Kevin Kline
Something about him comes off like a 40’s or 50’s star, in the mold of Cary Grant. He’s very versatile, playing a wide range of character types from dead serious drama to the most cartoonish broad comedy (see, for example, A Fish Called Wanda.) Seems destined for an Academy lifetime achievement award if he can get another great role or two to shine the light his way. Married to Phoebe Cates, the lucky bastard.
Ten best roles
10) De-Lovely 9) A Fish Called Wanda 8) Silverado 7) In and Out 6) Sophie’s Choice 5) The Big Chill 4) Cry Freedom 3) Grand Canyon 2) Dave 1) The Ice Storm
Percentile rating
97.51
Peak Period
1982-1988
Neighborhood
Alan Bates, Emmanuelle Beart, Maggie Cheung, Judy Davis, Dennis Hopper, Tommy Lee Jones
May 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Kline’s one of my favourite actors. In the film version of the 80’s Broadway production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, he’s brilliant as the Pirate King.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Phoebe Cates? That’s lucky?
Kline was great in Soapdish ( which you omitted). See Soapdish if you haven’t seen it, Sally field was great, Elizabeth Shue was great, lots of fun.
A big fat ham in the Phil Hartman mode. Keep him away from the smaltz though. Come to think of it, Cary Grant was like that, great in comedy or caper movies but run away from his dramas. I’ve always thought that George Clooney and Julia Roberts should do the remake of Bringing Up Baby, but you make me realize that Kevin Kline could pull it off.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Jeff Daniels has similar qualities as well.