Actors who put in good performances despite themselves

[Riv86672]

The thread title’s not exactly accurate, but my actual question was too wordy to fit.
The question is:

• Actors you think put in good performances despite only doing the part for the money, or only doing the part due to contractual obligations •

An example of each for me is, Sir Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi was one of the best parts of the first STAR WARS film for me. He was a rock solid presence as everyone else was in high gear doing their things.
But, he only did it cuz the pay was good, and didn’t think much of the part or the movie, going by letters he wrote at the time.

Keanu Reeves only did THE WATCHER to avoid a lengthy legal dispute. Long story short, he claims his signature was forged on the contract and so he was obligated to do it. But really, i liked that performance. He really hit that vibe of serial killers being charming, ingratiating themselves into someone’s space w.out them even realizing it and getting them to lower their guard despite themselves.

So, you guys got any?

[Steel Inquisitor]

Samuel L. Jackson. He loves acting and is a delight in everything he's in.

Robert Picardo, he came to my attention in Star Trek: Voyager. It was a medicare to terrible show, yet he put in his all in every scene. Became a favourite character quickly. In other performances he holds up to that standard.

[Riv86672]

Not what I was asking, but ty.

[Guy_McNichts]

Betsy Palmer in the first Friday the 13th

She thought the script was trash and only took the job because she needed a new car. Yet she delivered an iconic performance and I'm sure is a big reason Friday the 13th became the franchise it is.

[Riv86672]

Betsy Palmer in the first Friday the 13th

She thought the script was trash and only took the job because she needed a new car. Yet she delivered an iconic performance and I'm sure is a big reason Friday the 13th became the franchise it is.

Holy crap, really?
She wound up w. a new car and a defining role, as ppl likely think of FRIDAY THE 13th whenever her name comes up.
And yeah, she was super creepy to me as a kid. Great performance!

[Kirby101]

Brando - Superman

[Steel Inquisitor]

How about Alan Rickman from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? Supposedly he hated the role but did it anyway, and was a bright spot everyone liked in the film because of his memorable melodrama performance.

[Cyke]

David Strathairn is consistently in demand on big and small screens. He can flip from big budget blockbuster to thoughtful art house flick on a whim.

He's fantastic on the Expanse, but his role is kind of punching under his weight class. He's a satellite character to a mislabeled "guest star" (really a major recurring character) and second banana. He barely interacts with the main cast. But he takes the shady, slimy, violent Ashford and imbues him with a lot of dignity, wisdom, and heroism -- even when he's an antagonist. A side character has no business being that good.

[numberthirty]

From the way he has talked about it...

Harrison Ford/Blade Runner

[Riv86672]

From the way he has talked about it...

Harrison Ford/Blade Runner

Really?
I’m surprised his cranky ass agreed to do a second go round w. BLADERUNNER 2049!
It’s not like he needs the money.

[Midvillian1322]

Denzels done alot of films for the money and hes never bad. First film that jumps out is 2guns. Buddy action film with marky mark. No way that wasn't for the money but as usual he was a joy to watch in it.

[Gaius]

Orson Welles as Unicron from Transformers: The Movie. Had little regard for it based off statements he made to his biographer about it and was in very poor health during his recording sessions, dying only a few days after he finished, but he really gives a grandiose and malevolent presence befitting of the character who is robot Satan.

[j9ac9k]

Would Leonard Nimoy from "Transformers" also count? I don't imagine he did it for the love of it.

[Speed Force League Unlimited]

Didn't Harrison Ford hate his time as Han Solo? His performance helped make that character iconic despite that.

[K7P5V]

Denzels done alot of films for the money and hes never bad. First film that jumps out is 2guns. Buddy action film with marky mark. No way that wasn't for the money but as usual he was a joy to watch in it.

I remember Denzel agreed to do Virtuosity (1995) because his son requested he appear in an action movie.