Friday Familiar Faces: Chris Messina

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe! There are plenty of actors out there who people recognize by face but can’t identify because they just don’t tend to get the leading roles. There is a fantastic book (and website) dedicated to this phenomenon, appropriately titled “Hey! It’s That Guy” and touting the fantastic J.T. Walsh as the ultimate recognizable everyman.

This series will spotlight an actor or actress who has recently turned in a notable or scene-stealing performance and showcase some of their best cinematic appearances. More than other any feature, this series will merge the worlds of television and film as needed to highlight a performer’s best and most recognizable work.

Chris Messina

Where you’ve seen him most recently: As Calvin’s brother Harry in this past Wednesday’s “Ruby Sparks,” and in recurring roles as chief executive Reese on HBO’s “The Newsroom” and as military man Chris Sanchez on FX’s “Damages”

Where you might have first seen him: In the final season of “Six Feet Under” as Claire’s unexpected boyfriend, Ted

Other notable appearances: As Julie’s supportive husband Eric in “Julie and Julia,” Vicky’s ignored boyfriend Doug in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” happy husband Tom in “Away We Go,” Subject #19 in “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men,” and getting his first big lead role as the title character in April’s “The Giant Mechanical Man”

What you might expect from him: A kind-hearted, genuine guy who often gets the short straw after going out on a limb for a female friend or partner; an affable conversationalist with deeper thoughts about life and society