Happy Birthday, Robert Downey Jr.!

Today we're celebrating the 47th birthday of Academy Award-nominated actor Robert Downey Jr. He scored his first film appearance in 1970's Pound, but it wasn't until his role in 1985's Weird Science that the public actually started to notice him. Downey worked consistently through the rest of the 1980s and scored his first Oscar nomination in 1992 for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the film Chaplin. Although he continued to find film roles, his off-screen life started to fall into a bit of turmoil, and it wasn't until the mid-2000s that Downey truly started to make a comeback. In 2005, he appeared in the films Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Good Night, and Good Luck, but it was his roles in the 2008 films Iron Man and Tropic Thunder - for which he scored his second Oscar nomination - that truly put him back on the map. Most recently, Downey Jr. reprised his role of Sherlock Holmes in 2011's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and audiences will next see him reprise his role as Tony Stark in 2012's The Avengers. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite of his performances and have supplied a few short clips for your viewing pleasure. Once again, happy birthday Robert!

5. Wayne Gale
Natural Born Killers (1994)


*****

4. Tony Stark / Iron Man
Iron Man (2008)


*****

3. James Barris
A Scanner Darkly (2006)


*****

2. Harry Lockhart
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)


*****

1. Kirk Lazarus
Tropic Thunder (2008)

Happy Birthday, Tommy Lee Jones!

Today we're celebrating the 65th birthday of Academy Award-winning actor, Tommy Lee Jones. I think my first cinematic memory of Jones was in 1997's Men in Black, in which he starred opposite the ever-present funny-man, Will Smith. At the time, I simply thought Jones was another run-of-the-mill comedic actor, but as I continued to see more and more films, I learned that he generally delves into dramatic roles more often than comedy. Jones nabbed his Oscar in 1993 for his supporting role in The Fugitive, but he's also managed to be nominated on two other occasions: for his supporting role in 1991's JFK and for his leading role in 2007's No Country for Old Men. So, as a tribute to his acting ability, I've listed my five favorite Tommy Lee Jones roles below. I hope you enjoy the videos I've supplied. Once again, let's wish Tommy Lee Jones a happy birthday!

5. Hawk Hawkins
Space Cowboys (2000)


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4. Samuel Gerard
The Fugitive (1993)


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3. Ed Tom Bell
No Country for Old Men (2007)


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2. Warden Dwight McClusky
Natural Born Killers (1994)


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1. Agent K
Men in Black (1997)

Happy Birthday, Woody Harrelson!

It's a little ironic that I just did a DVD Challenge for Zombieland a few days ago with Woody Harrelson's birthday right around the corner, but now he's been in my consciousness for the past few days. Harrelson, who turns 50 today, made his first big break on the television show "Cheers" and rode his success from there. While he generally plays a more comedic character, he has shown that he has the ability to delve into the dramatic, garnering two Academy Award nominations throughout his career. You can currently see him in the new film Friends with Benefits. So without any further delay, here's my five favorite Woody Harrelson roles! Enjoy!

5. Carson Stone
No Country for Old Men (2007)


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4. Galaxia / Security Guard Gary
Anger Management (2003)


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3. Captain Tony Stone
The Messenger (2009)


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2. Tallahassee
Zombieland (2009)


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1. Mickey Knox
Natural Born Killers (1994)


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Awards
2003: Nominee - Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
2009: Nominee - Best Supporting Actor, Drama; Best Hero(ine)