MovieChat Forums > Madam Secretary (2014) Discussion > Zeljko Ivanek deserves an Emmy

Zeljko Ivanek deserves an Emmy


When Russell Jackson (played by Zeljko Ivanek) went off on Secretary McCord in the episode "The French Revolution" about his not having anything to fall back on if the President's run as an independent failed, I was chilled to the bone. What an actor!

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Brilliant scene. The actor showed a vulnerability I've never seen in Russell and it was some good acting. Love the chance to see more range from this guy. More often than not he's being a loud bully, or throwing his words out with a careless (almost lazy) air, with that ridiculous smirk tilting the side of his mouth up.

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Yes, that sums his character up nicely. It's been great to see his reaction as he sees his world teetering, trying to do his job but constantly having the election and the long shot of winning as an independent in mind.

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He is a brilliant actor. I loved him on Damages. That was an excellent series with Glenn Close if you have not seen it.

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He's one of the actors who, in some of his portrayals, can cause me to have a visceral reaction of disgust - which makes him, in my mind, a great actor, since in some different roles I didn't find that to be true - wide range.

The only episode in which I've liked his character is the one in which he and Tea Leoni conspire and work together to con/scam somebody.

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My favorite role of his was the Magister in True Blood.

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I have to say Jackson is probably my favorite character(Ed Danvers, Homicide: Life on the Street). He gets so pissed, then delivers some of funniest lines. This past one when he incredulously says "Sometimes I just say stuff" made me laugh pretty much the rest of the episode.

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You read my mind - especially after last night's episode He is terrific !

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Always great, but in Madam Secretary, he is the best I've ever seen him.
Emmy worthy? *beep*

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He's always a powerhouse actor, starting out as a regular on Homicide, Damages, a season of 24, Banshee, Suits, even bringing gravitas to a show as bad as Revolution. He's showing up on 12 Monkeys a bit.


my goal as an actress? to remain on payroll 

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Zeljko is also a good guy. Two years ago I wanted the same pair of eyeglasses he wears on that show. Found is agent. Called. They of course demurred in telling me what I needed. I said something about "optimism." Apparently he came in that same afternoon. That evening they called with manufacturer and model number. (They did not tell me how expensive they were but why complain.) Little things tell the big difference. Thank you Zeljko and agent.

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