Have you ever been watching a movie and found an actor you’ve seen everywhere, but can’t pinpoint where? Some of the best actors are those who play strong supporting roles. Even big-name actors like Tom Hanks, Robert Downey Jr., Julia Roberts, Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sandra Bullock have killed it in supporting roles.
For this article though, we’re only discussing famous actors who are always playing supporting roles. Many of these have IMDb lists of over 100 roles.
A big name you’ll recognize from this list is Steve Buscemi. He’s been in everything. Honestly, it’d be easier to ask what he hasn’t starred in. Although he has been a main character and cast member in movies and TV series, he really shines in supporting and villain roles. He’s only one of many though.
Why do some actors always find themselves playing supporting roles? Some actors are typecast and are known as character actors. They are really good at one role and casting directors seek them out for these specific roles. You’ve most likely seen this happen without realizing it. Can you think of any actors who were constantly the best friend of the protagonist? Or actors who frequently played the ‘funny guy’ role?
To complete this list of famous actors who are always playing supporting roles, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet for actors on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and MovieWeb. We also searched on Reddit and other opinion-based websites, highlighting commonly written names. Follow along to discover famous actors who are always playing supporting roles. (What about actors known for a specific role? After this article, check out our list of actors and actresses who will only be remembered for one role.)
Steve Buscemi
Buscemi has an impressively long list of work. He’s been in so many movies across all genres and is known for being a character actor. Buscemi was born Dec. 13, 1957, in New York City, and has been active in the acting industry since 1983. A few movies he’s starred in include “Kiss Daddy Goodnight,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Big Fish,” “The Florida Project,” and “Transformers: The Last Knight.”
Missi Pyle
Pyle is another actor who has been in virtually everything. She tends to play the same role and personality. Missi Pyle was born Nov. 16, 1972, in Houston, and has been acting since 1995. A few movies and TV series she’s starred in are “Galaxy Quest,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Cleaners,” and “A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song.”
Stephen Tobolowsky
Even if you don’t recognize the name Stephen Tobolowsky, you probably recognize his face. This famous character actor should be a household name with how many movies and TV series he starred in. Tobolowsky was born May 30, 1951, in Dallas. He’s been actively acting since 1975. You’ve probably seen him in projects like “Heroes,” “Against the Grain,” “The Mindy Project,” “Freaky Friday,” and “Mr. Peabody & Sherman.”
Lorraine Toussaint
Toussaint was born April 4, 1960, in Trinidad and Tobago, and has been acting since 1981. She’s been a lead actress and has played supporting roles. Some of these include “Breaking In,” “Hudson Hawk,” and “Dangerous Minds.”
Gary Oldman
This English actor has an impressive list of movies and accolades. Oldman was born March 21, 1958, in London. He’s been in the film industry since 1979. So, what may you know his face from? Oldman has been in “State of Grace,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Batman Returns,” and “RoboCop.”
Jonah Hill
Although Hill has starred in main character roles, he’s best known for his comedic supporting roles. Hill plays an excellent and hilarious friend. This actor was born Dec. 20, 1983, in Los Angeles. Some of his best roles were in films like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Superbad,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “21 Jump Street.”
Denis O’Hare
A phenomenal character and supporting actor, O’Hare was born Jan. 17, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. O’Hare has been acting since 1982. He’s been in dozens of TV shows and even more films. You may recognize him from media like “The Anniversary Party,” “Rocket Science,” “Bottom of the 9th,” “True Blood,” “The Good Wife,” and “American Horror Story: Double Feature.” O’Hare was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
Margo Martindale
Martindale has been in just about everything. She was born July 18, 1951, in Jacksonville, Texas. She’s been active in the film industry since 1987. Martindale has a long and extensive list of films and TV series. She’s played supporting roles in movies such as “The Firm,” “Instant Family,” “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “August: Osage County.” She’s especially known for her role in the TV series “Justified,” for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Peter Cushing
Although known for his supporting roles, Cushing also played plenty of leading characters, including Grand Moff Tarkin in “Star Wars.” Cushing was born May 26, 1913, in Surrey, England. Some of his best films and shows include “The Curse of Frankenstein,” “The Mummy,” “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed,” and “Pride and Prejudice.”
Keith David
David was born June 4, 1956, in New York City. An excellent actor, he’s been acting for over four decades, starting in 1977. He’s known for his deep and velvety voice. Not only has David starred in physical films, but he has also voiced many roles. You may know him from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Hazbin Hotel,” “Barbershop,” and “Night School.”
Paul Dano
If you’ve ever seen “Little Miss Sunshine,” you know who Dano is, even if it’s not by name. He played the quiet, troubled teenager who takes a vow of silence. Dano is from New York City and was born June 19, 1984. He played a supporting role in “There Will Be Blood,” which gained him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Luis Guzmán
Guzmán is hilarious and killing it in the film and TV industry. He was born Aug. 28, 1956, in Cayey, Puerto Rico. This charismatic actor has over 40 years of experience in the industry, starring in movies like “Black Rain,” “Cleaner,” and “We’re The Millers.” He won an Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Punch-Drunk Love.”
Gayle Rankin
Rankin was born Aug. 1, 1989, in Paisley, Scotland, and has been acting since 2012. In just a decade, she’s starred in multiple films and TV series. Some of these include “GLOW,” “House of the Dragon,” “The Climb,” “Kindred,” and “The Greatest Showman ”
Noel Gugliemi
You’ve likely seen Gugliemi’s face without recognizing his name. He’s been in plenty of films as a supporting role. This excellent actor has been acting since 1998. He’s primarily known for his role in “The Fast and the Furious.” He often plays gangsters and also works as a motivational speaker, traveling to schools.
J.K. Simmons
Do you know the actor behind the iconic Spider-Man character J. Jonah Jameson? Simmons played this iconic and hilarious character in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and has reprised this role in other Spider-Man versions throughout the years. He’s also starred in other incredible films, earning many nominations and wins. For instance, he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in “Whiplash.”
Jason Mantzoukas
Mantzoukas is a face you’ve seen everywhere. He was born Dec. 18, 1972, in Nahant, Massachusetts. He’s been active in the film industry since 1998 and is known for his comedic roles. So, where can you see him? Mantzoukas has starred in “American Loser,” “The Long Dumb Road,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and “The Good Place.”
Colman Domingo
Domingo is a great actor with about three decades of experience. He was born Nov. 28, 1969, in Philadelphia. Not only has he played roles on the big screen, but also on Broadway. Domingo has acted in “The Birth of a Nation,” “Law & Order,” and “Fear the Walking Dead.” He’s been nominated for many supporting actor awards, and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as a drug addict in the HBO series “Euphoria.”
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Henderson was born Aug. 31, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri, and has been acting since 1979. Henderson is especially known for his character acting skills. He has starred in things like “The American Side,” “Lady Bird,” “New Amsterdam,” and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga.” Henderson has also been in plenty of theater shows, including “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Dracula, the Musical,” and “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Patricia Belcher
If you like watching sitcoms and Disney Channel shows, you’ll immediately recognize Belcher’s face when she graces the screen. This actress was born in Helena, Montana, and has been acting since 1989. She’s had roles in shows like “Good Luck Charlie,” “Bones,” “The Trouble with Normal,” and “The Hughleys.”
Michael Pena
Last but not least is Michael Pena. Born on Jan. 13, 1976, in Chicago, this hilarious actor has been active in the industry since 1994. His first big breakthrough role was “Million Dollar Baby” in 2004. He’s also been in “Ant-Man,” “World Trade Center,” “American Hustle,” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” (Now that you’ve learned about famous actors who are always playing supporting roles, read about the supporting characters that deserved to be the lead.)