Inspired by me - Actors/actresses who CANNOT act

[MosMom]

Daryl Hannah. She is a horrible actress.

 

[Amberle3]

Heather Graham. DFi made me watch Austin Powers2, and at the end of it the only thing I could say was that there were obviously 2 reasons she got that roll - the right one, and the left one. She had no acting talent whatsoever.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Brad Pitt.
I enjoy a lot of his movies, but he usually sounds like he is just reading off the script.

 

[EltonJohn]

I'm going to go with most of them. I honestly think most actors/actresses just wind up playing themselves in the movies they are in.

I would have to concur with this-there are very few exceptions such as Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr. Everytime I see those two on screen I am impressed.

 

[vald1977]

I'll second Ben Affleck! Terrible.
How about Brittany Spears ? Or J. Lo. for that matter also?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is a toughy.

I don't think those who come on playing "himself" or "herself" do that well. No matter the movie, no matter the "notable" who's playing such a unique roll. The lines sound canned...and it is even worse when it is on a tv show and its supposed to be a comedy.

Can't think of any as bad as the "Carrie" girl, though.

 

[rcyannacci]

I'm going to go with most of them. I honestly think most actors/actresses just wind up playing themselves in the movies they are in.

I think this is kind of unfair. Most actors (non-gender specific) don't ever make it to the big screen, and even fewer are recognizable as celebrities. When they do become celebrities, the entertainment media does their best to create a public persona for these individuals (authentic or not) to sell their product. So how do we know what's real or not without knowing them personally?

Not that all celebrities went through this, but professional actor training is rigorous and complicated. It's more than just "pretending" to be someone. They research thier roles, learn dialects, create back histories on their characters, and open themselves up to emotional experiences that most of us naturally shy away from.

Sorry to go on, but as someone who interacts with actors on a daily basis, I get frustrated with dismissals of their intelligence or insinuations that they are somehow embarking on worthless careers. (If that's not what you meant, then just ignore my ramblings) Not that this thinking isn't without precedent...actors have been maligned since the age of Plato, so it's safe to say it will continue.

 

[EltonJohn]

Even my mom agrees about David Caruso--she says all he does is take his sunglasses on and off or stand with his hands on his hips.
I don't know if they are trying to make Paris Hilton an actress, but after seeing her in clips from last nights SNL--whoa, she's bad.
Robin M.

Speaking of Paris Hilton. There are some others that come to mind-Pamela Lee Anderson, Madonna, Cindy Crawford (I recall her doing a movie or was that some other model?), and basically all models or singers that have tried their hand at acting.

 

[oogieboogie]

There are a lot of actors/actresses that I think are just awful:

Top of the list: Penelope Cruz - who went and cast her in anything????
Ben Affleck is horrible
Jennifer Lopez - please stick to the dancing - can't even stand her songs
Brad Pitt
Jennifer Aniston - - OK pretty much the cast of Friends
I know I'm gonna get flak for this but Tom Cruise!
David Caruso I have to agree
Oh... so many to name, so little time

 

[pw2pp]

I thought that Beyonce' couldn't act in that last Austin Powers movie.

 

[Hippychickali]

I think this is kind of unfair. Most actors (non-gender specific) don't ever make it to the big screen, and even fewer are recognizable as celebrities. When they do become celebrities, the entertainment media does their best to create a public persona for these individuals (authentic or not) to sell their product. So how do we know what's real or not without knowing them personally?

Good point. I think the person who originally posted this comment was talking about typecasting which is much different than simply playing yourself in a movie. I actually don't think that this happens all that much and even if it did, how would we really know?

Ali

 

[rcyannacci]

Good point. I think the person who originally posted this comment was talking about typecasting which is much different than simply playing yourself in a movie. I actually don't think that this happens all that much and even if it did, how would we really know?

Ali

Although, there are some actors who are continually typecast in the same category of roles because they are genuinely talented, nailed a role in one film, and continue to play that same role. Thinking of an example...maybe Harrison Ford--he's a great actor, but tends to play these gruff, masculine hero-types. No one would take him seriously as the bad guy or as comic relief (other than the straight man). And he knows this and plays to his strengths. Personally, I don't think of that as selling out- he's a craftman and treats acting like a serious profession without taking himself too seriously. Very respectable.

 

[Hippychickali]

Although, there are some actors who are continually typecast in the same category of roles because they are genuinely talented, nailed a role in one film, and continue to play that same role. Thinking of an example...maybe Harrison Ford--he's a great actor, but tends to play these gruff, masculine hero-types. No one would take him seriously as the bad guy or as comic relief (other than the straight man). And he knows this and plays to his strengths. Personally, I don't think of that as selling out- he's a craftman and treats acting like a serious profession without taking himself too seriously. Very respectable.

Yes. Typecasting happens all the time. What I meant was, I don't think that people "just play themselves in movies" as often as people seem to think.

Ali

 

[rcyannacci]

Yes. Typecasting happens all the time. What I meant was, I don't think that people "just play themselves in movies" as often as people seem to think.

Ali

Right. Agreed.

 

[HayGan]

I'll second Ben Affleck! Terrible.
How about Brittany Spears ? Or J. Lo. for that matter also?

I completely agree on all 3! I personally think Jennifer Lopez is overrated as an actress and a singer!

 

[missypie]

I hate to speak ill of the dead, and I totally admired his personal courage, but I never thought that Christopher Reeve could act.

 

[Amberle3]

Gotta agree about Brad Pitt. I remember seeing him in Interview with the Vampire, and thinking of how truly terrible he was. They could have replaced him with a cardboard cutout and it wouldn't have made any difference.

 

[eeyore0062]

Susan Lucci from All My Children. If you have seen her on talk shows, etc. either she is playing herself as Erica or she has played Erica for so long that she (Susan) has become her (Erica)

You ane NOT kidding! There was a REASON she never got a Daytime Emmy!

Her daughter, who is on Passions and plays Gwen isn't too much better and nowhere near as attractive!

I think there is a distinction though... there are actors who can't act and actors who can only act one part... that would be a LONG list including:
Brad Pitt
Tom Cruise
Harrison Ford
Meg Ryan
Bert Reynolds'
the cast of Friends
Ben Affleck


Those who can't act:
Jennifer Lopez
Loni Anderson
Brittany Spears
Pam Anderson
Penelope Cruz
Susan Lucci, of course

 

[Hippychickali]

Eeyore,

I think that's an important distinction to make. Thank you. I think your lists are helpful.

Ali

 

[orvilleair]

Arguably, William Shatner. He overacts, but he keeps winning award after award. Cult following on his music albums.

Actress: I like some of her music, but Madonna can't act.