After the indisputable greats, WC Fields, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Bros. (Groucho and Chico for me, Zeppo is, well, Zeppo, and Harpo creeps me out.) I have to agree with dherman1 (sort of), some of the greatest comic actors pop up in character bits.
Think of those Preston Sturges comedies and all the great, small roles - Franklyn Pangborn for example, William Demarest, Robert Dudley as the Weenie King, and then there's Eric Rhodes as Rodolpho Tonetti in Gay Divorcee Walter Connoly in just about anything.
I think the reason comic actors become annoying is that there is just too much of them. A lead or principle in a 2 hour movie is too much unless it is really prefect, but a small part in an 80 minute movie is just right. The first rule of comedy - leave them wanting more.
Think of those Preston Sturges comedies and all the great, small roles - Franklyn Pangborn for example, William Demarest, Robert Dudley as the Weenie King, and then there's Eric Rhodes as Rodolpho Tonetti in Gay Divorcee Walter Connoly in just about anything.
I think the reason comic actors become annoying is that there is just too much of them. A lead or principle in a 2 hour movie is too much unless it is really prefect, but a small part in an 80 minute movie is just right. The first rule of comedy - leave them wanting more.
