Name actors who so definitively nailed their roles that you don’t ever want to see another actor in that role.

Have you been drinking?

Roz owns Mame Dennis *and* Ruth Sherwood...

Babs Stanwyck is Phyllis Dietrichson. No one else could have played her.

Linda Lavin as “Alice.”

OP definitively nailed the role of "Datalounger on Meth"

Congrats!!

Errol Flynn... Robin Hood.

Gene Wilder, as Willy Wonka.

Helen Mirren set the bar impossibly high when she played a contemporary version of Queen Elizabeth II. The only reason Claire Foy managed to distinguish herself is because she played a younger version unfamiliar to the public.

Julia Roberts IS Harriet Tubman

Sheryl Lee in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Bette owns Margo and Jane.

Toni Collette, as Muriel, in “Muriel’s Wedding."

Faye Dunaway, Mommie Dearest. Everyone thinks of Faye now whenever Joan Crawford is referenced.

Brando's Godfather.

Joanna Lumley as Patsy.

Molly Sugden as Mrs. Slocombe.

Judy-Dorothy

I felt that way about the dragoon Tattoo movies having loved the books. I thought Noomi Rapace was her. But then Rooney Mara just killed it!

Daniel Day-Lewis apparently often says, "I may have won Oscars for playing Christy Brown, Daniel Plainview, and Abraham Lincoln, but even I never reached the heights Mickey Rooney did playing Mr. Yunioshi."

"Ah, Mis-see Go-right-ry!"

The thespian art at its finest and most rarefied!

[quote] Julia Roberts IS Harriet Tubman

This one will forever live rent-free in my head.

Kathleen Turner as Serial Mom.

She should have been nominated.

The obvious is Vivien Leigh as Scarlet.

Are we talking literature only or movie-only characters?

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Too many others to mention.

[quote] Kathleen Turner as Serial Mom.

This reminds me that she killed it in Crimes of Passion as well. That was a great role.

Renee Falconetti apparently spent most of her career doing light comedy. After you've seen her suffer all through Joan of Arc it's hard to believe.

Streisand — Fanny Brice, duh.

Bette Davis "Jezebel"

Bette Davis "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane"

Bette Davis "Dark Victory"

Bette Davis as Bette Davis

Ms. Diana Ross portraying Tracy Chambers in Mahogany!!! Honorable mention Bruce V portraying stuffy misogynistic designer.

[quote]Judy-Dorothy

I agree but I'll add another... "I Could Go On Singing" The stage performances only. That was Garland in her element with very few other musical/acting artists reaching that depth.

[quote]That *was* Garland

You can leave it at that, r29.

James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd

[quote]Ms. Diana Ross portraying Tracy Chambers in Mahogany!!!

Hmm... I'm going to agree with this particularly the fashion shoot scenes. That's Ross in her supreme element that very few others--even Naomi Campbell, et alia, can reach

Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie the Cat; Elizabeth Taylor as Gloria Wandrous (BUtterfield 8 - I LOVE this)

Leonardo diCaprio as Jim Carroll (Basketball Diaries); Leo as Arnie Grape (What's eating Gilbert Grape) - he was so good in these.

Christopher Reeve as Superman - no one can ever match him. Sorry. Don't bother trying.

Michael Keaton as Batman - same as above. Also: Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice.

Johnny Depp as Ed Wood. He blew me away with this performance.

Gloria Swanson "Sunset Boulevard" Others have tried but no one has come close to the performance of Swanson except... Carol Burnett who owned and made the character/role memorable from a comedy angle.

Speaking of Gloria... Gena Rowlands for "Gloria" A movie that's SO bad that it's good! I just watched the movie a few weeks back and Gena played the SHIT out of that role!!! I can't imagine anyone else playing it. They tried to remake this "so awful that it's good" movie with Sharon Stone. Nope!

Jean Stapleton as Edith Bunker, whom she was nothing like.

Joan Collins

Alexis Carrington Colby (also Morell, Dexter and Rowan)

Now, I'm not going to say that no one else could play this role effectively but that person just hasn't been born yet. However... I would be very interested in seeing how a male in drag would play Alexis. Honestly, as I'm here thinking about it the bitchy drag queen might have been Joan Collin's inspiration for the Alexis character.

[quote] However... I would be very interested in seeing how a male in drag would play Alexis.

Like Gene Hackman?

BrendaD ickson as "Jill Foster Abbott"

No, R37. Someone more like a Lypsinka.

Margo Robbie IS Barbie.

And it goes without saying....

Ryan Gosling IS Ken.

Kym Karath IS Gretl.

Joan/Eva Phillips

Armie as Oliver

[quote]Joan/Eva Phillips

I disagree. While Joan did a great job, I thought she was miscast and there are a number of female actresses (in my small mind) that could have played that role just as effectively or even better. Joan Collins (mentioned above is one of them), Faye Dunaway, Glen Close, on and on... If one considers minority actors, that role was written for Lyn Whitfield.

Jack and Shelley in The Shining

Sorry, but George Reeves defined Superman for generations, up to Henry Cavill's and Tyler Hoechlin's performances. Even the nervous, high pitched voice for Clark Kent was not a Reeve/Donner invention as many claim; it was first done by Bud Collyer on the Superman radio program to differentiate between the two characters. The only lucky breaks Reeve had was a director who tolerated his childishness (probably because he had the hots for him) and that fall off his horse. Otherwise, he'd be just another has-been 70s star and the subject of many "WHET?" threads here on DL. Not to mention the subject of gossip about his many yacht trips with rich old queens. So, actors have tried, and a couple have bested his performance- before he was even born!

Now, I only thought that Claudia McNeil could play Lena Younger of "A Raisin In The Sun" It was her role and any actor would be foolish to try and play that part. But... Phylicia Rashad does a DAMN good job, and her performance is equal to Claudia's.

The entire cast of MGM's "The Wizard of Oz". Even with the original books out in the public domain and free for anyone to use as movie and television fodder, any version of the Oz characters is automatically held up to the standards of the 1939 classic. Even the design of the Land of Oz itself is based on its appearance in an eighty-five year old movie.

There is mention ad nauseum of "The Golden Girls" here on DL, but I'll mention Bea Arthur as Maude. Bea was actually reserved and emotional in comparison to the loud and brash Maude, a characterization she was not able to escape.

Marilyn/Lorelei

LOL!

Peter Falk- Columbo

Clark Gable/Rhett Butler

The cast of the original Shameless and House of Cards. I realized the US versions are slightly different.

[quote] "Name actors who so definitively nailed their roles that you don’t ever want to see another actor in that role"

Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, and Charlize Theron as Aileen Wournos.

[quote] "James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd"

He was alright. But it's Josephine Hull (in her Oscar-winning role), and the supporting cast that makes that film for me, R31.

R46 you don't know what you're talking about.

Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs.

Vicky Lawrence as Thelma Harper

Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse. Brilliant movie, perfectly cast but I don't think it would have worked as well without Mia. She's in every fucking scene and she owns that role.

[quote]The cast of the original Shameless and House of Cards. I realized the US versions are slightly different.

Actually, US Shameless is very different from UK Shameless.

The former borrowed the premise/main characters from the latter, but it became a very different animal after Season 1.

Also, the tones were very different -- UK Shameless was more comical and low-budget, while US Shameless had a bigger budget and was dramatic and gritty.

US Shameless was Emmy-nominated in the drama categories for Seasons 1-3; they switched to the comedy categories for seasons 4-11, because it was easier to win, but the show was more drama than comedy.

R19....absolutely brilliant. Hilarious. Thank you. OP.

Sissy Spacek - Carrie

Al Pacino - Dog Day Afternoon

Robert DeNiro - Taxi Driver

Liv Ullmann- Face to Face

Anna Magnani - Mamma Roma

Anthony Perkins- Psycho

[quote]Sissy Spacek - Carrie

Excellent performance because she is an excellent actress. But I could see others playing that role. However, (IMHO) a role that Sissy Spacek has not received a lot of justified accolades for is the film "The Long Walk Home" with Whoopi Goldberg.

R60 excuse me, I think that’s “Planet Of The Apes”

Jeremy Irons as Claus von Bulow

QUEEN BEE

My issue with this film (besides Crawford being miscast although she does a FABULOUS job) is that the writers want the viewer to believe that this wealthy family that has 4 slaves...err... servants, only has one ill-fitting bathroom that everyone uses in their mansion...

[quote]Jeremy Irons as Claus von Bulow

YES! Understated but effective performance that I don't think anyone else could have pulled off.

Luciano Pavarotti

"Nessun Dorma" from Turandot

As far as I know he was the best tenor of many to ever sing the aria. But, then again, the opera and role dates back to 1924.

Robert Englund as Freddy Kreuger. Haley Joel Osment as the Sixth Sense kid. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Talented Mr Ripley

Sissy Spaxek - Coal Miner's Daughter

[quote] The entire cast of MGM's "The Wizard of Oz".

I must aver: I am not just merely honored, but really most sincerely honored!

This is very DL, but: Chip Fields as Penny's abusive mother on GOOD TIMES. The show could play really broad, but Chip was actually chilling.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.

The entire original cast of " Follies!" They were so good, there should never be another production.

Nimoy as Spock

Die, r74.

R56, I love you.

Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. William Hurt in Body Heat. His Ned Racine was a classic. "You're not too bright....I like that in a man..." I love that movie.

Tom Cruise has made a million movies. But he is always going to be Maverick.

Limp magat fuck

[quote]Christopher Reeve as Superman - no one can ever match him. Sorry. Don't bother trying.

I think what it was (IMHO) is that Christopher Reeve made superman sexy as fuck! Or, maybe it was the Director. What everyone was picking up in the comic books was brought to the screen. The same with Batman. These guys set the standard. One would think that George Clooney would have been a more memorable sexy Batman than Michael Keaton. But it was Keaton who set the standard of how Batman should always look.

[quote]Helen Mirren set the bar impossibly high when she played a contemporary version of Queen Elizabeth II. The only reason Claire Foy managed to distinguish herself is because she played a younger version unfamiliar to the public.

YES! She was (is) Betty! I can't think of anyone who could play her better.

[quote]Brando's Godfather.

I agree 100%. I can't think of anyone who could do it better!

[quote]Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. William Hurt in Body Heat.

Hmm... Maybe Jessica Rabbit? But isn't that Kathleen Turner too?

Stockard Channing as RIZZO

Joanne Whaley-Kilmer as Scarlett O’Hara.

R79- I think he’s always going to be a CLOSET QUEEN 👸.

David Soul as Rick Blaine in “Casablanca”.

Auntie Em.

R35- Carroll O’Conner as Archie Bunker whom he was nothing like.

Mickey Rooney was offered the part of AB but turned it down. Thank goodness. He would not have excelled in that role. Jackie Gleason was considered for the Archie Bunker character but they decided he would be too flamboyant- I could see him as AB .

Jennifer “Love” Hewitt was more Audrey Hepburn than Audrey herself in the made for cable biopic.

Rachel Gurney as Lady Marjorie Bellamy on Upstairs Downstairs.

Mindy Cohen aka GREAT BIG FAT PERSON as

Natalie Green

Nailing the role definitively!

R25....Renee Falconetti was a member of the Comedie Franchise and a very popular commercial light/broad comedic boulevard actress. Literally the Carol Burnett of her day. But my main man Carl Th. Dreyer, saw something beyond that commercial facade. That's why casting her was so controversial. The tragedy with Renee was that she was bi-polar on steroids...It really started to kick in after Jeanne d'Arc, and that's why she only made one film. But what a performance.

R20...Brilliant

The entire cast of To Kill A Mockingbird. Not a false note in it.

The entire Bad Seed cast.

Dolly as Doralee Jane as Judy Lily as Violet

Ted Levine- Buffalo Bill

[quote] The entire Bad Seed cast.

I disagree. Jack Palance would have made a much better Rhoda Penmark.

Judy Davis as Judy Garland. Suck it Renee.

Hopkins as Hannibal

[quote]Michael Keaton as Batman - same as above. Also: Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice.

He's the only [movie] Batman worth watching, R33.

Ahem.

R103, I stand corrected, I didn't know Adam West made a Batman movie.

Michael Keaton has to be one of the most underappreciated actors alive. I love every single thing he has ever done. It's hard for me to single out one thing. But IMO it has to be Beetlejuice.

Cary Grant in Affair to Remember, Tom Hanks as Forest Gump

Jon Voight as Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy

Tim Curry as Dr Frank n Fruter

Butterfly McQueen as Prissy

^Oh, please...

Even Butterfly McQueen would slap the shit out you for such an offensive post.

[quote]Judy Davis as Judy Garland. Suck it Renee.

Renee was good but Judy was SUPERB!

Kate Hudson - Penny Lane / almost famous Julia Roberts - Vivian / pretty woman Tim Curry - Butler / Clue Michelle Pfeiffer - Catwoman / Batman returns

There have been numerous actors who have portrayed Winston Churchill but I don’t think anyone can claim the definitive performance although, from my limited U.S. perspective, Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” came close.

For me Michelle Pfeiffer will always be the girl on the piano in The Fabulous Baker Boys.

Richard E Grant as Withnail

Mary Tyler Moore as DL Fave Beth Jarrett.

R116, YES!

Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till in the film "Till". EXCELLENT performance!!! I can't imagine anyone else in that role except for Mamie Till herself.

Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. I always think of her in that role no matter what else she's done.

Val Kilmer will always be the definitive Doc Holliday.

Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos - incredible

Christopher Reeve, Superman

Kathy Bates - Dolores Claiborne

Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling too.

Liberace - Sincerely Yours - Worthy of an Oscar

Daniel Day Lewis as Gerry Conlon in In the Name of the Father

Daniel Day Lewis as Christy Brown in My Left Foot

Daniel Day Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There will be blood

Daniel Day Lewis as Abe in Lincoln

R53 British Shameless is the best. David Threlfall is ten times the Frank Gallagher , William H Macey was.

[quote]Mary Tyler Moore as DL Fave Beth Jarrett.

No doubt a fantastic performance but I could see other actors playing Beth Jarrett such a Gena Rowlands, a Jane Fonda, and maybe a Glen Close

[quote]Michael Keaton has to be one of the most underappreciated actors alive. I love every single thing he has ever done.

Agreed, and same here, R105.

Kathleen Turner in "Serial Mom"

Bette Davis as Margot Channing

Louise Brooks in every movie she was ever in

Even if or though others might have played the same role, the definitive are:

Sean Connery---Bond, James Bond.

Mary Martin---Peter Pan.

Jack Lord---Steve McGarrett.

David Suchet---Hercule Poirot.

Basil Rathbone---Sherlock Holmes.

Paul Reubens---Peewee Herman.

Montgomery Clift---George Eastman; Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt; Morris Townsend.

Sal Mineo---Gene Krupa.

Marilyn Monroe---Lorelei Lee; Sugar Kane.

Al Pacino---Michael Corleone.

Patrick McGoohan---Drake, John Drake; #6.

Angela Lansbury---Jessica Fletcher.

Don Knotts as Barney Fyfe and Al Lewis as Grandpa Muster....Oh, throw in Jackie Coogan too....

Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing

He was the perfect masculine dancer, r133. Too bad he lost a big audition to Chris Farley.

Haha! I forgot Patrick won, because I remembered Chris as being awesome!

Still, great to view again! RIP, two of the best.