Poll: farthest fall from tough-guy to oaf

[suzzer99]

The idea here is some actor who generally used to come off as a complete badass, but is now something of a laughingstock in their advancing years. IE - I think Willaim Shatner's Priceline commercials and Henry Winkler's role in Arrested Development are pretty funny. But you have to admit they don't exactly command a lot of respect. Especially when you think back to their younger incarnations as Kirk and Fonz.

I also find it interesting that some characters like Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, or Sean Connery have retained all of the badassness, if not picked up a little more along the way into old age. I'm curious as to what qualities in an actor/person would cause one to slide one way or the other. IE - I'm not particularly a badass in any way right now, but I'd hate to slip into a laughing stock bumbler by the time I'm 60. Ok that's stupid.

Anyway, please discuss this concept and feel free to point out any other toughguy/bumblers that I may have missed. Figures in sports and music, anything image/fame related are eligible too. I just can't think of any off the top of my head.

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[suzzer99]

Ok, before everyone freaks out, I don't think Vince Vaugan really comes off as an oaf. I do think it's interesting how quickly he transformed though from a serious actor/leading man--to basically a comedic foil, possibly for the rest of his career.

[Duff]

William Shatner is a fing badass on Boston Legal, no way did he lose it.

[sushijerk]

Adam West was never a badass, at least not from Batman. His voiceover work owns though.

You are forgetting Christopher Walken, also gotten more badass with age.

[El Diablo]

suzzer,

When I read the title, I thought this would be a two horse race between Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Yet, neither of them are even on the list.

Horrible poll. I didn't vote and don't even care that there's no "See results without voting" option because the poll is so weak.

[suzzer99]

[ QUOTE ]
suzzer,

When I read the title, I thought this would be a two horse race between Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Yet, neither of them are even on the list.

Horrible poll. I didn't vote and don't even care that there's no "See results without voting" option because the poll is so weak.

[/ QUOTE ]

But neither one of these guys is currently acting and some kind of goofball/oaf are they? They just are general morons who have mostly disappeared from view. Which is why I didn't consider them originally.

The poll was not to crown the champion, it was to open debate on those and find the others. So good work Diablo. Well done.

[Eurotrash]

[ QUOTE ]
suzzer,

When I read the title, I thought this would be a two horse race between Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Yet, neither of them are even on the list.

[/ QUOTE ]


hah, I wasn't thinking Van Damme, but I opened this thread expecting to place a vote for Steven Seagal. and then it turns out he's not even on the list?? weak.

another write-in for Seagal.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
Adam West was never a badass, at least not from Batman. His voiceover work owns though.

You are forgetting Christopher Walken, also gotten more badass with age.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amazing transformation. I thought he was wimpy when he first made his appearance, and now he's become a celebrated bad-ass. That's an incredibly tough one to sell to the public, and I'm amazed he could do it. All credit to the guy.

[surfinillini]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, before everyone freaks out, I don't think Vince Vaugan really comes off as an oaf. I do think it's interesting how quickly he transformed though from a serious actor/leading man--to basically a comedic foil, possibly for the rest of his career.

[/ QUOTE ]

he's like 6'4"...hardly an oaf

[jester710]

Given how much of a badass he was early in his career compared to how he's viewed now, I think George Foreman deserves inclusion on this list.