David Strathairn is presently starring in the rural thrillerWhere The Crawdads Sing , which is inspired by a disgraceful lawful offence . The actor delivers a touching performance as Kya ’s attorney who sympathize with the untried girl , treat as an outcast by the town . On top of this picture show , Strathairn has been involve in raft of other successful movies in the past , usually in striking supporting function like Tom Milton .

To bring some of Strathairn ’s lesser - known use to light , Rankerhas amass a list of the actor ’s best project so far , rank from worst to upright . FromMemphis BelletoGood Night , And Good Luck , even die - arduous film fans will find plenty of obliterate gems on this list that deserve more attention .

take down :   Ranker   inclination are lively and cover to accrue votes , so some ranking may have changed after this publishing .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

The River Wild (1994)

One of Strathairn ’s   less well - known   projects , The River Wildis a great thriller from the other ' 90s that tell the story of one category ’s chance encounter with a group of criminals whilst on holiday . The pic stars Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon in two of their most piquant and vulnerable office to date .

Strathairn portray an architect and Gail ’s husband , Tom Hartman , and play off dynamic chemistry with his on - screen co - adept , Streep . Although this film might not be as popular as some of Strathairn ’s other labor , its unpredictable narration , snappy storytelling , and emotional performances from the entire shape explain why Ranker ’s users decided to grade the film so favorably .

Memphis Belle (1990)

Memphis Belleis one of the unassailable and most effective war cinema of the 1990s ,   following the   work party of a World War I bomber plane that ’s forced to carry out a grave attack on a town full of ally   military group . Like many of the most   impactful war movies of that time , Memphis Belledelicately explore the import and reality of armed conflict .

lede performances from Matthew Modine and Sean Astin keep the celluloid alive , whilst shrewd way from Michael Caton - Jones   makes every moment feel important and descent - pumpingly tense .   Strathairn has a smaller office as   Col . Craig Harriman , but he makes the most of his screen time   in this state of war pic . The fact that fans decide   to includeMemphis Belleon this list prove that its message was a brawny and long - lasting one .

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)

Not only isGood Night , and Good Luckone of George Clooney ’s good flick as an actor , but it ’s also one of the first demonstrations of his directorial artistry . The political drama displays the ageless dispute between American politics and the American new system , with the film ’s characters constantly battling to expose political corruption .

Good Night and Good Luckfeatures what is undeniably one of Strathairn ’s most memorable role to engagement , as he plays a newscaster named Edward Murrow , who fights to expose one politician ’s public prevarication and scandal . It ’s a herculean role and one that raises flock of topical issues surrounding the authenticity of the media . Yet , it undeservingly rank lowers on Ranker since this black and livid film has not realize much attention from the general hearing .

The Firm (1993)

Sydney Pollack’sThe Firmstars Tom Cruise as a attorney whose overwhelming ambitiousness and thirst for power come up him drag in a dangerous murder case that there ’s no come back from . It ’s one of the best legal thrillers of its time , bolster up by one of Cruise ’s secure and most relatable performances .

David Strathairn plays the brother of Cruise ’s protagonist , and he ’s more than intimate with the worldly concern of offence that his brother has found himself entangled in . It ’s the electric dynamic between the pair that made the film so pop with audiences , and plain reserve it to maintain its popularity today .

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Mark Water’sThe Spiderwick Chronicleswas a immense hit with an entire genesis of young audiences ,   so it ’s no surprise to see it appear so high up this list . The picture show follows a group of shaver who move into a new menage and bring out that the expanse is a beehive for mythical creatures - and not all friendly ones .

Since the picture was a delimit part of so many childhoods , it ’s surprising thatThe Spiderwick Chroniclesis still one of the rare family picture show from the 2000s without a continuation . The film houses one of Strathairn ’s define theatrical role , and it would please a lot of fans to see him return one twenty-four hour period .

We Are Marshall (2006)

David Strathairn play University President Donald Dedmon inWe Are Marshall , a riveting variation drama that displays the fallout of a deadly plane crash - one that killed several members of Marshall University ’s football game squad .   The film follows the squad as they ’re forced to   fix themselves together   after this traumatic disaster .

Strathairn ’s character inWe Are   Marshallmight only be a   hold up one , but   his role in the story is just as important as some of the primary characters ' . He represent the administrative fallout of this disaster , which caused long - stomach effects on the university as an institution . This bear upon storey about healing and   Strathairn ’s inspiring portrayal has resonated with Ranker voters to upvote this moving-picture show .

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

The Jason Bourne   enfranchisement has furnish some of the most democratic spy picture of all time , andThe Bourne Ultimatumis undeniably one of its strongest offerings . Continuing the level of Bourne that was base inThe Bourne Identity , this film concludes the original trilogy in a thrilling and satisfy way .

Strathairn wizard as Noah Vosen , the surrogate managing director of the CIA in tutelage of the operation that Bourne used to crop for . His reference quickly became a fan - favorite scoundrel , and his presence is one of the many reasons that fan rateThe Bourne Ultimatumso much gamy than the other installments and one of   Strathairn ’s best movies on Ranker .

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Not only isL.A. Confidentialone of the beneficial examples of modern film noir ,   but it ’s also one of the ninety ' most stylish and flashy crime flick altogether . It features top - conclusion performances from Guy Pearce , Russell Crowe , and   Kim Basinger - alongside a standout endure turn from David Strathairn .

L.A. Confidentialfollows three detectives from the LAPD as they look into a train of seemingly disordered homicides that eventually lead to discoveries from within their own department .   Strathairn limn Pierce Morehouse Patchett ,   play a nonaged   antagonist role on the big screen door with some savviness . The picture is   completely drown in style and category , which give it a distinct atmosphere that has clearly wedge with fans even today .

Sneakers (1992)

Robert Redford ’s theatrical role Martin finds himself in a mucilaginous site inSneakersafter the government takes notice of his security expertise and hires him to help steal a top - secret black box . The film follow   Martin as he assembles his squad and executes his   expert design , plotted to the all right item .

In a interchangeable vein to films likeOcean ’s Eleven ,   Sneakersdoes a great job of introducing a Brobdingnagian cast of case and giving them each clear , trenchant role in parliamentary law to split them from each other . Its sweeping cast of interesting characters is one ofSneakers ' strongest assets , with devotee praising   Strathairn ’s role in the bold ensemble even today - which is show by just how high it can be come up on this list .

A League Of Their Own (1992)

A League of Their Ownsees Tom   Hanks take up the role of a retired baseball game headliner who ’s cart back into the game when he ’s ring upon to manage a professional cleaning lady ’s team .   The years clearly have n’t been gentle for Hanks ' Jimmy since his retirement , andA League of Their Ownexplores how this experience helps him describe thing about himself that he never would   have expected .

But first and frontmost , A League of Their Ownis a movie about baseball - and one of the best there is . It follow the team as they climb through the rank , suffering and struggle but learning from their mistakes and learning even more from each other along the room . Strathairn portrays another supporting theatrical role as the league ’s general manager , Ira Lowenstein , who opens up a chance to start a women ’s softball game conference . Unlike Hank ’s Jimmy Dugan , Ira is a much cooler character who pushes for the conference ’s success and advises wherever potential . Like many sports movies , it shoot for to budge and inspire its interview - which Ranker ’s users clearly believe it was adequate to of .

NEXT:10 Movies And TV Shows Where You ’ve Seen The Cast Of Where The crawfish Sing Before

Kaitlyn Santa Juana in Final Destination Bloodlines Interview header

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

David Strathairn in A League Of Their Own, The Bourne Ultimatum and The Spiderwick Chronicles

Meryl Streep with a paddle over her shoulder in The River Wild

Captain Dennis Dearborn and his co-pilot in Memphis Belle

David Strathairn as Edward R Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck

Tom Cruise in The Firm

Hogsqueal and Jared Grace hide behind a tree in The Spiderwick Chronicles

Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox stand on the field as Marshall University’s football coaches in We Are Marshall

Strathairn in The Bourne Ultimatum

Scene LA Confidential

Sidney Poitier standing next to Robert Redford and the cast of Sneakers

david strathairn a league of their own

Movies

A League Of Their Own