Vincent D’Onofrio appreciation thread

VERY Much love.......Robert Goren is my favorite network TV performance ever - especially seasons 1-4 before it got lost and ovrwritten. He's brilliant in that series.

This short film is one of my favorite shorts ever, he stars and directed and wrote based on Welles situation in The Third Man

~30 minutes - well worth a watch especially for fans of Welles as a short contrast to Mank:

Incredible actor. One of our finest character actors, without question.

Big fan. He's someone who often aims for the rafters, and sometimes strikes out. But his fearlessness means he often hits homeruns as well. To me, D'onofrio is probably who many on this board think Nicolas Cage is. A mercurial, risk taking actor that will often go BIG. But with far more control and technique than Cage, who too often slips into self parody.

Private Pyle in Full Metal Jacket is  a big highlight of his movie career, and he'd have deserved a supporting actor Oscar nomination.

If it isn't my fav perf it's certainly at least a rare, underrated one from him - Signs of Life (1989) - Mary Louise Parker's first movie, Arthur Kennedy's last, with Kathy Bates, Beau Bridges, Will Patton. Very small-town Maine vibe, a PBS coproduction, there's some phoniness and melodrama to it but worth seeing for the cast and a lot of poetic, droll moments. It's kinda like D'Onofrio's Gilbert Grape... burned out by his job, family, friends, etc, all adding up and he's trying to escape before hitting the bottom of his insecurity.

Promo pic - I swear it's not a sitcom....

He iwas also great in The Salton Sea



And of course there's his TV role in Netflix's Daredeil as King Pin. He played a major part in making that show a hit. imo.

One of the most dependable character actors who, when allowed, can give some of the most bracing and exciting performances you can imagine. His barnstorming breakthrough in Full Metal Jacket leaves such a massive void after he (and Ermey) depart that it lessens what is otherwise a pretty strong second half. He is obviously amazing at playing psychotics and brutal murderers, most notably in things like The Cell. He's an absolute delight as Edgar, and his imposing physicality belies a calculated brilliance as Wilson Fisk. A decade ago, he'd have made a worthy pick for Judge Holden (he obviously looks the part, but if they could've steered the role towards his underrated charming side, which he is surprisingly effective at, he would've been truly special).

But yeah, Law & Order: Criminal Intent is his best work and really shows what a uniquely gifted actor he is.

I still would put "Three Men and Adena", "Prison Riot" and the three-parter with the Gordon Pratt shootings over it, but "Subway" is brilliant and really brings out the best of Braugher (a strong contender for the best TV actor of the 1990s) and D'Onofrio.

I genuinely don't think there was a better feeling on TV than when Pembleton got someone cornered in the Box.

Love him - I said this before his Robert Goren on Law & Order: Criminal Intent is my favorite TV character on non-cable TV........ever. I love how he played that part - especially in the first 4 seasons where the writing is up to speed. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Vince Hanna in that his characteristics and behavior is what we'd associate with a villain not a typical hero or even anti-hero.

It's genius level acting at times ......never Emmy nominated.......wtf!

Also love him in lots of other stuff and to anyone who loves him, Orson Welles, or Citizen Kane this short film that he wrote, directed and stars in in..........is totally awesome