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Robert Duvall likely isn't one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking about sports movie actors. And yet if a mythical Sports Movie Hall of Fame existed, he would unequivocally be in it.
Long revered as one of the world's most versatile actors, Duvall's filmography includes iconic roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Tender Mercies, The Apostle, and A Civil Action, among many others. Duvall's timeless gravitas and technical chops gave him the rare ability to inject leading man quality into character actor roles, sharing scenes with everyone from Marlon Brandon and Al Pacino to Denzel and Tom Cruise.
The 1983 Best Actor winner is on the short list for greatest character actors of all-time.
Although certainly not one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking about sports movies, Duvall's portrayal of Harry Hogge in Days of Thunder alongside Cruise remains one of the most underrated roles of his legendary career.
MORE: We ranked Days of Thunder a top-5 racing movie of all-time
It's this role which earns him a spot into the unofficial Sports Movie Hall of Fame, which surely would include a special exhibit for the 'Best Supporting Actor in a Sports Movie' performances.
Here are my picks for who gets the nod. And you definitely shouldn't flood my mentions with who I missed.
GOAT 'Best Supporting Actor in a Sports Movie' performances
Dennis Hopper, Hoosiers
Arguably the GOAT sports movie features an all-time performance by Hopper who played Shooter, a remarkably flawed, alcoholic assistant coach. Hopper's portrayal of Shooter earned him a 1987 Academy Award nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor.'
Jamie Foxx, Any Given Sunday
Al Pacino's locker room speech might be the greatest sports movie speech ever and Dennis Quaid is a possible GOAT sports movie actor. And yet its Foxx's Willie Beaman that steals almost every scene in Oliver Stone's sports drama masterpiece. Foxx's charismatic and unapologetic portrayal of Beaman opposite Quaid's traditional quarterback archetype in some ways foreshadowed the evolution of that position.
Carl Weathers, Rocky
You make the case that Weathers outshines Sylvester Stallone in his own franchise. Weathers nailed the remarkable nuance of playing up the larger-than-life Apollo Creed with an earned grace and inherently likeable bravado. Yes, Rocky was the protagonist but Creed never felt antagonistic. His character arc over four movies wouldn't have felt believable in less capable hands than Weathers.
Robert Duvall, Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder doesn't work without Robert Duvall. Yes, its wholeheartedly a Tom Cruise vehicle as Top Gun director Tony Scott basically dressed up the same film and put it on a NASCAR track. But for any of it to be believable, the movie needed that authentic, blue collar, grounded in the south weight. Duvall's Harry Hogge perfectly complimented Cruise's over-the-stop wattage, offering the credible counter-balance necessary to make you believe anything that happened on the track or in the garage.
Tim Robbins, Bull Durham
Tim Robbins earned a 1989 Film Critics Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Sandwiched between A+ performances from Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon, Robbins himself throws 100 miles per hour with his portrayal of Ebby Calvin LaLoosh. The ultimate third wheel in an on-camera love triangle, Robbins more than holds his own in every shared scene with Costner.
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