>>When an actor has been successfull somewhere (like SNL for Will Ferrell) I don't know if it's just me but after that I find it hard to see that actor in other kinds or role. Take John Ritter for example. After being Jack Tripper in Three's company I always saw him as Jack Tripper and for me Jack Tripper could'nt be in serious roles.
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>Yeah, there are actors where I've had that problem, but I think it's partly a reflection on the actor. The great actors make themselves the part they're playing today and there's no problem with seeing only an older part.
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There is a terrific group interview with Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, and Judi Dench in the current (Oscar preview) issue of Entertainmant Weekly. They are asked specifically whether they rewatch themselves in earlier roles. All three said not very often. Meryl said she was watching TV with her daughters not long ago and they wound up watching at least part of "Falling in Love", which she starred in with Robert DeNiro. One of the daughters asked whether the DeNiro character left his wife for her and she said she didn't remember.