20 actors that accept been in dozens of movies and Idiot box shows whose name you probably however don't know

actors you dont know

They have have recognizable faces, but what are their names?
Stefanie Keenan, Michael Loccisano, Kevin Wintertime / Getty
  • At that place are several actors in Hollywood that take been in dozens of movies and Television set shows, just you probably still don't know their names.
  • Kathryn Hahn, Randall Park, and Regina Hall have been in endless famous comedies, but they aren't household names.
  • Likewise, actors Toby Jones and Denis O'Hare accept each been nominated for a Primetime Emmy, but you lot probably but recognize their face.
  • Visit INSIDER'southward homepage for more than stories.

While Hollywood is filled with recognizable A-listers, there are several actors stuck in supporting roles.

While these actors rarely play leads, they instead smooth as eccentric or scene-stealing side characters. Most times, these character actors are in a slew of movies and TV shows, and while we recognize them by face up, we don't frequently know them by name.

Keep reading to learn who the actors are that you lot've seen everywhere but probably tin can't place.

Melanie Lynskey has played several side characters over the years, including her recurring part in "Two and a Half Men."

Melanie Lynskey.
Rich Polk/ Getty

Melanie Lynskey has fabricated a career out of playing side characters in a long list of movies and TV shows.

In the early 2000s, she appeared in films with big celebrities like "E'er After: A Cinderella Story" contrary Drew Barrymore, "Sweet Dwelling Alabama" opposite Reese Witherspoon, and "Flags of Our Fathers" opposite Clint Eastwood.

She has also taken chip roles in "Away We Get" in 2009, "Up in the Air" in 2009," and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" in 2012.

On TV, Lynskey has acted in "Two and a Half Men" as Rose for 63 episodes, and on HBO's "Togetherness."

Nigh recently, she played Molly Strand in Hulu's Stephen King series, "Castle Rock."

Denis O'Hare is a Primetime Emmy-nominated actor for his piece of work in "American Horror Story," and has almost 30 years of acting under his belt. Despite this, few know his proper noun.

Denis O'Hare
Rob Kim/ Getty

Denis O'Hare'due south acting career spans about three decades, and he'southward racked up dozens of film and Television set credits in this time. Some of his most notable roles include John Briggs in 2008's "Milk," Dr. Jonathan Steele in 2008'southward "Changeling," Knuckles Monahan in 2009's "Duplicity," and Dr. Sevard in 2013's "Dallas Heir-apparent's Club."

Withal, most recognize O'Hare from his work on FX's "American Horror Story," in which he has played multiple parts. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award twice for his work on the show.

Most recently, O'Hare has appeared in HBO'south "Big Picayune Lies" and NBC'due south "This Is United states of america."

Elizabeth Reaser appeared in Idiot box shows ranging from "The Haunting of Hill House" to "Grey'southward Anatomy," but she's even so relatively unknown.

Elizabeth Reaser.
Noam Galai/ Getty

Most people will recognize Elizabeth Reaser from her part as Shirley Crain in the Netflix striking "The Haunting of Hill House" in 2018, but the actress has a long list of credits that appointment back to the early 2000s.

Reaser appeared in "Grey'south Anatomy" for eighteen episodes, "Constabulary & Order: Criminal Intent" for two episodes, and "The Good Wife" for seven episodes.

She as well played the female parent vampire, Esme Cullen, in the "Twilight" franchise, reverse Kristen Stewart.

Nearly recently, Reaser played Andi in the Netflix show "Easy" and Olivia Winslow in the Hulu show "The Handmaid's Tale."

Many remember Giovanni Ribisi from "Friends," but he'southward washed a lot of acting since then — as well as before so.

Giovanni Ribisi.
Albert 50. Ortega/ Getty

Most volition retrieve Giovanni Ribisi from "Friends," when he played Phoebe'due south simple-minded brother. However, Ribisi had a television set acting career before appearing in the hit sitcom. He played Jeff Billings on "The Wonder Years," Duffy Guthrie in "The New Leave Information technology to Beaver," and Cory Kupkus in "My Two Dads."

After "Friends," Ribisi appeared in blockbusters like 2009's "Avatar," 2012's "Ted," and 2014's "Selma."

More recently, he has been starring in Bryan Cranston's "Sneaky Pete" every bit Marius. He is also expected to reprise his role as Parker Selfridge in the upcoming "Avatar" movies through 2027.

From "Step Brothers" to "Bad Moms," Kathryn Hahn has been in some of the biggest comedies of the final few years, simply few know her past name.

Kathryn Hahn.
Dan Steinberg/AP

Although Kathryn Hahn started her interim career on crime drama "Crossing Hashemite kingdom of jordan" in 2001, she has transitioned into a comedic extra. Hahn has acted in some of the nearly popular comedies of the last ii decades, including 2003's "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," 2004'south "Anchorman: The Fable of Ron Burgundy," 2008'south "Stride Brothers," 2013's "We're the Millers," and 2016'southward "Bad Moms."

Hahn has likewise appeared in the Amazon series "Transparent," for which she earned a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Gary Cole has been interim since the early on '80s, but is most well-known for his parts in "The Brady Bunch Motion picture" and "Dodgeball."

Gary Cole.
Jerod Harris/ Getty

Gary Cole began his career in television, lending his interim chops to projects like "Fatal Vision" in 1984, "American Playhouse" in 1984, and "Beginning Steps" in 1985. His big pause came in 1995, however, when he played Mike Brady in "The Brady Bunch Flick," and continued to play the part in the subsequent films.

In the 2000s, Cole began to shift towards more comedic roles, actualization in 2004's "Win a Engagement with Tad Hamilton!" and "Dodgeball: a True Underdog Story." In 2006, he acted in "Talladega Nights: The Carol of Ricky Bobby" and in "Pineapple Express" in 2008.

Cole also has a lengthy listing of telly credits, which include "Arrested Evolution," "Desperate Housewives," "Entourage," "Archer," "The Adept Wife," "The Good Fight," "Bob's Burgers," "Suits," and "Family Guy."

Most recently, he wrapped up the final season of HBO's Emmy-winning show, "Veep," in which he played deadpan Kent Davison.

Beth Grant may be best known for her role in the "Mindy Project," but she'southward appeared in many, many large movies earlier then.

Beth Grant.
Tibrina Hobson/ Getty

Beth Grant's list of credits is lengthy. She has appeared in such popular films as "Donnie Darko," "Speed," "Rain Chief," "Flight Liners," "Little Miss Sunshine," "No Country for Old Men," "Speed," and "The Artist."

Grant's career also expands to telly, equally she has appeared in "Jericho," "Pushing Daisies," and "Mockingbird Lane."

Her almost visible part to date was the politically incorrect and crass Beverly in the "Mindy Project," which ended in 2017.

About recently, Grant appeared in Netflix'due south "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

Michael Ealy is about recognizable from "Barbershop," though he's been in many other films and shows.

Michael Ealy.
Bob D'Amico/ Getty

Michael Ealy got his large pause in 2002 when he was bandage as convict Ricky Nash in "Barbershop," a role he reprised in "Barbershop 2." He has since appeared in several movies, including Tyler Perry'southward "For Colored Girls" in 2010, "Think Like a Man" in 2012, and "Near Last Dark" in 2014.

Ealy has likewise taken roles in several Tv set shows, including "Being Mary Jane," "The Following," "Californication," and "The Practiced Married woman."

Most recently, Ealy has appeared in "The Intruder" opposite Meagan Good.

Meagan Good started as a child actor and went on to become the beloved interest in "Stomp the Thousand."

Meagan Good.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Meagan Good was a kid star in the tardily '90s, appearing in shows similar "Touched by an Angel" in 1997, "The Parent 'Hood" in 1998, "Moesha" in 2000, and "The Steve Harvey Show" in 2000.

Good's career did not stop when she grew up, though. She continued to accept on roles on television receiver like "The Game" in 2011, "Californication" in 2012, and "Minority Report" in 2015.

Good likewise appeared in a number of movies like "Stomp the K" in 2007, "I Missed Call" in 2008, "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" in 2013, and "Think Like a Man Too" in 2014.

Near recently, she's appeared in DC'due south "Shazam!" as Super Hero Darla and in "The Intruder" as Annie.

Clea DuVall is known for portraying a range of lesbian characters, merely many don't know her proper name.

Clea DuVall.
Jennifer Graylock/ Getty

Clea DuVall's big interruption came in 1998 when she was bandage in "The Faculty" opposite Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett. By 2000, she appeared in 2 more cult classics: "But I'm a Cheerleader" and "Girl, Interrupted."

Since then, DuVall appeared in several Telly shows, including "Carnivàle," "Heroes," "American Horror Story," and "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles."

Recently, she has appeared in HBO's "Veep" and Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale." In both of these shows, she plays a lesbian character — something DuVall has go known for.

Stacey Dash is all-time known for her role in "Clueless," but not many know her across that.

Stacey Dash.
Rob Kim/Getty Images

Stacey Nuance's most iconic role came in 1995 when she played Dionne in "Clueless" reverse Alicia Silverstone. Dash went on to reprise the role in the Telly series of the same name in 1996 for iii seasons.

Beyond "Clueless," Dash too appeared in pop Tv set shows like "The Game," "Single Ladies," and "American Dad."

Dash made headlines in 2016, however, for saying channels similar BET should be eliminated. She likewise announced that she was running for Congress in California as a Republican, co-ordinate to Deadline.

Her political views helped her get cast as the mayor in 2016's TV film "Sharknado four: The 4th Awakens."

Toby Jones is a Primetime Emmy-nominated actor for his portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock, and has been in several blockbusters.

Toby Jones.
Karwai Tang/ Getty

Toby Jones jumped into Hollywood in 2006, with his breakthrough portrayal of Truman Capote in "Infamous" opposite Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sigourney Weaver. Later that, Jones appeared equally a supporting actor in several movies, including 2008's "Frost/Nixon," 2011'south "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,"  2012's "The Hunger Games," and 2018'due south "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."

Jones as well appeared in several Goggle box shows, which include "Amanuensis Carter" and "Doctor Who." In 2012, he was nominated for a Gold Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock in HBO'southward "The Daughter."

Giancarlo Esposito is most recognizable among "Breaking Bad" fans, but he's been in many other projects.

Giancarlo Esposito.
Frazer Harrison/ Getty

For those who do know Giancarlo Esposito, you probably recognize him from "Breaking Bad" and its spin-off show, "Improve Call Saul," in which Esposito plays Gus Fring, a restaurant owner who secretly sells drugs.

Esposito is no stranger to television set, though. He has appeared in "Honey White People" for 23 episodes, "Once Upon a Time" for fourteen episodes, and "The Go Down" for 10 episodes.

Most recently, he plays Charlie Baudelaire on Cinemax's crime drama "Jett."

Regina Hall is recognizable for her role in the "Scary Picture show" franchise, but she'southward nevertheless relatively unknown, despite having been in tons of big films and Tv shows since then.

Regina Hall.
Roy Rochlin/ Getty

In 2000, Regina Hall landed her breakout role as Brenda in "Scary Movie." She went on to reprise that role in the 3 sequels. The post-obit year, Hall started her role as Coretta Lipp on "Ally McBeal," which lasted 25 episodes.

She has since appeared in several shows, including "Insecure," "Black-ish," and "Police & Gild." Hall also acted in several movies like "About Last Night" in 2014, "Think Like a Man" in 2014, "With This Band" in 2015, and "Barbershop: The Next Cut" in 2016.

Most recently, she starred in popular films "Girls Trip" and "The Hate U Give."

Randall Park is a comedy role player best known for his role in "The Interview," just not many people know him across that.

Randall Park.
Danny Moloshok/AP

Randall Park started equally a sketch comedy histrion on TV shows like "MadTV" and "Nick Cannon Presents: Brusque Circuitz." In 2014, he got his big break when he played Northward Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the controversial film "The Interview" reverse James Franco and Seth Rogen. The movie was not officially released after hackers threatened to assail movie theaters that played it.

Since then, Park appeared in 2015's "The Dark Earlier," 2016's "Office Christmas Party," 2018's "Ant-Man and the Wasp," and 2018's "Aquaman."

Most recently, he co-starred in Netflix's romantic comedy "Always Be My Perchance" opposite Ali Wong.

Heather Matarazzo is still all-time known for her part in "The Princess Diaries," but she's been in a slew of other things.

Heather Matarazzo.
Jason LaVeris/ Getty

About people will recognize Heather Matarazzo as the dorky friend opposite Anne Hathaway in the "Princess Diaries" movies from 2001 and 2004. But many don't know Matarazzo has appeared in a slew of TV shows and movies since her breakout role.

She took flake roles in 2004's cult archetype "Saved!" 2007'southward "Hostel: Part II," 2011'south "Mangus!" 2015's "Sisters," 2016'south Girl Flu," and 2016'south "Culling Hens."

Despite appearing in several notable films, like "There'due south Something About Mary," Keith David is non instantly recognizable.

Keith David.
Paras Griffin/ Getty

Although Keith David started as a Broadway player, he quickly took on film roles that fabricated him a recognizable face in the industry.

His film career began in 1982 with John Carpenter's "The Thing" and Oliver Stone'due south "Platoon" in 1986 as King. He continued to piece of work with other big names like Clint Eastwood in "Bird" in 1988, in which he played a jazz player.

In the '90s, David's career flourished, appearing in "Clockers" and "Expressionless Presidents." In 1998,David played Cameron Diaz'southward hilarious stepfather in the cult classic "There's Something About Mary."

In 2004, he played Lt. Dixon in the Academy Award-winning motion-picture show "Crash." In the new millennium, David began his career in voice acting. Nearly recently, he has lent his voice to "Concluding Space," "Avengers Assemble," and "Star vs. the Forces of Evil."

Julie Gonzalo is near recognizable for her role in "Veronica Mars," but that's far from the only thing she's been in.

Julie Gonzalo.
Paul Archuleta/ Getty

Julie Gonzalo started her acting career in the early 2000s, taking bit roles in TV shows and movies. She commencement appeared in 2003's "Freaky Friday" opposite Lindsay Lohan and went on to announced in 2004's "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" and 2004's "A Cinderella Story."

Her biggest office came in 2004 when she played Parker Lee in "Veronica Mars," a role she has reprised in the show'due south reboot.

From 2012 to 2014, she played Pamela in TNT'southward "Dallas."

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