It takes a lot for an actor to turn a supporting performance into an award-winning supporting performance. With that said, we have seen many supporting characters come along and completely steal the movie. Actors like Christoph Waltz have shown numerous times that they can create scene-stealing supporting performances; it takes sheer emotion and talent. Many times, a good supporting performance can skyrocket the career of an actor. At the same time, we constantly see big-named actors take on supporting roles.

A good supporting performance is also very dependent on the content that the actor is working with. Filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino are constantly adding depth and layers to the characters, no matter how small. A movie is nothing without its supporting characters. They either help or stand in the way of the main characters overcoming their obstacles. There have been countless great supporting performances throughout the years. Let's dive into the best ones, ranked.

7 Christoph Waltz — Inglourious Basterds

Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds
The Weinstein Company

In Tarantino's brilliant WWII film Inglourious Basterds, Christoph Waltz gives one of the best performances in any Tarantino film thus far. At the same time, Waltz gives possibly the best performance of his career. He plays the smart, yet sadistic, Nazi officer known as Hans Landa. Waltz is brilliant every minute that he is on-screen and deservingly won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In his performance, Waltz even delivers some comedic moments.

Related: Inglourious Basterds: Where the Cast is Today

6 Viola Davis — Fences

Viola Davis Is First Black Actress to Score 3 Oscar Nominations
Paramount Pictures

Viola Davis steals the show playing Rose Maxson in the film Fences, based on the play of the same name. Davis plays a loving and supportive mother and wife in 1950s Pittsburgh. With that said, she has to deal with the heartbreak and turmoil created by her husband Troy (Denzel Washington). Davis is a force to be reckoned with and gives a performance filled with raw emotion. At the same time, her chemistry with Washington was stellar. Davis shows us, through her performance, the struggles that come through relationships and life. Per Screen Daily, Rose is a role that Davis first played onstage alongside Washington before they brought it to the screen.

5 Melissa Leo — The Fighter

leojpg-543a17adc8d40fdc (1)
Paramount Pictures 

In The Fighter, Melissa Leo completely transforms into Alice Eklund-Ward, the dysfunctional mother of two boxers, played by Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Leo is fierce and delivers sheer intensity with her performance. At the same time, she completely nails the Boston accent. Her character is harsh, yet loving, giving us a character with many layers. At some points in the film, you hate Alice, but in many others, you understand her. Leo proved that she is one of the most talented actors currently working in Hollywood.

4 J.K. Simmons — Whiplash

jk-simmons-whiplash
Sony Pictures Classic

J.K. Simmons delivers the performance of his career thus far in Damien Chazelle's acclaimed film, Whiplash. Simmons creates a character in the unconventional instructor band Terence Fletcher that is dimented, mean, and unpredictable. His character is downright scary at some points and Simmons delivers scenes that are filled with intense emotion. At the same time, his chemistry with Miles Teller was perfect.

3 George Kennedy — Cool Hand Luke

george-kennedy-cool-hand-luke
Jalem Productions

In the classic film Cool Hand Luke, George Kennedy is an absolute scene-stealer as Clarence "Dragline" Slidell. His character is tough, charismatic, and a joy to watch on screen from beginning to end. Kennedy had fantastic chemistry with Paul Newman and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He gives an honest portrayal of a prison inmate and his character also has a fantastic arc.

2 Meryl Streep — Kramer Vs. Kramer

Kramer Vs Kramer
Columbia Pictures

In this Academy Award-winning film, Meryl Streep plays Joanna Kramer, a depressed wife and mother who decides to leave her family. Streep gives a brilliant and honest performance of a woman who is extremely conflicted about her life and relationships. Her character is very complicated and has several layers. At the same time, she had brilliant chemistry with her co-star Dustin Hoffman. Streep is an absolute scene-stealer from beginning to end and delivers one of the best performances of her career.

1 Javier Bardem — No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men
Miramax Films 

In the Coen brothers’ movie-masterpiece No Country For Old Men, Javier Bardem gives the finest performance of his career. He plays a sadistic killer who goes by the name of Anton Chigurh. Bardem is completely chilling every minute that he is on-screen. At many points, he almost seems like he is not human. He portrays an evil character who lacks all empathy once so ever. He completely makes the film, and it wouldn't have been the same without him. It was a brilliant character and Bardem deservingly won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.