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Do you ever wonder how some actors get roles/make it big?

posted 4 years ago by Artisan (3464)
51 replies | jump to latest

At the moment the old show "Bosom Buddies" is trending it had Tom Hanks in it. Tom for most of the 80's was a B grade type actor in terms of films and roles. It makes me wonder how he made the leap.

Same with Australian actress Ruby Rose who was just a music TV presenter down here and became BatWoman. Or another Aussie Rebel Wilson who was really bad down here and still is, like how the hell did she get where she is?

I know there is a lot agents and power plays but it just makes me wonder anyway.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

It might be an anecdote, but I heard that a studio exec once asked Rock Hudson why he came to Hollywood. His reply was "I want to be a star." The exec nodded approvingly. "If you had said you wanted to be an actor, I wouldn't be able to help you."

The bigger point is that there are many great actors struggling for recognition in the wings, but to make the A-list they typically have to get that one special movie that makes them 'stars' instead of mere actor.

We tend to think it's the movie that made the star, but it's really the director and the talent agent that did it.

Also, it's probably easier for male actors, than female actors to make the jump. Female actors tend to have to be in a regular stream of high-profile movies/roles before they get to be A-listers.

Possibly related to the above comment, is that superhero or franchise movies seem to be an easy route to stardom. Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Chris Pratt owe their A list status to Marvel movies. Vin Diesel -- FF movies with a bit of the Riddick franchise, Keanu Reeves = Matrix, now John Wick etc. Stallone is obvious. Travolta's career was revived by QT, but he followed up with some uninteresting or mediocre choices and he's faded into the background again.

[–] Artisan (3464) 4 years ago

It's no different to an office environment.Quite often the people who get promoted are the ones who are good at connections and spinning crap. The people who are genuinely good at their jobs do the work and are too busy or disinterested in shmoozing with the bosses.

I think people get bored with actors/celebs a lot sooner now so that timeframe to be able to jump from B or C lister to A list is smaller than it used to be. It took Tom Hanks 10 years these days even a male actor would be considered too old now. It's like these singers that pop up and are promoted as the best thing ever, where did they come from? It's not like it was before when a band or artist had to do 3 or so albums before making it.

[–] froggyandtoady (328) 4 years ago

No nick cage love? He's such a great weirdo.
Ben Affleck, just poor quality. His brother is much more talented, and cuter.

[–] Artisan (3464) 4 years ago

He can be fun but I do wonder if his over the top style would have worked if not for his relations. I think Ben benefited a lot from his friendship with Damon.

[–] Stratego (29255) 4 years ago

Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Evans.

[–] Artisan (3464) 4 years ago

Jen Lawrence is rumoured to be one of Weinstein's "proteges" so perhaps there was some casting couch going on. Her career has been on the decline of late.

[–] Stratego (29255) 4 years ago

I'm 100% sure she owes her career to Weinstein. No doubt her break from acting had something to do with him being prosecuted.

[–] sslssg (27845) 4 years ago

Perhaps she just wanted a break and had nothing to do with Weinstein. It's not like she protected him. Perhaps she did have sex with him, maybe she didn't, but even when Julia Roberts was at her peak popularity she still had a couple of years where she only had one movie come out.

Making movies can be exhausting, even if you don't really consider it hard work. It's tedious, and repetitive, and making a movie like Mother can actually take a lot out of someone emotionally. I just find it sad that when an actress takes a break has to be because of either sex(casting couch), or age.

[–] Stratego (29255) 4 years ago

The fact that she took a break is not why I'm convinced she owes her career to Weinstein. It's just a "coincidence" that speaks volumes.

I think it's more sad that the casting couch is such a common practice in Hollywood.

[–] sslssg (27845) 4 years ago

I agree, and how wide spread it is for both women and men.

[–] Stratego (29255) 4 years ago

Oh yeah, women are certainly not the only ones.

You even hear stories about heterosexual men and women providing homosexual favours (and the other way around) just to advance their careers. I mean, can you imagine? I dread to think what child actors have to deal with.

[–] TandyMan (10367) 4 years ago

Guilds and agents. People with power and connections promote their own.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Sometimes all it takes is making an impression on important people. Then they put the machine to work and promote the heck out of you. There are plenty of bandwagon fans out there who see someone trending and hop on for the ride.

[–] Wint3rFir3 (6931) 4 years ago

Short answer: Yes.

It bothers me a lot more when the push for the actor is obvious and the reason for the push isn't. At least with some of these actors, I can say, okay, there's talent, there's looks, there's charisma, they have a lot of friends in Hollywood - Margot Robbie, for example. Tom Hanks is really likeable. Rebel Wilson has famous friends.

But then you have people like Miles Teller. I've always wondered how Miles Teller keeps getting not just work, but A-list work, when I wouldn't even rank him as a C-list actor. What has he ever done in his career that has earned him the jobs he's landed? He's not super attractive, he's no good onscreen, he stars in flop after flop and he's apparently difficult to work with, so it makes no sense. Billy Magnussen is being pushed in the same obvious way. I don't get it.