Tom Hardy’s 10 Best Supporting Roles, Ranked

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An actor who seamlessly immerses himself into different characters often leaves viewers guessing who’s under the mask until the end credits. Tom Hardy is a prime example of such an actor; with his ability to transform his appearance for each role, it can be challenging to recognize him as the same performer. However, the unforgettable characters he brings to life, whether in blockbuster movies or notable TV series, solidify his standing as a trusted leading man in Hollywood.

Hardy consistently infuses a gritty realism into his characters, often portraying individuals others tend to avoid. This trait carries over to his latest role in Paramount+’s MobLand, where it holds true as well. Remarkably, he has also excelled in martial arts, winning championships during his free time. As his fame escalated, more of his notable performances have been leading roles, yet he continues to deliver powerful performances in supporting roles too. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t limited to films like Bronson, where he takes center stage, or Locke, where he is the sole actor on screen. Instead, these are his most impressive supporting roles in film and television productions.

10
Clarkie

‘Layer Cake’ (2004)


Before diving into “Layer Cake,” I had already made a few appearances in the silver screen, but this Matthew Vaughn crime drama, featuring a pre-Bond Daniel Craig, presented an entirely new facet of me. In this film, I took on the role of Clarkie, a composed, yet youthful member of Daniel’s drug-trafficking team. Despite being the greenest in the crew, I managed to exude an understated confidence that added depth to my portrayal.

In an unusual twist, the majority of Craig’s associates within his group are less prone to violence compared to typical drug cartels, opting for peace whenever possible. Clarkie, a reserved individual, is known for his soft-spoken demeanor. Contrastingly, Hardy, also part of the group, plays an instrumental role in assisting XXXX with his challenges. With his slicked-back hairstyle and aggressive personality, Hardy fits seamlessly into the gang’s dynamic.

9
Shinzon

‘Star Trek: Nemesis’ (2002)

In the concluding movie featuring the cast from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Hardy assumes the role of the principal antagonist. This is remarkable given that it was his third film appearance. He portrays Shinzon, the Reman uprising leader who seizes control of Romulus in a coup. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise are dispatched on a peace mission to Romulus, where they uncover a shocking truth: Shinzon is actually a clone of Picard, engineered by the Romulans.

Instead of utilizing him as a clone, the plan was discarded, and Shinzon underwent a traditional journey of self-discovery, initially being enslaved but subsequently rising to become a charismatic rebel leader advocating for his people. Tom Hardy brought an icy and methodical performance to the role, his bald head mirroring Picard’s in its intimidating presence. Although not directed by Patrick Stewart, this production includes an impressive fight scene between the two during its final moments.

8
Handsome Bob

‘RocknRolla’ (2008)


Following his gripping portrayal of a criminal in the gritty British film “Layer Cake” directed by a British filmmaker, it seemed almost predestined that Tom Hardy would eventually star in a Guy Ritchie production. This prediction came true with “RocknRolla,” a crime-thriller comedy that aligns with Ritchie’s signature style, reminiscent of his earlier works such as “Lock, Stock, Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.” In “RocknRolla,” Hardy played Handsome Bob, a member of the Wild Bunch, a criminal organization headed by Gerard Butler.

Bob, an attractive yet secretive individual, was part of the Wild Bunch and happened to be gay. This trait had its pros and cons for the group. Furthermore, he admired Idris Elba’s character, One-Two, in the movie. Although this film might not stand out as much as Ritchie’s other works, Tom Hardy delivers a captivating performance throughout, particularly during the scene where he confesses his sexuality to Butler’s character, Lenny Cole. This emotional moment, amidst a crime-ridden storyline, surprises both the audience and Cole just as much.

7
Forrest Bondurant

‘Lawless’ (2012)

In the movie “Lawless,” although Tom Hardy’s character, Forrest Bondurant, might not have the leading role due to the presence of three main characters, it could be argued that they all share the title of supporting characters. Forrest is one of the three brothers who operate a moonshine business in Virginia during the early 1930s. With Prohibition ongoing, Forrest (played by Tom Hardy), Jack (Shia Labeouf), and Howard (Jason Clarke) must contend with corrupt lawyers, government officials, and other adversaries to maintain their illicit business.

Hardy delivers a rugged performance as Forrest, displaying remarkable physicality despite being shorter than some of the other cast members in the movie. He employs his strength and an air of invincibility to fend off numerous attacks throughout the film. In “Lawless,” Tom Hardy showcases his talent at its peak prior to Guy Pearce’s performance in “The Brutalist.

6
Ricki Tarr

‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ (2011)

In the movie “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” featuring numerous prominent actors and quite a few extravagant wigs, it’s safe to say that Hardy stands out – especially when it comes to his wig. Here, Hardy portrays Ricki Tarr, a field agent for British Intelligence, who sets off Gary Oldman’s George Smiley on the mission to identify the traitor within their own ranks. After witnessing events he shouldn’t have, Tarr finds himself under the spotlight as a potential target.

In the story, it’s necessary for him to persuade Smiley that he isn’t disloyal, resulting in some intense interrogation sequences at Smiley’s residence, which are particularly striking. Hardy, who was then honing his skills as a main actor, delivered an impressive supporting performance alongside Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Stephen Graham, John Hurt, and Toby Jones in the ensemble cast.

5
Eames

‘Inception’ (2010)

Making his debut with Christopher Nolan, Hardy portrayed Eames, a skilled forger and identity thief in the movie “Inception“. Eames was a team member alongside Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Cobb. This film added to the impressive ensemble cast and highlighted Hardy’s subtle acting skills. In the storyline of the film, Eames is called upon to perform deceitful tasks such as impersonating specific individuals in the course of the inception plan.

It’s amazing how he convincingly portrays a character similar to Tom Berenger’s, even wearing a mask designed to deceive both his on-screen counterpart and viewers alike. The movie’s action sequences are thrilling, particularly the scene where Eames rushes to plant explosives in the fortress, which ultimately serves as a trigger for his teammates to escape their dream state. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly recommend watching this film tonight.

4
Farrier

‘Dunkirk’ (2017)

The pilot, who’s under pressure due to a plane malfunction, is always thrilling and nerve-wracking to observe. However, it’s Hardy’s calm demeanor that makes his character stand out in Dunkirk. This marks the third collaboration between Hardy and Christopher Nolan. In this film, Hardy portrays Farrier, a Royal Air Force member piloting a Spitfire during the Battle of France in 1940. Dunkirk is the target location, and Farrier is among the pilots en route to assist in the city’s evacuation.

Nolan’s narrative style often switches between scenes involving Farrier, keeping viewers frequently updated via close cockpit shots of him dealing with various situations. Although his fuel gauge was damaged during aerial combat, leaving him unsure about his fuel levels, Farrier maintains composure and persists in battle. Amidst the chaos of war, Hardy portrays Farrier as patient and deeply committed to his larger mission.

3
Alfred “Alfie” Solomons

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2014 – 2022)

In the series “Peaky Blinders,” Alfie Solomons, played by someone other than Hardy’s usual characters but particularly memorable, made his debut in Season 2. Over a span of years, Alfie, leader of the Jewish gang called the Yiddishers, often clashed with the Shelby family. This rivalry stemmed from conflicts over resources. Although Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) persistently urged the Yiddishers to ally with the Peaky Blinders, Solomons remained hesitant.

However, Alfie’s unpredictable relationship with the Shelbys consistently provides amusement across several series of the show. Hardy portrays Alfie with an energetic flair, making his character captivating whenever he appears. He’s chatty and erratic, but his presence is undeniably magnetic.

2
John Fitzgerald

‘The Revenant’ (2015)

Tom Hardy’s most praised role is arguably that of John Fitzgerald, a character who is driven solely by his desire for money and will go to any length to acquire it in the film “The Revenant“. John Fitzgerald serves as an impeccable adversary to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Hugh Glass. In the midst of the Dakota territories during the Arikara War, Fitzgerald faces challenges beyond just harsh winters and Native American conflicts. He pushes the boundaries in his determination to reclaim pelts he had secured, which he was forced to abandon to survive.

In the movie, John Fitzgerald transforms into the antagonist due to his choice to murder Glass’s son in full view of Glass. However, he resorts to such extreme measures out of a desperate attempt to save himself. Consequently, Fitzgerald engages in deception, fraud, and homicide to stay alive. John Fitzgerald is certainly not a noble character, and Hardy effectively portrays this. Yet, his intense facial expressions and decisive actions suggest that he’s acting out of necessity in the specific time period. For his performance, Hardy received an Academy Award nomination. Nevertheless, the role didn’t top the list since the fighting bear in the film is more vividly remembered as the main villain by viewers.

1
Bane

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

In The Dark Knight Rises, it’s tough for me to envision any other character taking on the role of Bane as convincingly as Tom Hardy did. His raw physicality in the film is something I’ve come to expect from his roles throughout the years. Although he brings depth and subtlety to his acting, he consistently injects power and intensity into his scenes, with Bane being the epitome of that strength. My most memorable collaboration with Christopher Nolan was when we clashed as Batman, portrayed by Christian Bale. Like numerous psychopathic villains who have tormented Gotham City, Bane takes pleasure in seeing the city engulfed in flames around him.

Money doesn’t drive him; instead, he’s driven by something much more profound. Being a former member of the League of Shadows, his motivation is significantly greater. The way Hardy portrayed Bane’s speech mannerisms made the character truly intimidating. However, due to the device around his face, it’s his movements and his eyes that demonstrate just how wicked Bane can be. The stadium football scene was chilling, revealing Bane’s true terrorist nature. Hardy excelled in this role, making Batman fans appreciate it even more.

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2025-03-24 04:38