Beginning in the late 196os and early 197os, lead actors had to be neither attractive nor romantic in order to be cast in lead starring roles.
My Oscar Book:
Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman began his career as a character actor, distinguishing himself in secondary parts in films such as Bonnie and Clyde (his first nomination). Hackman’s part in I Never Sang for My Father brought a second supporting nomination–“I guess the Academy is trying to tell me something,” he said. Even so, Hackman was proud to state: “I never approach a film as if I’m playing a supporting character. If I do, then I’m just a supporting character. I approach it as if it’s the most important thing in my life.”
In 1971, Hackman won the Best Actor for The French Connection, after which he has played both leading and supporting roles’ by choice. For his role as a sadistic sheriff in Unforgiven, Hackman won a second, supporting Oscar. Hackman belongs to the new breed of star character actors who get lead roles without conforming to Hollywood’s traditional typecasting, demanding that leading men be attractive and project a romantic image.
Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau’s career. In the 1950s, typically cast in villainous roles, Matthau seemed destined to stay in the supporting league. But he rose to sudden stardom in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, in a role written for him. Matthau went on to star in a succession of comedies, earning a supporting Oscar for The Fortune Cookie, and two Best Actor nominations for Kotch and The Sunshine Boys. Interestingly, the same slouching posture, awkward walk, and nonhandsome face, which had kept Matthau from becoming a leading man in the 1950s and 1960s, were used–and perceived by the public–to different effect in the 1970s. For the first time in his career, Matthau was asked play romantic roles, beginning with House Calls opposite Glenda Jackson.
