Film and television audiences have watched Stanley Tucci’s movies and performances for over three decades. Undoubtedly, Tucci is one of Hollywood’s underrated actors. Although not a leading man, he’s one of the industry’s most successful character actors. Stanley Tucci is mostly known for his work on the big screen.
However, he has worked extensively in theater and television. His last credits on television were La Fortuna (2021), Inside Man (2022), and Citadel (2023). It’s hard to find a movie or TV show where Tucci does not leave an impression on audiences, irrespective of his role. In appreciation of his contribution to Hollywood, here’s a look at Stanley Tucci’s journey through the lens of his roles in movies and TV shows.
Murder One (1995-1996)
A good way to appreciate Stanley Tucci’s growth in Hollywood is to begin with one of his earliest roles. Although not his first role in television, the ABC legal drama Murder One was Stanley Tucci’s first main role on the small screen. In Murder One, Tucci played Richard Cross, a sleazy millionaire philanthropist who is the first suspect in the murder of 15-year-old Jessica Costello. It was one character television audiences loved to hate, which helped boost Stanley Tucci’s popularity. Tucci only appeared in Murder One season 1. However, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Big Night (1996)
Stanley Tucci starred in several notable movies in the early 90s, such as Billy Bathgate (1991) and The Pelican Brief (1993). However, while those were in supporting or minor roles, Tucci played the lead in his feature directorial debut, Big Night (1996). Tucci played one of two Italian immigrant brothers, Secondo, with Tony Shalhoub playing the other, Primo. Big Night was a commercial success, raking in $14.2 million at the Box Office with a production budget of $4.1 million. Stanley Tucci was nominated for Best First Screenplay, Best First Film, and Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards and won for Best First Screenplay.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Arguably, The Devil Wears Prada was Stanley Tucci’s international breakout role. His acting career had spanned about two decades at the time, but he was mostly known by North American audiences. The success of The Devil Wears Prada, especially with the role Tucci played in the movie, helped boost his profile in Hollywood and internationally. Tucci played Nigel Kipling, art director at Runway magazine. In The Devil Wears Prada, Tucci co-starred with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Simon Baker.
ER (2007-2008)
Stanley Tucci joined the cast of ER in 2007, in the medical drama’s season 13. He was introduced as Kevin Moretti, the Chief of Emergency Medicine at County General Hospital. Although he might have only appeared in 10 episodes, his Dr. Moretti character left an impression on ER audiences. Stanley Tucci exited the show in season 14, making a final appearance in the season’s finale.
Julie & Julia (2009)
In 2009, Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep starred together again in Nora Ephron’s biographical comedy-drama Julie & Julia. However, this time, he wasn’t just a loyal confidant and employee but played her husband. Tucci portrayed Paul Child, the husband of popular celebrity chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep). A lover of food and cooking, Tucci fit right in the role, giving it one of his best performances. Julie & Julia was a Box Office success, with earnings of $129.5 million on a $40 million budget.
The Lovely Bones (2009)
Not known for playing sinister characters, Stanley Tucci is cast as serial killer George Harvey in Peter Jackson’s 2009 supernatural drama The Lovely Bones. Set in 1973, The Lovely Bones centers on the murder of Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) by serial killer George Harvey. Although his wife had discouraged him from taking the role, The Lovely Bones earned Stanley Tucci his first Academy Award nomination. However, he lost to Christoph Waltz (for Inglourious Basterds).
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The 2010s was another turning point for Stanley Tucci’s career. He began the decade appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie Captain America: The First Avenger. Although not a central character, Tucci played World War II scientist Abraham Erskine. However, the character was instrumental in creating the Super Soldier serum used to create Captain America. With Box Office earnings of $370.6 million, Captain America: The First Avenger replaced The Devil Wears Prada as Stanley Tucci’s highest-grossing movie.
The Hunger Games film series (2012-2015)
Stanley Tucci followed up his Captain America: The First Avenger performance by starring in the 2012 The Hunger Games. Movie audiences will remember his character, Caesar Flickerman, as one of the Masters of Ceremonies in the film series Hunger Games. He might not have been a leading character, but his character anchored the games shown in the series. Besides, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), released as a prequel, Tucci reprised his role as Caesar Flickerman in all three The Hunger Games sequels.
Supernova (2020)
Stanley Tucci played a romantic gay partner to Colin Firth’s character in the British romantic drama Supernova (2020). Both of their characters are introduced as amateur astronomers who have been married for 20 years. Yet, they each individually struggle silently, trying not to alarm the other. Tusker Mulliner (Tucci) has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. He keeps it away from Sam (Firth) but struggles as the sickness takes its toll. Supernova is one of Stanley Tucci’s most brilliant dramatic performances. It was a great way to usher into the 2020s
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Just when movie audiences thought they had seen all of Stanley Tucci’s performances, he delivered another masterful performance portraying Clive Davis. Tucci played a supporting role in the 2022 biographical musical drama Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. The movie depicted the life and career of American pop icon and actress Whitney Houston. Over the past decades, Stanley Tucci has proven he doesn’t need to be a leading man to etch his name in history. If you enjoyed reading about Stanley Tucci’s career journey in movies and TV shows, read 9 things you didn’t know about the actor.
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