Actors from other countries who are able to sound totally American

[Anonymous]

I think people think Gillian Anderson has a convincing British accent although I could not tolerate her Margaret thatcher impression. The truth is they don’t often cast American actors for British roles because there are so many highly trained British actors. I don’t know what they are doing over there but they seem to kick our butt on producing dramatic actors (although we generally kick their butt at producing comedians).

[Anonymous]

Hugh Jackman as Logan (Wolverine). Can’t tell he’s Australian in the least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is a train wreck

Really? Why? It was just a question. Relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people think Gillian Anderson has a convincing British accent although I could not tolerate her Margaret thatcher impression. The truth is they don’t often cast American actors for British roles because there are so many highly trained British actors. I don’t know what they are doing over there but they seem to kick our butt on producing dramatic actors (although we generally kick their butt at producing comedians).

Agreed the Thatcher impression was lacking. Anderson did spend ages 5-11ish in the UK amidst other periods of time there, so I think at least part of her "real" acent isn't entirely American. She says it changes based on who she is speaking with and as someone who is multi-lingual and also kind of a linguistic mimic I believe that completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:John Lithgow as Churchill in the Crown
Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love
Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones Diary

Gwyneth grew up in nyc
Renee is an American who played a Brit, poorly

They are Americans, no? The question was about Americans pulling off accents.

No. Read the thread. It’s about actors from other countries – other meaning something other than the United States – who are able to sound American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm watching Mare of Easttown and there's Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce and they are just some of the many actors who are able to sound totally American despite having British or Australian or whatever accents. So I'm wondering, are there any American actors that you know of who have pulled off sounding like they are from another country, with a legit sounding accent? i can't think of any. I'm not sure audiences in other countries would even put up with that.

Yes, plenty. Some have already been mentioned.

And why? I can't think of a single reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm watching Mare of Easttown and there's Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce and they are just some of the many actors who are able to sound totally American despite having British or Australian or whatever accents. So I'm wondering, are there any American actors that you know of who have pulled off sounding like they are from another country, with a legit sounding accent? i can't think of any. I'm not sure audiences in other countries would even put up with that.

For those who are having comprehension difficulties…

[Anonymous]

Hugh Laurie as House has a very good American accent.
I'll second Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spiderman has a good American accent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:John Lithgow as Churchill in the Crown
Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love
Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones Diary

Gwyneth grew up in nyc
Renee is an American who played a Brit, poorly

They are Americans, no? The question was about Americans pulling off accents.

No. Read the thread. It’s about actors from other countries – other meaning something other than the United States – who are able to sound American.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is a train wreck

Really? Why? It was just a question. Relax.

I love the question and think it’s an interesting one. Everyone is being weird and combative (including you) and lots of poor reading comprehension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, at least, actors in question are all English-speaking, and they do have coaches who train them.
And, FWIW, OP, 'actors from other countries' who aren't bilingual and don't have native-level English proficiency, never sound totally American.

Joel Kinnaman is a tricky case of this. Swedish mother, American father, I guess native-level bilingual, but grew up in Sweden and did all his education in Swedish schools. To me, his English accent when he's acting sounds neutral American and I would have never guessed he didn't grow up here, but when he goes back to his regular voice, something about his English is just a bit off. A slightly odd vowel here or there, or a preposition used in a way you don't really hear. And I've heard him speaking English on Swedish TV and sounding outright ESL. It's hard to pin down.

[Anonymous]

Matthew Rhys! I was shocked when I saw him on an interview a few years ago and realized he was Welsh. He does such a good American accent in everything he’s done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people think Gillian Anderson has a convincing British accent although I could not tolerate her Margaret thatcher impression. The truth is they don’t often cast American actors for British roles because there are so many highly trained British actors. I don’t know what they are doing over there but they seem to kick our butt on producing dramatic actors (although we generally kick their butt at producing comedians).

Gillian Anderson grew up in the UK till age 11. So that probably explains her convincing British accent.

[Anonymous]

The cop Jimmy from the Wire was a Brit and I couldn't tell. It was hilarious, looking back, when he tried a British accent to go undercover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hugh Jackman as Logan (Wolverine). Can’t tell he’s Australian in the least.

Yeah, you can, in the first couple of movies. He improved after that.