Let’s get real: stars can hog the spotlight, but character actors are the ones who slip in, swipe the show, and have you thinking, “Wait, who IS that?” They may not consistently have marquee names, but they’re the glue that cements stories together—the faces you root for whenever they appear. From television’s behind-the-scenes heroes to Hollywood’s most likable triple threats, here are 10 of the finest scene-stealing character actors in TV and film.
10. Lorraine Toussaint
No actor owns the screen more naturally than Lorraine Toussaint. She can make every moment feel larger—whether she’s dismantling villains on Law & Order or emitting danger as Vee on Orange Is the New Black. With awards behind her and a career that spans decades, she’s one of TV’s most reliable scene-stealers.
9. Stephen Tobolowsky
You may not know his name, but you recognize his work. From chipper Needlenose Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day to Sammy Jankis in Memento, Tobolowsky has perfected the knack of being memorable in small spurts. He is the ultimate “that guy,” and you can bet that if he appears, you’ll remember the scene.
8. Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge doesn’t merely act roles—she inhabits them. From Stifler’s Mom in American Pie to Tanya in The White Lotus, she combines ridiculous comedy with unexpected nuance. She’s evidence that character actors are capable of becoming cultural symbols, and her recent award wins confirm the world has finally reached a point of catching up to what fans never doubted: she’s in a league of her own.
7. Lance Reddick
When Lance Reddick was on-screen, you couldn’t take your eyes away. Cedric Daniels (The Wire) was made unforgettable with his gravitas, Papa Legba (American Horror Story) was brought to new heights with his quiet menace, and his poise as Charon in John Wick was absolute perfection. He possessed the very rare ability to make authority magnetic, and his loss is sorely felt.
6. Kathryn Hahn
Few actors are as adept at comedy and drama as Kathryn Hahn. She can be side-splittingly hilarious (Step Brothers) and heartbreakingly earnest (Transparent)—sometimes in the same sentence. And naturally, she’s gifted the MCU one of its greatest villains with Agatha Harkness. Whatever the part, Hahn makes it memorable.
5. Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins has charisma to spare, and he employs it to play some of the wildest, most unpredictable characters out there. From the roguish Boyd Crowder in Justified to the plotting Baby Billy in The Righteous Gemstones, he excels in roles that teeter on the edge of being dangerous and comedic. He’s never dull, and that’s why viewers adore him.
4. Bill Camp
Bill Camp has made a living on subtlety. He’s the actor who brings gravity to every scene he appears in, whether he’s on The Night Of, The Queen’s Gambit, or a dozen other high-end shows. His characters are real, tired, messy, and complex in a way that lingers long after the credits roll.
3. Michael K. Williams
Michael K. Williams revolutionized television with Omar Little on The Wire. What was potentially a stereotype turned into one of the greatest, most complicated, and lovable characters in television history. Williams infused every role with vulnerability, charisma, and unflinching honesty, leaving the world with a legacy that transcends being called a “character actor.”
2. Beth Grant
Beth Grant is the epitome of a character actor: you might not always know her name, but you never forget her acting. From the nosy neighbor in Donnie Darko to scene-stealing appearances in The Mindy Project, she’s a master at playing characters that are both familiar and just slightly off-kilter. Every show she appears on is better for it.
1. Stephen Root
If there is a hall of fame for supporting actors, Stephen Root should have an entire wing dedicated to him. From Milton in Office Space to Jimmy James in NewsRadio, from voicing dozens of animated shows, Root has done it all. Comedy, drama, villains, eccentrics—he inhabits every role as if it were his favorite. When he is part of the cast, you know you are in good hands.
Character actors don’t always get the glory, but they’re usually why we’re even remembering the story in the first place. These actors show that it’s sometimes the best thing about a movie or television program that isn’t the main star—it’s the one that quietly comes in, gets the moment right, astealsole it.