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Characters in movies and TV series are often defined by the actors who play them. And while characters can have a myriad of people play them, there is always that one actor who manages to fill a character's shoes the best, and people can’t imagine anyone else playing the role.

Reddit has been discussing just that. One user asked the lovely AskReddit community which actor crushed a role so hard that nobody else will be able to live up to it? and got a slew of amazing responses.

Bored Panda has collected the best answers and turned it into a curated list that you can find below. While you’re scrolling, comment and vote on the submissions you loved the most, and tell us what character-actor combinations you think are iconic in the comment section below!

More Info: Reddit

#1

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver When they inevitably recast Jack Sparrow [Johnny Depp], it'll be clear just how big a gap there is.

Billbap@#$o , The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Second Mate Productions Report

#2

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.

NZT-48Rules , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly if they ever do reboot of the harry potter franchise i will have difficulty to get used to all the new actors and actresses.... But Snape will be the most difficult

Raven Sheridan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While he is American, I think Adam Driver is a good candidate for a younger Severus Snape.

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denzoren
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

RIP Alan Rickman. He was great in Die Hard but was born to play Snape. Mr...Potter....the way he emphasized the letters.

Sabs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alan Rickman was the first person to be cast in the series and without an audition, JK wanted him so badly because she pictured him in the role as she was writing the series. Warner Bros wanted a larger cast list for the role but she shut them down. At one point they pushed for Ralph Finnes (Voldemort) to play Snape but we all know how that turned out. ;)

PeachPossum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hard enough when they replaced Dumbledore, but Snape? No way, always Alan Rickman for me. RIP Mr. Rickman.

Monday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we're using their Dumbledore replacement as an example I can only hope that they never do a reboot. Sir Michael Gambon is an excellent actor but he was an awful Dumbledore in 3 and 4.

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Sean Harrison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd actually like to see Tim Roth play the role, since he was the first pick.

Zophra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was also excellent and unforgettable in Galaxy Quest.

Anita Pickle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a complex character and Alan Rickman did an amazing job, I do not think anyone could have done better.

Vetus Vespertilio
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alan Rickman as anyone. He was a star who started too late and ended too soon.

Kaleb Prichard (MiraiKuma)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think Adam Driver could do it justice. I will forever be a Alan Rickman fanboy, but Adam Driver would be amazing at it too.

Tracy Sellars
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else remember him in Robin Hood "with a spoon" favorite line.

Madzdad the bard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rowling actually had Alan Rickman as the only person she wanted to play Snape.

Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should do a Marauders movie. Up to the point where Sirius buys this toy broom for Harry's 1. Birthday. I would kill for a movie explaining the personalities of James, Lily and all the others. Please JKR, do this!!!

Katchen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shape was only supposed to be about 37-38 when he died. It would be nice if they’d cast actors the right age for Snape, Sirius, Lupin, etc. Lily and James were 20 when Harry was born.

Fred L.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should more movies with him be made I suspect he´d somewhat younger so a change to another actor would feel easier.

Robert Robi Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they ever do this again with new actors, I will refuse to watch it.

DAVE
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a huge Potter fan and I do love the movies, but I think it's strange that people seem to think they were so well cast. When I first saw Rickman as Snape, I thought well, OK, and promptly compartmentalized my head canons. Don't get me wrong, I loved Rickman's performance and take on Snape, but it just wasn't the same character I'd built up in my head. He was too old, his voice was too throaty and montonous, his hair too thick and wiglike, his facial expressions more somber and deadpan than nasty and menacing.

Kimberley McMillan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved Alan Rickman as an actor, but he was too old for the role. Snape was supposed to be in his early 30s when the series started. He did a great job, but it aged all the other characters too much.

Luna Moth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't wait until they redo these films and hopefully finally give us movies worth watching

Casey McAlister
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's weird, because I always thought the cinematic Snape is nothing like the book one, but Alan Rickman managed to create such a charismatic and memorable character, that I really can't see anybody else playing Snape now.

Lisa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IDK I could definitely see another actor in this role, Snape should have been in early 30s whereas Rick was almost in his 50s when he took the role.

DDmaybeandor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it's heresy but Daniel Radclif as Harry Potter was about equal to Kristin Stewart as Bella in Twilight. He was a child, so he gets a pass but I still can't watch the movies because the child actors take me so much out of it. However, Ron was fantastic and so were many of the adult cast.

Kevin Allen (defender2222)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry but no. How old is Snape? Think carefully now... how old is Snape? Are you shocked that he is 31 when Harry comes to Hogwarts? Snape was Lily Potter's age and she died at 20. Alan Rickman when he filmed the films was 55 years old. He was nearly TWICE AS OLD as Snape should have been. Same with many of the other adult actors.

RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of the marauders were played by people older than they really should have been (Gary Oldman playing Sirius for example in his later 40's when playing Sirius in PoA) the age of the actor doesn't mean they can't play a role fantastically well, and considering Snape and Sirius have been through war and loss of loved ones etc etc, it's bound to make them look haggard and older then they really are anyway. Stress ages you.

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#3

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean.

Whitedragonfan , Working Title Films, Tiger Aspect Films Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot even see rowan atkinson as rowan atkinson anymore!!! He IS Mr Bean!!

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#4

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver RDJ for Iron Man, the man WAS Tony Stark end of discussion.

AirJvon , Marvel Report

#5

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ryan Reynolds did an excellent job being Deadpool to the point where i am reading a Deadpool comic book with Reynolds' voice in my head narrating it.

422_is-420_too , Marvel Report

#6

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.

He’s so deeply connected to that character that I feel it would be impossible for anyone else to fill the fedora.

BrotherOfTheOrder , Lucasfilm Ltd. Report

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Znaya
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one could wear it like he does, not even Sean Connery when he played his father

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#7

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall.

plastic_bean , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was awesome in a role that was not so big...She was stealing the show

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#8

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Robin Williams as the genie.

PM_Me_Things_Yo_Like , Disney Report

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Robin Williams in any part he ever played. He owned all of his characters.

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#10

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump.

literanch , The Tisch Company Report

#12

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, amazing acting.

copper8061 , HBO Report

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Kathy Brandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite scene was when Oberyn visited Tyrion in prison. Tyrion didn't speak a word while Oberyn was doing his dialog. His emotions spoke volumes.

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#15

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christopher Lloyd as Doc in Back to the Future.

John_h_watson , Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Report

#16

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

goldenwolves101 , Marvel Report

#17

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Tim Curry, Frank N Furter. Anyone else in the role knows they never live up to that sexy god of a man. ‘I can make you a man’ is the most brilliant filthy scene to appear on cinema screens while people aren’t nude :/

elizabethunseelie , Michael White Productions Report

#18

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams.

SnooDonkeys9743 , Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Bron Creative, The Jackal Group, Cinesite Studios, Nitrogen Studios Report

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earringnut
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a fan of the sitcom and Ricci did great but in my mind she's not the only Wednesday.

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#19

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. Best book to movie translation for a character I’ve ever seen.

LimeGap , New Line Cinema Report

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Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eh. He did good, but "best book-to-movie translation" would definitely not go there. I'd say that honor goes to Michael Sheen and David Tennant as Aziraphel and Crowley for "Good Omens".

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#20

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice.

DaLion93 , The Geffen Company Report

#21

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley.

pixelburger , Brandywine Productions Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A friend once said Sigourny is the only woman who can look sexy in army underwear ! She is amazing.

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#22

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge.

Umbridge sucked in the books, but in the movies she turned Umbridge into a character that you just don't like into one that you hate with a burning passion.

DoDaDrew , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

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Charlotte A.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hated the character to begin with and was really curious as to who could possibly do such an awful person "justice". Imelda did it wonderfully (and without me hating HER for it - sometimes it's just hard to disconnect one character from another played by the same actor). But that said, I think almost every actor cast in Harry Potter was a great choice. I was also curious who Emma Thompson would play when I heard she'd be in the series, and I did NOT see her Trelawney coming. Absolutely excellent!

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#23

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Heath Ledger as the Joker.

8en80 , DC Comics Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly liked also Jack Nicholson and Joaquin Phoenix! They all gave something different to the role

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#25

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.

Reddit User , Wolper Pictures Report

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#26

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride.

3ulaF0x , Act III Communications Report

#27

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jim Carrey in The Mask.

Queer-and-stupid , New Line Productions, Dark Horse Entertainment Report

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Slinkman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This role was written for Jim. He always has a habbit of playing the same kind of character in every movie he's in. No matter what he does there ALWAYS slips a bit of Carey into his performances. The Grinch has Carey, Ace ventura has Carey, Count Olaf has Carey. But in the Mask it didn't matter, he could go out of his way to be himself.

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#28

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad. He begins as sympathetic and ends up terrifying.

And in general the whole cast of Malcolm in the Middle, even the very secondary role. There have been many middle class effed up famy sitcom but zero have achieved to be crazy and relatable like this show.

HopeSuper , High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television Report

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Kathy Brandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to watch an episode of "Malcom in the Middle" to like Bryan Cranston again.

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#29

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jody Foster as Clarice Starling. I particularly love the scene where she looks at Buffalo Bill’s victim and you hear her voice crack during the first part of the description, where she is looking at tiny personal details like painted fingernails, but then go clinical and determined when she sees the wounds on the girl’s back. Playing badass women often veers either towards emotionless and stalwart, or basically aping a 80s action male role. Foster nailed the emotional vulnerability, ambition, and courage of that character in minute, but profound ways. No one compares.

elizabethunseelie , Orion Pictures Report

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Viviane
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really liked an early scene: she doesn't do well on her first visit to the asylum, and looks as about to cry in the parking lot. In the next scene, she's fine. It showed her as vulnerable but resilient.

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#30

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin.

wish_my_wash , Paramount Pictures Studios Report

#31

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver I really can't see anyone else as Hellboy. Ron Pearlman was amazing.

AzoriumLupum , Columbia Pictures Report

#32

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christopher Lee as basically anything.

Kibassi , New Line Cinema Report

#33

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Joaquin Phoenix as commodus in gladiator. I have never hated a character so much till I saw him in that movie. He is so cowardly, despicable, and creepy. Phoenix did such a good job in making you loathe his character.

DarthDiabetor , DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment Report

#34

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and everyone knew it would happen a decade before the first X-Men movie.

jah05r , Marvel Report

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#36

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.

DJZbad93 , A Band Apart, Studio Babelsberg, Visiona Romantica Report

#37

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Steve Carrell as Michael Scott.

elaineadler , NBC Universal Television Studio Report

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BlueReaper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s face it, Andy Bernard never met the expectations of Michael Scott.

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#38

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver [Nick Offerman as] Ron Swanson.

Babblewocky , NBC Report

#39

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.

Fat-Villante , HBO Report

#41

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver John C. McGinley as Dr Cox.

Jedi_Outcast , Doozer Productions Report

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denzoren
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yeah, agreed. He was hilarious. I would also say JD and Turk also...they cannot be recast. The only comparison I can find is James and Dule in Psych.

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#43

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ronald Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket.

flyzapper , Natant, Harrier Films Report

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact, it wasn't a role, it was just him, but they changed his name...

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#44

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Catherin O'Hara as Moira Rose!!

theshwarna , POP, CBC Television Report

#45

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Val Kilmer in Tombstone.

Amazing Doc Holliday!

Every once in a while there's a role that it seems like the actor was born to play. There's really not another role that compares in his career.

TessaMurphy , Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures Report

#46

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christian Bale in American Psycho.

SWG_138 , Muse Productions Report

#47

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver J.K Simmons as John Jonah Jameson.

Tobz51 , Columbia Pictures; Marvel Enterprises; Laura Ziskin Productions Report

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#48

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jessica Walter in Arrested Development (and Archer) .. her mean mom character dynamic is gold

ModelChimp , 20th Century Fox Television Report

#49

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine.

Cuish , Lucas Films, Disney Report

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Glynna Bowood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe someone else could have been creepier but I am hard pressed to imagine it!

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#50

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Danny Devito's Frank Reynolds is the best piece of casting this century.

Mcpilch , FXX Report