20 screen stars and their quintessential acting roles

One the great characters in Richard Linklater's stable should be the first that comes to mind when thinking about Jack Black, who was also great in High Fidelity. Dewey Finn lives to rock and nothing else. However, when he gets booted from his band for being too crazy on stage, he's left jobless, which threatens his current living situation. Dewey then turns to deception, and takes on the identity of roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) to get a substitute teaching gig at a prep school. While continuing his charade, he introduces a strait-laced classroom of students to the world of rock music and enlists them to help win a local Battle of Bands. Dewey is crass — and with questionable hygiene — but brings out a side of the students they never thought was there. It's offensive and endearing at the same time.

Yes, Bledel rightfully earned a Primetime Emmy Award for her work in The Handmaid's Tale, but, for better or worse, she will always be the pixieish, overachieving teen Rory Gilmore to anybody who has ever heard of Gilmore Girls. That said, there are plenty of fans of the show who either love or hate Rory. The latter, especially, when we see what has become of her in a post-college world from Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016), to where she has a hard time adapting -- both personally and professionally.

We loved him as hilariously suave, but sleazy Tim Whatley (Seinfeld) or often over-his-head father Hal (Malcolm in the Middle), but when it comes to iconic and memorable characters, Cranston's Walter White was well worth the wait. Walter possessed plenty of flaws but also one we kind of rooted for because his eventual illegal occupation of making meth was all about taking care of his family — at least at first. White could also provide moments of subtle but brilliant comedy that only added to the entertainment factor of the character, who earned Cranston four Primetime Emmy Awards (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2014).

Love it or hate it, Facebook is still going strong. And the tale of the social media platform's backstory — and its principal co-founder — is just as intriguing as the site itself. It's easy to see from the film why the highly intelligent but socially-stunted Zuckerberg had few friends, and even fewer morals when it came to starting and expanding Facebook. While we'd like to put Zuckerberg in his place, it's also possible to feel sorry for someone who is desperately trying to fit in with the socially elite within his realm. All that was so brilliantly brought to life that we were ready to tackle Eisenberg himself, which (obviously) is a sign of a brilliant performance that the actor really hasn't been able to consistently build upon.

The late, great Gandolfini turned the surprisingly relatable, suburban New Jersey mob boss into one of the most iconic television characters of all time. Considering the way Tony made his livelihood, he was a pretty cool customer. The guy woke up every morning wondering if he would get whacked. Tony's life was far from morally ethical, and the relationship with his immediate and extended blood family was dicey. For the effort, Gandolfini won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor and a Golden Globe.

It cane be argued that this isn't even Gooding's best role (we prefer Tre Styles from Boyz n the Hood), but the comically boisterous Tidwell did earn Gooding an Academy Award victory for his performance. Rod wants to be shown the money, but the reality is that the Cardinals receiver hasn't done anything special to earn a pay raise. He's been considered an underachiever most of his pro career, and eventually, becomes the lone client of disgruntled agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise). Ultimately, Tidwell experiences a much-needed epiphany during a nationally televised game, which also helps Jerry's personal and professional life. 

To be fair, Hamill was excellent in 1978's Corvette Summer. However, he's managed to make a living from portraying one of the most beloved characters in film history. And, in a rather refreshing manner, Hamill has no problem trading off the character, and really has never wanted to run away from Luke. Hey, when you have a good thing going, why do anything to make waves or mess for sustained success? Also, Hamill has also had fun with the character over the years, and is not afraid to poke fun at himself.

Napoleon is an eccentric, quirky high school student who wears moon boots and is uninterested in fitting in. It's almost as if he's in his own world from this underdog 2004 comedy that was massively praised for its originality, even if some viewers didn't really know what was going on — or when it took place. For Heder, this remains the highlight of his career. Nothing else he's done has generated near the success and popularity of Napoleon, who remains an iconic figure in his own right after all these years.

One of the most accomplished and revered actors in the world, Sir Anthony Hopkins has shined in just about everything he's been in. Still, he'll always immediately be praised for playing the terrifying and diabolical Hannibal Lecter in this classic 1991 psychological thriller. Hopkins, whose role continues to scare the &*#$ out of those who watch the movie even today, won the first of his two Best Actor Academy Awards for Lecter, and his performance still manages to stand out while sharing the screen with fellow acting legend Jodie Foster.

There are those roles that a specific actor just seems born to play. When it comes to the American version of The Office, the dry wit and perfect comedic timing possessed by Krasinski just worked so well that we probably can't imagine anyone else in the role of this young salesmen, who happens to also be a love-struck prankster. Now, the four-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee has done other noteworthy stuff (Jack Ryan, A Quiet Place, Some Good News), but when it comes to garnering a high-profile job, then turning it into the role of a lifetime, it's always worth celebrating.

This is the role that essentially put Mara on the Hollywood map, and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 2012. Based on the character from the 2005 novel by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson, Salander is highly intelligent, but severely scarred from a past of emotional and sexual abuse that's left her introverted, jaded, and vulnerable. Yet, she's used that pain to grow into a vigilante of sorts. Complete with jet black hair and lipstick, she's powerful enough to defend herself from any danger that may lurk while employed to solve a cold case.

Yes, he won a Best Actor Academy Award for his emotionally riveting performance in Dallas Buyers Club (2013), but when it comes talking McConaughey, it begin and ends with Wooderson. Throughout the United States, plenty of high schools had, or currently have, a Wooderson. He's that one graduate, likely in his 20s, a slacker, a little sketchy, who still hangs out with high school kids. It was McConaughey's breakout role. A character who is fine with his current situation of "L-I-V-I-N." Sure, Wooderson can come off as creepy to some, but he provides some noteworthy perspective for his younger friends. "Alright, alright, alright."

A brilliant screenwriter, Odenkirk has also enjoyed his fair share of acting success. However, he rose to premier status when Saul Goodman (aka Jimmy McGill) came around. Spanning two of the most celebrated series in cable history, we were first introduced to Saul during the brilliance of Breaking Bad. Then fans of that series were thrilled when he got his own stage to shine via Better Call Saul. Goodman is not really a good lawyer, but more of a scam artist, who still has a soft spot for criminals. He also pushes the edge of the law in both his practice and life.

Parsons has enjoyed success on stage, and been praised for some of his more noteworthy film work (The Muppets, Spoiler Alert), and has long been known for his stage work. However, Jim Parsons is Sheldon Cooper (at least the grown up, adult version), and anything else will likely pale in comparison. Parsons won four Primetime Emmy Awards for his role as the obnoxious genius who worldwide television audiences apparently could not get enough of during the remarkable run of the CBS comedy (2007-19), which lives on in syndication.

Achieving success as a young actor can be a double-edged sword. In the case of Radcliffe, he will forever be known for Harry Potter. Even in his old age, Harry will likely still have a prominent place in his life, and that appears to be fine with Radcliffe. That said, Radcliffe has done pretty well for himself beyond Harry, starring in the biopics like Kill Your Darlings (2013)  and the lauded musical parody Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022). In addition, Radcliffe continues to find success on stage amid the bright lights of Broadway. However, he will always be Harry.

The role from 1995 that made Alicia Silverstone a mainstream star, though one can possibly argue that she was pretty entertaining during those early 1990s Aerosmith music videos. Enough. Back to Cher, who might come off as ditzy, fashion-obsessed and self-absorbed, but she's actually a smart, good-natured high school student who tends to use her popularity for good. That might not make sense, but Silverstone was superb in the role, and the movie has enjoyed a consistent cult-like following over the years.

Stone had already turned heads during the early 1990s while co-starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. However, the dangerously seductive Catherine Tramell was Stone's breakout moment from this 1992 psychological erotic thriller. It made her a mainstream star, and more just a sex symbol. Of course, her controversial interrogation scene only added to the legendary status of the character. Stone was never able to recapture the level of prominence she earned through Basic Instinct, but the performance has stood up well over the years.

Ted Lasso burst onto the scene via Apple TV+ as one of the great entertainment moments amid a rather bleak 2020. Sudeikis was hilarious as his charming alter ego English soccer coach. Sudeikis earned his first Primetime Emmy Award for a role that has certainly changed the trajectory of his acting career. Seemingly overnight, Sudeikis went from a funny Saturday Night Live veteran, who enjoyed some modest movie success (Horrible Bosses, We're the Millers), to a breakout star and mainstream comedy force.

Washington was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for this deliciously empowering role she excelled at during most of the 2010s. One really should admire those who tend to get what they want. That's Olivia, one of the most powerful women in television history. Pope did it with flair and didn't mind taking down or stepping over whomever she needed to do it. Like or not, she might be the most confident female television character of all time. That said, Washington has also received well-due acclaim for portraying Anita Hill in HBO's television Confirmation (2016), and as Mia Warren in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere (2020).

Really, Kate Winslet on this list. With all she's accomplished (seven Oscar nominations and a Best Actress win for 2009's The Reader)? Yes, she's among the greatest actresses of a generation, but she will forever be remembered for her co-starring role in the massive successful James Cameron epic drama. By the time Titanic came out, Winslet had already been nominated for an Oscar, Titanic made her and co-star Leonardo DiCaprio mainstream international superstars. Winslet has played more complex and deeper roles, obviously, but Rose, the young socialite who is really a tomboy at heart, just seemed relatable to just about any confused and insecure teen who was watching.