Actors who are guaranteed to add class to a film

[Anniegetyourgun]

I was just posting in the Avengers thread and a thought occurred which I decided might make a good topic on its own.

I had been going to say that the presence of Samuel L Jackson always adds class to a movie, sometimes sorely needed Star Wars . Some film critic or other made this comment years ago about Sam Neill, which I agree with. Others that spring to mind are Judi Dench, Morgan Freeman and the much lamented Pete Postlethwaite. If they're in it there will be at least one little area of, shall we say, gravitas; some credibility; some dignity.

I'm not sure it's even about star quality. Possibly not. They don't have to carry a movie; in a minor supporting role they still manage to add a little stamp of authenticity to even the biggest steaming pile of shite.

This is not a crumpet thread. Attractiveness or lack thereof is irrelevant (no objections to it being mentioned in passing though). "I always watch so-and-so because he's so dreeeeamy" is far too well catered for elsewhere. We are talking about Class with a capital C.

Anyone want to play?

As this is not a crumpet thread I can't join in.

if it turns into one later on-

Rob Lowe.

Robert Duvall.

Brilliant as always recently in The Judge.

Also I think Tom Hardy.

Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville

Judi dench
Al Pacino
Cary grant...if still alive!

For me- its Imelda Staunton. There is something about her that makes me want to watch whatever it is she is starring in.

I was coming on to say Judi and Morgan but you beat me to it.

Stanley Tucci makes anything watchable

Tom hanks

Bob Hoskins, He's saved some of the stuff he's been in from being unwatchable.

Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine - Enough said

Cary Grant has been deceased for decades. But yeah - class.

Al Pacino.
Cate Blanchett.

James Cromwell

David Strathairn.

Both in the utterly brilliant LA Confidential.

Denzel Washington. I love the bone collector because of him.

If we are doing late lamented - Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Astonishing actor.

Some great suggestions :) I wouldn't even have thought of Imelda Staunton, but you know what - you're right. Sadly underused for the most part.

I think recent late lamented is ok.

Julianne Moore
Sam Shepherd
Javier Bardem
Jim Broadbent

Alan Rickman

Brenda Blethyn (sp?)

Liam Neeson

I was going to say Alan Rickman fudge but I was worried people might think I'm biased.

Sean connery

Ed Harris

IMelda Staunton and Stankey Tucci, definitely. Timothy Spall, Brendan Gleeson (who is quietly excellent in total crap like whichever Mission Impossible Film it was), Jim Carter (husband of the divine Imelda, currently Carson in the increasingly awful Downton Abbey, and managing to infuse a cardboard cutout role with warmth and humanity). Judy Davis. Roger Allam.

Op, as soon as I saw the thread, my first thought was Samuel L Jackson

Kevin Spacey is another. And Harrison Ford.

Agree with PP's as to Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Judi Dench.

And I love Tom Hanks but I really wish he'd start doing comedies again. He's such a great comedic actor.