There are numerous actors and actresses in Hollywood, many good at their craft and many not.
No doubt, you can quickly name more overrated actors than underrated, but that might also be because overrated actors are typically the most overexposed and over marketed.
Just as there are a lot of overrated actors, there are an overwhelming number of underrated actors. Many may not get (or seek) the same level of paparazzi exposure as the overrated actors, but that does not mean they don’t entertain audiences.
What is an overrated / underrated actor?
Underrated
Underrated actors are not the typical lead actor in films; many are cast in supporting roles, but have a true presence on screen and often overshadow the lead.
They aren’t as popular as the big name superstars, though many have won major acting awards.
Underrated actors seek new challenges with each project and are not typecast (play the same character all the time). They don’t take the same roles because of a big paycheck.
More often than not, it is the underrated actor who delivers the best and most memorable performance, portraying characters that evoke the most emotion and reaction from the audience.
Overrated
By saying an actor is overrated does not mean he or she is not good at entertaining, but they are over marketed and not as dynamic as others in the industry. Either they play the same role in all their movies, don’t take on challenging roles, or are known more for their looks than their acting skills.
Sure, many of these actors can make people laugh, and you might even like them, but when you think about, there really isn’t a lot of substance to their movies and characters.
Check out the list below of over and underrated actors (in no particular order).
Underrated Actors and Actresses
Edward Norton – An Oscar nominated actor known for his controversial and surprising roles.
Ben Foster – He puts himself into every role. There’s an err of mystery in each of Foster’s characters.
Ryan Gosling – He is known more for his role in
The Notebook, but a very polished actor.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – You might remember him as the teenager in
3rd Rock from the Sun, but he has since taken on some serious movie roles.
Don Cheadle – One of the most versatile actors working today.
Vincent D’Onofrio – Most recently known for his work in
Law & Order: Criminal Intent, but a very dynamic actor.
Bill Paxton – He’s always been a supporting actor until people started taking notice of his role in HBO’s
Big Love.
Jim Caviezel – A very strong actor, known for his roles in
The Passion of the Christ and
The Count of Monte Cristo.
Elizabeth Banks – Known for her comedic roles opposite of Steve Carell and Seth Rogen, but is a very polished dramatic actress.
Anne Hathaway – Mostly known for her role in
The Princess Diaries, but has definitely developed her dramatic talents.
Cate Blanchett – A very versatile actress who plays a variety of roles.
Hank Azaria – A small part, bit actor, but his characters are well played. Also known for his voice talents of several characters in
The Simpsons.
Emile Hirsch – A young actor who acts with a lot of emotion.
Timothy Olyphant – Typically plays the character you love to hate, but he does it well.
Paul Bettnay – A versatile British actor who can play anything.
Clive Owen – Another versatile British actor who can play anything, but is best at drama.
Viggo Mortensen – Known for his role as Aragorn in
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but is a fine dramatic actor.
Gerard Butler – It’s difficult to forget him as King Leonidas in
300. He can play a wide range of characters.
Overrated Actors and Actresses
Brad Pitt – Ok, he’s more overexposed than overrated, but you can’t deny he’s had some poor roles and some very good ones. His performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was great and who could forget his roles in Fight Club and 12 Monkeys?
Julia Roberts – Come on, she plays the same character in all her movies .
Jennifer Aniston – See above. Aniston plays the same character in all her roles. She always acts like Rachel from Friends.
Nicolas Cage – Sure he’s played some fun action roles, but it’s difficult to see Cage do anything else.
Kate Hudson – Has become the chick flick sweetheart, but aside from her role in Almost Famous, she really hasn’t done anything worthwhile.
Matthew McConaughey – Mr. Shirtless. He’s like Jennifer Aniston; he plays the same part in all his movies. If you’ve seen one McConaughey movie, you’ve seen them all. Thank goodness for good supporting actors.
Will Ferrell – Sure, he’s a funny guy, but his jokes and skits are becoming tiresome.
Ben Stiller – He’s a pretty good actor, who plays different characters is many of his movies (unlike Will Farrell), but he does deliver a lot of the same type of jokes in all his movies.
Nicole Kidman – She plays Hollywood's stereotypical ice queen so well it makes you think she isn't really acting, oh wait, she isn't. Also it’s difficult to take anyone who’s been married to Tom Cruise seriously.
Tom Cruise – Like Brad Pitt, Cruise has played a lot of memorable, strong characters, but he hasn’t made a decent flick in several years. Did you hear his horrible accent in Valkyrie?
Seth Rogen – He plays the role of lovable stoner in all his films, no more, no less.
Christian Bale – He has a great resume, but he’s pretty much Batman in all his roles now – can anyone really understand his growling?
Megan Fox – Sure she plays the slutty hottie well and people like that, but it’s all she’s got going for her.
Zac Efron – Sure he can sing and make the pre-teens cheer, but can he really act? That’s yet to be seen.
Cameron Diaz – She’s got that goofy fun role down, now let’s see her do something different.
Michael Cera – Have you seen him play a character other than himself? Didn’t think so.
Ashton Kutcher – He has the talent to be a pretty good actor, but he’s still stuck in the Kelso role from
That 70’s Show.
Beyonce Knowles – Perfect example of movie executives trying to make money off a singer's popularity. She can’t act people!
Mike Myers – Once a great funny actor, but now he can’t seem to escape the
Austin Powers and
Shrek roles.
Denzel Washington – Phenomenal actor, but have you noticed he plays the same thing in all his movies? It’s Denzel Washington as a cop; law enforcement personnel; bad cop; not quite a cop, but sort of. He plays the same type of character all the time.
Owen Wilson – The crooked-nosed funny guy. It's difficult not to like Owen Wilson; he's the average guy's actor, but he plays the same role in all of his movies.
No doubt several actors and actresses were not included on this list, so be sure to comment below with your thoughts and favorites.
Comments
I agree with your list. Bill Paxton is doing a great job in Big Love. He was overshadowed in Apollo 13 by the other leading men. Now is his time to shine. Maybe Denzel is finding trouble getting good scripts along with the others. They keep playing the same roles.
What about that Robert Pattinson from Twilight? He's pretty overrated too. I don't understand what the ladies see in him.
Edward Norton I agree is a very underrated actor but Will Ferrell, come on now he is the greatest.
I'm not so sure of Christian Bale. Have you seen the Machinist? or American Psycho...Harsh Times? 3:10 to Yuma? Rescue Dawn? I don't see Batman in any of those. I think people only associate him with Batman because they haven't seen much of anything else.
Christian Bale's earlier work is better than his recent. Dark Knight has gotten to be the most overrated movie since the past decade! Good, but extremely overrated. At least now filmmakers know if one of their stars gets killed during the process and they hype it up over this than you have a hit on your hands!
I definitely agree with you on Julia Roberts. Finally, someone who feels the same way I do!
But Anne Hathaway and Cate Blanchett being underrated? They have talent, yes. Amazing talent, yes, but they are not underrated. I'd say they're almost overrated. Almost. The only reason they're not is because they actually do have talent. I wouln't say they're underrated though. I am, however, sick of everyone talking about how good they look, because, I mean, seriously people, they could do better in that department.
Yes, but Cate Blanchett's the better actress of all three. No contest.
The little kids from Slumdog were awesome!!
wow... seriously?
I thought so too! They were amazing and out shined the leads!
You're smoking crack for having Christian Bale on the overrated list - everything else I agree with.
I totally agree with Ryan Gosling! He was Young Hercules!!!
Christian Bale's older stuff is good - Newsies, The Machinist, American Psycho, but his newer stuff isn't doing it for me. I feel he's being outshined by his supporting cast. I will say that his John Conner in Terminator Salvation was the best in the series though.
Where's Bruce Campbell on the underrated list??
YES! Bruce Campbell!!! Bubba Ho-Tep... amazing.
I agree with most of these. I think Rogan and Cera are still too new to put on the overrated list, Cera especially. I see him eventually taking a risky role in a drama to break his "lovable nerd" typecast and I think he'll do ok.
I'd also add William H. Macy, Wallace Shawn, and Alan Rickman to the underrated list. All of them are typically supporting characters and all of them usually outshine whoever the lead is without taking over the movie.
Ben Stiller plays the same character all the time too. "Oooh, I'm angry.. let me shake my fist."
Arron Eckheart is underrated and overlooked, his role in the dark knight was way over shaddowed by the Joker, and the movie "Thank You For Smoking" was brilliant!
I would have made it however far into the underrated list I found Edward Norton...unfortunately he was the first person on the list and that totally shut me down. He's terrible, and the industry thinks he's great...he's the poster boy for OVERrated. On that same list you have Cate Blanchett? How in the world can you call her UNDERrated? She gets nominated for everything she does...just by definition you have to call her OVERrated even if she's brilliant. She's a great actress, but everyone KNOWS that...its no mystery.
Dave, first, thank you for the comment, your opinion is certainly appreciated. First, I can understand your point of view on Ed Norton, but I don't believe he's overrated by any means. His choice to be the Hulk was somewhat outrageous, but he's still not an overrated actor. He takes on challenging roles, does have a dominant and interesting on-screen persona and isn't in the same light as the actors on my overrated list. I feel he's underrated and is a far better actor than those on the overrated list. Cate Blanchett is widely known, yes, however according to my assessment of over and underrated actors, she isn't overrated. She does play the lead in many movies and has received numerous awards for her work, but she is an extremely talented actress. I definitely cannot see Aniston or SJP in the roles she tackles. Yes, she's in a lot of movies, but she's not a marketing tool, but rather a true talent. Your opinion counts, but with any movie and actor (love or hate), it’s all subjective.
I thought Dennzel Washington's role in John Q as well as American Gangster and the inspirational coach in remember the titans was outstanding but other than that i believe he is very overrated but he has some good movies. Other than that i agree with your list
I still think Will smith is very underrated and did not receive enough credit for Pursuit of Happyness or Hitch
cate blanchett and anne hathaway underated?? i see them and hear about them every day!! drives me nutz!! how are they underated?? both good! BUT NOT UNDERATED? and blanchett is gross, hank azaria is right! he has gotten alot better and deserves his do! but blanchett and hathaway?? crazy!!
think you need to add james franco to underated list? play villian/hero (spiderman) stoner (pineapple express) and homosexual (harvey milk) pretty wide range for 3 straight movies and ashton kuthcer doesnt belong on any actors list (overated or underated?) just hated!
Yep, I agree. Franco = underrated, Kutcher = overrated and overused.
What about that Renee Zellwegger. She's a pretty good actress.
Zellweger? Are you serious? She's a horrible actress. She also looks like she's sucked on one to many lemons!
I agree with the list for the most part, with the following exceptions:
Anne Hathaway: OVERrated...criminally overrated!
Seth Rogen & Michael Cera: Not overrated yet, but certainly in danger of being typecast, which can make you overrated. Just ask Ben Stiller.
I agree on Seth Rogen and Michael Cera, but Anne Hathaway has lost her "overrated".
Loved the list! FINALLY someone agrees with me! It's interesting, though, that some of the overrated were people I expected to become great. Julia in Mystic Pizza. She stood out! Denzel totally stood out in Glory. Angelina stood out in Hackers. In my opinion, here are some underrated actors: Emily Watson, Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Rachel Griffiths These five women are phenomenal actresses! I just noticed that they are all British!
British actors seem to have a step up on American. Jim Sturgess is underrated.
Rachel Griffiths is not British mate...She's Australian!.
What about Ricky Gervais, Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman, Ellen Page, and JK Simmons. They're all really good actors.
You know who's not on this list? Woody Harrelson. He's a pretty damn good actor who's not overrated. I'd also like to see Brenden Fraiser on the list for underrated. Sure he make some crap movies with George of the Jungle, but With Honors was great. I could also see James Marsden on the list; he's a pretty talented actor.
I think Matt Damon though is extremely overrated!
Thanks for finally describing the definitions of over and underrated and sticking to it. So many others just list actors and actresses that they like/dislike without actually determining their level of exposure.
I would have liked to see Philip Seymour Hoffman on the list. I thought he made Charlie Wilson's War worth watching and his performance in Almost Famous perfectly matched your description of an underrated actor in a supporting role just to name two examples.
I'm really starting to like Ashton in movies. He seems to be growing up. I also really like Aaron Eckhart too.
Are you talking about Ashton Kutcher? Because all his movies are the same: good-looking playboy. (aka Spread)
Nick Stahl and Michael Pitt are both great and underrated. Glad to see Ben Foster on the list.
I think that Shia Labeouf should be on the underrated list. I know he hasn't been in much but I think he will be great once he gets the chance. Also Jude Law, Jason Issacs, Rachel McAdams.
What?! Shia Labeouf? Umm Transformers made him jump instantly to overrated, along with Megan Fox.
I can agree on most of these. Don Cheadle doesn't even get mentioned or credit in most of his roles, as in he is not in the credits or anything. I disagree about Nicole Kidman, she can become a character and does a good job at it, not to say she should have taken some of the roles she takes, b/c the roles are cramp but she can act. Elizabeth Banks and Norton are very underrated and it sucks because Norton especially takes great roles and does a good job at it. Bill Paxton is another one that has been in a lot of good roles and you never realize how many good roles. I love Big Love (Gennifer Goodwin and Chole are wonderful) most of the overrated are just that, they may be good at what they do but not all of them are extraordinary. I like Zooey but she is a one note for me, like Kristen Stewart. They are them playing other people instead of being that character.
Christian Slater is underrated. :(
He hasn't even been in anything for the past decade...
I was thrilled to see Jennifer Anniston on the overrated list! She was adorable on Friends, but all the hype? Who said she was America's sweetheart? E-Television? She is horrible, was out acted by a DOG in Marley for Christsakes, all her movies have bombed, I want her to go away.
Julia Roberts is not a great Actor, but she has great stage presence and box-office appeal so I get why she is "A" list- she brings in cash. But Jen Anniston's movies suck.
Will Ferrell is also woefully overrated, it kills that he makes $20M a picture when he is such a one-trick pony and a JERK! I attended a Premiere and he was so rude during the Q&A. If you dont like your fans, just stay home, dont come just to insult them.
Gwen Paltrow? What? An Oscar? She is an ugly horse-face as well as mediocre. Halle is gorgeous and not so bad, Oscar worthy? Questionable, but the time was right for a Black female. Sad day for the more deserving, amazing Black women actors.
Emma Thompson is my pick for underrated!
brad pitt is a cool actor and johnny depp should deff be under the top most underrated actors cause he is sick
Owen may be overrated, but he always makes me smile and I enjoy his movies. I can't help admiring him for two reasons: 1. He never caved and had his nose fixed and 2. He has never talked about what happened almost three years ago. We don't need to know everything. 99.9999% of celebrities share TMI!!!!!!!!!!!
Very good list. Lots of great underrated performers and lots of overrated performers as well. Brendan Frasier I definitely think is underrated. I mean yeah he hasn't done many great films recently, but he can definitely stretch. And he gets almost zero attention or praise for his work. He's done action(The Mummy movies, etc), comedy (George of the Jungle, Bedazzled), and recently he delved into drama(Extraordinary Measures). Another one I really like is Steve Zahn. He's great at the hapless kind of characters, but he can definitely stretch to other genres(everything from romantic comedies to action thrillers). An excellent supporting actor that is great at stealing the show.
Brendan Frasier had his "overratedness" in The Mummy series. George of the Jungle = stupid. Extraordinary Measures = unoriginal medical drama that was a stink at the box office.
Gerard Butler's only good performance was 300. Otherwise he has done nothing more than a long series of terrible movies. If anything he is overrated.
Owen Wilson, Will Farrell, and Ben Stiller are actually decent actors. Not good but not overrated. Just watch one of their more serious roles like Greenberg, Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, or Stranger Than Fiction. Then you might understand what I mean.
Gerard's later movies have been stinkers, but check out "Dear Frankie" and you'll like his performance.
You know who is overrated is Renee Zellwegger! Oh, and George Clooney, Kristen Stewart and Bradley Cooper.
Yep. However Bradley Cooper is kinda new saying he's overrated.
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!