That Guy: Keith David
The Film Yap Presents ”That Guy” celebrates those character actors who are instantly recognizable as the glue that holds countless films together, but because they are not huge movie stars, remain largely anonymous by the general moviegoing community. Say their name and you’ll get a confused look; say “you know, that guy from XXXX” and you’ll get a smile and nod of approval.
He played "Keith the Handyman" on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," merely the beginning of a long, versatile career that includes films like "The Thing," "Road House," "Marked for Death," "Bird," "Always," "Reality Bites," "Dead Presidents," "The Quick and the Dead," "Armageddon," "Pitch Black," "Requiem for a Dream," and "Where the Heart Is."
That Guy with the two first names should not be confused with the less talented "That Guy" David Keith," star of films like "Major League II," David, with loads of experience playing villains, gregarious loudmouths, or unhinged loons is typecast as a That Guy, and keeps him one of the busiest actors in the business. He's have it no other way.
Frank Armitage, "They Live" (1988)
Frank happens to think George Nada (Roddy Piper) is crazy, but that doesn't mean he's not willing to help him. What he won't do, though, is put on George's crazy alien-spotting sunglasses. He REALLY doesn't like those glasses, so much so that he's willing to have a knock-down, drag-out alley fight that goes on and on and on...and on. I don't think he'd admit he lost the fight, but look at the picture above. Is he wearing the glasses? The real winners are all of us.
Louis Fedders, "Men at Work" (1991)
Initially set as the chaperone to garbagemen Carl (Charlie Sheen) and James (Emilio Estevez), Louis is a Vietnam veteran who is more than slightly unhinged. When Carl and James become embroiled in a murder/toxic waste coverup, Louis goes off the deep end, abducting a pizza delivery man. "Men at Work" is one of the early 90s best guilty pleasures, with no pleasure more guilty than David's wild-eyed portrayal of Louis Fedders. One piece of advice: there are certain sacred things in life that you don't touch. One of those is another man's fries.
King, "Platoon" (1986)
The uneducated but sage mentor to Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), the M60-toting the M-60King was a voice of reason to Chris at a time where insanity ruled, wanton, horrific violence prevailed, and tyranny dominated his world.
Mary's Dad, "There's Something About Mary" (1998)
In playing a game of "one of these things are not like the other," as Mary's Dad David sticks out like a sore thumb among the rest of her lilly-white family. While it's hard to imagine David being married to Markie Post, it's just the baseline for the crazy things that happens on his watch, namely a frightened-to-death Ted (Ben Stiller) zipping his daddy parts into his pants. Mary's dad, already riled up from the weird guy who wants to take out his daughter, asks him which he zipped up, the "beans" or the "frank." When Ted answers "both, I think," Mary's dad has a look, and says "how the hell did you get the beans above the frank?"
Facilier, "The Princess and the Frog" (2009)
The evil "Shadow Man" responsible for turning Prince Naveen into a frog in the first place, Facilier is essentially a guy in financial trouble: he borrowed too much from the evil spirits, and when they come to collect, he hasn't got it on him. David brings a great weaselly sensibility and great bombast to the role, and sings a couple of good songs as well.
What's your favorite Keith David role? Comment below!