Richard Dreyfuss has become one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history . Despite not being the distinctive head man type , he ’s star in a twine of Graeco-Roman films after coming to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s .

Beginning in the dramatics , Dreyfuss shortly moved into television and flick , appearing in the classic movieThe Graduatewhere he had only one note . His first leading purpose was the well - received filmThe Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz , which led to more leading roles in several movies that would be considered some of the sterling of all time . His work in cinema has leave a bequest that wo n’t before long be draw a blank .

The American President (1995) - 6.8

spell byThe West Wing’screatorAaron Sorkin , The American Presidentis a unique romantic comedy in that the manly 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 business and their courtship ’s attending almost destroy the human relationship .

Dreyfuss plays the moving picture ’s villain , Republican Senator Bob Rumson , who uses the President ’s novel relationship as a substance of attack since he has his eye on the presidency . The role was a departure for Dreyfuss in that he ’s always been an plainspoken Democrat , soThe American Presidentgave him the chance to play someone whose politics   are diametrical 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 ca n’t seem to shake his irritating patient role Bob Wylie ( Bill Murray ) , and matters are made worse when he adopt him on vacation .

Tensions werenotoriously high-pitched on setbetween the two lead thespian , as they did not get along , and Dreyfuss has even remarked that , while it is a comical picture show , stimulate it was a terrible experience . Despite the behind - the - scenes troubles , What About Bob?is a hilarious flick , praise by critics and audiences likewise , 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 matter of euthanasia and the right to conk . Dreyfuss plays Ken Harrison , a carver , paralyzed from the neck down after a car stroke who attempt the ability to legally end his own life .

Like many of his characters , Dreyfuss playact Ken as sarcastic and brash but with humanity as his grapheme deal with an intense moral quandary . give most of his performance from a bottom or chair , Dreyfuss play such a hard someone despite his theatrical role being rendered in a weakened strong-arm state .

Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) - 7.3

Mr. Hollands ’s Opuswas something of a comeback for Dreyfuss , and he ultimately received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his work . In the inspiring motion-picture show , Dreyfuss plays the fictional music instructor   Glenn Holland , a man who dreams of being a famed musician but has to settle for teach euphony . However , over his prospicient incumbency , realizes his meaning to his pupil and discovers teaching was his true calling all along .

Dreyfuss gives a big performance , and the film ’s soundtrack is filled with   fantastic   songs from the various periods   it covers , as well as beautiful Hellenic patch . Because of the film ’s achiever , theMr . Holland ’s Opus Foundationwas created to attend school medicine programs .

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) - 7.4

found on the gaming , Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Deadcontains an extremely cagey premise in that it follows two minor theatrical role from William Shakespeare ’s Hamlet and shows their out of bounds point of view of the action depict in the play .

StarringGary Oldmanand Tim Roth as the title characters , Dreyfuss appears as " The Player King " who channelize the characters and the audience to basically help understand the film . The picture show was positively invite , but many critics feel the gambol was a better metier for the material .

The Goodbye Girl (1977) - 7.4

Written by acclaimed playwright Neil Simon , The Goodbye Girlfeatures Dreyfuss as a shin actor who ’s forced to partake in an flat with his admirer ’s ex - lady friend and her young daughter . Despite initial latent hostility , they eventually develop a romance .

The Goodbye Girlmarked the first time a romantic comedy earned $ 100 million dollars at the box power , and it became have sex as one of Neil Simon ’s signature tune works . For his role , Dreyfuss received an Oscar for Best Actor , and , at the fourth dimension , he was the youthful worker to ever gain it .

American Graffiti (1973) - 7.4

George Lucas ' second picture show as a director did not take place in a galaxy far , far aside , but during one night in Modesto , California in 1962.American Graffitidepicts a clock time of change for the high school day graduates it follows , as well as the changing culture , claim place right before the Vietnam War .

A part of an ensemble cast that includes Ron Howard andHarrison Ford , Dreyfuss plays Curt , a high school graduate who expend the last eve of summer searching for a mysterious blonde he saw mouth   to him " I love you . " Critics praise the moving picture as a nostalgic slice of 1960s animation with great character and an even ripe soundtrack .

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) - 7.6

After asterisk inJaws , Dreyfuss reteamed with master filmmakerSteven SpielbergforClose Encounters Of The Third Kind . compose by Spielberg , Close Encountersconcerns Roy ( Dreyfuss ) , a informant to a UFO who comes to obsessively believe more are coming . Unfortunately , Roy ’s obsession , erratic behavior , and search for the   verity get his family life to unscramble .

Upon release , the film was highly acclaimed for its innovative limited consequence , music , Spielberg ’s direction , and Dreyfuss ’s brilliant performance . In the years since its release , audiences have deal it one of the greatest films of all sentence .

Jaws (1975) - 8.0

In 1975 , Richard Dreyfuss co - asterisk in Steven Spielberg ’s classic filmJawsalongside Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw . After a shark begins attacking beachgoers , the local police foreman take an oceanologist , Matt Hooper ( Dreyfuss ) , to advise him on what to do about the killer shark . Wealthy and educated Hooper then joins the law honcho and a huntsman to detect and toss off the shark .

ab initio turning down the part , Dreyfuss   eventually took the office after thinkingno one would hire himagain after his   previous performance . ForJaws , Dreyfuss ' performance was praise , and , despite a disastrous production , the cinema became the first blockbuster and a classic .

Stand By Me (1986) - 8.1

Based on one ofStephen King’snon - repugnance novel , Stand By Metells thecoming - of - agestory of four boys in 1959 Oregon who journey through the woods to find the stagnant body of a missing male child . However , the boys bond and the journey becomes meaningful for all of them .

Alfred Dreyfus represent the grown - up version of one of the boy and tell the film . Upon release ,   critics and audience deem it one of the best Stephen King adaptation , pull in much kudos for its charm and deepness . It has since become a classical film about youthful nostalgia and the timeless bonds of friendship .

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Richard Dreyfuss in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, The American President

Richard Dreyfuss at dinner event looking off camera in The American President.

Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Murray in the movie What About Bob.

Richard Dreyfuss in chair looking off camera as Bob Balaban looks in in Whose Life Is It Anyway

Richard Dreyfuss conducting an orchestra in Mr. Holland’s Opus

Richard Dreyfuss dressed in garb, smiling and looking off camera in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead

Richard Dreyfuss arguing with Marsha Mason in The Goodbye Girl

Richard Dreyfuss looking at Ron Howard and Charles Martin Smith in American Graffiti

Richard Dreyfuss looking at the alien ship with the scientists and lights behind him in Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper on the boat with the shark in the near distance in Jaws

Vern (Jerry O’Connell) pointing ahead with Teddy (Corey Feldman), Chris (River Phoenix), and Gordie (Wil Wheaton) in tow in Stand By Me.