Updated October 1, 2023 59.6K votes 6.6K voters 318.1K views
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Over 6.6K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Actors Everyone Knows By Face But Not By Name
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Vote up the faces that make you say, "Where do I know them from?"
Though it is often the A-list stars who headline the biggest films and TV series, the truth is Hollywood has often run on the hard work put in by character actors. These are the individuals whose faces – and voices – are often quite recognizable but whose names are often forgotten (if they were known at all).
However, while people might not know their names, these actors often imbue their characters with as much richness and complexity as their better-known star counterparts. In fact, it’s impossible to imagine some of the best-loved franchises without their steadfast presence and hard work.
Puerto Rican actor Luis Guzmán has had a particularly fruitful career in auteur-driven cinema, appearing most notably in the films of Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love) and Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Out of Sight, The Limey).
TV watchers are also probably familiar with Guzmán from his appearances in such TV series as Oz, Narcos, and Code Black. Most recently, he has gained recognition for his guest role of Gomez Addams on the hit Netflix series Wednesday, creating a version of the character who is arguably closer to the original comics than other iterations.
Throughout his career, William Fichter has shown himself to be a character actor with remarkable versatility, appearing in everything from sitcoms to major blockbusters.
He first cut his teeth in the world of soap operas, but it wasn’t long before he was expanding his repertoire, managing to snag roles in some of the biggest films of the 1990s and 2000s, including Armageddon, Heat, and The Dark Knight. He also attained significant prominence in the Prison Break series, the sitcom Mom, as well as in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in which he played the villainous Eric Sacks.
With a distinctive face and voice, Judy Greer seems to have been born to be a character actress. Like others who occupy this particular niche in Hollywood, she has been in a number of roles since she emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including such films as Jawbreaker and What Women Want, as well as in TV series such as The Big Bang Theory and Arrested Development.
Greer became known for often playing the “best friend” character in rom-coms like The Wedding Planner, 13 Going on 30, and 27 Dresses.
Many probably also recognize her vocal work, most notably in Archer, in which she provides the voice for Cheryl Tunt. She has also made appearances in motion capture, most notably in the new Planet of the Apes trilogy, in which she plays the ape, Cornelia.
Missi Pyle had a breakout role in the film Galaxy Quest, after which she managed to attain a steady stream of work in film, appearing in such movies as Bringing Down the House, Josie and the Pussycats, and Big Fish. And yes, that's her as the unibrowed Fran in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
In addition to her many film roles, she has also been a steady presence on television, and she is particularly notable for appearing in Two and a Half Men (before the role was later recast). She also appeared in the sci-fi series Y: The Last Man.
With his deadpan voice and ruggedly handsome features, Gary Cole is an actor most people have either seen or heard at some point. Some are familiar with him from his appearance as the infuriating boss Lumbergh in Office Space, others may know him from key supporting roles in such films as A Simple Plan and Talladega Nights, while others no doubt recognize his voice from his time portraying the title character in the Adult Swim series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. In fact, he has been a particularly prolific voice actor in a number of animated series.
One of his more high-profile (and hilarious) roles was in the HBO series Veep, in which he played the dour pollster Kent Davison.
For many people, Christopher McDonald is probably most well-known for his role in the film Happy Gilmore, in which he played Shooter McGavin.
However, he has also appeared in several other high-profile films, including Thelma & Louise, Grumpy Old Men, and Requiem for a Dream. He has been even more prolific in television, with numerous roles to his credit, including Boardwalk Empire, Harry’s Law and, more recently, Hacks (for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award).
