) comes to mind at being supremely hot then fizzling just as quick. Lastly, I would hope that these people would be still alive to do more. Some obviously have gone as far away from the entertainment industry as possible, others still do the convention circuits. I lost an opportunity to meet the cast of “WKRP” when my car was stolen the weekend before they had a convention in Los Angeles. If anything is less forgiving, it’s that.

So, to begin with G.W. Bailey.

I recall watching him in “Police Academy 4 Citizens on Patrol.” Yeah, I didn’t watch any of the other ones prior to it, because I was too young. This one actually was just clean enough for me to see it in a theater alone. It’s terrible. Even at that age I knew it looked and felt like garbage. Anyway…the police captain Lt. Harris, the blustery ball buster of parts 1 and 2. He is a bulldog of a man, with broad shoulders and no-neck to speak of. He is distinct in his facial expressions that are so over the top, it would make silent film actors blush. But THAT is his charm. He’s pretty much been a cop in everything he’s done. Or security. In “Short Circuit” he’s security force sent to shut down Johnny 5 and…of course…”Mannequin” he’s security to shut down…mannequin love. Yep, he’s THAT GUY! Recently I saw him turn up in a serious role in “The Closer.” Serious?...kinda. When I see his face, I smile. He cracks wise on the show and you see the years behind him. But it has been awesome to know he still works in this business. He has that face like R. Lee Ermey that will always need a camera to capture it. He’s a great character actor.