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James Frain on playing Spock’s dad and wearing the biggest fangs on <i>True Blood</i>

James Frain on playing Spock’s dad and wearing the biggest fangs on True Blood

The actor: Few actors have the range of James Frain. Born in Leeds, England, he has a strong Shakespearean stage…

Gwen Ihnat

PublishedDecember 10, 2019

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Our actor of the decade Carrie Coon tells all about <i>The Leftovers, </i>David Fincher, and more

AUXRandom Roles

Our actor of the decade Carrie Coon tells all about The Leftovers, David Fincher, and more

The actor: When we started discussing names here at The A.V. Club for our favorite actors of the decade, one…

Alex McLevy

PublishedNovember 14, 2019

Comments (42)

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Harry Lennix has Superman anecdotes involving Henry Cavill <i>and</i> Gene Hackman

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Harry Lennix has Superman anecdotes involving Henry Cavill and Gene Hackman

The actor: Harry Lennix didn’t immediately plan to take his love of acting and turn it into a full-time career—he…

Will Harris

PublishedOctober 4, 2019

Comments (35)

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Morena Baccarin on what <i>Firefly </i>has left to say and moving between the DC and Marvel universes

AUXRandom Roles

Morena Baccarin on what Firefly has left to say and moving between the DC and Marvel universes

The actor: Morena Baccarin has a knack—and a look—for playing otherworldly characters, whether she’s leading an…

Danette Chavez

PublishedAugust 29, 2019

Comments (240)

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Thomas Haden Church has never seen <i>Hellboy</i> or <i>Idiocracy</i>,<i> </i>and he’s in them

AUXRandom Roles

Thomas Haden Church has never seen Hellboy or Idiocracy, and he’s in them

The actor: Thomas Haden Church is one of those actors who seems to have had at least nine career lives. After…

Gwen Ihnat

PublishedAugust 12, 2019

Comments (81)

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Wes Studi on a career of donning period costumes, superhero spandex, and an Avatar mo-cap suit

The actor: Wes Studi has proven himself a formidable fighter on the big screen, thanks to his work in films as…

Will Harris

PublishedMay 21, 2019

Comments (102)

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Lin Shaye on making Wes Craven laugh and scaring the parking attendant at her <i>Kingpin </i>audition

AUXRandom Roles

Lin Shaye on making Wes Craven laugh and scaring the parking attendant at her Kingpin audition

The actor: Lin Shaye has been a working actress for nearly 50 years. In fact, she remembers the role that got her…

Katie Rife

PublishedMay 6, 2019

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Shea Whigham on Boardwalk Empire, Vice, and why he’s played so many cops

The actor: Although Shea Whigham has been steadily working in Hollywood for almost two decades, over the past couple…

Marah Eakin

PublishedJanuary 4, 2019

Comments (56)

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Joe Morton on keeping Shonda Rhimes' secrets and working with directors "who don't know how to write for black people"

The actor: Joe Morton has been a working actor since the ’60s, starting his career in the theater and scoring a Tony…

Will Harris

PublishedDecember 15, 2018

Comments (63)

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Sarah Jessica Parker on <i>Footloose</i>, <i>Sex And The City</i>, and <em></em>the life-changing role that came in between

AUXRandom Roles

Sarah Jessica Parker on Footloose, Sex And The City, and the life-changing role that came in between

The actor: Sarah Jessica Parker has had a tremendous career, starting out on Broadway in the title role of Annie,…

Gwen Ihnat

PublishedNovember 15, 2018

Comments (120)

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Lucy Davis on getting sick from <i>Shaun Of The Dead </i>and watching the U.S. version of <i>The Office</i>

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Lucy Davis on getting sick from Shaun Of The Dead and watching the U.S. version of The Office

The actor: Lucy Davis’ career has always moved between comedy and drama, from Jane Austen to zombie-killing to a…

Laura M. Browning

PublishedOctober 30, 2018

Comments (84)

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Brian Dennehy on DiCaprio, <i>Rambo</i>, and why Saoirse Ronan is the most talented actor around

AUXRandom Roles

Brian Dennehy on DiCaprio, Rambo, and why Saoirse Ronan is the most talented actor around

The actor: Brian Dennehy has played everyone from an alien invested in eternal life to a literal rat. In his over 40…

Marah Eakin

PublishedOctober 2, 2018

Comments (176)

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David Alan Grier on <i>The Carmichael Show</i>, the prescience of <i>Blankman</i>, and repeatedly turning down <i>In Living Color</i>

AUXRandom Roles

David Alan Grier on The Carmichael Show, the prescience of Blankman, and repeatedly turning down In Living Color

The actor: David Alan Grier was already a Tony-nominated actor (for playing Jackie Robinson in the musical The First)…

Danette Chavez

PublishedAugust 31, 2018

Comments (56)

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Jonathan Pryce on working with Glenn Close, playing Bond and Bradbury villains, and the many sides of Terry Gilliam

The actor: Jonathan Pryce is perfect for British Actor Bingo, having played The Master in Doctor Who, a Bond…

Will Harris

PublishedAugust 29, 2018

Comments (104)

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Alan Ruck’s journey from <i>Ferris Bueller</i> to Sears to the bridge of the <i>Enterprise</i> and beyond<em></em>

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Alan Ruck’s journey from Ferris Bueller to Sears to the bridge of the Enterprise and beyond

The actor: Alan Ruck got his start in Chicago theater before gradually transitioning into on-camera work by picking…

Will Harris

PublishedJuly 8, 2018

Comments (134)

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Christina Ricci on sleeping over at Cher’s and the importance of being Wednesday

Welcome to Random Roles, wherein we talk to actors about the characters who defined their careers. The catch: They…

Will Harris

PublishedJune 28, 2018

Comments (49)

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Alan Cumming on <i>The Good Wife</i>, The Great Gazoo, and how Stanley Kubrick reinvigorated his interest in acting<em></em>

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Alan Cumming on The Good Wife, The Great Gazoo, and how Stanley Kubrick reinvigorated his interest in acting

The actor: Alan Cumming began his acting career in Scotland, working in the theater and taking on whatever TV or…

PublishedMay 1, 2018

Clancy Brown on his diverse career, from playing baddies in Starship Troopers and Shawshank Redemption to voicing Mr. Krabs

The actor: Clancy Brown is an actor who’s managed to construct a career where he gets nearly as much work in front…

Will Harris

PublishedApril 26, 2018

Comments (172)

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Giovanni Ribisi on <i>Lost In Translation</i>, being nurtured by James Cameron, and working with his <i>Friends</i>

AUXRandom Roles

Giovanni Ribisi on Lost In Translation, being nurtured by James Cameron, and working with his Friends

Welcome to Random Roles, wherein we talk to actors about the characters who defined their careers. The catch: They…

Danette Chavez

PublishedMarch 8, 2018

Comments (67)

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Rita Moreno on <i>One Day At A Time</i>, diving into dance for <i>West Side Story</i>, and getting gritty for <i>Oz</i>

AUXRandom Roles

Rita Moreno on One Day At A Time, diving into dance for West Side Story, and getting gritty for Oz

Welcome to Random Roles, wherein we talk to actors about the characters who defined their careers. The catch: They…

Will Harris

PublishedFebruary 22, 2018

Comments (34)