20 Acting Performances We Forgot, That Deserve to Be Remembered
As years go by, we can’t be expected to remember everything we’ve ever seen or done. This is why we tend to hyper focus on recent films when discussing good acting, or on a few vintage movies that are brought up often enough to never leave public consciousness.
Well, considering the many decades of film history behind us, there are many other deserving performances that should be remembered, discussed, and celebrated. This is what we’ve decided to do today, so come with us as we remember the great performances most people seem to have forgotten.
John Cazale, Dog Day Afternoon
John Cazale delivered a heartbreaking and tense performance in this 1975 crime drama from Sidney Lumet. His incredible acting opposite Al Pacino even earned him a well-deserved Golden Globe Award nomination that year.
Ralph Fiennes, Strange Days
Ralph Fiennes played Lenny Nero in this gritty 1995 sci-fi thriller. The actor actually considers the part to be his most unfairly overlooked role, and anyone who has seen his stellar performance would probably agree.
Angela Bassett, What’s Love Got to Do
Playing Tina Turner is no easy task, and yet Angela Bassett absolutely nailed it. She earned an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her explosive performance in this classic.
Sean Astin, Rudy
Sean Astin had a significant leading role portraying Daniel Ruettiger in this inspirational 1993 sports drama. He brought so much heart to the screen that it remains one of the most beloved underdog movies ever.
Jeff Bridges, The Fisher King
This dramatic fantasy film features one of the most underappreciated roles of Jeff Bridges’ entire career. He brings a raw emotional intensity to the screen that makes the movie impossible to forget once you watch it.
Madeline Kahn, Paper Moon
Madeline Kahn always knew how to command a screen, and her Academy Award-nominated role in this 1973 Peter Bogdanovich film proves it. Her comedic timing and undeniable charm made her an absolute legend of cinema.
Donald Sutherland, Don’t Look Now
Donald Sutherland portrayed John Baxter in this deeply unsettling 1973 thriller. His grief-stricken performance anchored the supernatural tension of the story, creating a haunting mood that lingers long after the credits finally roll.
Brad Pitt, 12 Monkeys
Brad Pitt went completely against his usual leading-man type for this 1995 sci-fi classic. His frantic performance won him a Golden Globe Award and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Alfre Woodard, Passion Fish
Alfre Woodard anchored this 1992 drama that received widespread critical acclaim for its acting. She even won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female, delivering a beautifully layered performance full of quiet strength.
Sam Neill, In the Mouth of Madness
Sam Neill starred as John Trent, an insurance investigator questioning his own sanity in this 1994 psychological horror film. He perfectly captured a man slowly losing his grip on reality in a genuinely terrifying way.
Guy Pearce, L.A. Confidential
Guy Pearce received widespread international attention for his break-out role in this 1997 crime thriller. He easily held his own among a star-studded cast, proving he had the serious acting chops to become a household name.
Judy Garland, Judgment at Nuremberg
Judy Garland is heavily featured in Stanley Kramer’s 1961 epic legal drama. She stepped far outside her musical comfort zone to deliver a heartbreaking and highly dramatic performance that completely floored both critics and audiences.
River Phoenix, Running on Empty
River Phoenix starred in this 1988 drama and proved just how much raw talent he had. He received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 61st Academy Awards for his deeply moving and emotional performance.
Sheryl Lee, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Sheryl Lee portrays the troubled high school student Laura Palmer during the last 7 days of her life in this 1992 psychological horror film. She brought devastating depth and terror to a highly complex character.
Shelley Duvall, 3 Women
Shelley Duvall received massive critical acclaim for her performance in Robert Altman’s 1977 psychological drama. She even earned a Cannes Award and a BAFTA nomination for her strange and utterly mesmerizing presence on screen.
John Goodman, Barton Fink
John Goodman starred as Charlie Meadows, an insurance salesman living at a run-down hotel in this 1991 Coen brothers film. His character completely transforms throughout the story, showcasing his incredible range as a dramatic actor.
Virginia Madsen, Candyman
Virginia Madsen starred in this 1992 urban gothic supernatural horror film. She grounded the terrifying story with a highly believable performance, making the absolute dread of her character feel incredibly real to the audience.
Gary Oldman, True Romance
Gary Oldman played a wild supporting role in Tony Scott’s 1993 romantic crime drama. Even with limited screen time, he completely disappeared into the eccentric character and left a massive impression on everyone who watched.
Joan Allen, The Crucible
Joan Allen received a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this 1996 historical drama. She captured the strict intensity of the time period with quiet grace and incredible power.
Bette Midler, The Rose
Bette Midler starred in this 1979 drama and even recorded the famous titular song that plays over the closing credits. She poured her entire soul into the role, leaving behind an incredibly powerful cinematic legacy.