The best Paul Giamatti roles

Paul Giamatti is only in the Cameron Crowe grunge-era 1992 romantic comedy for a matter of seconds. Maybe a minute, tops. But it's actually one of the more memorable moments in the film when we realize it's the actor, in one of his earliest jobs, taking part in an intense make-out session at a restaurant. Then, he gets perturbed when finding out Steve (Campbell Scott) and Linda (Kyra Sedgwick) are gawking at him.

When he's not around Christof, Giamatti's unofficially dubbed "Control Room Director" likes to display some semblance of authority on set. However, when The Truman Show's creator is in the vicinity, Giamatti's character is like a blubbering suck-up. Of course, one can blame CRD's lack of focus, and/or general incompetence, for Truman (Jim Carrey) escaping his insulated world and realizing the reality of his life.

Some of Giamatti's best work happened to come when he pops up on television in a guest role, like season 5 of the NBC hit 30 Rock. Giamaitti plays Ritchie, a surly television editor who spreads a rumor he's sleeping with Liz Lemon (Tina Fey). Perhaps the best part of Ritchie's persona is his love/hate relationship with the New York Islanders. He sports a John Tavares Islanders' sweater in the episode and bad mouths then-star Matt Moulson. “I’m better than that clown," Ritchie chides.

Giamatti has appeared a couple of times on Amy Schumer's hilarious sketch comedy show. However, his standout moment, along with others like Jeff Goldblum and John Hawkes, came during "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer" from May 2015. As Juror #10, Giamatti and the rest of the juror panel decide if the female comedian is hot enough to host her own television show, while spoofing the classic 12 Angry Men (1957). His over-the-top arguments and facial antics is pure comedy gold.

More from Giamatti and Amy Schumer. He's simply golden while playing God, and appearing to Amy when she asks him to not have her acquire herpes following a sexual encounter with apparently skeezy Bobby Skeltis. Upon hearing the bad news straight from God, Amy and the almighty figure begin to negotiate about whether he should help or not. In the process, we find out some intimate details about God. It's quite humorous, and a great example of Giamatti's sly humor.

Even when Giamatti is not the star of a film, he manages to stand out. That was the case with 12 Years A Slave, where he's part of a star-studded cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Brad Pitt. He plays the dastardly salesperson-like slave trader named Theophilus Freeman, who has a significant part in the early storyline of this biographical period-drama that received nine Oscar nominations.

Another example of Giamatti making his time on screen count. Another film filled with big-time talent, in this case Tom Hanks leading the way, Giamatti's Sgt. Hill does not have a major role, but his sarcastic and rather misguided demeanor is believable. It's an example of the odd personalities that came in and out Captain Miller's life on the trek to find Private Ryan.

Another strong supporting role from Giamatti. This time, the role is as friend and comedic collaborator to late comedian/actor Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey) in this popular biopic about the Taxi star's life. Zmuda helped create one of Kaufman's most infamous personas, the foul-mouthed and overly rude Tony Clifton. The range of emotions that Zmuda exhibits throughout the film is what seems to stand out in Giamatti's overall performance.

As the N.W.A.'s initial manager, Heller was all about making money. He had no problem pitting members of the legendary rap group against each other in its early days of the outfit's popularity. He was also willing to exploit his clients at any cost, especially Eazy-E. Giamatti is solid in his depiction of Heller. Smarmy and shyster-like, easily unlikable, which all make for a notable performance in one of 2015's best movies.

Kenny is a blend of various executives and program directors who famed radio personality Howard Stern worked with, especially during his early days. Most notable, the late Kevin "Pig Virus" Metheny. On screen, Kenny is a high-stressed, wannabe rule-maker who isn't up for Stern's questionable on-air antics. Giamatti is superb as the unlikable "Pig Vomit." Maybe because he plays unhinged characters so well.

As we've seen, and will continue to see, Paul Giamatti has enjoyed a nice living playing biographical roles to great acclaim. His take on former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, within the story of the 2008 financial collapse in the United States, earned Giamatti Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Golden Globe Award nominations. The range that Giamatti is able to show when it comes to his characters has allowed him to ascend to Hollywood's upper tier of talent.

Another example of Giamatti's range. His Barney Panofsky, from this 2010 comedy-drama, is kind of all over the place. Intelligent, yet forgetful. Charming, but ever struggling to keep his love life from veering off course. Barney can be maddening to the viewer, at times, but Giamatti does a good job of keeping that persona from getting too far out of hand. We figure his overall talent as an actor has something to do with it all.

In another stellar biopic performance, Giamatti is brilliant in the portrayal of writer Harvey Pekar, the author of the American Splendor comic book series, from this uniquely told and displayed 2003 film. Tackling the trials and tribulations of Pekar brings out Giamatti's talent for handling any type of role — without skipping much of a beat. In truth, it seems the more complex and challenging the individual personality, Giamatti steps up his game to go above and beyond.

Since this Showtime series debuted in 2016, Giamatti's role as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and gubernatorial candidate has been highly praised. Simply put, Giamatti is deliciously ruthless and has no problem flexing his legal muscle, especially when it comes to taking down wealthy criminals. That said, he's got issues of is own. Like living in the shadow of fellow well-off relatives and his interesting sexual appetite.  

Giamatti has felt right at home on premium cable channels. His biggest success amid such realm came in this portrayal of the second President of the United States on the 2008 HBO miniseries. When it came time to honor the role, Giamatti cleaned up, winning a Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award. It was this role that solidified Giamatti's ability to deliver any performance — fictional or biographical — at the highest possible level.

Keeping up with the biopic theme, Giamatti again drew massive acclaim for his portrayal of the manager of famed boxer James Braddock in this 2005 hit picture. His performance was so compelling as the somewhat exploitive figure that it earned Giamatti an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor — as well as Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his effort. It's often regarded by film critics as Giamatti's career-defining role.

Yes, Giamatti has received higher praise for other roles, and rightfully so, perhaps. Still, his turn as the self-deprecating, insecure, underachieving school-teacher-wannabe-writer Miles, who also happens to be obsessed with wine is tremendously entertaining. Sure, Miles has plenty of flaws. He's a pushover and a poor drunk. But there's something about him that makes you root for him to find success, whether professional or personal. Plus, how many people can polish off a bottle of Highliner in one sitting?