Sometimes, the perfectly cast actor nailing their role makes a story so good. Do you have a favorite example of that? You’ve got company. After polling the internet, these ten actors were top-voted for being perfectly cast in their roles.
1. Ian McKellen as Gandolf
“Gandalf. If anyone besides Ian McKellen played him, the Lord of the Rings series would not be the same. There’s something about Ian playing Gandalf that it’s like Gandalf exists,” one suggested. Another added, “He also played Magneto spot on.”
2. Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams
“Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family,” one stated. However, another argued, “And Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Raul Julia as Gomez, and Christopher Lloyd as Fester. That movie had outstanding casting.” Others gave shout-outs to Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of the character.
3. Antony Starr as Homelander
Another said, “Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys. How he can pull off the role of a deeply troubled, deranged psychopath, especially the frankly terrifying little tells like a facial tic, is fantastic.”
A third agreed, “Oh, god, the facial tics. It’s like he’s thinking, ‘I should smile here. A human would smile. I activate these muscles and, wait, no- these muscles. That’s it. Wow. So natural.’ He has also mastered the dead-eyed smile.”
4. J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson
“J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson is so iconic that not hearing his voice in the animated spider man series throws me off,” replied one. Another added, “So iconic they cast him in a different universe and decade in Spider-Man No Way Home.”
5. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa
Someone stated, “Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.” “I think you can say, Christopher Waltz. The man kills every role he’s in,” another argued. “Waltz gave the best prepared Oscar acceptance speech ever: well written and delivered beautifully as an award winner should! He didn’t read it. He spoke it—none of the faffing around and time-wasting that usually occurs.”
6. Hugh Laurie as Gregory House
Another shared, “Hugh Laurie as Gregory House on House.” Another added, “Yes, so much. Every time I see him on Veep, I feel like, “what are you doing, Dr. House?? Stop fooling around with Selina Meyers and go save some lives!!”
7. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn
“Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings,” another suggested. “Perfect casting. He played the role perfectly. There’s nothing about him in any of the three movies that I could criticize.”
Another informed, “And to top it all, he wasn’t originally cast in the role. That was Stuart Townsend, and he only got the role because Daniel Day-Lewis declined the role, as did Nicolas Cage. Townsend was let go, and Russell Crowe turned the role down before it was offered to Mortensen.”
8. Bryan Cranston as Walter White
“Bryan Cranston as Walter White on Breaking Bad. That was a performance of a lifetime,” one shared. A second said, “The fact that when Breaking Bad first came out, you couldn’t believe this guy was also Malcolm’s dad from Malcolm in the Middle.”
Finally, a third added, “Seeing the look on people’s faces when they have only seen him as Walter White. Then you show them Hal compilation clips are hilarious.”
9. Robin Williams as Professor John Keating
“Robin Williams as Professor John Keating in Dead Poets Society,” said one. Another argued, “Pretty much Robin Williams in everything he ever did.” Most agreed and tossed out Robin Williams movies where he was cats perfectly, including Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, Jack, and Popeye.
10. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
“Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones: the scene where Oberyn tells Tyrion the story of when Oberyn saw Tyrion as a baby expecting a monster, one of the best scenes in television ever. You can read every single emotion of Tyrion through Dinklage’s face,” a final user commented.
What do you think? Did Reddit get this right, or is someone significant missing from this list?
This article was inspired by this thread and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cents + Purpose.
Elizabeth Ervin
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing, a website that provides information about addiction, recovery, mental wellness, spirituality, and resources to help people succeed in rebuilding their lives. Elizabeth has education and experience with addiction, healing, and spiritual studies. She is passionate about learning, teaching, and loving her neighbor.
