by Nathaniel R
Oscar, Emmy, and Globe nominee Ned Beatty (Network) passed away on Sunday, just a few weeks shy of his 84th birthday. It's a mark of his sturdy career and reliability as as character actor that all three of those showbiz institutions honored him for different performances. Since he was always more of an actor than a celebrity, we thought it best to look to his characters to commemorate. After the jump, eleven key roles from his impressive career...
"Bobby" in DELIVERANCE (1972)
It's quite something to debut in a major role in a Best Picture nominee. Even if Beatty hadn't made another picture thereafter he'd be remembered for this enduring classic. Part of that is of course the harrowing rape scene where Beatty is famously asked to squeal like a pig when the protagonists are attacked by monstrous locals during their river trip. The film was a smash hit at the box office and it started Beatty's long professional relationship with Burt Reynolds. The two actors would co-star in several films together over the next decade plus.
"Tector Crites" in THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN (1972) / "Judge Roy Bean" in THE STREETS OF LAREDO (1995)
One of the most interesting though rare full circle beats of a long career is when a character somehow reoccurs outside of sequels. Beatty was way down the cast list of Paul Newman star vehicle western in '72 but twenty-three years later he played Newman's previous titular role in a television miniseries. Interestingly enough the latter was nominated by both the Casting Society of America and the Emmys for its casting work but none of its actors were singled out for awards.
"Delbert Reese" in NASHVILLE (1975)
While Beatty isn't at all the focal point of his scenes in this Robert Altman masterpiece, where he played Lily Tomlin's clueless husband, it's a fine example of how perfect he was for ensemble films. The actor rarely showboated but seamlessly added to the tapestry. He would later work with Altman again for Cookie's Fortune (1999).
"Arthur Jensen" in NETWORK (1976)
Network is another example of his ensemble use but the opposite kind where he is expected to showboat instead of blend-in. Beatty appears in only seven minutes of this masterpiece but he was so electric speaking to the Board at the network that he received his one and only Oscar nomination for it.
"Otis" in SUPERMAN (1978)
The highest grossing film of his career was this charming precursor to today's blockbusters in which audiences were promised "You will believe a man can fly". They did... and in droves. In the superhero adventure he played Lex Luthor's (Gene Hackman) bumbling comic-relief henchman. If Lex Luthor was such a brainy genius shouldn't he have hired a more capable assistant? Beatty reprised this role briefly, imprisoned, in the sequel in 1980.
"Ed Conner" in ROSEANNE (1989-1994)
Beatty first appeared in Roseanne's very first season in an episode appropriately titled "Father's Day" since he was playing Dan's (John Goodman) dad. Unlike his fellow Oscar-nominated Roseanne alum Estelle Parsons (who played Roseanne's mom) he was not a frequent guest. He only popped up in a couple episodes in seasons 3 and 6 as well, but was another addition to the rich ensemble in that seminal sitcom.
"Josef Locke" in HEAR MY SONG (1991)
His final awards recognition came courtesy of the Golden Globes for his performance as a famous Irish tenor who a failing club seeks out to restore some success to their humble club. While the Globes honored him, most of the praise for the film centered around it's then brand new writer/director Peter Chelsom.
"Daniel Ruettiger" in RUDY (1993)
Beatty played the father of the titular character Rudy (Sean Astin) in this early 90s sleeper hit. It's still a beloved inspirational sports films for those who are into that subgenre.
"Big Daddy" in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (2003/2004)
While Beatty was not a stage regular, he co-starred in one of the three revivals of this classic Tennessee William's play this century. Curiously all three of them were not all that well received (the subsequent 2008 and 2014 revivals received zero Tony nominations). The bright spot, in terms of critical reception, of the three productions was Ned Beatty and Margo Martindale's work as "Big Daddy" and "Big Mama" respectively. Beatty won the Drama Desk Award while Margo Martindale was nominated but lost. Curiously, the Tony nominating committee skipped right over Beatty and only nominated Martindale.
"Lotso" in TOY STORY 3 (2010)
While Beatty made four live-action films (The Killer Inside Me, Rampart, The Big Ask, Baggage Claim) and one more animated film (Rango) in the final decade of his career, the highlight of his final years in film was unquestionably his already classic villain "Lotso" (short for Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear) in Pixar's Best Picture nominated tearfully resonant (shoulda-been-final) Toy franchise adventure. For his work Beatty received an MTV Award nomination as well as a Gold Medal right here at this site as "Villain of the Year".
Do you have a favourite Ned Beatty performance? Do you think he deserved more than that single Oscar nomination?