25 Recognizable Celebrities You Know but Can’t Name
You may recognize Jenna Elfman from: “Friends with Benefits,” “Keeping the Faith,” or “Fear the Walking Dead”. Rich Fury / Invision/AP
There are household celebrity names — those that everyone and their grandma can name — and then there are those who, despite their top-tier acting and impressive resumes, we can never remember the name of without running to Google.
Think you know every Hollywood actor? Well, we’ve rounded up a handful of celebrities who you’ll definitely recognize and probably be able to name some movies they starred in — but chances are you won’t be able to think of their name.
From Academy Award-winning actors and actresses to lesser-known stars who turned TV movies into cult classics, for one reason or another, the names of these recognizable faces just didn’t manage to stick.
Billy Zane
Date of birth: Feb. 24, 1966
What you know him from: “Titanic,” “Back to the Future,” “Back to the Future II”
Billy Zane might be in some of the top-grossing films of all time — but for one reason or another the Hollywood star never did become a household name.
The talented actor continues to star in smaller scale productions and commercials and has even taken up other creative pursuits — including abstract expressionist painting.
Judy Greer
Date of birth: July 20, 1975
What you know her from: “13 Going on 30,” “27 Dresses,” “Arrested Development”
Judy Greer has spent her career starring alongside huge Hollywood names, like Jennifer Garner and Katherine Heigl.
And although many of her characters (especially Lucy in “13 Going on 30”) have been well-loved and well-received, her name has just never stuck.
Richard Jenkins
Date of birth: May 4, 1947
What you know him from: “Eat Pray Love,” “Step Brothers,” “The Shape of Water”
Richard Jenkins often plays the gentle and wise older male friend and has built his career in supporting roles.
Although his talent has been lighting up the big screen since his acting debut in the 1970s, it’s hard to recall his name at the drop of a dime.
Barry Shabaka Henley
Date of birth: Sept. 15, 1954
What you know him from: “The Terminal,” “Miami Vice,” “Collateral”
You probably recognize Barry Shabaka Henley from his supporting roles in big-ticket films like “The Terminal” or “Miami Vice.”
However, he built his career as a recurring role in various TV shows, and as such, his face is much more memorable than his name.