Unsung heroes of cinema. Part 6. Illeana Douglas.

You recognise their faces but you aren't quite sure where from. You see them and go "HER!! I see her in everything" and then you forget them. There's a fleeting recognition that disappears as soon as they die in, usually, violent ways. These are the actors that if, IF, you notice them, don't turn up in the opening credits of a film. In fact you'll have to do some pretty lengthy searching of the closing scrolling credits to find them

Illeana Douglas.

She's been munched on by both Robert De Niro and members of a hungry Argentinian rugby team, been Martin Scorsese's muse, been in indie masterpieces based on much adored comic books, went out with crazy Tommy De Vito, acted in critically destroyed big budget box office disasters, been attacked by Megasharks, and hung out with Andy Warhol.

The very definition of a character actor, nearly always playing a quirky or giddy or high strung character Illeana has graced cinema and tv screens for 30 years now, always in a small supporting role. Definitely an actor I'd love to see get her own film or tv show one day as she is always an interesting and welcome presence. Check out her very varied career here

Greatest Hits

Cape Fear. The first victim of Max Cady in a notorious scene which drowned the film in controversy on its original release.

To Die For. Plays a small part in Gus Van Sants odd but excellent little drama and gets a great ironic final scene all to herself.

Ghost World. Roberta, the art teacher who makes a difference in the lives of the 2 heroines of the film. The best comic book adaption that no one watched.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5