An Actor's Life For Me!

A character actor -- someone you've probably seen in several films, but you don't know their name or even what you might have seen them in before. Most definitions of character actor seem to be that they are actors in supporting roles. Or someone who plays an eccentric or odd character. But to me, a character is these things and more. They are usually very memorable and often "steal" the show. Occasionally, these actors, will end up getting some lead roles of their own. And very often, they do a little of both.

One of my favorite actors, who could be considered a character actor, is Paul Giamatti.  He's one of those actors that, unless you are a big fan of films, you might not know who he is. But you've probably seen him, but just didn't know who he was.

He tends to fly below the radar and is so good at playing a wide variety of characters. Who else can say he's played a founding father, a wrestling coach, a wine snob and even Santa Claus!

Paul Giamatti grew up the son of a Yale University President (and future Major League Baseball commissioner) and a former actress. So, it's not much of a surprise that he became an actor. After graduating from the Yale School of Drama he started getting roles in stage productions throughout the country.

His first significant film role was in Howard Stern's Private Parts, playing the radio executive who battled with Stern. This led to many more roles in movies such as, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, and Planet of the Apes (he played an orangutan!).

Giamattie's first leading role was in American Splendor which led to other leading roles and more recognition of his work from the media and his peers.

So in honor of his birthday (June 6), here are five of my favorite Paul Giamatti films:

-- American Splendor

In this, his first leading role, Paul Giamatti portrays file clerk turned comic book writer Harvey Pekar.  By the time this film came out in 2003, Pekar was very famous around his home town of Cleveland and in the world of comic books for his introspective series American Splendor. The books were written by Pekar, but illustrated by a variety of artists. They told the story of his daily struggles. Pekar was quite a "character" himself and he and his wife appear in the film as themselves. Now I know this sounds confusing, but you have to see it to a appreciate it. 

-- Sideways

The success of American Splendor opened up the opportunity for Giamatti to play Miles, a frustrated, middle aged writer, who makes ends meet as a high school English teacher. His best friend Jack is getting married, so they decide to spend a week exploring the wine country of California. Along the way, they explore their friendship and the many disappointments they've both had over the years. 

-- John Adams

This made for HBO film, based on the John McCullough non-fiction best seller, was a huge success. The film covers Adams's life from his time as a young lawyer through his stint as the second President of the United States and on to the end of his life. It also gives a wonderful insight into the marriage of John and Abigail Adams. Giamatti, along with Laura Linney as Abigail, won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for their performances. It is not to be missed.

-- Win Win

This independent film has Giamatti starring as a small town lawyer, Mike, who volunteers his time as the high school wrestling coach. He struggles with putting a competitive team together when a young man shows up in town who seems to be a natural. But this also leads to a lot of trouble for Mike, since the client is double crossing the young man's grandfather. Here he is again as the lead, but in a small film that many might have missed. A wonderful performance of an everyman who gets himself into a lot of trouble.

-- The Last Station

During the last days of Leo Tolstoy's life, there was a power struggle between him, his family and his devoted followers. Tolstoy's wife, Sofya, was in a battle to retain the copyright to all of her husband's works. Tolstoy, on the other hand, decides to leave all of his property to the people of Russia. In a small role, Paul Giamatti, plays Tolstoy's devoted follower and leader of his disciples. 

-- Post by Tracy