That Guy!

Tom Maguire
27 June 2004

We here at the Film Basement have long-appreciated the work of not just the big-name actors, but also of the bit players, character-actors if you will, who've played endless thugs, bad guys, clerks, police sergeants, and newspaper vendors over the years. These are the actors whose name you don't know, but whose face you recognize immediately. Often such actors are used in the same type or role again and again. There are some actors you see so often as the Chief of Police, that when you see them selling the Hero an ice cream cone, something feels wrong. Others are just reliable faces that can be used as "filler people" in any slot. We feel that these unsung actors deserve their moment in the spotlight, free from the shadows of the Name Talent they so often support.

This month: James Rebhorn

Typical Roles: Doctor, Lawyer, Politician, "Suit"

Most Famous Appearance: The Game

Most recently seen in: Cold Mountain

James Rebhorn looks more like your doctor than your own doctor does. His tall frame and trusting features position him as one of Hollywood's more reliable "dramatic authority figures" as he bounces back and forth between his typical roles of doctors and lawyers. He's also played comedic straight men on occasion with his most notable appearance as the attorney in the final episode of Seinfeld. However, his comedic talent lays mostly untapped. In addition to making minor appearances in major studio productions, Rebhorn's acts frequently on the stage and started to delve into larger roles in smaller budgeted and independent productions like Scotland PA and Far From Heaven. While he'll undoubtedly continue to appear in smaller roles in mainstream movies and tv, hopefully in the future he'll continue to test his acting chops by taking meatier roles in more unconventional and challenging projects.

Where you've probably seen him:

Far From Heaven                Meet the Parents
The Talented Mr. Ripley      My Fellow Americans
Independence Day               Scent of a Woman
Basic Instinct

Many Television Appearances

Check out James' full list of credits at The Internet Movie Database.
And an excellent Bio at The All Movie Guide.