One of the nasty little traits I've developed over my career in watching films is "pegging" the actor/actress. I guess, in this modern age of "Internet forums," etc. you might say "pinned" not "pegged." That is, you associate the impression of the first memorable role in which you see them, and then base your comparison of their future roles, on that first initial impression. The result being, you cannot credibly see that actor playing future roles, because to you, they will always be that first, initial "impressioned" role. Note that this "first impression" role may not be their first role in which you've seen them, or even their first role, ever, but the first "memorable" role that makes that impression for you.
Examples:
1) Tom Cruise - "pegged" role was as "Capt. David Shaun" in the movie "Taps." For a very long time, I could not see him in other roles thereafter, since he would always be "Capt. Shaun" the "psycho" Cadette. I had difficulty with him in both "The Outsiders" (as Steve Randle) as well as "Risky Business" because of that "pegging." And, even though I had seen him in "Endless Love" before Taps, I just didn't remember his performance in that movie. I will say, though, he did an decent job at "un-pegging" himself (albeit temporarily), in Top Gun.
2) Robert Prosky - Of course, most will remember him as "Off. Jablonkski" the desk Sgt. in the "Hill St. Blues" TV series, taking over for Phil Esterhaus, the Michael Conrad character. But, to me, Prosky will always be "The Bear..." Col. Berrineau in the movie "The Lords of Discipline" It's his "southern drawl" that will seal that memory, even though it wasn't a perfect/natural one.
3) Michael Biehn - Likewise, his "pegged" role also comes from "The Lords of Discipline" as the sadistic leader of "The 10" organization, Cadette "John Alexander," even though most will probably remember him from the original "Terminator" (as Kyle Reece) or other later roles. Same for "Bill Paxton" who played Cadette "Cain Gibreath"
So, which actors/actresses have you "pegged" and in what roles?
Examples:
1) Tom Cruise - "pegged" role was as "Capt. David Shaun" in the movie "Taps." For a very long time, I could not see him in other roles thereafter, since he would always be "Capt. Shaun" the "psycho" Cadette. I had difficulty with him in both "The Outsiders" (as Steve Randle) as well as "Risky Business" because of that "pegging." And, even though I had seen him in "Endless Love" before Taps, I just didn't remember his performance in that movie. I will say, though, he did an decent job at "un-pegging" himself (albeit temporarily), in Top Gun.
2) Robert Prosky - Of course, most will remember him as "Off. Jablonkski" the desk Sgt. in the "Hill St. Blues" TV series, taking over for Phil Esterhaus, the Michael Conrad character. But, to me, Prosky will always be "The Bear..." Col. Berrineau in the movie "The Lords of Discipline" It's his "southern drawl" that will seal that memory, even though it wasn't a perfect/natural one.
3) Michael Biehn - Likewise, his "pegged" role also comes from "The Lords of Discipline" as the sadistic leader of "The 10" organization, Cadette "John Alexander," even though most will probably remember him from the original "Terminator" (as Kyle Reece) or other later roles. Same for "Bill Paxton" who played Cadette "Cain Gibreath"
So, which actors/actresses have you "pegged" and in what roles?