The Acting styles, or actors preferred method, is one of many layers that make up the art know as acting. I’d like to discuss a couple as they pertain to the stars of the film Unforgiven. The film stars three extremely talented actors: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Morgan Freeman. All three gentlemen are accomplished stars in their own right yet each has achieved their level of success by perfecting their own style of acting.

Clint Eastwood’s acting style is that of a personality actor. The primary reason for this classification is that despite the character he’s playing, Eastwood continually displays some of the same mannerisms. His characters are often strong, silent loner type folks who display little to no social skills and encounter some type of injustice. These grievances are usually handled with some form of gunplay. These traits are so dominant and effortless in his character portrayals that they must stem from his true personality. It is widely believed that, “…strong personality actors can make it diffi­cult for audiences to differentiate between the actor and the character” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, pg 84).

Typical Clint Eastwood Character Story Line. (Rendorian, 2009)

I feel that Morgan Freeman is best classified as a personality actor. He is best known for playing co-star roles. I used to believe that an actor who consistently played co-star roles was one that lacked true talent and would never become a master of their craft. Freeman dispelled that belief for me. He has always infused his co-starring roles with a degree of passion that is usually associated with headlining actors. He has a unique view on preparing for upcoming movie roles. During an interview Freeman was asked if he did anything special to prepare for an upcoming movie role, he responded, “But seriously, I don’t think there is any need for that. When I played a prisoner [in “Shawshank Redemption”], some of the actors went to go spend the night in jail. Really? To learn what?” (as cited in Newgen, 2013). He believes in learning your lines and letting the rest of the performance come naturally. This statement lets us know that what we see on-screen, or stage, from Morgan Freeman is coming from his personality.

Sample of Morgan Freeman’s Body of Work. (Movieclips, 2013)

Actor Gene Hackman is a classic character actor. This style of acting can be defined as those “…who specialize in playing a wide variety of characters, most often supporting or minor roles rather than leading roles” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, pg 102). Hackman has played a multitude of characters. Each of his performances have exuded excellence and passion. He has honed his craft to such a point that he can have the audience rooting for him as an underdog basketball coach or demanding his head as a crooked sheriff. No matter the role he makes us believe in his character. Gene Hackman isn’t an actor that can be typecast, this can be attributed to his preparation and love for acting.

Gene Hackman exuding passion/Crimson Tide. (Art, 2012)

Goodykoontz, B. & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: from watching to seeing. San Deigo, CA: Bridgepoint Education Inc. Retrived from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUENG225.11.2

Rendorian. (2009, June 18). Tribute to clint eastwood [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQxfI08Y3Jc

Newgen, H. (2013, March). Blouinartinfohttp. Morgan freeman on why he’s not a method actor. Retrieved from http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/880491/morgan-freeman-on-why-hes-not-a-method-actor

Movieclips. (2013, March 19). The many faces of morgan freeman – mashup of gravitas hd [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbgJkQVdZQU

Art of Film & Television. (2012, August 21). Crimson tide – mutiny scene – [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHMER1h4BNU