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Top 10 Stanley Tucci

A firm favourite of ours, Stanley Tucci has a career which spans two decades; including several shows and films. With not-so small beginnings in television and film, Tucci quickly triumphed, earning the respect and acclaim he so rightly deserved amongst his peers. He may not always be the main character in a film, but retains his stance as a leading man every time.

His Top 10 Films

Murder One (1995)

After several secondary parts and cameos in feature films such as Beethoven and The Pelican Brief, Stanley Tucci starred in the entire first season of Murder One, a courtroom crime series from the producers of NYPD Blue and LA Law. Tucci played morally ambiguous philanthropist Richard Cross, and took the opportunity to show what he could do with a dynamic and complex character.

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Big Night (1996)

During his time on Murder One, Tucci found time to fit in Big Night. Set during the 1950s in New Jersey, the film follows two brothers as they struggle to run their family restaurant. With high expectations and delicious food the brothers still can’t seem to find the recipe for success. Tucci debuted behind the camera as Campbell Scott’s co-director, as well as co-leading the movie opposite Tony Shalhoub.

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A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

In 1999, Michael Hoffman reworked Shakespeare’s classic with a 19th Century Italian twist, and featuring bicycles and operatic interludes. Tucci joined a starry ensemble – including Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart, Anna Friel, Christian Bale and Sam Rockwell – as Puck, and although this fifth major cinematic adaptation of the play failed to gain any Oscar praise, it was received favourably by critics.

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Conspiracy (2001)

Returning to the small-screen in a feature-length film made for television, Tucci teamed up with Kenneth Branagh in this dramatic production about Nazi officials during WWII. Branagh bagged a Golden Globe and the film picked up a BAFTA Award for best drama. Colin Firth – who had just wrapped Bridget Jones – makes an appearance as Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart, a far cry indeed from Mark Darcy.

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The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tucci seized the chance to play director Stanley Kubrick in director Stephen Hopkins’ vivid life-story of comedy great Peter Sellers. Kubrick and Sellers’ most famous collaboration was on the darkly satirical Doctor Strangelove, and Tucci shares memorable scenes with actor Geoffrey Rush, who puts in an arresting performance as the genius but tortured comedian.

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The Terminal (2004)

Returning to the more formidable persona recognisable in his early career, Tucci steps into the shoes of steely Immigration Officer Frank Dixon in this dramatic comedy. Also starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta Jones, and directed by Steven Spielberg, The Terminal is based on the true story of an Iranian refugee who lived for 18 years in the departure lounge of the Charles de Gaulle airport in France.

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Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

In this action-fuelled film, Tucci once again holds his own among a high-profile line-up including Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Lucy Liu. In a severe case of mistaken identity, Slevin (Hartnett) winds up in trouble with an array of questionable characters, including Tucci’s Detective Brikowski. Lucky Number Slevin made a decent profit at the box office, and sees Tucci embracing his edgier side.

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The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

As one of the last actors to be cast, it’s hard to imagine anyone else but Tucci as Miranda Priestly’s (Meryl Streep) sharp-tongued wing-man. Casting directors originally envisaged Javier Cámara (Paris, Je T'Aime) as Nigel, but he turned them down, allowing Tucci to step in. Tucci would reunite with Streep on-screen three years later in Julie & Julia.

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Julie & Julia (2009)

Streep, as chef and TV personality Julia Child, has 11 years on Tucci, who plays her doting husband, Paul; in reality, Paul was 10 years older. Working with a strong cast, Tucci’s complementary turn is another reminder why he secures such demanding roles. The film’s release marked a tragic personal event for the actor though, as his wife lost her battle with cancer.

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Easy A (2010)

A charming cameo as Emma Stone’s dad in the Golden Globe nominated Easy A lends credence to this edgy teen comedy, even though his screen time is sparse. When we asked Stone about starring – even briefly – with Tucci, she said: “You learn a lot from working with people like that.” Tucci’s role is one of the movie’s highlights, zinging witty dialogue back and forth with Patricia Clarkson, who plays his wife.

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Jennifer Trevorrow