Ed Harris; that charismatic and ever so versatile character actor who has a knack for popping up in so many movies. I can honestly say I can’t think of a bad performance from him, that’s how reliable he is. I admire the guy a hell of a lot for his talent and ability. So which of his many performances really stands out to you?
vinnieh 
I think a better question would be: which one isn’t lol. He was terrific in the Abyss. It was a powerful role. I also loved his performance as the cold German sniper in Enemy at the Gates. Most recently he was also terrific in Run all night with Liam Neeson. Wonderful roles and a truly one of a kind actor. Seriously one of my all time favorite actors 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a reliable actor of the highest order. Even in bad movies, he has a habit of still being good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, it’s always cool to have an actor be able to lift a movie to a higher standard just by being in it. He is most certainly one of them 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s blessed with that gift.
LikeLike
No doubt about that whatsoever in my mind 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s simply fantastic. Even his supporting appearances have something special in them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is so true. He is one of those really great classic actors that can tackle pretty much any kind of role 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
An all round amazing actor. He’s the man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked his role in Apollo 13 as the mission control commander. He was really good in that. I also liked him in National Treasure as a bad guy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really like his authority in Apollo 13. Plus, in National Treasure as well as other movies, he’s excelled at playing a villain.
LikeLike
Westworld (HBO), definitely.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s on my list to watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant baddie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so tough. He is an awesome actor and always delivers a superb performance. I like him the most in The Abyss, he is very moving in that. He’s also great in Jacknife, Apollo 13, Radio, Pollock, The Rock and Sweet Dreams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Abyss is an epic movie. One role that stays in my head is The Hours. He’s not in the movie for long but he gives it a whole lot of emotional heft.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Westworld man
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep getting recommend that.
LikeLike
Bud in The Abyss. That movie is so awesome and he plays such a great character.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, he’s pretty fantastic in that movie. I must watch it again now.
LikeLike
Apollo 13 was my fave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a feeling it would be a popular answer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great movie. Lots of great performances in that one. 😃👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the whole cast are on top form.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shit, that’s tough. The guy can’t suck in anything. Right now, Westworld.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, it’s impossible for him to be bad. He seems immune to mediocrity.
LikeLike
Even in a bad movie like Radio, he can’t suck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve not seen Radio.
LikeLike
Don’t. Ever wondered where Tropic Thunder got the idea for the term “full-retard”? Watch that film and you’ll see why.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’ll stay away from the movie.
LikeLike
An oldie but goodie, “Places in the Heart.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good movie, I must say.
LikeLike
Pingback: What Is Your Favourite Ed Harris Performance? — vinnieh – Suman Das Freelancer
He’s so naughtily bad in Westworld, can’t fault any role he’s had.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Westworld is becoming a priority for me now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked him in National Treasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s very adept in that and when playing villain roles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I love his villian roles. I love when he played in the Truman show. That’s one of my faves!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been ages since I saw the Truman Show, but I remember it well.
LikeLike
I have seen it several times! I loved it!💖📺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess another watch could be in order in the future then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On another note, I promise to check out your blog more.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Vinnie😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I had to pick one it would be The Abyss… or The Truman Show. I can’t pick!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both are fine choices. It’s impossible to choose just one. The guy is an acting machine.
LikeLike
I I like him in everything. The one that came to mind first for me was The Truman Show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t think of him ever being sub par in anything, he’s too good for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As nobody has mentioned it, I liked him as the villain in Cronenberg’s ‘A History Of Violence’, opposite Viggo Mortensen. The two starred opposite each other again, in the western ‘Appaloosa’, which is an underrated film.
Then there is the Alex Cox film, ‘Walker’ (1987), where he is quite memsmerizing in the title role. Whatever the film, he is always reliable.
Cheers, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A History of Violence and Appaloosa have somehow missed my radar. Thanks for putting them on it, Pete. As well as Walker.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Walker’ is a strange film, based on real events. Alex Cox throws all kinds of weirdness in, including helicopters and automatic weapons. As it is set in 1853 they are of course out of time. Cox was trying to relate it to modern American Imperialism, I believe.
A ‘History of Violence’ is just an amazingly good modern crime thriller, and so well done too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ve really sold Walker to me now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did love in HBO’s Westworld as the “Man in Black”, but perhaps my favorite roles for him was in The Rock as Gen. Francis X. Hummel
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha, he’s great in The Rock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He definitely was. Also, he was good in Apollo 13.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s got such a presence in Apollo.
LikeLike
Enemy at the gates for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He played a fine part in that one.
LikeLike
The quinetessential Ed Harris role is the Mission Control leader in Apollo 13. He shows more variety in other roles perhaps but I love it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s one of my favourites too. He says so much with just a look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, all of them 🙂 But the two at the top are Sweet Dreams and Apollo 13. IMHO he is the best actor working today. He can play it all,. everyone always assumes he plays villains all the time but he plays heroes and comedy roles just as well
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a versatile actor who rises to the occasion every time. I enjoy it when he appears in a movie. He’s just got that something special to him.
LikeLike
Pollock, hands-down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard rave reviews on that one.
LikeLike
I think he nailed it – and I’m not the world’s biggest Pollock fan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m interested in it now.
LikeLike
You should see it. Harris really gets into the character, the pain, the ar, the alcoholism. And Marcia Gay Harden is an excellent Lee (she won an Oscar for best supporting actress for this role – Harris was nominated for his but didn’t win). The whole thing’s based on a Pulitzer-winning biography. Yeah, see it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Man, you’ve really sold it to me now. Another to add to my list.
LikeLike
I think you’ll see why it was my choice! Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks man. I’m getting back into the swing of things and will head by your blog in the next few days.
LikeLike
*art
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Hours, it is so heart-rending….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that’s a phenomenal performance from him.
LikeLike
Either Apollo 13 or The Rock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree on both counts. Totally different characters, but both portrayed so excellent by Harris.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, there are so many. It’s hard to narrow it down. He’s one of those where you know he’s going to be good regardless of the film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, he’s a reliable presence on screen. Can do no wrong in my book.
LikeLike
Yes, like it is already pointed out, Ed Harris is not like Edward Norton whose acting quality depends on how much he likes the project…
I’d like to point out his supporting role in The Truman Show, a brilliant 1998 dystopia with Jim Carrey.
LikeLiked by 2 people
His role in The Truman Show is a fine showcase for his talents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is fantastic in mother!, but when is he not?
Great in Westworld too.
My pick would be The Rock though. He -makes- that movie so much better than it deserves to be
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s so good in The Rock. Not my usual type of movie, but he rocks in it.
LikeLike
My thoughts:
The Right Stuff (1983)
The Abyss (1989)
Apollo 13 (1995)
Stepmom (1998)
Pollock (2000)
Radio (2003)
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s so prolific as an actor, must have a busy schedule.
LikeLike
I’ve always remembered him as John Glenn on The Right Stuff
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been too long since my last viewing of that.
LikeLike
Stepmom. Hands down. Saw him in a movie that i loved where he played a bad guy but for the life of me I can’t remember what.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s played a villain a good many times and always to a high standard.
LikeLike
I’ve loved him,in so many movie roles, but his depiction of The Man in Black in HBO’s Westworld is sheer genius.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I simply must see Westworld. Heard so many amazing things about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really think you’d like it Vinnie.☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you like it, I’m sure I’ll like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like him as a “baddy”, so my favourite performance of his is in Cronenberg’s “A History Of Violence”. His role in “A Beautiful Mind” is also impressive. He is really one of the best secondary character actors around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is a fine character actor. I admire how he turns his talents to all manner of roles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For Ed Harris, it’s NOT all about the leads…Glengarry Glen Ross
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, he can shine in any part given.
LikeLike
Such a tough call. I have to go with Pollock. He went all in on that movie, in every possible way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess Pollock is my next stop then.
LikeLike
Hmm. I’ve never been a big fan of his. I’ve just looked through his list of movies. He was good in Pollock but my favorite movie he was in would be The Truman Show. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s been in so many monied, it’s pretty unreal how good his work ethic is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mother!, Apollo 13, The Hours and definitely Pollock. One of the best performances in his career till now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a fantastic actor who rarely disappoints.
LikeLike
true…
LikeLiked by 1 person