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Article created by: Robertas Lisickis

Characters in movies and TV series are often defined by the actors who play them. And while characters can have a myriad of people play them, there is always that one actor who manages to fill a character's shoes the best, and people can’t imagine anyone else playing the role.

Reddit has been discussing just that. One user asked the lovely AskReddit community which actor crushed a role so hard that nobody else will be able to live up to it? and got a slew of amazing responses.

Bored Panda has collected the best answers and turned it into a curated list that you can find below. While you’re scrolling, comment and vote on the submissions you loved the most, and tell us what character-actor combinations you think are iconic in the comment section below!

More Info: Reddit

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#1

Actor portraying a memorable role with a confident smile in an urban outdoor setting, embodying a crushed role performance. James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.

Fat-Villante , HBO Report

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    #2

    Actor portraying a pirate with braided beard and hat delivering an iconic role in a memorable performance scene. When they inevitably recast Jack Sparrow [Johnny Depp], it'll be clear just how big a gap there is.

    Billbap@#$o , The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Second Mate Productions Report

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    #3

    Actor portraying Severus Snape in a dramatic scene, showcasing a memorable and iconic role performance. Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.

    NZT-48Rules , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

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    #4

    Actor sitting on armchair atop small green car holding mop, iconic scene showing an actor crushing a role with humor. Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean.

    Whitedragonfan , Working Title Films, Tiger Aspect Films Report

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    #5

    Two actors in an intense scene, focusing on a serious conversation, showcasing a memorable acting performance. RDJ for Iron Man, the man WAS Tony Stark end of discussion.

    AirJvon , Marvel Report

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    #6

    Deadpool in full costume with hands on face, symbolizing an actor crushing a role no one else can match. Ryan Reynolds did an excellent job being Deadpool to the point where i am reading a Deadpool comic book with Reynolds' voice in my head narrating it.

    422_is-420_too , Marvel Report

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    #7

    Scene from Indiana Jones with actor staring intensely at a golden idol, showcasing an iconic actor role crushed perfectly. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. He’s so deeply connected to that character that I feel it would be impossible for anyone else to fill the fedora.

    BrotherOfTheOrder , Lucasfilm Ltd. Report

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    #8

    Actor delivering a powerful performance in a dark costume, emphasizing a memorable role in film history. Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall.

    plastic_bean , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

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    #9

    Animated blue genie character with exaggerated facial expression, representing an iconic actor crushing a role effectively. Robin Williams as the genie.

    PM_Me_Things_Yo_Like , Disney Report

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    #10

    Scene from a movie showing an actor in a fantasy role with a long beard and hat, portraying a memorable character. Ian McKellen is the both true Gandalfs.

    ElectricFlesh , New Line Cinema, Saul Zaentz Company, WingNut Films, Saul Zaentz Film Co. Report

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    #11

    Scene from a movie showing three actors on a park bench, highlighting iconic performances that crushed their roles. Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump.

    literanch , The Tisch Company Report

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    #12

    Actor in Starfleet uniform portraying a role so iconic that no one else can live up to it on screen Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean Luc Picard.

    JediAreTakingOver , Paramount Domestic Television Report

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    #13

    Actor delivering a memorable role with intense expression in a dimly lit medieval or fantasy setting. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, amazing acting.

    copper8061 , HBO Report

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    #14

    Actor delivering a memorable performance in a dramatic scene with a female co-star in a clinical setting. Hugh Laurie - Dr. House.

    RizalParkCorner , Fox Broadcasting Company, LLC Report

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    #15

    Scene from a film showing two actors on a motorcycle, highlighting an iconic actor who crushed a role memorably. Arnold Schwarzenegger - Terminator.

    Str8_up_savage , Hemdale Film Corporation, Pacific Western Productions Report

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    #16

    Actor wearing complex lighted headgear portraying a distinctive role that crushed the acting performance standard in film. Christopher Lloyd as Doc in Back to the Future.

    John_h_watson , Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Report

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    #17

    Actor in superhero costume with claws extended, portraying a character who crushed the role in an intense film scene. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

    goldenwolves101 , Marvel Report

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    #18

    Young actor in costume delivering a memorable performance, showcasing a role crushed so hard it set a high standard. Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams.

    SnooDonkeys9743 , Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Bron Creative, The Jackal Group, Cinesite Studios, Nitrogen Studios Report

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    #19

    Actor holding sword in medieval costume portraying a role so iconic that nobody else can live up to it. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. Best book to movie translation for a character I’ve ever seen.

    LimeGap , New Line Cinema Report

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    #20

    Actor in iconic role wearing striped suit and corpse makeup in a dramatic scene from a cult classic film. Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice.

    DaLion93 , The Geffen Company Report

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    #21

    Actor holding a large futuristic weapon in a dimly lit industrial setting, portraying a memorable iconic role. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley.

    pixelburger , Brandywine Productions Report

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    #22

    Actress in a vibrant pink outfit and floral headpiece portraying a memorable role that crushed the acting performance. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge. Umbridge sucked in the books, but in the movies she turned Umbridge into a character that you just don't like into one that you hate with a burning passion.

    DoDaDrew , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

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    #23

    Actor portraying a Joker character with white face paint and red lips delivering a memorable role in a dark setting. Heath Ledger as the Joker.

    8en80 , DC Comics Report

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    #24

    Actor crushing a role peers through a broken door with an intense, iconic expression in a famous movie scene. Jack Nicholson in the Shining.

    Zufurix , The Producer Circle Company Report

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    #25

    Actor crushing a role wearing a purple coat and top hat in a colorful candy-filled set representing iconic performance. Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.

    Reddit User , Wolper Pictures Report

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    #26

    Actor playing a character holding a large rock outdoors, illustrating an iconic role that crushed it in film history. Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride.

    3ulaF0x , Act III Communications Report

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    #27

    Actor wearing green mask from The Mask movie delivering a memorable role that crushed the character portrayal. Jim Carrey in The Mask.

    Queer-and-stupid , New Line Productions, Dark Horse Entertainment Report

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    #28

    Close-up of an actor portraying a memorable role, emphasizing a character performance that crushed the role hard. Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad. He begins as sympathetic and ends up terrifying. And in general the whole cast of Malcolm in the Middle, even the very secondary role. There have been many middle class effed up famy sitcom but zero have achieved to be crazy and relatable like this show.

    HopeSuper , High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television Report

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    #29

    Actress delivering a powerful performance, portraying intense emotion in a dramatic movie role scene. Jody Foster as Clarice Starling. I particularly love the scene where she looks at Buffalo Bill’s victim and you hear her voice crack during the first part of the description, where she is looking at tiny personal details like painted fingernails, but then go clinical and determined when she sees the wounds on the girl’s back. Playing badass women often veers either towards emotionless and stalwart, or basically aping a 80s action male role. Foster nailed the emotional vulnerability, ambition, and courage of that character in minute, but profound ways. No one compares.

    elizabethunseelie , Orion Pictures Report

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    #30

    Male actor in suit and tie delivering a memorable performance in a role that set a high acting standard online discussion Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin.

    wish_my_wash , Paramount Pictures Studios Report

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    #31

    Actor portraying a powerful character with long white hair and beard wielding a staff in an intense movie scene. Christopher Lee as basically anything.

    Kibassi , New Line Cinema Report

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    #32

    Close-up of an actor in a Roman costume portraying a historical role, illustrating an iconic crushed role performance. Joaquin Phoenix as commodus in gladiator. I have never hated a character so much till I saw him in that movie. He is so cowardly, despicable, and creepy. Phoenix did such a good job in making you loathe his character.

    DarthDiabetor , DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment Report

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    #33

    Actor wearing futuristic headset in a dark suit, portraying a role crushed so hard nobody else can live up to it Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and everyone knew it would happen a decade before the first X-Men movie.

    jah05r , Marvel Report

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    #34

    Actor crushing a role in a dark hallway scene, wearing a leather jacket and holding weapons, intense expression. Danny Trejo as Machete.

    megabitfl , Troublemaker Studios Report

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    #35

    Actor in military uniform delivering a powerful performance in a role that set a high standard for others. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.

    DJZbad93 , A Band Apart, Studio Babelsberg, Visiona Romantica Report

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    #36

    Actor crushing a role wearing a suit and purple bandana in a memorable office scene from a popular TV show. Steve Carrell as Michael Scott.

    elaineadler , NBC Universal Television Studio Report

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    #37

    Man with mustache in maroon striped shirt holding football, representing actor who crushed a role in a popular TV show. [Nick Offerman as] Ron Swanson.

    Babblewocky , NBC Report

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    #38

    Actor in beige trench coat holding a beer glass at a bar, representing iconic roles that crushed their characters. Kelsey Grammer, Frasier Crane.

    Garaquarubyline , Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions Report

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    #39

    Actor in a white coat and stethoscope portraying a doctor in a memorable role that crushed the character portrayal. John C. McGinley as Dr Cox.

    Jedi_Outcast , Doozer Productions Report

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    #40

    Man wearing glasses and a patterned tie in an office setting discussing actors who crushed a role hard. Rainn Wilson as Dwight Scrute.

    ramta_jogi_oye_hoye , NBC, Global Television Network Report

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    #41

    Scene from a military training film showing an intense drill instructor confronting a recruit in uniform. Ronald Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket.

    flyzapper , Natant, Harrier Films Report

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    #42

    Actor intensely expressing emotion while holding a wooden hanger in a closet scene, embodying a crushed role performance. Catherin O'Hara as Moira Rose!!

    theshwarna , POP, CBC Television Report

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    #43

    Actor in a Western costume wearing a black hat and coat, representing iconic roles that crushed it in acting. Val Kilmer in Tombstone. Amazing Doc Holliday! Every once in a while there's a role that it seems like the actor was born to play. There's really not another role that compares in his career.

    TessaMurphy , Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures Report

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    #44

    Actor dressed in a raincoat holding a shovel, representing an iconic role crushed so hard no one can live up to it. Christian Bale in American Psycho.

    SWG_138 , Muse Productions Report

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    #45

    Actor laughing heartily in a suit and tie, showcasing a role performance praised online for its impact and excellence. J.K Simmons as John Jonah Jameson.

    Tobz51 , Columbia Pictures; Marvel Enterprises; Laura Ziskin Productions Report

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    #46

    Woman in patterned jacket holding a martini glass, animatedly acting out a scene in a kitchen setting. Jessica Walter in Arrested Development (and Archer) .. her mean mom character dynamic is gold

    ModelChimp , 20th Century Fox Television Report

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    #47

    Actor in dark hooded robe with pale makeup portraying a crushing film role in a memorable performance. Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine.

    Cuish , Lucas Films, Disney Report

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    #48

    Man wearing glasses and a burgundy shirt sitting on a couch, illustrating actor who crushed a role hard in a TV scene. Danny Devito's Frank Reynolds is the best piece of casting this century.

    Mcpilch , FXX Report

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