5. The Dad from Blank Check

Okay, this is just the role I always connect him to from my childhood, but you may know him better as “the father-in-law from Meet the Parents” or “The douchey headmaster from Scent of a Woman”. Either way, this guy always adds a great bald, white-guyness to his scenes. Fact is, this guy has 106 credits on IMDB, earning him a “that guy” spot in my book. So let’s give it up for the skeptical politician from Independence Day. May he always be there to play a dad or an asshole for us.

4. The Book Detective from Seinfeld

This guy, generally a cop of some sort, or a doctor, has managed to rack up 147 credits on IMDB without anyone knowing his name, impressive. I’ve gotten to know his work through is obvious friendship with one of my favorite directors, Paul Thomas Anderson, and I really like his stuff. That doesn’t mean, on the other hand, that I know his name. I mean, I just saw it because I’m researching him online right now, but I’ll probably forget it right after I finish writing this.

3. The Dad from Six Feet Under

We always applaud when one of our “that guy” actors is nominated for an Oscar, as this man did in 2009 for The Visitor. It’s too bad that, if he won, they would have said, “and the Oscar goes to… the psychiatrist from There’s Something About Mary!” I don’t want to poke too much fun, since I really do enjoy his performances, but he hasn’t earned a place in the name-memory bank of moviegoers so… he’s still “that guy”

2. Heywood from The Shawshank Redemption

I’ve actually had the pleasure of running into this guy in person a few times (he lives in my area); it’s the fact that I had to wonder if I knew him personally or from film that has earned his spot on this list. It also doesn’t hurt that, when I told my friends about seeing him I had to say “the guy from The Mist and Shawshank” to illicit a reaction from them. He’s a good actor and seemed to be a nice guy, but he’s still “that guy” nonetheless.

1. The Cook from Waiting…

Here’s another guy who’s made it over the 100 mark in IMDB credits and one of the few cast members who were bold enough to stick it out through Still Waiting…. He comes in at number one because of his hilarious performances and instant recognition without, of course, us ever learning his name. He has also appeared in a number of PTA’s movies, which doesn’t hurt getting my vote. He’s a good actor in comedy and drama alike. Just seeing his picture should set off your that-guy sense.

…and now, a moment to congratulate the actors who have made it out of that-guyness…

Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Bill Hader, William H. Macy, Michael Clarke Duncan, Justin Long, Tim Meadows, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Jeremy Piven, I could go on, but I don’t want to flex my muscles here…

Coming Soon: Top 5 “That Girl” Actresses