It's only a 1% difference, but on the one hand you've got a country that virtually everybody has heard of, until recently the 2nd largest economy in the world, huge famous film industry, and a famous film made by probably their 2nd most famous filmmaker that you could guess just from the sound of the title where it was from... on the other hand... you've got an obscure character actor who has never had a leading role that I can recall. I'm actually surprised it's so close.
Rickman had the lead in Truly, Madly, Deeply. The role of Severus Snape was written with him in mind and he played it SO well having been given secret information beforehand from Rowling. He's always been one of my favorite actors because of his versatility, from Colonel Brandon to Gruber to Snape to Alexander Dane of Galaxy Quest. He was also nominated twice for a Tony. His only role I didn't particularly care for was as the Sheriff of Nottingham which bordered on being corny IMHO. He is also incredibly sexy, but I can see how you guys might not remember him for that, Kalbahamut. :)
I didn't say he was a poor actor, just that he's not exactly a famous leading man type. Never saw Truly, Madly, Deeply. Also, like I said you could just guess Japan randomly. Not so much Rickman.
Ander, I can't believe you didn't mention "Love Actually". His role wasn't huge, but he did set Emma Thompson up for one of the best crying scenes ever.
Remembering his face or the other roles he played is far different than remembering his name. Offhand, I could remember him as the Sherriff of Nottingham, Snape, Dr. Lazarus, Marvin the paranoid android, and Absolem the caterpillar. But for the life of me I couldn't remember his name. Japan, on the other hand, comes right to mind without even having to think about it.
Alan Rickman played Colonel Brandon, the sexy man in Sense and Sensibility (the movie based on the Jane Austen novel for which the actress Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay) who rescues Kate Winslett's character..... It was so creepy to see him then play Professor Snape! OMG! Euroterrorists? Fine. But snarky greasey-haired Snape? Aaarrgghh!
Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility is one of the best movies I've ever seen. He arranged every scene so that it could stand alone as a painting. Thompson did a great screenplay, injecting the subtle humor of Austen yet making the characters sympathetic without being maudlin. I've see it dozens of times yet I still chuckle every time I see Elinor quietly sitting at the foot of the stairs drinking her tea with the rest of her family wailing all around her in their bedrooms. And my heart breaks every time I see the unrequited love for Marianne in Colonel Brandon's eyes. RIckman played his part so well.
I knew Gruber right away. I've never heard of "My Name is Totoro," but I got it on the first guess because it sounds very Japanese. So I'm sure a lot of people did the same.
I never heard of that movie from Japan. Never. But Die Hard was impossible to escape. And they played the Euroterrorist America the first/best/egotistical explosion theme to death.
Wouldn't Asperger's be more accurate for Rain Man than Autism? Or an acceptable alternate answer? Technically, he really doesn't show all the characteristics of either symptom/disease.
Wow, Jessie Ventura became a governor! Didn't know that. Hopefully the age of celebrity politicians will soon be over based on woeful performances with covid-19 deaths, but i fear not.
He was at least more interested in governing than some other celebrity elected officials I can name, but also a bit of an unmoored conspiracy nut. And unfortunately I fear we're far from clearing this age. Herschel Walker and Quack Huckster Mehmet Oz next at bat. And I fear, before long, probably Tucker Carlson.