Not all stars of television successfully make that transition to the movies. How many of them actually get the good roles and will be taken seriously as film actors? These would be my picks for potential Oscar consideration:
1. James Gandolfini – famous for “The Sopranos” but was he unlucky that he gave a great performance in the terrible film “The Mexican”, stealing the show from Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts? I think his time will come as Ernest Hemingway when Philip Kaufman’s biopic makes it to the screen.
2. Allison Janney – “The West Wing” is her dominant credit, but she has a habit of playing decent roles in Oscar movies! Witness her in “American Beauty”, “The Hours”, and “Juno”.
3. Keri Russell – she got plenty of attention for “Waitress”, but is better known for “Felicity” on TV. Roles are starting to come her way, so we’ll see what happens!
4. Patrick Dempsey – I remember him from “JFK: Reckless Youth” on TV, but all the attention seems to be on him in “Grey’s Anatomy”. He’s recently come back to prominence in “Enchanted” alongside Amy Adams, as well as “Made of Honor”. Maybe more substantial parts will follow?
5. Gillian Anderson – she may never shed her “X-Files” identity, but I like her in a few movies: “The House of Mirth”, “Playing By Heart”, “A Cock and Bull Story”, and “The Last King of Scotland”. I’m looking forward to seeing her in Richard Kwietniowski’s “No One Gets Off In This Town”.
6. Jennifer Aniston – Rachel from “Friends” may remain in the gossip columns, but I have a hunch that an Oscar nom will be hers, even if she’s 80 when it happens! She was good in “She’s The One”, “The Break Up”, “The Good Girl”, “Rumor Has It”, and “Friends With Money”, and is scheduled to appear in any number of upcoming films.
7. Zach Braff – I’m getting a “slightly cooler Woody Allen” vibe from Zach Braff. If he keeps directing himself with cute leading ladies, and being slightly neurotic, the comparison will hold water! His next project is remaking Susanne Bier’s Danish film “Open Hearts”, but he’s very likeable away from his “Scrubs” role in films like “The Last Kiss”, “The Ex”, and “Garden State”.
8. Amy Brenneman – “Private Practice” and “Judging Amy” followed “NYPD Blue”, but her film roles are worth watching. “Your Friends and Neighbors” and “The Jane Austen Book Club” are good solid performances.
9. Jason Lee – I already liked him in “Almost Famous” and “Vanilla Sky” before he grew his moustache for “My Name is Earl”. Will he get trapped in comedy hell and not find the meatier roles?
10. Debra Messing – “Ned and Stacey” and “Will and Grace” have been her bread and butter, but with roles in the new film “The Women” and playing Drew Barrymore’s sister in “Lucky You”, maybe her future is in film?
Honourable Mention:
Sarah Jessica Parker
Teri Hatcher
Topher Grace
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