Memento is a certified classic from the 2000s that launched Christopher Nolan's name into the stratosphere of the film industry. The movie is slated for Netflix this August, so fans of these inspiring actors can keep their eye out for their stellar performances if they somehow have yet to see it.
It's arguably the best film that many of its actors have ever played a role in, especially with Guy Pearce's in the lead role of Leonard. For others like Carrie-Anne Moss, there may be others like The Matrix, but it was still a standout performance for her and her peers.
Carrie-Anne Moss - The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Streaming On HBO
The fantastic fourth movie of the genre-defining action-sci-fi franchise earned a mixed reception with fans and critics, but regardless, it's inarguable that none of the movies would have been the same without Moss as Trinity. The relationship between her and Neo (Keanu Reeves) has been a core part of The Matrix since the 1999 original, and she resumes her iconic role as an older, stronger version of her character.
As Natalie in Memento, Moss plays a slightly more subdued, but intelligent character. Those who have seen the movie will know the wide range of emotions that Moss explodes with on-screen, and twenty-two years later it's still some of the best acting she's ever done, incredibly deserving of the Best ing Actress award and nominations. It's no surprise she's continued to wow audiences in several other works; Moss was Jeri Hogarth in Horizon: Forbidden West.
Guy Pearce - Lawless (2012)
Streaming On Netflix
Pearce cemented in legacy with Memento and the 1997 Lawless may not be as big as those movies, but Pearce undergoes one of the biggest transformations of his acting career as the sleek and slimy antagonist Deputy Rakes.
Pearce does his best to play up the despicable deputy, walking with his rich suit, waxed hair, and shined shoes with a condescending demeanor. In his most ruthless scene, Rakes uses the barrel of his gun to beat Jack's (Shia LaBeouf) teeth in before taking him outside to pummel his face. It's a stark contrast to Leonard who refuses to think of himself as a killer. Pearce went on to play the villain in Iron Man 3 in 2013 where Marvel fans might recall him, but it's this villain performance that should be worthy of recognition in his career.
Harriet Sansom Harris - Desperate Housewives (2005-2011)
Streaming On Hulu
Harris played the meek, desperate wife of Sammy in Memento who struggled to understand his memory loss. In Desperate Housewives, she played Felicia Tilman, who was anything but weak and did everything in her power to avenge her sister.
Felicia was entertaining from the very start. Whether it was for the goofier moments of spitting a brownie back out that she had poisoned to kill Paul Young (Mark Moses), or the more insane moments like cutting off her fingers to frame him for murder, Harris portrayed her perfectly. Her role in Nolan's film is understated, so it's great that she's had more moments to shine in her run of twenty-eight episodes.
Joe Pantoliano - The Sopranos (1997-2007)
Streaming On Hulu
The famous "Don't believe his lies" line from Memento is strong advice for Pantoliano's characters as he also played the traitor in the original Matrix, but since both those movies, he's played Ralph Cifaretto The Sopranos. Starting from season 3, episode two, Pantoliano s for a whopping twenty-one episodes of the crime drama. Fans of the DiMeo crime family's highest earner may be nostalgic to see him as another sleazy character if they're new to Memento and rest assured: his hair is much better as Teddy.
Pantoliano won an Emmy for ing Actor Of A Drama Series in 2003 and it was well deserved - his final scene made one of Reddit's favorite Sopranos episodes. Ralph was a character audiences detested due to their brilliant performance, especially with his treatment of Tracee. He's a far more cruel character than Teddy, but if there's something the actor knows how to do, it's making characters that the viewer loves to hate.
Stephen Tobolowsky - One Day At A Time (2017-2020)
Streaming On Netflix
For anyone who doesn't Sammy Jankis, he was the main figure of Memento's subplot that acted as Leonard's reminder of his condition.
In One Day At A Time, Tobolowsky played Dr. Leslie Berkowitz the family doctor, who he often gave sage advice, but luckily doesn't have to give any insulin shots. In his best episode (season two, episode thirteen), Tobolowsky creates an emotional yet funny performance when the character confesses his love for Lydia as she lays in a hospital bed. The show was canceled after three seasons, but Tobolowsky clearly gave it his all.
Jorja Fox - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015)
Fox became a series regular in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as the empathetic Materials and Element Analyst Sara Sidle, gaining a more active and influential role than her Nolan-written counterpart. Little is known about Leonard's wife other than her interest in books, but as Sara Sidle she won an award along with her colleagues for her outstanding performance.
Her career continued with CSI: Vegas, where she was part of many nail-biting episodes. This wasn't the only popular crime drama Fox was a part of, as she was also featured in West Wing, although sadly her character Gina Toscano disappeared without explanation.
Mark Boone Junior - Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)
Streaming On Hulu and Disney+
Junior may have only played a bit part as Burt - the receptionist at the Discount Inn - in Memento, but since then he has gone on to play the beloved Sons Of Anarchy character Robert 'Bobby Elvis' Munson for a staggering ninety-two episodes.
The ending montage to the pilot episode is still one of his most iconic moments, with Bobby dressed as Elvis Presley and singing "Can't Help Falling In Love." Junior's character in Memento is a little more dishonest as he takes advantage of Leonard but he has that same down-to-earth air about him that would later be vital to perform Bobby.
