Richard Dreyfuss has become one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. Despite not being the typical leading man type, he's starred in a string of classic films after coming to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s.
Beginning in the theater, Dreyfuss soon moved into television and film, appearing in the classic movie The Graduate where he had only one line. His first leading role was the well-received film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, which led to more leading roles in several movies that would be considered some of the greatest of all time. His work in cinema has left a legacy that won't soon be forgotten.
The American President (1995) - 6.8
Written by The West Wing's creator Aaron Sorkin, The American President is a unique romantic comedy in that the male lead, Andrew Shepard (Michael Douglas), is also the President Of The United States. He falls in love with a lobbyist, Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), but the pressures of the job and their courtship's attention almost destroy the relationship.
Dreyfuss plays the movie's villain, Republican Senator Bob Rumson, who uses the President's new relationship as a means of attack since he has his eye on the presidency. The role was a departure for Dreyfuss in that he's always been an outspoken Democrat, so The American President gave him the chance to play someone whose politics are opposite of his own.
What About Bob? (1991) - 7.0
Directed by Frank Oz, What About Bob? is an uproariously funny film about a psychotherapist, Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss), who can't seem to shake his irritating patient Bob Wylie (Bill Murray), and matters are made worse when he follows him on vacation.
Tensions were notoriously high on set between the two lead actors, as they did not get along, and Dreyfuss has even remarked that, while it is a funny movie, making it was a terrible experience. Despite the behind-the-scenes troubles, What About Bob? is a hilarious movie, praised by critics and audiences alike, and it still remains a favorite by fans of both stars.
Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981) - 7.3
Based on the play of the same name, Whose Life Is It Anyway? explores the controversial topic of euthanasia and the right to die. Dreyfuss plays Ken Harrison, a sculptor, paralyzed from the neck down after a car accident who seeks the ability to legally end his own life.
Like many of his characters, Dreyfuss plays Ken as sarcastic and brash but with humanity as his character deals with an intense moral dilemma. Giving most of his performance from a bed or chair, Dreyfuss plays such a strong person despite his character being rendered in a weakened physical state.
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) - 7.3
Mr. Hollands's Opus was something of a comeback for Dreyfuss, and he ultimately received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his work. In the inspiring film, Dreyfuss plays the fictional music teacher Glenn Holland, a man who dreams of being a famous musician but has to settle for teaching music. However, over his long tenure, realizes his meaning to his students and discovers teaching was his true calling all along.
Dreyfuss gives a great performance, and the film's soundtrack is filled with fantastic songs from the various periods it covers, as well as beautiful classical pieces. Because of the film's success, the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation was created to assist school music programs.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) - 7.4
Based on the play, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead contains an extremely clever premise in that it follows two minor characters from William Shakespeare's Hamlet and shows their sideline point of view of the action depicted in the play.
Starring Gary Oldman and Tim Roth as the title characters, Dreyfuss appears as "The Player King" who guides the characters and the audience to essentially help understand the film. The movie was positively received, but many critics felt the play was a better medium for the material.
The Goodbye Girl (1977) - 7.4
Written by acclaimed playwright Neil Simon, The Goodbye Girl features Dreyfuss as a struggling actor who's forced to share an apartment with his friend's ex-girlfriend and her young daughter. Despite initial tension, they eventually develop a romance.
The Goodbye Girl marked the first time a romantic comedy earned $100 million dollars at the box office, and it became known as one of Neil Simon's signature works. For his role, Dreyfuss received an Oscar for Best Actor, and, at the time, he was the youngest actor to ever win it.
American Graffiti (1973) - 7.4
George Lucas' second film as a director did not take place in a galaxy far, far away, but during one night in Modesto, California in 1962. American Graffiti depicts a time of change for the high school graduates it follows, as well as the changing culture, taking place right before the Vietnam War.
A part of an ensemble cast that includes Ron Howard and Harrison Ford, Dreyfuss plays Curt, a high school graduate who spends the last evening of summer searching for a mysterious blonde he saw mouth to him "I love you." Critics praised the film as a nostalgic slice of 1960s life with great characters and an even better soundtrack.
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) - 7.6
After starring in Jaws, Dreyfuss reteamed with master filmmaker Steven Spielberg for Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Written by Spielberg, Close Encounters concerns Roy (Dreyfuss), a witness to a UFO who comes to obsessively believe more are coming. Unfortunately, Roy's obsession, erratic behavior, and search for the truth cause his family life to unravel.
Upon release, the film was highly acclaimed for its groundbreaking special effects, music, Spielberg's direction, and Dreyfuss's brilliant performance. In the years since its release, audiences have considered it one of the greatest films of all time.
Jaws (1975) - 8.0
In 1975, Richard Dreyfuss co-starred in Steven Spielberg's classic film Jaws alongside Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw. After a shark begins attacking beachgoers, the local police chief hires an oceanologist, Matt Hooper (Dreyfuss), to advise him on what to do about the killer shark. Wealthy and educated Hooper then joins the police chief and a hunter to find and kill the shark.
Initially turning down the part, Dreyfuss eventually took the role after thinking no one would hire him again after his previous performance. For Jaws, Dreyfuss' performance was praised, and, despite a disastrous production, the film became the first blockbuster and a classic.
Stand By Me (1986) - 8.1
Based on one of Stephen King's non-horror novels, Stand By Me tells the coming-of-age story of four boys in 1959 Oregon who journey through the woods to find the dead body of a missing boy. However, the boys bond and the journey becomes meaningful for all of them.
Dreyfuss plays the grown-up version of one of the boys and narrates the film. Upon release, critics and audiences deemed it one of the best Stephen King adaptations, earning much praise for its charm and depth. It has since become a classic film about youthful nostalgia and the timeless bonds of friendship.