Stephen Root Is Usually The Best Part Of Everything He's In

Milton Waddams, the office drone with glasses stuck at a desk, who loved his red stapler, makes cinematic gold. Stephen Root plays him perfectly. Fans call themselves "Milton people" still wait for Root outside of theaters, and the actor always gets staplers.

Milton seems strange, but Root found a real truth. "A friend emailed me, he works with some corporate jerks, and said one of his bosses moved another guy into a storage room," Root explainedHe asked, "Please, would you mind sending him a stapler?"

Milton lacks appeal; he has Coke bottle glasses, greasy hair, and a big belly. Root turns Milton into this unappealing yet lovable character. This shows his range; he plays the weird or the ordinary.

Bill Dauterive onKing of the Hillis another memorable character Root brings to life with his unique skills. Making a distinct animated character is harder than live action; an actor must use only their voice to make an impact. Root does this well, making Bill one of the most memorable TV charactersof the era.

Bill is a lovable loser and sad sack. Bill lets viewers laugh without guilt. Root gave Bill an elaborate, slightly morbid story, including how the character would die:

Bill dies in a tiny bathroom, behind a door you cannot open to reach him. He dies there. You just cannot get to him.

Root also voiced Buck Strickland onKing of the Hillas well as many other characters in animated TV and film (including Bubbles in Finding Nemo).

Root is a top-tier character actor—a true artist who plays many different roles. One entertaining character is Gordon Pibb from DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.Root shows up in a way that copies his work in Office Space, adding a physicality only reptiles had.

Root plays confident and corny well, so we root for and dislike many of his characters. Gordon Pibb plays the former, especially when he wins the film's final tournament.

One of his first big TV roles was Jimmy James from NewsRadiois a great Stephen Root character. James shows off Root's humor, quirks, and authority. James is the bossy oddball station owner on the show; Root still values this character.

The actor saw how special NewsRadiowas. "I think it'sstillunderrated," he toldTV GuideYears later, "I think it was one of the best shows on TV for its cast and writing. We stayed under the radar... but we knew it was special."

Root appeared in several Coen Brothers films:The LadykillersNo Country for Old MenandThe Ballad of Buster ScruggsThey clearly value his flexibility.

However, many people remember him best fromO Brother, Where Art Thou? Stephen Root is recognized as the main guy fromOffice Space, he is also the blind guy fromO Brother, Where Art Thou?Root appeared for mere minutes, but those minutes were hilarious. With his odd Southern accent and stiff movements, Root's character made the recording studio visit memorable for the three chained leads.

His career includes alotRoot's performance as gay vampireEddie FournieronTrue Bloodis a standout. What looked like an over-the-top caricature became a thoughtful, nuanced look at a lonely but sweet middle-aged man.

Eddie is a vampire, but he is sweet and gentle. Root admitted the role was "a leap into the unknown," but the leap paid off.

Of all the terrible people in Jordan Peele'sGet Out, Stephen Root plays one of the most despicable. James Hudson is a blind art gallery owner and Order of the Coagula member who teams up with the Armitage family who snatch bodies. As a viewer concerned about the main character, you like Hudson. Hudson first compliments Chris on his photography and seems normal. His character shows disgust for the rich jerks surrounding him. Despite his disapproval of this secret society capturing Black people to be "hip" and achieve immortality, Hudson is just as insane:

Do not group me with that; I can give a sh*t what color you are. No, I want deeper. I want your eye, man. I want what you see through.

Root plays Hudson with a sensibility only he can pull off—the type that makes him likable even when he is not.

"I'm a big sci-fi guy from way back," Stephen Root toldEW. He loves the work of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein, among others. The actor also took parts in many sci-fi movies and shows. His credits include roles inBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Quantum Leap, and an early video game version ofBlade Runner.

Root regrets not appearing inBattlestar Galactica, buthe appeared unrecognizablyin an episode ofStar Trek.

HBO’sBarryThe show follows a hitman who starts acting while chasing another target. In his main role sinceNewsRadioRoot plays Monroe Fuches, Barry's friend and handler. Even with Bill Hader and Henry Winkler's great work, Root shines as the smooth, fast-talking, affectionate, yet morally gray Fuches. Root embodies everything he excels at.

Root earned his first Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series with his work in Season 2.Barry: Monroe Fuches, a hitman's sleazy handler.This prolific character actor shows no sign of slowing down in Barry.

What better role for an actor appearing everywhere anonymously than the mysterious "Man in the High Castle"?

The Man in the High Castle is based on Philip K. Dick's novel.The Man in the High Castle.This show presents a world where the Allies never won WWII. Historical films appear showing events that did not happen—some similar to our world, others not. Root's character collects these films; the Greater Nazi Reich and the American Resistance seek them out.

When discussing the often ignored and sensational seriesJustified.For Justified, credit usually goes to the stellar work of Elmore Leonard.Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins.The main character's interactions with odd, unpredictable minor characters drive the show's unique dialogue. Root plays Judge Reardon (Root has played five judges, including Idiocracy), which proves this point.IdiocracyHector "The Hangman" BMW

Reardon, nicknamed "The Hammer," is a tough magistrate. He often wears no pants under his robes and uses slang from sailors or truck drivers.

Root gets cast as authoritative figures in a lot of roles.a lotBut Root plays the opposite just as often. He simply plays many things.Boardwalk Empire.Root plays a wacky, non-threatening character one minute and an imposing, scary one the next. This shows his versatility.

InBoardwalk EmpireIn Boardwalk Empire's third and fourth seasons, Root plays Gaston Means, a special investigator for the Department of Justice. This character, based on the real-life Means, acts as the middleman in a protection racket for organized crime.