Pop Vultures

Poor TV. It often gets such a bad rap in comparison to its larger screened cousin, cinema. No matter how much respect TV has earned over the years, and how many wonderful opportunities it provides actors, most TV actors seem to long for movie roles at some point in their careers. Of course, for most of them, film fame never quite arrives — just ask David Caruso or Julianna Marguiles. It seems that once an actor has achieved fame via television, it’s rather difficult to achieve equal kudos on the big screen. Fortunately, there are a few notable exceptions. This week’s Friday 5 looks at those actors who not only first appeared on television, but came to fame in that medium — and were still able to transition into a successful film career.

5. Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
TV fame: The only real child actor on this list, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was best known as Tommy on the successful, long-running sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. For six years, he played the role of a loopy alien stuck in a teenager’s body, and held his own in a cast that included John Lithgow and Jane Curtin.

Film fame: Though not yet a household name, he’s arguably the most interesting young actor working today. Rather than settle for roles as serial killer bait in interchangeable horror films or the wise-cracking sidekick in a summer blockbuster, Gordon-Levitt made the unexpected choice to actually try acting, something a few more members of his acting generation should consider. He turned in surprising and memorable work as the lead in the teen noir Brick and was heart-breaking as a young hustler in Mysterious Skin. On the whole, his work shows an unexpected level of maturity and subtlety for a young actor, and he is definitely one to watch in the future. Plus, he has yet to be photographed in a drunken stupor on the Sunset Strip or dating an underwear-eschewing starlet, which are encouraging signs for the longevity of his career.

4. Marisa Tomei
TV fame: A Different World was intended as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet’s character from The Cosby Show, but it didn’t take long for Marisa Tomei to steal every scene she was in. Though she was playing the “kooky roommate,” a stock figure required in all sitcoms set in college dorms, she still made the character sweet and playful, rather than obnoxious and annoying. When Bonet left after the first season, the show decided to head in a different direction — one that didn’t include Tomei. Fortunately, success in film was waiting for her.

Film fame: Tomei is best known for her Oscar win for My Cousin Vinny, a win which many felt was undeserved, mainly because they were shocked that a comedy actor actually won an Academy Award. Since then, she has become the poster child for the supposed best supporting actress curse (see: Mira Sorvino). It’s unfair, however, because Tomei has not only consistently worked since her win, but has turned out some excellent work in a series of indies and mid-level Hollywood films. She showed off her comedy chops again in The Slums of Beverly Hills and has proven that she’s just as adept in drama, starring opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman in Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. Though she has yet to achieve superstar status in film, she is a well-respected, if underrated, actress. The underrated part might change soon, however; she’s starring with Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, which won the top prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival and is scheduled for a December release, just in time for awards season.

3. Queen Latifah
TV fame: Though well known as a rapper prior to appearing on Living Single, no one thought that the Queen could also act. However, for five seasons, she was easily the best thing on that show. Surrounded by the stereotypical sitcom characters of the ditz, the rich girl and the sassy woman, her Khadijah James managed to ground the show in a bit of reality. She infused the role with intelligence and warmth and proved that she had plenty of talent outside of a recording studio.

Film fame: Queen Latifah seems to take any film she’s offered, and so she’s appeared in her share of stinkers (Barber Shop 2, Taxi). Fortunately, she’s also steadily racked up an impressive list of film credits. She was great as the bank robber in Set It Off and the best thing in Living Out Loud, two otherwise forgettable films. It’s the recent musical revival, however, that has really done wonders for her career, allowing her to show off all her talents at once. She scored big as Matron Mama in Chicago, earning an Oscar nomination for her trouble, and shone as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray. The fact that she’s managed to do all this without once appearing on the cover of Maxim or flashing her private life all over the tabloids just makes me like her more. Plus, her career only seems to be gathering steam as she approaches 40 — it looks like this is one actress who’s going to be around for years to come.

2. Johnny Depp
TV fame: Once upon a time, a little upstart network named FOX decided to base its entire growth plan on the teenage girl demographic (a strategy a little upstart network named CW seems to have embraced whole-heartedly). And so, 21 Jump Street was born. Perhaps this series about undercover cops working in high schools was once intended to be a serious cop show/teen drama, but none of that mattered once people caught sight of one of the prettiest faces to ever grace network TV. Johnny Depp and his cheekbones became instant stars, thanks in no small part to promo spots highlighting just how dreamy he was and multi-page spreads in Tiger Beat. Depp stayed on the show for three years, providing many young girls — and their mothers — with all sorts of undercover fantasies.

Film fame: Not long after his rise to TV fame, Depp started complaining about the attention paid to him, sounding less than thrilled about the show and his role on it. Most people assumed he was little more than a brash young actor whose hubris far outweighed his actual talent. Then, he actually started making films, and everyone quickly shut the hell up. Much like Gordon-Levitt, he rejected all typical teen films, instead choosing interesting and quirky indie projects. He was the coolest bad boy ever in Cry Baby and simultaneously charming and haunting in Edward Scissorhands. He followed these roles with a series of complex performances in quality films, including personal faves Ed Wood and Dead Man. Also, you might have heard of a little series of films called Pirates of the Caribbean. The man has come a long ways from his TV roots, though Officer Tom Hanson will always have a small place in my heart.

1. George Clooney
TV fame: Despite a role in Return of the Killer Tomatoes, Clooney was almost exclusively a television actor for the better part of his career. He was familiar to sitcom fans after playing key roles on The Facts of Life and Roseanne, but it wasn’t until he was cast as Dr. Doug Ross on ER that he really earned his TV fame. It turned out that all Clooney needed was a solid script, good direction and a wee bit of grey in his hair to become a nation’s heartthrob. As the studliest doctor on what was, at the time, one of the most popular shows in America, he had instant name and face recognition. He was a star, baby.

Film fame: These days, most people think of Clooney as the ultimate movie star, but it was hardly a seamless transition. He at least had the good sense to test the film waters before vacating the ER set — and, to begin with, that water was decidedly tepid. He took over the role of Batman in the universally reviled Batman & Robin (though, to be fair, that movie was so dreadful that it’s impossible to point fingers at any one responsible party; it was a committee effort). The Peacemaker and One Fine Day were both predictable Hollywood films, and though From Dusk Till Dawn was an excellent piece of cult cinema, it didn’t exactly foreshadow a career as the king of Hollywood. Then, he met Steven Soderbergh, and the rest is history. They made Out of Sight together, proving that Clooney could translate his TV charisma to the big screen. Immediately, he started making smarter film choices, appearing in flicks by David O. Russell and The Coen brothers. These days, he’s frequently called the Cary Grant of our generation, giving hope to every actor currently muddling their way through guest spots on According to Jim.

Your turn. Which well-known TV actors turned film stars would make your list?