Just Plain Character Actors

Where have you been ... living in a bubble? Or don’t you really know anything about the real Hollywood (“The Unusual Suspects,” by Jon Burlingame, May 5)?

You’ve only scratched the tip of the iceberg! What do all the actors you mentioned in your article have in common? None of them are beautiful or handsome.

They are all supporting actors. Hollywood labels them character actors so as not to hurt their feelings.

There are a plethora of great-looking actors who are great actors, but they don’t get the chance to play the supporting “character” roles because the producers and the directors don’t want to take anything away from the leads (stars).

I represent a client who has played one “character role” with Kathy Bates and Lou Gossett Jr., and he stole the show (“Curse of the Starving Class”).

He’s a great actor ... but he’s great-looking too. So he doesn’t get too many opportunities to shine in these supporting roles you’re spouting off about. He’s been here for 15 years and only met 5% of the casting directors in town. But he’s worked for most of those casting directors again and again because he’s a damn good actor. Hollywood’s fickle ... and you’re just making it worse.

T.C. SHANNON

Five Star Management

Studio City