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No matter how frustrating Starbuck was on this modern classic of a cult TV show, Sackhoff's performance was outstanding, and when such a performance stands out amongst an impossibly strong ensemble, that's saying something. If you can make yourself stand out aside Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, kudos. Sackhoff, though under 30, needs to break away from the cult shows (such as her upcoming role on "24") and get some meaty leading roles. I can imagine that the road won't be rough, though; I can almost imagine the horror of seeing Sackhoff as someone's loving wife in an action movie, not as the heroine. Hopefully, someone will sit up and take notice of this stunning, brilliant actress.

Hugh Laurie

Only five years ago, there were not millions of people across this country who could point out Hugh Laurie in a lineup of ten men. Then, his first starring role in an American TV show came in the form of "House", a medical procedural whose lead is an angrier, meaner version of Sherlock Holmes. Once "House" got placed after "American Idol" on the Fox network, the show skyrocketed to fame, making Laurie a familiar face to many of those who wouldn't have known him from Adam. So why can't the guy get a movie role? Here's how bad it is: Bryan Singer had wanted Laurie to play Perry White, grumpy newspaper editor, in his Superman Returns reboot. However, Laurie's schedule on "House", where he is not only the lead and title character, but has to work almost every day of the week from morning till night, precluded him from appearing. When Bryan Singer - one of the executive producers of "House", by the way - can't get you for his movie, things aren't going well.

The most prominent roles in film Laurie has had are as Mr. Little in the Stuart Little films and as one of many characters in the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility; in essence, he hasn't had much success on the big screen in a role as deserving of his talents. Anyone unsure of Laurie's magnetism, charisma, and humor should only turn to this week's two-hour premiere of "House", in which he once again had the show to himself among his fellow actors, dealing with potentially being insane. One day soon, as popular as it is, "House" will have to shut its doors, and when it does, I hope that Laurie doesn't have the same issues in finding movie roles.

Ian McShane

Yes, in the past few years, this English actor has had success with films, from his supporting voice role in Coraline to his role as Coach in Death Race. But...come on. Though I've only recently caught up on the show, do I need to remind you that we are talking about Al F*ing Swearengen here? McShane's role on the now-deceased HBO drama "Deadwood" brought him a new level of prominence in the States, despite having been in many TV productions in the United Kingdom. As the profane saloon owner who has control over the mining camp in what would become a part of South Dakota, McShane is electrifying. The man manages to be as villainous, capable of truly hateful things, but someone you want on your side, to be sure. There is evil, and there is evil; Al is terrifically terrifying, but the kind of terrifying you want to keep on your good side.

McShane, unlike the others on this list, is far older than most actors looking for solid film work; being over 60 may have its advantages for certain types of roles, but not a lot of films have men of a certain age as their leads. Still, "Deadwood" proved that actors of any age can become successful, and an actor like McShane can dominate even among younger actors. Most recently, he found no success in the ill-fated NBC drama "Kings", but one hopes he'll soon find something to do, some way to prove to the right people that his talent knows no bounds.

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