Feb 15 2010
The Eight Strangest Looking Actors in Hollywood
When you think of the prototypical Hollywood star, is this face what you see? No, I thought not. Rather imagines of Pitt, Clooney, Jolie and Megan Fox pop up in your head, as actors are supposed to be good looking, right?
Though that’s generally true, many roles require the actor to be significantly less pretty than your average leading man. But also, since they can’t rely on their looks to get them by, these actors have had to make their careers based on their talents alone, and therefore I find them to be better dramatic and comedic performers than most of your average A-listers.
While most might consider these eight actors “creepy looking,” they are supremely talented individuals, and while most of them have proven themselves onscreen, it is kind of a bummer they’re largely restricted to rather villainous roles.
1. Jackie Earle Haley
He’s been an actor for a while now, but his breakout role was as a former sex offender in the otherwise terrible, but critically-lauded Little Children. Since then, he’s filled the mask and trenchcoat of Rorschach in Watchmen, and will be the new burned face of Freddy Krueger soon enough in the Nightmare on Elm St. remake.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Yes
2. Robert Knepper
A TV actor best known for his stint as psycho rapist-killer T-bag in Prison Break, Knepper has recently been the only thing worthwhile about Heroes, and his biggest movie role to date was as the bad guy in Transporter 3. Expect him to start getting larger roles in the future.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Eh, a bit skinny, but pretty normal back in his Star Trek guest starring days.
3. Steve Buscemi
Perhaps the poster boy for famous, creepy looking actors, Buscemi has a storied career, and to me, his most memorable role had to be in Fargo, where he met an untimely end inside of a woodchipper in one of the most memorable deaths in movie history.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Yes
4. Willem Dafoe
His roles are surprisingly split between good guy and bad buy, but he’s so well-versed he can do either well. The man’s film career is impressive as he’s played everyone from Jesus to a vampire to a Mexican dictator. The man’s got range.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Yes. Oh God, yes.
5. Christopher Walken
Everyone should have immediately recognized the face that was the lead image for this article. It was THE Christopher Walken of course, and the man’s distinctive face and speaking style have crafted him an acting genre all his own, and spawned, way, way too many YouTube impressions.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Nope. Sex bomb!
6. Crispin Glover
I’d have to say that out of everyone on this list, Glover’s talents are probably in the shallow end, as fare like Willard doesn’t exactly speak for him as a solo performer. But yes, he’s definitely freaking creepy, and the next time you’ll see him making you uncomfortable will be in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland as the Knave of Hearts.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Yes
7. William Fichtner
Fichtner is a prototypical “that guy” actor who I know you’ve seen in many, many films and TV shows over the years. He has a distinctive look about that I would not call…ugly or weird per se, just really…different, and I think that definitely helps him land all these roles looking for someone that stands out in a crowd.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Eh, split decision
8. Michael Emerson
Benjamin Linus himself rounds up this list, and I expect you’ll start seeing him a lot more places after his memorable breakout turn on Lost wraps up after this year. He plays a unnerving little weasel of a bad guy, but he’s brought great dramatic range to the role and deserves to be given the chance to do the same for other parts in other features or shows.
Was He Always This Creepy?
Verdict: Uhhhh, yeahhhh.
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Funny, all those guys you picked out kind of look alike to me. Also, when I read the verdict on Chris Walken I totally read that with a mental finger snap and head bob. Tittiessss!
okay, but what about Benicio Del Toro and maybe Vinnie Jones (for Midnight Meat Train)?
I guess it’s not easy for a creepy-looking woman to make a career in Hollywood. Don’t forget that guy from Rocky Horror/Home Alone 2.
@Korinthian
Yeah, I thought about making a separate list, but you’re right, it’s hard to really think of examples. Tilda Swindon?
Korinthian is right, Tim Curry deserves a spot on this list. He still gives me nightmares as Pennywise the clown!
Uh, for women, how about Chloe from 24? She’s pretyy odd-looking…
Pretty sure Jackie Earl’s breakout role was in the Bad News Bears, you know, where the “verdict” pic is from.
Crispin Glover is a rare bird indeed. I think its all an act, but he’s had his share of creepy night show appearances. That being said, he was perfect in Charlie’s Angels.
This list need Gary Busey, Clancy Brown, and, since you mentioned Buscemi in Fargo, his partner in crime/killer (spoilers!) Peter Stormare.
Clint Howard anyone?
the female list could include shelley duval (god dammit wendy!), sarah jessica parker (cause i think her face looks like a spider-fetus), joan cusak, and possibly renee zellweger (depending on how much she does that stupid scruncy face thing. also, she gains/drops weight like a boxer for her roles… freaks me out.)
William H. Macy?
I’m kind of shocked Tim Curry wasn’t on the list. Oh and I find out funny that they listed Robert Knepper big role being from “Transporter 3″ but then show a still from his role in “Hitman”.
What about the Wayne Knight aka NEWWWMAN from Seinfeld.
Just so you guys know, you made a mistake on Robert Knepper. That picture in the tub was from Hitman (2007) also starring Timothy Olyphant. Just wanted to point that out.
Some of them aren’t so creepy. Ugly maybe ,but not all creepy. lol
Some good candidates, especially Walken and Dafoe but the biggest mystery to me is Owen Wilson. I mean seriously, that man’s nose defies logic – how the hell did he become a leading man in Hollywood?
How the hell did John C Reilly avoid this list?
that was a shocking list!!! im going to have a hard time picking who was worst!!! they funny thing is that while they are all creapy they all actually have really cool voices.
When I first saw William Fichtner in “The Perfect Storm” I thought he was a bit “unusual” looking. But his acting was outstanding. Then I checked out all of his films and TV work. Now I think he is HOTHOTHOT and am his biggest fan…along with a large contingency of others around the world.
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fichtner_Firsthand/
You forgot Owen Willson, his creepy has been enough to infect the remainder of his family (it went with the stupid and the not actually an actor diseases)
I used to live upstairs from William Fichtner and thought that was why I felt like I knew him. He’s actually ridiculously hot. Very tall and pretty quiet.
No Clint Howard?! This list is made of pure fail. 100% pure fail. Clint Howard is the DEFINITION of a strange looking star. The question really is, does he count as a “star”?
Where’s Eric Roberts? I have never been able to watch anything with him in it.
You forgot Aaron Eckhart. That guy is a decent actor, but he looks WAAAAAY too weird. I can barely watch The Dark Knight by it’s self, unless it’s with Rifftrax, because of him alone.
He looked more normal as Two Face than Harvey Dent.
I’m attracted to everyone of these guys.
My husband looks like none of them.
You forgot Robert Englund.
Also sexy.
Christopher Walken…
*mouth watering*
Old school sex bomb…
If the list is generically defined as “actors in Hollywood” then Robert Z’Dar and Michael Berryman need to be on this list too.
[...] When you think of the prototypical Hollywood star, is this face what you see? No, I thought not. Rather imagines of Pitt, Clooney, Jolie and Megan Fox pop up in your head, as actors are supposed to be good looking, right?Source:http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2010/02/15/the-eight-strangest-looking-actors-in-hollywood/ [...]
[...] Jolie and Megan Fox pop up in your head, as actors are supposed to be good looking, right?Source:http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2010/02/15/the-eight-strangest-looking-actors-in-hollywood/ ( Leave a comment [...]
how can no one mention kevin bacon? i find him incredibly weird looking!
What about Brad Dourif?
I know a lot of these are movie stills, but photo credits would be appreciated! Give credit wherever possible (for example, the shot of Walken is by Martin Schoeller). Thanks.
I think some of these actors are very handsome actually, it’s their unique look which appeals to me. Watch the movie Deerhunter and you’ll see just how beautiful Christopher Walken actually was in his hey day. I think he could play Johnny Depp’s father in a movie. Crispin Glover is very good looking.
[...] of the prototypical Hollywood star, is this face what you see? Probably not. Check out the eight strangest looking actors in Hollywood. Similar Posts:None Found You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. [...]
Anyone else notice how Christopher Walken’s eyes are not level? His left eye is noticeably lower. I never noticed this until looking at the younger pic of him.
If Steve Buscemi hit the gym, got his teeth fixed and took a nap, he’d look like Johnny Weissmuller.
Good List…but what about Kevin Bacon?! He’s creepy…I just found a really awesome top 10 at http://digg.com/celebrity/Top_10_Celeb_Look_A_Likes/who
DIGG IT
Willem Dafoe definitely pulled off a sexy look back then in ‘Platoon’ and imho he is still quite attractive today.
However, great list, but Kevin Bacon should really be on it.
[...] And finally, the eight strangest looking actors in Hollywood. [...]
[...] The Eight Strangest Looking Actors in Hollywood [Unreality] [...]
[...] Unreality – The Eight Strangest Looking Actors in Hollywood | [...]
Gary Busey and his son?
“He looked more normal as Two Face than Harvey Dent.”
This is going to sound so weird but me and my mom didn’t see him as at all good-looking until he became Two Face because then we could appreciate the unburned side of his face better.
[...] look, don’t yell at me, I’m not being sexist. A few weeks ago, I wrote this post, about the strangest looking actors in Hollywood, and now I’m doing a follow-up with actress. [...]
update new event
Interestingly enough, the story goes that Johnny Depp got his first acting role (in one of the Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street movies, I think) because he decided to tag along with a friend of his who was auditioning.
That friend – Jackie Earle Haley.
How the hell did Elrond/Agent Smith not make it on this list???
@EJ Clancy Brown?! The man is a sex bomb! He can cuss me to sleep any night.
Michael Emerson is such an amazing actor. He always looks a little odd, but when he’s not being Ben he seems to be a pretty nice, down to earth, and very funny guy.
lol excellent choice.. i agree with most of them
You left out Joaquim Phoenix
Jackie Earle Haley’s characters aren’t creepy and he’s not either. He is sexy as hell. As Kelly Leak he was smokin hot and as Rorschach, he was even hotter.
the second Elvis Presley
a super extra gifted boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEGVZFmm8yE
Don´t know why, but I´m attracted by “creepy looking” men. Especially Robert Knepper and Chris Walken look good to me.
I don´t find guys with “perfect” faces (like Brad Pitt and so on) sexy at all.
How about Oliver Platt? He’s certainly another non-leading man who’s been odd-looking throughout his career.
Aw, Jackie Earle Haley isn’t strange looking.
Actually, he was kinda hot when he was a teenager.
And that last pic you used of Michael Emerson is pretty cute, not creepy at all.
But I still like your list. Gave me a good laugh.
There’s an actor I’m trying to find who is definitely strange looking. He has the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen! He kinda resembles Mandy Patinkin, but his eyes are almost literally black. Anyone know who he is? I can hardly watch him.
These guys are nearly all amongst my favourite actors! They have been succesful through their excellent acting talents regardless of their looks. Having said that, Rob Knepper is gorgeous!
Michael Emerson is the most iconic bug-eyed man alive! And for some reason, I hate Willem DeFoes face!
How come Jack Nicholson didn’t make the list?
Or Anthony Perkins, or Donald Sutherland?
Or Chi McBride? – That guy’s got a skull makes you take him serious!
But I agree on earlier posts advocating Tim Curry, William H. Macy, and last but not least: Gary Busey (who as far as I can see at some time – presumably unintentionally, but very successfully – has been augmenting his oddness with plastic surgery).
Robert Knepper was in Hitman not transporter 3.