It has to be a supporting actor, minor character, cameo or breakout role. IE such and such stole that scene / film from the lead actor.

Agreed, otherwise it’s just: “lead actor does good job”

Having just seen The Imitation Game, I agree with Mark Strong – wanted more from him in that movie…. thought he was excellent in (his minor part in) Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy too. Although he probably didn’t steal the show in that because ALL the supporting cast were excellent.

Interesting that the villains in Batman always seem to upstage the leading man. Apart from the last one – it was only really Oldman that came out of that well. Maybe batman is too inherently woody to play well?

Aha! What about:

[video]http://youtu.be/E84VqqCPI7w[/video]

[video]http://youtu.be/f5cL-h3Pj1o[/video]

gah! double post

Gah! Maybe not! What going on with my image above…. keeps disappearing/reappearing.

Here’s another

warning may contain rude words and a comedy sex scene [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YKbYLb5GVc[/video]

No one has mentioned:..

Another vote for Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Brian Blessed…

Strictly speaking not an Actor..

For actors though- I agree, Christopher Walken. In every film I’ve seen him in he has a sort of subtle malevolence or coolness about him.

I think the first film I saw him in was Deadzone

Brian Blessed…

Tom Hardy and Edward Norton.

Agreed on Duvall, Walken, Oldman, Buscemi. Also particularly like Wallach, Streep and Binoche.

I don’t think many actors get much of a look-in when Philip Seymour Hoffman is in the scene, whether he’s lead or support.

I watched him recently in The Master* and A Most Wanted Man – mesmeric in both with more stage presence than many of the more contemporary matinee idol type actors will ever dream of possessing.

Departed in his prime.

* – having said that Joaquin Phoenix competed with him superbly, but not many do.

I can’t believe we’ve got this far and haven’t mentioned this guy:

Jean Reno

Billy Connely certainly stole the show in the last Hobbit film.

Considering he was only in about an 1/8th of the film, it has to be Killgore.

Recently…

Ah yes. Nobody f**** with the Jesus.