Top 10 Most Eccentric Actors in History

Most of what we know about Tommy Wiseau comes via Greg Sestero, who recounted his time making “The Room” in his famous book “The Disaster Artist.” And what it portrays is a very odd man. He seems very passionate about the art of filmmaking, but his unconventional behavior and bizarre quirks often resulted in, well, disaster. He also has a habit of giving cryptic, non-linear answers in interviews, and most of his past remains shrouded in mystery, adding to a general aura of intrigue. And finally there’s his general personality quirks, like that iconic laugh, distinctive speech patterns, and his habit of wearing sunglasses indoors. Tommy Wiseau is very strange, but that’s exactly why we love him.

With her trademark white hair, Tilda Swinton is easily one of the most distinctive actresses of her generation. She tends to embrace unconventionality in both her professional and personal life. That includes taking on many avant-garde roles and embracing that striking androgynous look which has become her signature effect. She also really enjoys her privacy, eschewing the Hollywood norms to live a secluded life in the rocky Highlands of Scotland. And that’s not even mentioning the time she slept in a glass box outside New York’s Museum of Modern Art for…reasons.

While more of a performance artist than an actor, Andy Kaufman became a household name playing Latka Gravas on “Taxi.” A highly unconventional comic, Kaufman was one of those people that obscure their real personalities through constant jokes and pranks. He was rarely genuine, and with his absurdist style of humor, you never knew when he was joking. Kaufman lived to subvert audience expectations, relishing in their confusion and bewilderment rather than their laughter. In fact, he was so aloof that when he died from lung cancer at just 35, many people thought that it was another elaborate prank. Some think he’s still out there, watching the conspiracy unravel with a big grin on his face.

This legendary actress was considered a complex and multi-faceted individual, with her eccentricities often stemming from her relentless ambition and exacting standards. Crawford’s personal relationships were often tumultuous, marked by four different marriages and a series of high-profile feuds, most notably with her rival Bette Davis. She also had an obsession with cleanliness and style, having kept an impeccably clean house and dressing herself in elaborate outfits to maintain a lavish image. Finally, she had a number of personal eccentricities. For example, Crawford had an unwavering professionalism that tended to alienate her co-workers, and she was infamously painted as an abusive and unbalanced mother by her daughter Christina However, this portrayal has been criticized by others who knew Crawford well, including Bette Davis.

With his weird creative pursuits and enigmatic personality, Crispin Glover certainly has a penchant for defying mainstream expectations. Glover has made a number of unconventional career choices, often gravitating towards offbeat characters with antisocial tendencies. He has also embarked on a number of eclectic pursuits, like making provocative avant-garde films, writing surreal books, and even releasing an album of music. And let’s not forget his unpredictable behavior on red carpets and late night talk shows, like when he wore platform shoes on “Letterman” and almost kicked the host in the head.

This actor was a man of immense talent and creativity, but he often defied conventional norms, both in Hollywood and in his personal endeavors. While some of his behavior might come across as normal today, he was considered highly unusual at the time. Despite his enormous fame, Welles was considered an outsider in Hollywood, often shying away from celebrity, working outside the studio system, taking on weird roles, and experimenting with both radio and film techniques. While unorthodox at the time, these techniques helped revolutionize the art of cinema and filmmaking. And even outside of his extravagant movies, Welles was a larger-than-life personality, complete with his sharp intellect and booming voice, magnetic personality, and penchant for extravagance. He was a showman through and through.

If you hear that Nicolas Cage will be starring in a movie, chances are it’s going to be gonzo. Cage often chooses to play outlandish and abnormal characters, which he helps bring to memorable life through his unique acting style. Often described as over-the-top or even campy, Cage’s acting emphasizes wild theatricality and lots of screaming. Some may call it over-acting, we call it…being Nicolas Cage. Even outside of movies, Cage brings a stamp of originality with bold, quirky outfits, unfiltered public behavior, and strange financial decisions. Whether it’s vintage comic books, European castles, dinosaur skulls, or even two-headed snakes, it seems there’s nothing that Cage won’t purchase to satisfy his singular interests.

Considered one of the most eccentric actors in Hollywood, Gary Busey has long been the butt of jokes and is known far and wide for his animated personality and unfiltered speech. His interviews often feature unusual anecdotes, and he often makes up “Buseyisms,” which are hilarious acronyms meant to signify some type of truth or motivational message. For example, “RELATIONSHIP,” or “Really Excited Love Affair Till It’s Over, Now Sobriety Hangs In Peril.” Busey is also a very philosophical man, often speaking on spiritual and metaphysical topics with great interest. Some suspect that Busey’s erratic behavior stems from a tragic motorcycle accident in 1988, in which Busey fell off his bike, fractured his skull, and suffered brain damage.

Despite being one of the GOATs, Marlon Brando was a strange guy, and a lot of people hated working with him. He was one of the first to embrace method acting, and he would often disregard scripts in favor of improvisation, both of which tended to annoy his co-workers. His on-set behavior was also questionable at best, as Brando was known for having a temper and would often antagonize the filmmakers by refusing to memorize lines and throwing tantrums when he didn’t get his way. Even outside of his movies, Brando led an unconventional lifestyle, eschewing Hollywood and establishing his own village and environmental laboratory on the atoll of Tetiʻaroa.

While he appeared in over 130 movies, Klaus Kinski is remembered largely for his erratic behavior and mental instability. In his lifetime, Kinski was infamous for his volatile temper, often creating unpredictable and hostile work environments. Screaming tantrums were the norm, and he even shot the finger off an extra on the set of “Aguirre, the Wrath of God.” Kinski also held contempt for social norms, often making grandiose public statements, refusing close relationships, and engaging in self-aggrandizment. In the 1950s he was officially diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, which many people attribute for his problematic behavior and complex legacy.


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