It's safe to say that stereotypes in Hollywood still exist. Scientists, geeks, bombshells, and even grandpas, used to be cast by considering some type of set of physical features that somehow made us think the casting was spot on. We actually bought some performances because of a physical resemblance that was nothing but stereotype guidelines wrongly created by an industry.
When it came to fathers, Craig T. Nelson fit the role in the '80s. The talented actor could play the part in both films and television and blew everyone's hats off as the father who fought the unthinkable in 1982's Poltergeist. He was already recognizable, and then he became America's favorite football coach in the series Coach. Today, he's part of Hollywood lineage and as seldom as we see him today in films and TV, Nelson remains in our minds as the actor who cared nothing about stereotypes if that meant becoming part of Hollywood history. His latest roles are proof he's staying in a comfort zone by sticking to performances that seem comfortable to him.
These are his 15 best films, ranked by the Rotten Tomatoes score
15 Turner & Hooch (1989) - 50%
In Turner & Hooch, Craig Theodore Nelson (yes, his actual name) plays Howard Hyde, a police chief that has a lot of secrets up his sleeve, but fortunately, Scott Turner (Tom Hanks) and his dog Hooch eventually discover them. Spoiler alert! It was hard to think of Nelson as the bad guy, but luckily his range was good enough to make us believe he could do the unthinkable: yes, you know who dies.
14 The Family Stone (2005) - 52%
The Family Stone is a feel-good family comedy film that tells the story of a Christmas gathering with too many complications involving a proposal and the ring used for it. Nelson plays Kelly, a father and husband that's probably the kindest person in the room until he's forced to react. The Family Stone is the next Christmas film you want to put on your list for the holidays. Yes, it's pretty entertaining.
13 Book Club (2018) - 54%
Rom-com Book Club is one of the most recent films on the list and features Nelson as Bruce, Carol's husband who has lost all inspiration and can't perform the way Carol wants. His role is very restricted to what the script says, but given his age and looks, we can't think of a better actor to play the role.
12 All the Right Moves (1983) - 63%
The 1983 sports drama All the Right Moves stars a very young Tom Cruise in the role of a student whose football skills are enough for him to seek a scholarship, giving him the opportunity to escape the town he's trapped in. The problem is Coach Nickerson (Nelson) shatters every possibility of him leaving because of a conflict he can't forget. Nelson's performance as a coach is probably what inspired the casting call for the show that made him part of TV history.
11 The Devil's Advocate (1997) - 64%
In Taylor Hackford's The Devil's Advocate, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) becomes the protégé of John Milton AKA Satan. But still, completely ignorant of who his new boss is, he must defend Alex Cullen when he gets accused of murdering his wife, stepson, and the maid. Cullen is played by Nelson, who in a few minutes of footage, embodies everything we hate about the powerful people who can cheat the justice system with the right amount of money.
10 The Company Men (2010) - 67%
The Company Men is an underrated drama film about a corporation laying off employees and the effect this has on three of them, but also on the ones who remain. Nelson plays James Salinger, a ruthless leader who will do everything in his power to prove the worth of his unethical decisions. This is one of Nelson's best roles in the most recent part of his career.
9 Stir Crazy (1980) - 69%
Stir Crazy is Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor's comedy show. Nelson is a great addition to the cast, playing Deputy Wilson, a cold-blooded warden who makes Skip and Harry's stay in prison a living hell. Still in the early part of his career, Nelson provides a comedic balance to the main duo and manages to play a great antagonist.
8 Blades of Glory (2007) - 70%
Nelson isn't usually associated with comedy, but in Blades of Glory, his work as Coach Goddard is solid and works as a good counterpart to Will Ferrell and Jon Heder's comedic performances. It can be argued, but as different as football and figure skating are, casting Nelson is probably related to his work in the TV series Coach. Nelson's natural voice is that of a coach, and no one can say it differently.
7 Silkwood (1983) - 76%
Mike Nichols' Silkwood is a film that, 40 years later, is still hard to watch. The true story of Karen Silkwood (Meryl Streep) is the basis for the film, which tells the story of Silkwood's involvement in exposing the hazardous conditions for nuclear workers and the ordeal she supposedly went through when she decided to speak. Nelson plays Winston, one of Silkwood's co-workers, in an unbeatable cast ensemble.
6 ...And Justice for All (1979) - 82%
In Norman Jewison's ...And Justice for All, Nelson plays Frank Bowers, the attorney facing Arthur Kirkland (one of Al Pacino's best roles of his career) in a divisive trial that could convict a judge for assault and rape. Kirkland tries to convince Bowers to play his game, but Bowers decides to go for fame. This is a very good film and one of the best legal dramas ever made.
5 Poltergeist (1982) - 88%
Poltergeist is probably Nelson’s most prominent role in mainstream cinema. For a while, he was seen as America’s leader who unconditionally leads his family when facing an unspeakable form of horror. Nelson’s portrayal is very balanced between a skeptical father and an unfaithful man forced to believe there’s something in the beyond.
4 If These Walls Could Talk (1996) - 88%
If These Walls Could Talk is an anthology directed by Nancy Savoca and Cher that tells three stories of women going through the ordeal of abortion. In the 1996 segment, Nelson plays Jim Harris, a professor who gets a student pregnant and decides not to help her with the process of abortion. Nelson’s dramatic skills are effective, but sadly the role is too small.
3 The Killing Fields (1984) - 93%
In The Killing Fields, Nelson plays Major Reeves, a military figure that knows a thing or two about the dynamics of a war-ridden Cambodia. In the film, he confirms his ability as a character actor that can embody basically anything if just given the right script. As good as the opportunity was for Nelson, the supporting role is too secondary in the film.
2 Incredibles 2 (2018) - 93%
Incredibles 2 is the long-awaited sequel of Pixar’s animated adventure The Incredibles, and it was actually worth the wait. This one puts Bob (Nelson) in charge of taking care of the children as he needs to stay at home because Elastigirl is in the superhero spotlight. As happened its predecessor, Nelson provides superb voice work.
1 The Incredibles (2004) - 97%
Craig T. Nelson’s highest-ranked film on Rotten Tomatoes is Pixar’s superheroes animated feature The Incredibles. He plays Bob also known as Mr. Incredible, the father of a chaotic household that deals with the issues of every other dysfunctional family whose members have amazing superpowers. The veteran actor’s work in the film is already iconic in modern cinema.