Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

oliver9184 · 12-06-2009, 06:30 AM

It seems to me that truly accomplished physical actors are few and far between. I don't just mean actors that gesticulate as they talk, I mean actors for whom physicality is AS IMPORTANT as what they say; actors that would have done well in the silent era.

Actors with a stage or dancing background like James Cagney and Fred Astaire were exemplary physical actors and other's weren't particulary rare in Hollywood's Golden Age but now physical acting seems to be something of a lost art: as a rule actors seem to act with their mouths but not with their bodies. I find it very difficult to point to more than a handful of modern-day examples. The best I can come up with is Daniel Day-Lewis, Heath Ledger and perhaps Nicolas Cage (on the strength of Leaving Las Vegas). Also Jim Carrey and to a lesser extent Robin Williams, though physicality is more inherently necessary for that sort of broad semi-slapstick comedy.

What other physical actors (male and female) can anyone think of? Citing specific films/shows for examples would help, thanks.

12-06-2009, 06:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
oliver9184 Psycho	The lost art of physical acting It seems to me that truly accomplished physical actors are few and far between. I don't just mean actors that gesticulate as they talk, I mean actors for whom physicality is AS IMPORTANT as what they say; actors that would have done well in the silent era. Actors with a stage or dancing background like James Cagney and Fred Astaire were exemplary physical actors and other's weren't particulary rare in Hollywood's Golden Age but now physical acting seems to be something of a lost art: as a rule actors seem to act with their mouths but not with their bodies. I find it very difficult to point to more than a handful of modern-day examples. The best I can come up with is Daniel Day-Lewis, Heath Ledger and perhaps Nicolas Cage (on the strength of Leaving Las Vegas). Also Jim Carrey and to a lesser extent Robin Williams, though physicality is more inherently necessary for that sort of broad semi-slapstick comedy. What other physical actors (male and female) can anyone think of? Citing specific films/shows for examples would help, thanks.