David Haglund, at Slate, writes about Tom Hanks, Jimmy Stewart, and their “Everyman” roles:
… Therein lies the problem: Tom Hanks is not an “Everyman,” and neither was Jimmy Stewart. What they both are is affable, handsome-but-not-too-handsome heterosexual American white guys with middle class backgrounds and largely British ancestors who generally portray good guys in the movies….
… That is a very specific thing! And it is no coincidence, of course, that these are the sorts of men that the word “Everyman” typically follows around….
So, my question to the rest of you is: Can you think of Everyman characters, in Hollywood movies, who are not affable, handsome-but-not-too-handsome heterosexual American white guys with middle class backgrounds and largely British ancestors? If so, name some of these Everyman characters. I’m asking because I’m curious as to how specifically, in the minds of a somewhat varied set of people, “Everyman” means the thing that Haglund describes.
Also let me know if you see any actor or actress other than Tom Hanks or Jimmy Stewart as an actor particularly good at playing “Everyman.”
For question 1. Jack Lemmon.
I’m not familiar enough with the current crop of actors. Bill Macy? Kind of old to inherit this mantle. Going back a ways, Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden was the everywoman, but I can’t really recall much else of what she did.
How about Vince Vaughn as a current everyman? Sarah Silverman could do everywoman if she switches to decaf.
Denzel Washington could be considered a non-white everyman. He’s played some characters who are quite ordinary in day to day life, such as Walter Garber in “The Taking of Pelham 123.”
I’d like to say Halle Berry for a non-white woman. “Monster’s Ball” showed she can truly act and doesn’t need a glamorous role. But, she’s too damn pretty to be a “everywoman.” Jennifer Lopez, maybe, but her body of work is too small.
How about Ashley Judd? She’s from Kentucky.
Sandra Bullock?
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