By: Cory Matthews
The Definitive Guide to “That Guy”: Every Character Actor You Need to Know
Dan Hedaya
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 122
Where You Know Him From: Every movie that has an angry, over the top dad, Rookie of the Year
So who is this guy? After a groundbreaking performance in Clueless, it became mandated that all screenwriters just name all angry fathers “Dan Hedaya” in their scripts.
John Michael Higgins
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 75
Where You Know Him From: The Christopher Guest films, The Late Shift
So who is this guy? Oh just your run of the mill ridiculously talented comedic actor whose reputation for showing up and nailing everything has led to him a career where nobody knows his name.
Jon Gries
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 103
Where You Know Him From: Napoleon Dynamite, Numerous Bit Parts on TV Shows (Seinfeld, Lost)
So who is this guy? Has a tendency to play sleazebags and weasels. In his Seinfeld appearances, he not only stole Kramer's tupperware, but made off with his rickshaw with no hesitation. The guy's not to be trusted.
Christopher McDonald
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 153
Where You Know Him From: ‘ Eating pieces of shit like you for breakfast
So who is this guy? A guy who eats shit for breakfast.
David Paymer
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 138
Where You Know Him From: City Slickers, Quiz Show, The Larry Sanders Show
So who is this guy? When casting directors need a doormat, Paymer's agent is on speed dial. “Yes, my client would be interested in having a much more attractive actor shit on him for two hours.”
Stephen Root
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 155
Where You Know Him From: Office Space, News Radio, Coen Brothers movies
So who is this guy? So much more than his legendary turn as the stapler guy in Office Space, Root's resume reads like an AFI's best projects ever list. Yet you've already forgotten his name and will go back to referring to him as the “Stapler Guy.” Fair enough. Have you seen his stapler? It's red.
Stephen Tobolowsky
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 201
Where You Know Him From: Everything. Seriously. But probably Groundhog Day
So who is this guy? His most iconic role is clearly Ned Ryerson, the former high school classmate of Phil Conners (Phil? Phil Connors?) in Groundhog Day. But please check his filmography. It's a doozy.
Danny Trejo
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 198
Where You Know Him From: Grindhouse, From Dusk Til Dawn, Heat
So who is this guy? 198 movies, 198 roles as an ex-con bartender with badass mustache. Impressive.*
*I'd never say anything bad about Trejo, considering the fact if I did, he'd cut me.
James Hong
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 348!
Where You Know Him From: 348!
So who is this guy? 348!
Gary Cole
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 113
Where You Know Him From: Office Space, Talladega Nights, The West Wing, The Brady Bunch Movie
So who is this guy? It's hard to include Cole on the list when he's owned so many roles, but if you could just (insert favorite Office Space quote), that'd be grrrreeeaaat.
Kevin Corrigan
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 98
Where You Know Him From: Pineapple Express, The Departed, Grounded For Life
So who is this guy? That IMDb tally is sure to rise as Corrigan has been killing it in the “that guy” role recently. He's the perfect balance of creepy and likeable. Scorsese noticed. Apatow noticed. It's just a matter of time until he's putting up James Hong type numbers.
Keith David
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 186
Where You Know Him From: Platoon, There's Something About Mary, Requiem for a Dream
So who is this guy? One of the most badass actors alive, it should be known that he's NOT David Keith, a character actor not worthy of this list, despite the fact that he's starred in movies with Charlie Sheen. If you weren't aware, Sheen only surrounds himself with the best “that guys.” Like in Men at Work, which happened to have starred Keith David. And an actor named…
John Getz
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 97
Where You Know Him From: Men at Work, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, Curly Sue
So who is this guy? A sleazeball, if his characters are any indication. And we hope they are.
Lisa Edelstein
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 64
Where You Know Him (Her) From: House, The West Wing, Keeping the Faith
So who is this guy? Technically a girl. And technically this “that guy” list was a little guy-centric, so she makes the cut. And let's face facts, you know recognize her and you know she's in stuff. Plus, she's been pleasured by George Costanza.
Lane Smith
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 104
Where You Know Him From: The Mighty Ducks, My Cousin Vinny, Lois & Clark
So who is this guy? One of the best. Currently playing “that guy” in heaven.
James Rebhorn
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 114
Where You Know Him From: Independence Day, Blank Check, Law and Order
So who is this guy? He's the guy you're thinking of when you say “wasn't James Cromwell in that?”
James Cromwell
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 155
Where You Know Him From: W., Six Feet Under, LA Confidential
So who is this guy? He's the guy you're thinking of when you say “wasn't the guy who looks like James Cromwell in that?”
Clint Howard
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 200
Where You Know Him From: Being Ron Howard's brother.
So who is this guy? Ron Howard's brother.
Curtis Armstrong
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 114
Where You Know Him From: Revenge of the Nerds, Better off Dead, Risky Business
So who is this guy? A 80s comedy staple, he's stuck around much longer than one would expect. That's what happens when you're a quality actor…who happens to look like a child molester.
Bruce McGill
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: 137
Where You Know Him From: Animal House, My Cousin Vinny, MacGyver
So who is this guy? You might not recognize him now, but that's the same guy who played D-Day in Animal House. Yeah, aging sucks.
Robert Davi
Number of Credits in IMDb Profile: ‘ 112
Where You Know Him From: Goonies, Showgirls, Action Jackson
So who is this guy? When it comes to playing goons, there may no one better and his expansive filmography— oh who am I kidding? He's one of the Fratelli brothers in Goonies. Sloth love Chunk.
