Movie stars making the leap to the small screen
Shows like Lost have shown that a television show can be just as compelling (and expensive) as the most blockbuster movie. Several actors from the show have been appearing in films since it started. This is seen as the logical progression. However, even before Lost some actors have been revitalizing their career by going the opposite way: from the big screen to the small. Here, we recognize a few of our favorites.
- Gary Sinise: Starting out in a series of television movies, Sinise’s first big break came as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. This launched him into big-name films like Apollo 13 and The Green Mile. However, his most stable role has been as Det. Mac Taylor on CSI: NY, whom he’s played since 2004.
- Martin Sheen: Sheen garnered critical acclaim for performances in Apocalypse Now, Gettysburg, and Wall Street, among others. He brought his strong work ethic to TV on The West Wing, where he played Pres. Josiah Bartlet for seven seasons.
- Charlie Sheen: Like father, like son? Not quite. The younger Sheen generally appeared in more comedic films like Major League and Hot Shots before falling prey to a series of personal crises. He later brought that bad boy image to the bank as the thinly-veiled Charlie Harper on the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men.
- Kiefer Sutherland: After an early career in films like The Lost Boys, Young Guns, and Flatliners, Sutherland’s film career was steady but unimpressive. In 2001, however, he found the role he was born to play: Jack Bauer on the Fox action-drama 24. His gruff but sensitive demeanor has won fans for the show all over the world, with the series’ final episode reaching 9.3 million viewers.
