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Author Topic: The Best Young Actors
Pelegius
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Paul Dano (The Emperor's Club and Little Miss Sunshine)— Will make it big if there is any justice in the world.

Emile Hirsch (The Emperor's Club)— Incredible actor, has perhaps lost his way and choosen some poor films, but should still make it.

Ashton Holmes (A History of Violence)— Almost thirty, he is by far the eldest on this list, deserves immense credit for making some scenes in an awful film worth watching.

Adam Butcher (St. Ralph)— Does one great film herald great things for this Canadian actor?

Aaron Himelstein (Television)— can really act and , I would be interested to see the films he has produced, written, shot acted in and/or directed. Rather multitalented.

Elijah Wood (you know him)— also pushing the age range at 25, but clearly talented enough to include.

Keira Knightley (A huge number of roles)— Saying it is clichιd, I know, but she has both talent and star appeal.

Amanda Bynes (again well-known)— Funny and not nearly as messed up as many actresses her age.

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Icarus
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Is Christian Bale too old for this?
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Launchywiggin
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My favorite from the Emperor's club was Jesse Eisenberg. I thought his performance in "The Squid and the Whale" was impressive, too.

Favorite young actress: Anna Paquin

And yes, Christian Bale is too old for this :-)

<edit> Oh! And FREDDIE HIGHMORE. Probably my favorite child actor of all time.

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Pelegius
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At thirty-two, Christian Bale is too old.

General guidlines: the actor must be thirty or younger, preferably under twenty-five and play charecters of college age or younger.

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Launchywiggin
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Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal are on the top of my list, too.

Also, I'd take Natalie Portman over Keira Knightley's performances.

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Baron Samedi
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Jake Lloyd and Haley Joel Osment. I just wonder which one is more talented.
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airmanfour
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I like Christopher Lloyd and Dakota Fanning.
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Dasa
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I think Dakota Fanning shouldn't be counted -- she is at least 60 years old.
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airmanfour
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I think she's way under 25. In her heart.
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GravityPrevails
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Dakota Fanning was born in 1994... ?

My favorite little actor is Forrest Landis. I don't know how his acting is, but he's adorable.

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Noemon
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I thought Stephanie Leonidas was quite good in Mirrormask.

Keisha Castle-Hughes was stunning in Whalerider.

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Soara
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The scene in Whale Rider where Keisha Castle-Hughes started crying was incredible.

But Freddie Highmore is the best I've seen, I think.

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Luet13
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Most of the teenagers I worked with this summer teaching musical theater. Truly amazing talent, one of the best shows I've been involved with.
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Sterling
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I think Kieran Culkin long ago surpassed anything his brother ever did.
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MandyM
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I loved Sarah Steele in Spanglish and AnnaSophia Robb in Because of Winn Dixie and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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BlueWizard
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I have to cast a vote for -

Joseph Gordon-Levit - Tommy from Third Rock TV show. While he was doing that comedy role, he, at age 13, also did 'Sweet Jane' a truly awesome dramatic film.

Since them he has done dramatic roles in 'Mysterious Skin' which contains subject matter not for the faint of heart. 'Manic' which I just watch and was very impressed. Also, 'Brick' which is a genre film. It is a gritty detective novel set in a high school. Low budget, but very well done. Voted one of the best 'high school' films of all time.

I will add an additional vote for Jesse Eisenberg, one of the most underrated actors of his generation. He did an exceptional job in 'The Squid and the Whale', but for a fun popcorn night, don't miss his performace in 'Cursed', a Wes Craven werewolf movie. Yes, that's right 'werewolf' movie. It is a very fun film, very well done, but doesn't take itself too seriously.

For the record, Jesse Eisenberg currently has 5 films either in the process of filming or in post production.

I've always been a big Edward Furlong fan. He's the kid in 'Terminator 2' with Arnold Schwarzeneggar. He did a brilliant job in 'American History X' where he plays the younger brother of a neo-nazi skinhead. Though he is still working as an actor, the films he has been in haven't always been the best career choices. None the less, he has four film out in 2006 and two more in post production. Personally, I always thought he did a great job in the film 'Brainscan' as well as'Pecker' and 'A Home of Our Own'.

A further vote for Freddie Highmore who was absolutely stunning in 'Finding Neverland'.

And I echo Noemon and Soara in saying that Keisha Castle-Hughes did a breath taking job in 'Whale Rider'.

There are a lot of teen-heart-throb pop-star teens that are hot right now, but I don't think they have what it takes to endure. Once the cute wears off, they just can't cut it.

Take the once stunning Brad Renfo for example. While his is still working as an actor, he is no longer starring in roles like 'Apt Pupil', 'The Client', and the every stunning and equally heartwrenching 'The Cure'. He is still around, and did an excellent job in the Indy film 'Bully', but his personal life seem troubled and his 'star' is certainly faded.

Finally, let us not forget the Potter Kids. Primarily Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. They both show potential, but I don't think they have reached it yet. Their fates are still somewhat uncertain, and their future career choices are not yet measured, but I see potential. As it stand at the moment though, as much as I like them, I can't put them in the class of actor being mentioned here. Still I think, especially living away from Hollywood, the long term potential might be there.

steve/BlueWizard

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GiantReturns
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All the Goonies kids
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Irami Osei-Frimpong
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quote:
I think Kieran Culkin long ago surpassed anything his brother ever did.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'll see anything that kid is in. He has this Jason Bateman/Parker Lewis thing going for him, but vulnerable. It's really endearing.
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airmanfour
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quote:
Originally posted by BlueWizard:
Finally, let us not forget the Potter Kids. Primarily Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. They both show potential, but I don't think they have reached it yet. Their fates are still somewhat uncertain, and their future career choices are not yet measured, but I see potential. As it stand at the moment though, as much as I like them, I can't put them in the class of actor being mentioned here. Still I think, especially living away from Hollywood, the long term potential might be there.

steve/BlueWizard

Those two can't act. At all. They just squish up their faces a lot. I can't believe they made this thread. I honestly can't think of two worse "actors".
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ketchupqueen
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Why did I read this as "Best Butt Actors"? [Confused]
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Phanto
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I can think of a few answers, but they aren't quite PG thirteen [Razz] .
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BlueWizard
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airmanfour said in response to my mention of
Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint -
quote:
Those two can't act. At all ... I can't believe they made this thread.
Note where I said -

"As it stand at the moment though, as much as I like them, I can't put them in the class of actor being mentioned here."

There are a lot of kid actors that are good when they are kids, but whatever they had falls apart when they become adults. Whether it is the cute wearing off, some shift in their psychology, or a drastic change in their looks, they simply can't cut it as adult actors. Fred Savage, for example; he was brilliant as a kid in 'Wonder Years' but hasn't had much success since.

Other actors start slow and build a long career. It will be interesting to see where Dan and Rupert go professionally. They are adequate now for the roles they fill now, but they are no Freddie Highmore. But then we don't know yet that Freddie Highmore will be able to continue on as a older teen or adult actor.

I mention them (Harry and Ron/Dan and Rupert) because I am curious to see where they go, but again, I point out, as it stands now, they are not of the caliber of the other actors being mentioned here.

Just passing it along.

Steve/BlueWizard

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BlueWizard
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By the way, I just saw 'Saint Ralph' with Adam Butcher this weekend, it was a good movie, but his preformance was wonderful. Very natural, and he has a very charismatic personality. It will be interesting to see how his future plays out too.

If you haven't seen the film I highly recommend it if for nothing else than the quality of his performance.

Steve/BlueWizard

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Launchywiggin
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Cameron Bright

definitely a battle school kid.

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Elizabeth
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The little girl in "Little Miss SUnshine" was spectacular.

But I agree that some of the truly great young actors may never make the big screen, but are in local theater productions and performing arts schools.

Yale trains many actors who go into film. I would love to see a production at Yale some day.

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jebus202
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quote:
I mention them (Harry and Ron/Dan and Rupert) because I am curious to see where they go, but again, I point out, as it stands now, they are not of the caliber of the other actors being mentioned here.
There's a cardboard box beside me whose future in acting you might also be curious about. It's ability to act is at least on par with "Dan and Rupert". Perhaps even better, I don't know if those two could do a very convincing cardboard box.
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