David Strathairn

Biography: A capable character actor who got his start in indies directed by his old college buddy John Sayles, David Strathairn has convincingly tackled a host of diverse roles, from an abusive pedophile (Dolores Claiborne) to a soft-spoken Cajun handyman (Passion Fish) to legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow (Good Night, and Good Luck), an impressive performance that earned the veteran actor his first Golden Globe and Oscar nods. Strathairn made his film debut in Sayles' first film, 1980's The Return of the Secaucus Seven. Over the next two decades, the two collaborated on multiple projects as Strathairn slowly ventured out on his own with myriad appearances on the big and small screens. In the '90s, the prolific player thrived in both A-list and indie projects while keeping a low personal profile, but his performance in Good Night, and Good Luck turned him into a leading man.