Short But Brilliant Career

All - What actor had a role in only 5 total movies and each movie is considered a classic (or 4 stars) by most fans and critics?

John Cazale.

• The Godfather
• The Conversation
• The Godfather Part II
• Dog Day Afternoon
• The Deer Hunter

Every single one of the films he acted in was nominated for Best Picture, and three of them won.

You even named the movies in chronological order.

Yeah, his is an interesting career, to be sure.

Anyway, I left out The Godfather Part III because he only showed up in flashback and it was archival footage, but that was nominated, too! Insane.

Not sure if this was just a one shot question or what, but another man who had a short, and great career was James Dean, who was only featured prominently in three films that were all nominated for Oscars (two for his acting.)

I've only watched Rebel Without A Cause though.

totally agree with John Cazale.Although he's basically a supporting actor in all of these films (more or less) his acting performance is definitely above average in all films.He might be one of the strongest supporing actors of all time and it's sad that he never got a leading part.

No argument that Cazale had one of the most solid resumes in the business...absolutely LOVED him in DOG DAY AFTERNOON.