It’s clear that we currently live in a golden age of television. For the last few decades, we’ve been attracted by countless binge-worthy television shows on our small screens. Television has maintained a high level of quality for some time, and audiences have had loads of great shows in various genres such as comedy, drama, sci-fi, fantasy, and crime...
Every film has not only a great main cast but also a lot of incredible supporting characters. They are known as
funny and fascinating factors that made the film more interesting to viewers. They are regarded as funny and engaging elements that make the movie more interesting to viewers. Sometimes, their screen time might be limited, but they somehow manage to make them more dominant than their leading counterparts. That's not to say every protagonist is a complete drag, but in some shows, they just can't measure up to someone in the background.
So, we've rounded up a list of 17 amazing
characters who show up for a few minutes and steal the whole movie. Scroll down to find out who they are and if any of your favorite characters are included!
#1 Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall) from "Apocalypse Now"
Source: Apocalypse Now
"Apocalypse Now," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is regarded as one of the greatest war films. Part of the reason for that is the appearance of Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, the commander of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. Kilgore is a colorful guy that enjoys both surfing and fighting. It's probably no coincidence that the words “kill” and “gore” comprise the warmonger's name. He has the most memorable line from the film, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning!” Kilgore adds a tremendous amount of energy while also contributing to the movie's topic of how war can make people crazy.
#2 Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) from "Pulp Fiction"
Source: Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" is full of unforgettable scenes. One of them is the scene Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) unexpectedly turns up dressed in a tuxedo because it's a lovely touch considering how gory a job cleaning can be. It's funny that this man with a questionable career may also have a refined side that calls for the wearing of a tux. Adding to the effect is the character's no-nonsense attitude. In a chaotic setting, he acts as the occasionally sardonic voice of reason. Once the mess has been cleaned, he returns to wherever it was that necessitated him being in a tuxedo in the middle of the day.
#3 Tanner Bolt (Tyler Perry) from "Gone Girl"
Source: Gone Girl
One of the biggest delights is watching
Tyler Perry in a more serious role as attorney Tanner Bolt in "Gone Girl." With a quick and humorous shift, he utterly attracts the audience. He's playing three-dimensional chess, perpetually working several moves ahead of everyone else. The majority of Gone Girl is about people who are in disarray, so once he appears on screen to assist Nick (Ben Affleck), it's invigorating.
#4 Subway Ghost (Vincent Schiavelli) from "Ghost"
Source: Ghost
“Subway Ghost” (Vincent Schiavelli) is one of the most famous characters in the 1990 movie "Ghost”. Schiavelli's physical attributes contribute to some of the character's appeal. The late actor was well recognized for his distinctive eyes, which usually seemed to be either sad or furious. That quality is put to good effect. Subway Ghost has a mystery that heightens the tension. The audience is first wary of him, but as his gentler side emerges, they are won over. Because we know he's truly a good guy, it seems heartbreaking when he reverts to aggression. The character goes a long way toward establishing how difficult the afterlife can be.
#5 Mariette (Mackenzie Davis) from "Blade Runner 2049"
Source: Blade Runner 2049
When watching a movie, there are times when you wish a small character would have their own spinoff. In "Blade Runner 2049," Mariette (Mackenzie Davis) demonstrates this. She's got some intriguing things going on that may provide the plot for an entire new Blade Runner film. Mariette is a replicant who is simultaneously a prostitute and a member of the replicant freedom movement. She might be audacious or cunning, seductive or delicate. Davis gives her a lot of shades that suggest a whole world for her beyond what happens in this particular film. She stands out in the world of the novel in addition because of her distinctive sense of style. She is one of those personalities that just exudes coolness. Mariette's willingness to assist in replicant emancipation suggests a seriousness of intent that makes us eager to see more of her. She leaves when her interaction with K is through, but she leaves a lasting effect.
#6 Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) from "Arachnophobia"
Source: Arachnophobia
In "Arachnophobia", Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) steals scenes for two reasons. First, it defies our expectations to see an exterminator depicted as a hero. In addition, Goodman portrays him as a macho action hero. Delbert has made it his life's work to eradicate bugs because he takes the issues they create seriously. He brings a bit of comedy to the squirm-inducing creepy-crawlies scenes. And the spiders are in big trouble when he puts away his usual chemicals to bring out the most fatal stuff. Delbert's appearance in the third act turns "Arachnophobia" into a frenzy and ensures a thrilling ending in which the terminator doesn't just live up to his name.
#7 Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey) from "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Source: The Wolf of Wall Street
Matthew McConaughey is known for improvising during the scene, in "The Wolf of Wall Street," he had Mark Hanna start a strange chant while hammering his chest to create a beat. The scene is weird in the best possible way. It enlivens a character that might otherwise be considered dull, giving him a quirky personality that illustrates how significant riches cause people to lose their sense of self while at the same time ironically turning them off. However, it's also hilariously amusing because McConaughey gives Mark his peculiar rhythm. Soon, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) won't need Mark anymore. But his lesson reverberates throughout the remainder of the film.
#8 Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) from "Midnight in Paris"
Source: Midnight in Paris
In "Midnight in Paris" Corey Stoll played one of the biggest literary giants, Ernest Hemingway. Aside from the joy of seeing someone of Hemingway's stature appear in the story, the character is interesting because he's a direct stakeholder. In the course of a roughly four-minute scene, he portrays himself as boozy, depressed, wise, egotistical, and generous. In other words, a multifaceted individual, like the genuine Hemingway. His function is to put Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) on the next phase of his journey, and how he casts such a large presence in a short time serves as a reminder of the kind of writer Gil would like to be someday.
#9 Nikola Tesla (David Bowie) from "The Prestige"
Source: The Prestige
In The Prestige, the famous inventor Nikola Tesla is played by rock star David Bowie. It's a brilliant move by casting a larger-than-life star as Tesla. He makes the inventor an intelligent, hypnotic person. That adds to the overall vibe of the movie. For Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), Tesla creates a device that can copy anything placed inside it, with the caveat that using this device will make him very unhappy. He helps create the scene for the crazy turns and turns that will follow by arriving at a crucial time in the narrative. What about Bowie as Tesla? What may be cooler?
#10 Robert McKee (Brian Cox) from "Adaptation"
Source: Adaptation
Robert McKee is a real guy, known for his “story seminars.” He essentially teaches budding authors how to write scripts. His on-screen characterization in "Adaptation" is exaggerated. He barks forth counsel as though he were giving the Sermon on the Mount and is simultaneously funny and demanding. He interrupts Charlie's voice acting to order his audience to never use voiceovers in their scripts. Then, he went on to thoroughly knock Charlie down by asking a simple question and using vulgar language throughout his diatribe. The character's purpose is to help Charlie take the first step toward understanding how to make his tale work. Brian Cox portrayed McKee wonderfully with his brief appearance to deconstruct all the screenwriting clichés "Adaptation" has intentionally used to this point and will proceed to blow up afterward.
#11 George Hanson (Jack Nicholson) from "Easy Rider"
Source: Easy Rider
In "Easy Rider", Jack Nicholson plays George Hanson, a drunk lawyer Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) meet along the road. He lives a traditional lifestyle that requires wearing a vest to work, so of course they take him with them on the trip and stone him. George is the embodiment of everything Wyatt and Billy don't want to be. Watching them loosen up he gave the picture a bit of humor to match its anarchist spirit, especially when George was a little panicked, thinking that smoking a little marijuana would turn him into an official addict. He inspires viewers to consider what they would want to accomplish in the absence of daily obligations. Unfortunately, a group of residents who are against these hippy bikers visiting their town beat him to death.
#12 Freddie Miles (Philip Seymour Hoffman) from "The Talented Mr. Ripley"
Source: The Talented Mr. Ripley
In "The Talented Mr. Ripley", Philip Seymour Hoffman makes Freddie Miles' portrayal of the high life pretty amusing. He's extremely cultured, yet also more than a little snooty. Interestingly, his snobby behavior is vindicated when he later discovers Tom's entire identity-stealing operation. Since of his "rich kid" attitude, we are urged to despise the character a little bit, but we are also pushed to empathize with him because we know he is intelligent enough to put everything together. His contract makes him intriguing. Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) executes him for spotting the fraud, implying that Freddie may have eventually been a bit too intelligent for his own benefit.
#13 Paloma (Ana de Armas) from "No Time to Die"
Source: No Time to Die
In "No Time to Die", Paloma (played by Ana de Armas) is an impossible-to-pass-up attractive woman in a sensual black dress. But she's more than just eye candy. She kicks bad-guy butt every bit as well as 007 himself, proving to be a more than worthy partner. The fun of this character comes in how the movie subverts our expectations. We're accustomed to seeing "Bond girls," attractive ladies that 007 seduces before taking to bed. Paloma is first thought to be filling that long-standing position. Then comes the flip-flop, showing that she is actually there to assist Bond and that she is more than capable of doing so. Ana de Armas meets the required beauty quotient, but she's completely believable in her big action scenes, performing combat moves on par with anything ever shown in any series. any James Bond movie. When Paloma's portion of the tale is complete and we learn she won't be returning, it's a genuine letdown since she is so amazing.
#14 Sara (Natalie Portman) from "Cold Mountain"
Source: Cold Mountain
There are a lot of surprising things in "Cold Mountain," but the most dramatic part is the scene with Sara (Natalie Portman). Despite being petite, the character can become a real momma bear when threatened. She first panics when the men remove her baby. Inman (Jude Law) solves the problem by killing two of them, but he lets the third go free. Intolerant and angry, Sara took her shotgun and killed the man as he fled. It's a powerful end to the sequence, one that makes you want to stand up and applaud. Sara won't be anyone's victim, ever. Soon later, Inman begins his journey. However, Sara will be fine, we're sure of that.
#15 Blake (Alec Baldwin) from "Glengarry Glen Ross"
Source: Glengarry Glen Ross
One of the most famous scenes from "Glengarry Glen Ross" is where a guy named Blake (Alec Baldwin) sets the rules. In a lengthy monologue, he bets the men, telling them with certainty that they will be fired if they don't sell enough. Through David Mamet's signature powerful lines, he delivers all of the film's best catchphrases, such as "Coffee for the close!", “A.B.C. - Always. Be. Closing,” “As you all know, the first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Anyone wanna see the second prize? The second prize is a set of steak knives. The third prize is - you're fired!” Although he made all the men in the room tremble, Blake's alpha male energy made the audience laugh. He's a slick, successful guy that has sent his ego skyrocketing, and now he's ruling over these poor guys. Without this scene, the central drama of the story would fail.
#16 Juan (Mahershala Ali) from "Moonlight"
Source: Moonlight
Juan in "Moonlight" played by Mahershala Ali is such a great stereotype that you can't take your eyes off him. Because he's a dealer, we initially assumed he would be cold and angry, because that's how such characters are often portrayed. Instead, he shows a sensitive side, proving himself to be a much better role model for Chiron than his mother. Thanks to Ali's beautiful performance, Juan also radiates intelligence. This guy can see things clearly and give the right advice. Juan left "Moonlight" after the first season, but his influence on Chiron is still felt throughout the rest of the film.
#17 Anton (Rhys Darby) And The Werewolves from "What We Do in the Shadows"
Source: What We Do in the Shadows
"What We Do in the Shadows" is primarily about vampires, but it's the werewolves who steal the show. Rhys Darby plays Anton, the leader of a werewolf pack. Anton's combination of seriousness and frustration makes him a hilarious presence in the film. When his charges began to morph one night, he issued riot instructions, such as recommending they take off any clothing they didn't want to be torn to shreds in the process. You can tell that he takes his job seriously and cares about what he does, even when he's given an extremely difficult task. Anton gave us the best laughs in a movie that's already wall-to-wall funny.