Celebrating Scene Stealer
They might not be the leads, but they sure leave a lasting impression. Here’s to the best supporting actors who’ve stolen the show.
What Makes An Actor A Supporting Role
An actor in a supporting role enhances the main storyline by playing secondary characters that provide depth, context, and interaction for the lead actors. Their performances add layers to the plot and help develop the main characters. Think of a supporting role as the neck. It holds up the head, which thinks and executes.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD - Brad Pitt Vignette by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Viola Davis
Three words describe Viola Davis’s role as Rose Maxson: mother, wife, partner, the kind who literally puts her life on hold for her family. In Fences, she portrays the reality of most women—a loving wife facing tough times, showing deep loyalty even though her husband’s choices make her life difficult.
Fences Trailer 2 (2016) - Paramount Pictures by Paramount Pictures
Viola Davis (Cont.)
Fences is a 2016 film about a Black father in the 1950s who works too much as a garbage collector. He was once a very skilled baseball player, but unfortunately, he never made it to the major league because of the color of his skin. Now, he’s just a bitter man.
Fences Trailer 2 (2016) - Paramount Pictures by Paramount Pictures
Viola Davis (Cont.)
Viola Davis’s performance in Fences was so good that The New York Times commended its depth and authenticity. The star rating is not just from The New York Times, but Rotten Tomatoes also called her performance “emotionally honest,” which left the audience deeply moved, plus a 92% rating.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Viola Davis (Cont.)
Most people called it an overdue award. In 2017, she finally won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. This was a big win for her as it was her first Oscar after many times being nominated but not winning. Davis is also celebrated because of other awards she has won.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman’s great career as a supporting actor shows how talented and dedicated he is. With that famous voice and strong presence, he doesn’t just act; he shines! Each role he takes on is like a mini-class in feelings, which makes him one of the best supporting actors ever.
Morgan Freeman (Cont.)
Now, let’s talk about Million Dollar Baby. This movie made an impact. In it, Morgan plays a kind, strong, and wise mentor called Eddie, a former boxer. He’s like a bright star that helps Maggie (underdog boxer) find her way and reach her true potential. What a great role.
MILLION DOLLAR BABY Trailer (2005) by KinoCheck Archive
Morgan Freeman (Cont.)
Freeman’s acting in this film really touched many viewers. Eddie’s portrayal of the struggle with lost dreams reminds us that being open and vulnerable is not a weakness but a special strength. His ability to go deep makes the story connect with the audience and helps them feel what the characters are going through.
MILLION DOLLAR BABY Trailer (2005) by KinoCheck Archive
Morgan Freeman (Cont.)
Oh, and guess what? He took home an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby. That’s not just a trophy; he’s also won Golden Globes and many other awards throughout his career. It’s clear that his talent and hard work have been recognized.
Joe Pesci
Joe Pesci was intense in Goodfellas as the wild and dangerous Tommy DeVito. Based on real hoodlum Thomas DeSimone, Tommy was both charming and scary. Who knew that criminals could be funny, too? In one scene, Tommy jokes around with Henry, suddenly switching from playful to scary, surprising everyone.
yausser, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Joe Pesci (Cont.)
Tommy’s quick temper made even small moments feel tense. For example, in the clash with Spider. He told Spider to dance, then shot him in the foot. This, no one expected. Later, Spider spoke up, pushing Tommy over the edge. The rage in Tommy was almost deadly.
Casino - Joe Pesci Angry Moments by Degirmentas
Joe Pesci (Cont.)
Throughout the series, viewers often see Tommy’s cruel side, but glimpses of his softer side appear as well. One of those scenes was with his mom when he came home to borrow a knife. What was supposed to be an intense night turned into a warm family visit.
Casino - Joe Pesci Angry Moments by Degirmentas
Joe Pesci (Cont.)
His amazing acting paid off when he got the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. We saw him juggle between being a funny, warm, and also cruel character, which is no small task, but Joe made it seamless. Goodfellas also got six Oscar nominations, which earned it one of the best crime movies.
Joe Pesci winning an Oscar® for
Christoph Waltz
Waltz received a lot of praise for his roles in Inglourious Basterds as Colonel Hans Landa and Django Unchained (2012) as Dr. King Schultz. In Basterds, he grabs people’s attention with his scary charm. In Django, we see more of the hero side, leaning toward humor and kindness, which makes the story better.
Universal, Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Christoph Waltz (Cont.)
The performances in both films made a lasting impact. As Landa plays a true villain, tension and interest are built. In Django, his role as Schultz gives a new view on morality and friendship. The way he switches between being a villain and a friend personifies his amazing acting skills.
Columbia, Django Unchained (2012)
Christoph Waltz (Cont.)
Waltz’s magical performances got not one but two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for the roles he played in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. Imagine the joy. But that wasn’t all as his special talent also helped him win a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
George Sanders
George Sanders had a big effect in All About Eve as Addison DeWitt, a smart theater critic with a great voice. He uncovered the dreams of actors trying to make it big and pointed out their hidden flaws. He looks past Eve’s act of being sweet and driven to succeed.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
George Sanders (Cont.)
The motion picture All About Eve became a classic and got a big gross of $8 million in return at the box office. Critics liked its funny lines and interesting characters. Sanders’ acting made the story deeper, exposing people to the tough world of theater.
George Sanders (Cont.)
Sanders got the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in All About Eve. This made him a force to be reckoned with in movie history. It made it clear that he could act well and that the film was lucrative, too, since it got six Oscars.
George Sanders (Cont.)
George Sanders made a big impact even after he won his Oscar. He had a special style in movies and often played clever bad guys. His strongest suit is his voice. For instance, his role as Shere Khan in Disney’s The Jungle Book (1967) influenced future portrayals of animated villains.
Robert De Niro
This great piece by Francis Ford Coppola was built on the original story of Godfather, but this has a twist to it. It was told in two very interesting stories. One part: Michael Corleone faces a lot of troubles as head of the family business. The other is how his father built his illicit business.
Paramount, The Godfather Part II
Robert De Niro (Cont.)
De Niro’s portrayal of young Vito Corleone really impresses the viewers. He grew from a boy into a very powerful figure. His calm yet intense scenes brought a new layer to Vito’s personality. De Niro did an amazing job in this role to the extent that it won him an Oscar.
Italian scene from The Godfather 2 by Robert de Niro by Arman Hovakimyan
Robert De Niro (Cont.)
When faced with a threat from Fanucci, Vitro settled for saving his family and business. Fanucci asked for a lot of money to protect his business, but Vitro offered a reduced payment. Fanucci refused, forcing Vitro, and in a tense moment, Vitro killed Fanucci.
GODFATHER LANDLORD 'DOG STAYS ' SCENE EPIC ROBERT DE NIRO- HD by How To
Robert De Niro (Cont.)
De Niro is applauded for his very good performance as the young Corleone. His portrayal of Vito is a journey from a Sicilian immigrant to a feared and respected leader. One thing that is commended a lot is how De Niro approached a seemingly complex character and nailed it.
GODFATHER LANDLORD 'DOG STAYS ' SCENE EPIC ROBERT DE NIRO- HD by How To
Lupita Nyong
A young slave woman, Patsey, went through one of the worst treatments at the hands of her captive on a Louisiana plantation. Patsey, a character brought to life by Lupita Nyong in the movie 12 Years a Slave, was a very resilient character; she endured not only physical hardship but also mistreatment from her master.
12 YEARS A SLAVE: "Soap" by SearchlightPictures
Lupita Nyong (Cont.)
She became her master’s obsession, which led to a lot of beating, mistreatment, and immeasurable torment. Despite her suffering, she shows strength and keeps her spirit alive; with the bond with her friend Solomon, who is also enslaved, she is able to pull through.
Slave gets punished| master Epps whipping Patsey emotional scene| 12 years a slave by amazingscenes
Lupita Nyong (Cont.)
One of the most memorable scenes was when Patsey was punished by her cruel master, Epps, for not picking enough cotton; she was thoroughly beaten, and Epps really came all out on her as he hit her with a whip. She screamed in so much pain, but she refused to be defeated.
12 YEARS A SLAVE - Official Trailer (HD) by SearchlightPictures
Lupita Nyong (Cont.)
It’s not every time we get actors going home with an Oscar in their first film, but there was Lupita Nyong’o, bagging an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It was a very surprising and emotional moment for her as she walked up to get the award, still in disbelief.
Amy Adams
This plot is different from all we have covered so far, it is about warmth, love, and family. Ashley Johnsten, taken on by Amy Adams in Junebug is a sweetly naive young woman that is living in a small town in North Carolina. Her character represents warmth and optimism amid family complexities.
Junebug Trailer Starring Amy Adams by Majid Andary
Amy Adams (Cont.)
During a family gathering, she wanted to connect with Madeleine; at a dinner table, Ashley couldn’t keep her excitement to herself as she went on about her family life and becoming a mother, her simple country life. Well, Madeleine, as if disappointed, discusses her successful art career.
Video clip from the movie Junebug by Alina Parker
Amy Adams (Cont.)
In a hospital scene, Ashley held her newborn with pure love and joy. Amy’s true feelings are clear; she lays them all for all to see. She was surrounded by her in-laws’ emotionless gazes, a bunch that couldn’t put their personal problems aside and celebrate this moment.
Video clip from the movie Junebug by Alina Parker
Amy Adams (Cont.)
Winning the Oscar and the Independent Spirit Award is not up for debate. She doesn’t just play Ashley; she really is Ashley. As a side character, her kindness and depth make the story nicer, and it leaves a bigger effect than the main character.
Jack Nicholson
McMurphy’s wild energy is famous in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a film about a man who fakes madness to get out of prison and ends up in a mental hospital. When he was taken to the mental hospital, he disobeyed the strong routine of the head nurse, Nurse Ratchet.
United Artists, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Jack Nicholson (Cont.)
Throughout the film, McMurphy shows a mix of humor, charm, and a strong sense of individuality. He urges the patients to go against the strict control put in place in the hospital and be their own person. McMurphy also encourages them to stand up for themselves and challenge whatever rule is given to them.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Clip -
Jack Nicholson (Cont.)
As McMurphy fights against Nurse Ratched’s control, the patients have the freedom to do whatever they want. His actions lead to big changes in the hospital, but they also put him in danger. He’s taken away for a lobotomy, a procedure that leaves him empty and changed forever.
Jack Nicholson (Cont.)
The film was a big hit with critics and got five major Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Nicholson. It also made over $163 million at the box office and was added to the National Film Registry because it’s important to culture.
J.K. Simmons
In Whiplash, Simmons plays Fletcher, a very strict music teacher who is always hard. “Are you rushing or dragging?” is a phrase that will always live with the viewers. In that intense scene, Simmons wants to know if the student is playing the music too fast or too slow.
Whiplash TRAILER 1 (2014) - J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Coming Soon
J.K. Simmons
Simmons wasn’t just a teacher; he was a coach as well. Every little move shows Fletcher’s power, making every scene with him feel like a test. The scene where he slaps Andrew repeatedly for every mistake he made, reveals how difficult it can be working with him.
Whiplash TRAILER 1 (2014) - J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Coming Soon
J.K. Simmons (Cont.)
There was also another tense scene where Fletcher threw stuff at Andrew during practice and even mocked him for crying. This happens after Andrew has a hard time meeting Fletcher’s high standards. Fletcher is very tough and always wants his students to be perfect.
Whiplash TRAILER 1 (2014) - J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Coming Soon
J.K. Simmons (Cont.)
As a supporting actor, Simmons gives a strong performance as Fletcher, showing many sides to his character. He goes from being very tough to showing feelings, especially in the emotional “jazz musician” speech. This mix shows how he helps shape the story and makes the film better.
Redxonard, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brad Pitt
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is focused on the rough side of Los Angeles in 1969. The movie talks about the hard times of actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio). As he struggles with his career that is almost gone, we see the strong friendship between him and his stunt double—Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt).
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD - Brad Pitt Vignette by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Brad Pitt (Cont.)
Cliff Booth becomes the heart of the film. Pitt brings charm and depth to his character, making us laugh and think. His easy-going nature balances Dalton’s struggles. Their friendship reminds us that behind every star, there’s someone holding them up, often unnoticed but deeply impactful.
https://youtu.be/CYEnQ9fwbpM?si=5H1HIlLd_eZ-aYkp
Brad Pitt (Cont.)
When he is with his dog, Cliff shows his gentle side and this bond shows he is loyal and it also softens his tough look. Brad Pitt plays this role really well, and this portrayed a softer side to his strong character. His warmth in simple scenes leaves a lasting impression.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD - Brad Pitt Vignette by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Brad Pitt (Cont.)
Brad was the scene stealer in the movie, and as a supporting actor, he is so good that he makes every scene memorable. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood entertains and has won big awards. Brad Pitt bagged Best Supporting Actor, and the movie also won Best Production Design, with ten other nominations as well.
