Making the Most of Limited Screen Time: Actors Who Made Extraordinary Efforts Even For Small Roles

Actors who made a mark with small roles and proved that screen time can't confine talent

Acting is a craft that demands dedication, even for brief appearances on the silver screen, although some actors might take a more relaxed approach to minor roles. But there are those who go above and beyond, investing months in preparation for a few minutes of screen time, to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their craft. This article dives into the stories of 10 actors who gave it their all for tiny, yet unforgettable parts.

1. Alex Livinalli & Mabel Cadena - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In the "Black Panther" sequel, even though Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) takes the spotlight as the leader of the Talokanil, his cousin Namora (Mabel Cadena) doesn't fade into the background. She's a visible presence, participating in action sequences and even sharing a brief moment with Namor, even though her screen time amounts to just a few minutes. What's truly impressive is the commitment of actors Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli, who played Attuma. They dedicated several months to intensive underwater training, enduring breath-holding exercises that started with mere seconds and extended to minutes to prepare for their brief roles.

2. Channing Tatum - Hail, Caesar!

In the Coen brothers' film "Hail, Caesar!", Channing Tatum showed dedication to his role as Burt Gurney, an actor-dancer, by spending three months honing his tap dancing skills for an elaborate song-and-dance routine. His commitment paid off, as his performance in this eight-minute scene remains memorable. Tatum's willingness to go the extra mile for a brief but impressive role shows his passion for his craft.

3. Gal Gadot - Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Gal Gadot showed immense dedication to transform herself into Wonder Woman for her supporting role in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" despite a limited screen time of around 15 minutes in the movie. She committed nine months to intensive training and dietary changes to sculpt a warrior-like physique. This investment was all the more remarkable considering her upcoming role in the Wonder Woman solo film.

4. Ray Park - Solo: A Star Wars Story

Ray Park's return as Darth Maul in the surprise cameo at the end of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" showed his dedication, as he invested three to four hours daily in training despite the cameo's brief duration and Maul's lack of physical action in the scene. It's worth noting that Maul's appearance had changed over nearly 20 years, which sparked some unnecessary chatter. However, Park's efforts to embody the character were undeniable.

5. Charlie Sheen - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Charlie Sheen's role as Garth Volbeck in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" involved playing a hilariously strung-out stoner, and for that, he needed to nail that disheveled, wasted look. While he could've taken the easy road, Sheen decided to stay awake for a grueling 48 hours before filming to look the part. It may not sound like much on paper, but that's a significant commitment for just five minutes of screen time. Sheen's dedication to looking authentically "wasted" truly paid off in the end.

6. Halle Berry - Jungle Fever

Halle Berry's dedication to her first movie role in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" was truly remarkable, since she went to great lengths to immerse herself in the character of Vivian even though she didn't actually use crack. For the entire two-month production, Berry chose not to shower, and her determination to fully embody the role, even for just a few minutes of screen time in the 132-minute film, left a lasting impression.

7. Scott Glenn - Apocalypse Now

Initially hired as a glorified extra for just two weeks, a twist of fate led to him saving director Francis Ford Coppola from a potential disaster. In gratitude, Coppola upgraded his role, extending Glenn's stay on set by several months. Glenn even immersed himself in the local culture, forming bonds with indigenous tribesmen as part of his extraordinary investment in the role, despite minimal screen time.

8. Will Poulter - The Bear

In the recent second season of "The Bear," Will Poulter made a surprise appearance as Luca, a desert chef who trains Marcus, played by Lionel Boyce, in Copenhagen. Despite having just around 10 minutes of screen time, which translated to only two days of shooting in the fast-paced world of TV production, he spent several months honing his skills in various London kitchens before filming. His portrayal of a skilled pastry chef earned widespread acclaim and added a flavorful touch to the show.

9. Brett Goldstein - Thor: Love & Thunder

Brett Goldstein gave his 100% to his cameo as Hercules in "Thor: Love and Thunder" and committed himself to two intense weeks of working out to sculpt a demi-God physique, just for a five-second appearance. Humorously, he made sure director Taika Waititi knew he was a "skinny comedian," managing expectations for his transformation in such a short time. Goldstein's efforts also included a jaw-dropping 400 push-ups on filming day. While the role may not have required it, his commitment shows that even brief appearances can demand Herculean effort.

10. Johnny Depp - Platoon

During his early days in Hollywood, Johnny Depp bagged a small role as Gator Lerner in Oliver Stone's "Platoon." Despite being a relatively small character, Depp went the extra mile by immersing himself in a month-long military boot camp alongside his co-stars and devoting months to learning Vietnamese. His commitment to authenticity, especially as an interpreter speaking Vietnamese, is evident. It's a bit of a bittersweet twist that some of his significant scenes got cut, but it showcases Depp's passion for his craft and his willingness to go above and beyond for a role.