17 Actors Who Stole The Movie Even Though They Were Only In Them For Less Than 20 Minutes
Sometimes, it’s not about the amount of screen time you get but what you do with it. Here are 17 actors who made a huge impact in their roles, even though they were only on screen for less than 20 minutes:
1. Viola Davis in “Doubt”
Viola Davis had just one scene, but her emotional performance left everyone speechless and earned her an Oscar nomination.
2. Anthony Hopkins in “The Silence of the Lambs”
Hopkins was on screen for just about 16 minutes, yet his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter became iconic.
3. Judi Dench in “Shakespeare in Love”
Dench played Queen Elizabeth I for roughly eight minutes and still managed to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
4. Anne Hathaway in “Les Misérables”
Hathaway’s performance as Fantine was brief but powerful enough to earn her an Oscar.
5. Alec Baldwin in “Glengarry Glen Ross”
Baldwin’s “Always Be Closing” speech is unforgettable, despite his limited screen time.
6. Beatrice Straight in “Network”
Straight’s performance lasted five minutes and 40 seconds, making her the actor with the shortest performance to ever win an Oscar.
7. Mahershala Ali in “Moonlight”
Ali’s role as Juan was brief but left a lasting impression, earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
8. Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyers Club”
Leto’s portrayal of Rayon was both touching and memorable, helping him secure an Oscar.
9. Gloria Grahame in “The Bad and the Beautiful”
Grahame was on screen for less than 10 minutes, yet she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
10. Benicio del Toro in “Traffic”
Del Toro’s limited screen time didn’t stop him from winning an Oscar for his role in this film.
11. Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”
Dee’s short but impactful role earned her an Oscar nomination.
12. Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men”
Nicholson’s “You can’t handle the truth!” scene is iconic, despite his limited screen time.
13. David Niven in “Separate Tables”
Niven’s brief appearance won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
14. Octavia Spencer in “Hidden Figures”
Spencer’s role in “Hidden Figures” was short but powerful enough to earn her an Oscar nomination.
15. Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”
Ledger’s Joker is unforgettable, even though he wasn’t on screen for long.
16. Haing S. Ngor in “The Killing Fields”
Ngor’s performance was brief but earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
17. Marisa Tomei in “My Cousin Vinny”
Tomei’s role as Mona Lisa Vito was hilarious and memorable, earning her an Oscar.
These actors prove that sometimes, less is more. Their performances, though brief, left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.
