Good-morning, kittens & dawgs! A few days ago, Lee posted What Are Your 25 Top Movies Ever Made? Who got the idea from another a mutual blogging pal, Stephen, (Favorite Male Movie/TV Characters) who in turned borrowed the idea from another blogger bud, Brigit who kicked off, Top 10 Favourite Film and TV Characters. And, there are others. I thought why not get in on the action and bring my list to the table for review in a series titled My 25 Favorite Male Actors.
Chevy Chase was pure golden in the 80s with the rolls he portrayed. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) introduced the Griswold family to the world. Clark Griswold hilarious one-liners will split a rib, but its Christmas Vacation where Chase’s character totally shined!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation began an instant classic with my family. We include this in our Christmas movie watching a time or two every year and it never gets old.
Two other great flicks featuring Chevy Chase are Seems Like Old Times and Caddy Shack, both movies will leave you in stitches
Young Frankenstein released in 1974. I always thought this movie came out the year we got married (’79), since that was the first time we saw the movie. This movie is full of fabulous actors and actresses, but Marty Feldman with his buggy eyes and mannerisms nearly had me in tears.
Who doesn’t like a hero, especially when it’s Harry McClean better known as “Dirty Harry”.
Clint Eastwood is probably the first tough guys I met on the big screen, excluding John Wayne, that I fell in deep like over. I loved his character as the cop who didn’t tolerate scumbags and wasn’t afraid to take necessary action to protect the public. All of Eastwood’s movie roles have similar characteristics that of a quiet man who carries a big stick and this is why it’s such fun to watch his movies.
In the 80s the popular TV comedy, Moonlighting, introduced the amazing talents of Bruce Willis, as David Addison – a Private Investigator interested in a good time more than his job.
What blew my mind, as so often it does, is when Willis went from a goof-ball to a tough guy who senses trouble before it hits in the Die Hard movies. How is that one person is in the wrong place at the wrong time so often and ultimately brings a bad guy or two or dozen down, like Detective John McClane. Oh yeah, it’s all about the writer! 😉
Hans Gruber: [on the radio] Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
John McClane: Yeah, I’m still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I’m afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he’s John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
John McClane: Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts. Hans Gruber: Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
John McClane: Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***.
Willis’ character is a mix of hard-core seriousness laced with humor that you gotta love!
The 80s was a wonderful decade for Hollywood featuring some of the best actors. Although, Bill Murray got his start on SNL in the 70s and made name for himself, which lead to more promising things. It was CaddyShack, (1980) as a fried-brain (drug-induced) groundskeeper that I first came to love his strangeness and then again in Groundhog Day (1983) as the arrogant Meteorologist who lives the same day over and over, but my all-time favorite role is Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters. This is absolutely one of the most memorable, funniest scenes from the 1984 blockbuster movie.
Which of these male actors do you love and why? Please, come back next Tuesday for part two of My 25 Favorite Male Actors.
Do you need a little structure for your Tuesday morning blogging? If so, then you’ll want to check out Tuesday Coffee Chat prompts with Rorybore at Ink Interrupted or if you’re like me more of the random-kind of chick, then you’ll find yourself right at home at Random Tuesday Thoughts with Stacy Uncorked.
Beginning tonight at 8pm, I’ll be opening my #WW linky party. So, I hope you’ll hop back over to link up and if not join me tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday.
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Young Frankenstein still makes me laugh so hard. My all-time favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart. My favorite contemporary actor is Johnny Depp, but I think Ryan Gosling is great, too.
Love,
Janie (I was really tempted to write Janice to see if I could drive you crazy)
Janie, oh you would type your name wrong to make me nuts, wouldn’t you? And…you should have! 😉 I would have gotten a kick out of it Jimmy Stewart is a great actor. I loved him in It’s A Wonderful Life ~ truly a fabulous Christmas classic for all ages!! Johnny Depp is a great actor. I love him in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He’s perfect in them! I think he’s quite talented. Thanks for reminding me of how much I like Depp!
My list would definitely have Clint Eastwood – always and forever. Pale Rider and Unforgiven are two of the greatest movies made. I love the Western genre — probably from growing up with grandparents watching John Wayne.
For comedy, it is hard to beat Chevy Chase. He’s still funny after all these years. One of my faves was one he did with the famous dog Benji: Oh Heavenly Dog. I watched that so many times when I was younger. But being Canadian, I am also very partial to two of his costars: John Candy and Dan Aykroyd.
No one delivers a one liner like Bruce Willis, with the possible exception of Will Smith. They both have that just your basic guy who’s gonna save the world and make you laugh kinda tone.
Two of my favourite actors not on your list are Sam Rockwell and Gary Oldman. I think there is nothing those two men cannot do. Amazing.
And finally, knowing my love of superheroes this is probably no surprise, but despite Captain America being my favourite character, one cannot deny that Robert Downey Jr. is probably the most naturally gifted and talented actor of our generation. Which is amazing given what a troubled mess he was in his personal life – but he overcame and is now better than ever. If you haven’t seen The Judge – highly recommend!
I think it was Groundhog Day that won me over to Bill Murray. I used to not like him much because he seemed arrogant or smug or something unappealing to me. Then I accepted that as part of his persona. Now I’m a fan.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Lee, yeah I can see what you’re talking about,but I decided long ago it was just who Bill Murray is and it made his comedy all the more enjoyable. It’s nice to see you today.