What actor played a role so iconicly that it's unimaginable anyone else could replace them?

[Prodigus Filius]

There will only ever be one Mad Max. And that's Mel

 

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Some folks say, he's up there still....

 

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[FilterFunk]

Jack Lemmon as Professor Fate and Prince Hoepnick in "The Great Race":

 

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The amazing thing is, that same year, he was also unforgettable playing Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal in "Boys from Brazil". I watched them back-to-back, it was really fairly amazing and creepy....

 

[Richland123]

Lon Chaney as Quasimodo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

 

[Richland123]

Irene Ryan as Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies.

 

[NotColinGrigson]

Brian blessed as prince Voltan
Max von sydow as Ming in Flash Gordon

 

[Michedelic]

Brian blessed as prince Voltan
Max von sydow as Ming in Flash Gordon

Von Sydow was only recreating the character established by Charles Middleton…

 

[Wood and Wire]

Von Sydow was only recreating the character established by Charles Middleton…

They're very different portrayals - but almost identical costumes.

 

[Wood and Wire]

If I haven't nominated him already in this thread : stuntman Ted Grossman as the dead FBI Agent in the walk-in freezer, in The Goonies.

 

[NotColinGrigson]

Von Sydow was only recreating the character established by Charles Middleton…

Middleton was great, and I enjoyed watching him as a child, but for me MVS played it so perfectly that no one could come close

 

[FilterFunk]

If I haven't nominated him already in this thread : stuntman Ted Grossman as the dead FBI Agent in the walk-in freezer, in The Goonies.

He really did do a great job of staying in character!