Why isn't Bruce Campbell a bigger star?

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To throw in my late response---that's Hollywood for ya. I don't really subscribe to the idea that somehow he's missed by meritocracy, he's got as much acting talent as anybody needs to be a movie star. Really. But the TV business, the movie business that's not how they work, they're not the Royal Shakespeare Company taking auditions for new cast, they're a chaotic, all over the place, money making juggernaut. God didn't put them on earth to reward talent and effort, and so you can't be too surprised when they don't do that. Bruce's career was just quirky, and maybe he never wanted to fight for the kind of leading movie roles you'll see a Ben Affleck take. Still, he's appreciated by all those fans who love the sorts of shows and movies he was in.

It's funny I kind of grew up seeing him on tv as a kid, tv movies, cheesy b rated sci fi, his tv shows Brisco and Jack of All Trades. I could never figure out why he wasn't more successful in the industry even at a young age. For one thing he's clearly a good actor, in fact I'd argue really really good. Not just comedy, he's really good in emotional, dramatic scenes too. He really knew how to play at the heartstrings of his audience in Brisco. Really the 2nd episode I almost cried at the end when Brisco lay dying. He was also a total hunk.

I don't understand the point about Bruce Campbell playing the same character. I mean Steven Segall, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone are the same in every movie….and they can't act for sht. He was definitely better looking than any of those guys.

Most tv actors tend to play the same character too, Bruce certainly wasn't limited to one character. I don't know I think it really has to do with the fact that he didn't choose more "Mainstream" ideas. Anyone can be a star if they want to, you don't have to be able to act or to even create various characters. All you need is a schtick, I think Bruce Campbell has kind of realized that by now.

To be fair, so many actors don't even get where he did, they certainly don't have a beloved cult fan base.

I think Mr. Campbell's ability to move to the next level was just bad timing.

I think Mr. Campbell's inability to move to the next level was just bad timing.

I know you not gonna like it but youll have to admit Nicolas Cage is a chameleon, he might not be convincing, overacting or whatever, but i havent seen a single Cage movie where the character Cage played was out of place.
I dont see Bruce deliver the same level of empathy and make it work. Good or bad movie is out of the question here, yes Cage been in crap movies but he never made a crap character.
I dont see Bruce being a medieval crusader and the next movie a psychological disturbed conman and be very believable on both.

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He probably would've been a huge star of he was from the 30s-40s. His features, snappy one liners, and awesome facial expressions would've done well in that period and was quite reminiscent of it as well. I can see him playing antihero roles in a myriad of crime films from that golden era already.