Yesterday was the infamous audition for the role that has a number in the title. I will never get used to that because I always expect more from myself. Going to that audition made me think about typecasting. As this was my second audition in a row for Guard #1 (separate films!) and I just came off playing a cop on Blue Mountain State. Typecasting seemed to be a horrible thing in my eyes. But then I thought about all those actors who have built careers at being very good at a certain genre. Not to say that an actor who is great at one role can’t play something else but these are people who are just really good at a certain character type.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Vince Vaughn! Who many people have told me I resemble in appearance, as well as doing a fairly good impression of him in Wedding Crashers. Mr. Vaughn is a very versatile actor. He played an amazing creepy bad guy in Domestic Disturbance but that’s not what he is known for is it? A lot of fans will remember him as Trent in Swingers which is where, if most of you don’t know, the whole character of Bernard “Beanie†Campbell came to life in Old School and was later refined into Jeremy Grey in the aforementioned Wedding Crashers. You see? Vince can play many different roles, but he is typecast as that womanizing, super sarcastic master of the one liner and catch phrases. Do you know that he played Wayne Westerberg in the film “Into the Wild� I didn’t think so but you remember all the other roles I mentioned. The thing is he is just GREAT as that character type. He really is.
Another example and a less well known one at that, is Crispin Glover. This guy is a phenomenal actor and most of you don’t know who he is. He is the guy who will always play the really weird or creepy character. And in my opinion, he is the best in the business. Don’t remember him yet? How about George McFly in Back to the Future? Ringing some bells? He also played the bell hop with one arm in Hot Tub Time Machine. Those are his more comedic roles. But let me recommend a film for you. Willard. What a great performance and the perfect example of Crispin Glover’s infamous style for the characters he brings to life. He will never be cast in a role as the hero. He will never be the life of the party Ferris Bueller type. But he is the master of his corner of the universe.
My problem is I haven’t found that one character I could get in the door with and have people consider typecasting me. I love creating multiple characters and give life too many different films and/or television shows. But I would live with being typecast. It’s funny how just reflecting on what other people have done can change your whole perspective on an issue. I thought being typecast was something to avoid and pray not to happen but now I think….maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
