Remember that Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he points at the TV screen? That's what it's like watching 1990s shows and movies - familiar faces everywhere. Many character actors dominated comedy and horror, while others spanned multiple genres. They became known as 'that guy' because, although their names might not have been known, their faces were recognizable from countless appearances. Today, many are household names, but it's fun to look back at how certain performers defined the '90s era. Vote up your favorites! Note: box office numbers are rough estimates, as reporting was less uniform before the internet.
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About this list
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Projects Count: 49
Total Box Office: $1.5 billion
Steve Buscemi owned the '90s by starring in blockbusters like People might not have known Steve Buscemi's name in the '90s, but they saw his face. His look made him play many quirky, wacky roles in blockbusters like Con Air, Armageddon, and Pulp Fiction. Buscemi has one of the most impressive filmographies. Few actors are staples for Quentin Tarantino or the Coen Brothers.and Adam Sandler.
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Projects Count: 32
Total Box Office: $3.2 billion
Wayne Knight dominated the '90s. Whenever a '90s film needed a quick-witted funny guy or character voice, Wayne Knight was the go-to performer for live-action and animated projects.For '90s films needing a quick, funny guy or character voice, Wayne Knight was the performer for live-action and animated projects.SeinfeldAcolytes know Wayne Knight as Jerry’s arch-nemesis Newman. He is also best known as Dennis Nedry, the man who kicked off the dinosaur trouble in Jurassic Park because of his greed and failure to keep gates shut.
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Projects Count: 32
Total Box Office: $2.9 billion
Kathy Bates owned the '90s. From drama to comedy, Kathy Bates plays any role well. Her most notable '90s part is Annie Wilkes, the torture master in the big-screen version of Stephen King's Kathy Bates plays every role well, from drama to comedy. Her most notable '90s part is Annie Wilkes, the torture master in the big-screen version of Stephen King's Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Green Tomatoes. Many actors get nominated for an Academy Award for Primary Colors the same year they starred in The Waterboy?James Cromwell owned the '90s. James Cromwell plays imposing, stern characters just as well as warm, grandfatherly ones. The character actor charmed audiences with memorable performances in films like BabeThe WaterboyThe Green Mile
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, and 39
Total Box Office: Projects Count: 1.5 billion
Total Box Office: James Cromwell acts imposing, stern characters just as well as warm, grandfatherly people. In the '90s, this character actor impressed audiences with memorable performances in films like 1.5 billionJames Cromwell owned the '90s by playing imposing, stern characters and warm, grandfatherly individuals. The character actor enchanted audiences with memorable performances in films such as Babe, L.A. ConfidentialEveryone likely saw a '90s Cromwell movie at least once.
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L.A. Confidential40
Total Box Office: 401.2 billion
$Larry Miller gets ignored but elevates everything he appears in. Miller became one of the best character actors in the '90s, appearing in everything from Larry Miller owned the '90s. Many actors elevate everything they appear in, but Larry Miller is one of the best character actors of the '90s. He appeared in everything from Pretty Woman and Mad About You to The Nutty Professor10 Things I Hate About You. His performance in the 1998 remake of the horror Carnival of Souls is sinister and underrated.
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Projects Count: 57
Total Box Office: $1.5 billion
Larry Miller owned the '90s. Larry Miller became one of the best character actors in the '90s, appearing in everything from Keith David played strong characters in '90s live-action films. He also earned fame for his voice work in Todd McFarlane's SpawnMad About You to The Nutty Professor
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and 54
Total Box Office: Carnival of Souls 1.8 billion
as the main heroes. Keith David has many credits across film, television, video games, and animation, making him a known figure in many fandoms.Casting directors saw Dan Hedaya as the shady character in the '90s because of his specific look. This worked for him; he got roles in many big films like.The Addams Family, Maverick, Ransom, and The Usual Suspects—and as Cher’s tough lawyer father in Clueless.
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Number Of Projects: 54
Total Box Office: $552 million
How He Owned The '90s: Think of any mainstream comedy from the '90s. Christopher McDonald likely starred in one. He played the antagonist Shooter McGavin inHappy Gilmore or in supporting roles in Grumpy Old Men and Flubber, McDonald was active throughout the '90s.
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Number Of Projects: 24
Total Box Office: $437 million
How He Owned The '90s: After announcing his arrival in Hollywood in 1989's Ghostbusters II, Peter MacNicol carried the momentum into the 1990s, appearing inAddams Family Values, Bean, Chicago Hope, and Ally McBeal. His award-winning role as John Cage in the latter is arguably his most famous performance.
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Number Of Projects: 58
Total Box Office: $2.5 billion
How She Owned The ‘90s: Whoopi Goldberg is too famous to be just a character actor, but her supporting work during the decade shows she cannot be ignored. Goldberg gained recognition for her charismatic performances in comedies likeSister Act and Made in America, but the '90s let her show off her acting range inSarafina!, Ghost, and Girl, Interrupted.
Like Robin Williams, Goldberg earned recognition for her comedy, but she used the decade to show she could shine in any genre. '90s audiences remember her voice as one of the villainous hyenas fromThe Lion King as well.
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Number Of Projects: 20
Total Box Office: $174 million
How He Owned The ‘90s: Pauly Shore played the typical best friend stoner in every comedy. He energized films and shows with a relaxed attitude. Shore got his start as an MTV VJ, launching his seriesTotally Pauly. Then, he took many film jobs across the decade. For example, remember his role as the funny Crawl in 1993'sSon in Law, where he is the disaster. (AlsoJury Duty, In the Army Now, and, of course, Encino Man.)
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Number Of Projects: 66
Total Box Office: $750 million
How He Owned The '90s: Stephen Root receives much praise for recent work onBarry and Succession, but the character actor became a major scene-stealer in the '90s. Root dominated sitcoms, starring in shows likeMurphy Brown, NewsRadio, and Seinfeld while giving his distinct voice to many animated shows. The man has a wide range. Do not ever take his stapler (Office Space).
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Number Of Projects: 77
Total Box Office: $1.1 billion
How He Owned The '90s: Stephen Tobolowsky is a character actor who appeared in genre films and shows during the 1990s. He plays offbeat or bookish characters.He is the quintessential character actor.The man works constantly. His most famous part is Ned Ryerson, the annoying but brilliant character in the 1993 comedy, Groundhog Day.Groundhog DayTobolowsky also appeared in Seinfeld.SeinfeldHe was in Basic Instinct.Basic InstinctHe also appeared in Thelma & Louise.Thelma & LouiseHe appeared in many other projects.
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Number Of Projects: 2020
Total Box Office: $387 million$387 million387 million
How She Owned The '90s: He showed up in everything from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Boyz n the Hood.Showing up in everything from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Boyz n the Hood.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airto Boyz n the HoodBoyz n the HoodNia Long did not always play a leading lady in the '90s. However, she added something special to every show or film she joined. Comedy, drama, or horror, she fit into any production and improved it. Between Guiding Light and ER, she appeared in Friday, and The Best Man.Guiding LightERERFridayFridayand The Best ManThe Best ManAlone, Nia Long was one of the actors of the decade.the actors of the decade.actors of the decade.
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Number Of Projects: 5050
Total Box Office: $1.3 billion$1.3 billion1.3 billion
How He Owned The '90s: The late J.T. Walsh starred in huge movies and TV series. He often stole the show with unforgettable characters. From his role as Frank Bach in Dark Skies to his performance as John Ehrlichman in Nixon, Walsh dominated the '90s while most people remained unaware.J. T. Walsh starred in huge movies and TV series. He often stole the show as unforgettable characters. He played Frank Bach in Dark Skies and played John Ehrlichman in Nixon Walsh owned the '90s, even if most people did not know it.
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