Iconic and Memorable Roles: Movies
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Gandhi (1982)
Ben Kinsley as Gandhi


A truly unforgettable performance by Ben Kingsley. Twenty minutes into the movie and you are telling yourself that this is Gandhi on the screen, not an actor. One of the great performances in cinema history.


A truly unforgettable performance by Ben Kingsley. Twenty minutes into the movie and you are telling yourself that this is Gandhi on the screen, not an actor. One of the great performances in cinema history.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Zulu (1964)
Michael Caine as Lt. Gonville Bromhead

Stanley Baker as Lt. John Chard

Zulu is a massive movie with an ensemble cast. Two of the lead roles are played brilliantly by Michael Caine and Stanley Baker. Both men had great success, but their roles in this movie stand out quite a bit.

Stanley Baker as Lt. John Chard

Zulu is a massive movie with an ensemble cast. Two of the lead roles are played brilliantly by Michael Caine and Stanley Baker. Both men had great success, but their roles in this movie stand out quite a bit.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Battle of Britain (1969)
Christopher Plummer as Squad Leader Colin Harvey


Laurence Olivier as Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

Robert Shaw as Squadron Leader Skipper


Laurence Olivier as Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding


Robert Shaw as Squadron Leader Skipper

Joseph Grey's rating:

Jack Nicholson as J.J. Gittes


"I like my nose... I like breathing with it."
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray



"I like my nose... I like breathing with it."
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray


Joseph Grey's rating:

The Great Escape (1963)
Richard Attenborough as Bartlett "Big X"

Richard Attenborough would later go on to be a great director, responsible for directing Gandhi, Magic, and A Bridge Too Far.
Steve McQueen as Hilts "The Cooler King"


Steve McQueen's rebel attitude and swagger really fit in the role of "The Cooler King."
James Garner as Hendley "The Scrounger"

James Garner in one of his most charming roles as "The Scrounger." His con-man behavior was offset well with Garner's natural likability.

Richard Attenborough would later go on to be a great director, responsible for directing Gandhi, Magic, and A Bridge Too Far.
Steve McQueen as Hilts "The Cooler King"


Steve McQueen's rebel attitude and swagger really fit in the role of "The Cooler King."
James Garner as Hendley "The Scrounger"

James Garner in one of his most charming roles as "The Scrounger." His con-man behavior was offset well with Garner's natural likability.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Robert De Niro as Michael

Christopher Walken as Nick

Not many movies can make me cry. This one did. The incredible performances by De Niro and Walken in The Deer Hunter are legendary in cinema.

Christopher Walken as Nick

Not many movies can make me cry. This one did. The incredible performances by De Niro and Walken in The Deer Hunter are legendary in cinema.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Laurence Olivier as Andrew Wyke

Michael Caine as Milo Tindle


What an amazing portrayal by both Olivier and Caine. Both are at their best, and make for two memorable and powerful performances.

Michael Caine as Milo Tindle


What an amazing portrayal by both Olivier and Caine. Both are at their best, and make for two memorable and powerful performances.
Joseph Grey's rating:

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Yul Brynner as Chris Larabee Adams

Charles Bronson as Bernando O'Reilly

James Coburn as Britt

The American remake of Seven Samurai. The two movies are quite different in style, actually. Not much time was spent delving into each character, but Coburn, Brynner, and Bronson's performances were strong and memorable.

Charles Bronson as Bernando O'Reilly

James Coburn as Britt

The American remake of Seven Samurai. The two movies are quite different in style, actually. Not much time was spent delving into each character, but Coburn, Brynner, and Bronson's performances were strong and memorable.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Steve McQueen as Henri Charriere

Perhaps Steve McQueen's greatest role as the Devil's Island prisoner 'Papillon'. If you haven't seen this movie, you really must.
Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega

Perhaps Steve McQueen's greatest role as the Devil's Island prisoner 'Papillon'. If you haven't seen this movie, you really must.
Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega

Joseph Grey's rating:

My Fair Lady (1964)
Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle


My Fair Lady features a beautiful performance by Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.


My Fair Lady features a beautiful performance by Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn


Ian McKellen as Gandolf

The Great Ian McKellen. A veteran of the stage, and member of the Royal Shakespeare Academy (with Patrick Stewart and David Suchet in the 80's). I hope Ian McKellen never retires, and continues to give great performances.
Eljah Wood as Frodo Baggins



Ian McKellen as Gandolf

The Great Ian McKellen. A veteran of the stage, and member of the Royal Shakespeare Academy (with Patrick Stewart and David Suchet in the 80's). I hope Ian McKellen never retires, and continues to give great performances.
Eljah Wood as Frodo Baggins

Joseph Grey's rating:

Joseph Grey's rating:

Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine


This guy scared me a lot as a kid. Ancient looking and wormlike, this was one of the creepiest movie villains.


This guy scared me a lot as a kid. Ancient looking and wormlike, this was one of the creepiest movie villains.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Superman (1978)
Christopher Reeve as Superman


Christopher Reeve is the best movie Superman I've seen. There may never be a better one.


Christopher Reeve is the best movie Superman I've seen. There may never be a better one.
Joseph Grey's rating:

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Alec Guinness as Colonel Nicholson

Alec Guinness was a world famous actor decades before he appeared in Star Wars. He also co-starred in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, which were alternatives to this choice.

Alec Guinness was a world famous actor decades before he appeared in Star Wars. He also co-starred in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, which were alternatives to this choice.
The French Connection (1971)
Gene Hackman as Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle

Gene Hackman is one of those guys who are too good to be type-casted. I could have chosen a few different iconic roles of his, but I chose this one, because many people have seen it.

Gene Hackman is one of those guys who are too good to be type-casted. I could have chosen a few different iconic roles of his, but I chose this one, because many people have seen it.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Das Boot (1981)
Jürgen Prochnow as Captain Henrich

Prochnow played the Captain of the U-Boat in this film masterpiece. It is easily his most amazing and memorable role.

Prochnow played the Captain of the U-Boat in this film masterpiece. It is easily his most amazing and memorable role.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse

Who wasn't somehow affected by this movie after seeing it? Imagine if someone else had been given the role? ... yeah, I can't either. Mia Farrow had the natural innocence, with the acting talent to keep us following her through the end of the movie.

Who wasn't somehow affected by this movie after seeing it? Imagine if someone else had been given the role? ... yeah, I can't either. Mia Farrow had the natural innocence, with the acting talent to keep us following her through the end of the movie.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter

You're not likely to forget Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter once you've seen Silence of the Lambs. His treatment of the character is impeccable.
Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling

Ted Levine as Jame Gumb

You're not likely to forget Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter once you've seen Silence of the Lambs. His treatment of the character is impeccable.
Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling

Ted Levine as Jame Gumb

Joseph Grey's rating:

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Harrison Ford as Dr. Henry 'Indiana' Jones

Harrison Ford really threw himself into being Indiana Jones. He made kids around the world want to study Anthropology, carry a whip, and wear a brown fedora. It was both the image, and his tough but likeable portrayal of the character that made a memorable impression upon the movie.

Harrison Ford really threw himself into being Indiana Jones. He made kids around the world want to study Anthropology, carry a whip, and wear a brown fedora. It was both the image, and his tough but likeable portrayal of the character that made a memorable impression upon the movie.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Alien (1979)
Sigourney Weaver as Ripley

This is where it began. Sigourney Weaver played flight officer aboard a deep space mining vessel. Her stress and fear were palpable, and added tension to the scenes. In combination with the rest of the cast, Sigourney Weaver's performance is both dramatic and believable.

This is where it began. Sigourney Weaver played flight officer aboard a deep space mining vessel. Her stress and fear were palpable, and added tension to the scenes. In combination with the rest of the cast, Sigourney Weaver's performance is both dramatic and believable.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator

Arnold was a veteran of the screen at this point. But his portrayal of The Terminator was more impactful in this movie than the first, and the story gave the character a third dimension.
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor

Linda Hamilton really did a great job as Sarah Connor. She did a great job of transforming herself into a doomsday prepper, a very different person than she was in the first movie.
Edward Furlong as John Connor

Edward Furlong may not have much of a career today, but his role as John Connor will always be remembered as one of the best portrayals of a child character in recent memory.
Robert Patrick as T-1000

This guy was scary. No emotion, no hesitation, no... bones? The T-1000 is the scariest Terminator. He can look like anyone, and absorb your bullets. A walking nightmare to fight against.

Arnold was a veteran of the screen at this point. But his portrayal of The Terminator was more impactful in this movie than the first, and the story gave the character a third dimension.
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor

Linda Hamilton really did a great job as Sarah Connor. She did a great job of transforming herself into a doomsday prepper, a very different person than she was in the first movie.
Edward Furlong as John Connor

Edward Furlong may not have much of a career today, but his role as John Connor will always be remembered as one of the best portrayals of a child character in recent memory.
Robert Patrick as T-1000

This guy was scary. No emotion, no hesitation, no... bones? The T-1000 is the scariest Terminator. He can look like anyone, and absorb your bullets. A walking nightmare to fight against.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Blade Runner (1982)
Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty


Rutger Haeur's portrayal of the replicant Roy Batty felt like a combination of genius and insanity. Many of the characters in the movie are memorable, but this was the strongest performance, and perhaps the best of Hauer's career.
Edward James Olmos as Gaff

Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard

Dean Young as Rachael

This is one of my favorite movies.


Rutger Haeur's portrayal of the replicant Roy Batty felt like a combination of genius and insanity. Many of the characters in the movie are memorable, but this was the strongest performance, and perhaps the best of Hauer's career.
Edward James Olmos as Gaff

Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard

Dean Young as Rachael

This is one of my favorite movies.

Joseph Grey's rating:

Robert Redford as Johnny Hooker

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff

Great performances by the entire cast. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are at their best, and give a performance even more memorable than their roles in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff

Great performances by the entire cast. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are at their best, and give a performance even more memorable than their roles in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Joseph Grey's rating:

Death Wish (1974)
Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey

Charles Bronson was a veteran actor before taking this role, but this movie helped to make him famous as a leading actor. Not his best work, but he carries the role well.

Charles Bronson was a veteran actor before taking this role, but this movie helped to make him famous as a leading actor. Not his best work, but he carries the role well.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Misery (1990)
Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes


If You've seen Misery, then you know just how terrifying one woman can be.


If You've seen Misery, then you know just how terrifying one woman can be.
Joseph Grey's rating:

The Great Train Robbery (1978)
Sean Connery as Pierce

Easily one of Connery's best roles. He plays the charming swindler Pierce, looking to pull one big heist with his team of criminals.

Easily one of Connery's best roles. He plays the charming swindler Pierce, looking to pull one big heist with his team of criminals.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Die Hard (1988)
Bruce Willis as John McClane

This movie really propelled Bruce Willis into the action movie world. Personally, I liked him better in moonlighting, but he does have a strange almost clumsy way of outsmarting and killing the bad guys.
Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

This movie really propelled Bruce Willis into the action movie world. Personally, I liked him better in moonlighting, but he does have a strange almost clumsy way of outsmarting and killing the bad guys.
Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Joseph Grey's rating:

Sean Connery as James Bond 007

Ursula Andress as Honeychile 'Honey' Ryder

You may ask "why choose Doctor No. ?" Easy. If this movie tanked, and Sean Connery wasn't convincing as James Bond, there would be no 'From Russia With Love', 'Goldfinger', and perhaps no James Bond movie franchise at all. This movie started the James Bond movie franchise as we know it today.

Ursula Andress as Honeychile 'Honey' Ryder

You may ask "why choose Doctor No. ?" Easy. If this movie tanked, and Sean Connery wasn't convincing as James Bond, there would be no 'From Russia With Love', 'Goldfinger', and perhaps no James Bond movie franchise at all. This movie started the James Bond movie franchise as we know it today.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump


Forrest Gump wasn't my only choice for Tom Hanks. I think he did a better performance in Philadelphia, and it may find it's way into this list.


Forrest Gump wasn't my only choice for Tom Hanks. I think he did a better performance in Philadelphia, and it may find it's way into this list.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Tom Hanks as Andrew Beckett

Denzel Washington as Joe Miller

A great understated performance by Tom Hanks. He has to exhibit multiple stages of illness from the AIDS virus, all while having to portray a believable and memorable character.


Denzel Washington as Joe Miller

A great understated performance by Tom Hanks. He has to exhibit multiple stages of illness from the AIDS virus, all while having to portray a believable and memorable character.

Joseph Grey's rating:

Joseph Grey's rating:

Yojimbo (1961)
Toshiro Mifune as Sanjuro, the Wandering Samurai

A great role for Mifune, as the wandering Samurai who decides to become involved in a war between two crime families. This movie was the inspiration for the 'Fistful of Dollar' movies.

A great role for Mifune, as the wandering Samurai who decides to become involved in a war between two crime families. This movie was the inspiration for the 'Fistful of Dollar' movies.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Joseph Grey's rating:

The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Lee Marvin as Major Reisman

Charles Bronson as Joseph Wladislaw

Jim Brown as Robert Jefferson

Telly Savalas as Archer Maggott

John Cassavetes as Victor Franko

Charles Bronson as Joseph Wladislaw

Jim Brown as Robert Jefferson

Telly Savalas as Archer Maggott

John Cassavetes as Victor Franko

Joseph Grey's rating:

Joseph Grey's rating:

Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Paul Newman as Luke

Paul Newman played many excellent roles, but this is one of his best.
Strother Martin as The Captain


The psychological and spiritual battle between Luke and The Captain was accentuated by Strother Martin's bi-polar treatment of the character.

Paul Newman played many excellent roles, but this is one of his best.
Strother Martin as The Captain


The psychological and spiritual battle between Luke and The Captain was accentuated by Strother Martin's bi-polar treatment of the character.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Halloween (1978)
Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode

Donald Pleasance as Dr. Sam Loomis

Donald Pleasance has a talent for understatement and the ability to communicate emotion without using words. This is not the best movie he was in, and probably not his best performance. But, he was in at least four Halloween movies, so he is part of the franchise. You should watch him in THX-1138.

Donald Pleasance as Dr. Sam Loomis

Donald Pleasance has a talent for understatement and the ability to communicate emotion without using words. This is not the best movie he was in, and probably not his best performance. But, he was in at least four Halloween movies, so he is part of the franchise. You should watch him in THX-1138.
Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson as William Wallace

Patrick McGoohan as Longshanks - King Edward I

Ah, Braveheart. Great battle scenes, strong characters, and a very enjoyable movie, as long as you're not a history major.

Patrick McGoohan as Longshanks - King Edward I

Ah, Braveheart. Great battle scenes, strong characters, and a very enjoyable movie, as long as you're not a history major.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Rocky (1976)
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa

This is probably Sylvester Stallone's most memorable movie role. He wrote this story (based off a real boxer), and did a great job portraying a local punk turned local hero.
Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed

Carl Weathers really convinced me that he was a trash talking, athletic fighter in this movie. A really great performance, and good contrast with Stallone's character.
Bugress Meredith as Mickey Goldmill

Many a parody has been made of the character Mickey. But that's only because the world class actor Burgess Meredith gave such a memorable performance.

This is probably Sylvester Stallone's most memorable movie role. He wrote this story (based off a real boxer), and did a great job portraying a local punk turned local hero.
Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed

Carl Weathers really convinced me that he was a trash talking, athletic fighter in this movie. A really great performance, and good contrast with Stallone's character.
Bugress Meredith as Mickey Goldmill

Many a parody has been made of the character Mickey. But that's only because the world class actor Burgess Meredith gave such a memorable performance.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb


Ellen Burstyn may have been the best performance of the cast. Going from odd to bat-shit crazy isn't easy when you're in less than half the movie. A great performance.
Jared Leto as Harry Goldfarb


Jennifer Connelly as Marion Silver




Ellen Burstyn may have been the best performance of the cast. Going from odd to bat-shit crazy isn't easy when you're in less than half the movie. A great performance.
Jared Leto as Harry Goldfarb


Jennifer Connelly as Marion Silver


Joseph Grey's rating:

Jean Reno as Leon

Jean Reno is great in playing an understated role. When he finally does reveal his emotions, you believe them.
Natalie Portman as Mathilda

What a performance by Natalie Portman. Utterly convincing, you felt for the character throughout the movie.
Gary Oldman as Stansfield

A great performance as Gary Oldman. Not many people can make being a villain look cool. Gary Oldman did in this role.

Jean Reno is great in playing an understated role. When he finally does reveal his emotions, you believe them.
Natalie Portman as Mathilda

What a performance by Natalie Portman. Utterly convincing, you felt for the character throughout the movie.
Gary Oldman as Stansfield

A great performance as Gary Oldman. Not many people can make being a villain look cool. Gary Oldman did in this role.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Billy Crystal as Harry

Meg Ryan as Sally

This isn't the best performance by either Meg Ryan or Billy Crystal, but their chemistry together makes both their performances memorable.

Meg Ryan as Sally

This isn't the best performance by either Meg Ryan or Billy Crystal, but their chemistry together makes both their performances memorable.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Mike Myers as Autin Powers

Mike Myers as Dr. Evil

This isn't my favorite movie, but no one can deny it was a memorable performance by Mike Myers. Playing both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, Myers was able to convincingly be both the hero and the villain.

Mike Myers as Dr. Evil

This isn't my favorite movie, but no one can deny it was a memorable performance by Mike Myers. Playing both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, Myers was able to convincingly be both the hero and the villain.
Joseph Grey's rating:

Joseph Grey's rating:

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This list is a work in progress of some of the most memorable roles in movies. I'll add more movies when I have time, although I'll try not to make this a 100 item list. Many actors are not defined by a single role, so you may see someone appear more than once. In some cases, I'll offer up and alternative to the choices that I made.
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