John Lithgow or Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer: Sideshow Bob, Stinky Pete (Toy Story 2), Frasier television show, Cheers, Down Periscope

John Lithgow: Shrek, 3d Rock from the Sun, Footloose, 2010, The Twilight Zone movie (Terror at 35,000 feet), Terms of Endearment, World According to Garp

Acting skills are probably pretty equal, although I give a slight edge to John Lithgow for nothing else other than the fact that he's played a more widely diverse cast of characters. At the end of the day, there really isn't much difference between most of the Kelsey Grammer characters.

Kelsey Grammer has the nod with television acting. John Lithgow has done nothing on television that would even compare with the combination of Cheers, Frasier, and the Simpsons. But movie work isn't even close. John Lithgow wins the movie argument just as resoundingly as Kelsey Grammer wins the television argument.

John Lithgow has the more diverse body of work, but you shouldn't knock Kelsey Grammer for staying with a popular television show for the sake of diversity.

With all things being more or less equal, maybe we should look to upcoming features. Kelsey Grammer has a television production of yet another version of "A Christman Carol" coming up, as well as a role in a movie called "The Good Humor Man." John Lithgow however trumps that though with a prominent role in both the upcoming Peter Sellers biopic starring Geoffrey Rush, as well as a role in the Liam Neeson movie "Kinsey."

How do you compare the Academy Award to an Emmy? That's a hard comparison. Lithgow has an Oscar for "The World According to Garp," and a nomination for "Terms of Endearment." Kelsey Grammer has 3 Emmy's and two Golden Globes, and a whole slew of nominations for both. But John Lithgow also has a slew of nominations from both the Emmy's and the Golden Globes. I think that an Oscar trumps an Emmy since I find an Oscar much harder to come by for most actors.

-Scorecard-

Acting: Essentially equal but advantage goes to Lithgow because of diversity of characters.

Television/Movie work: They essentially cancel each other out, although some would argue that Kelsey Grammer's television work trumps John Lithgow's character actor work from movies.

Upcoming work: Lithgow easily beats Grammer.

Awards: Again, virtually equal. Take your pick if you want an Oscar or 3 Emmys. I picked the Oscar. Advantage for me goes to Lithgow.

Verdict:

John Lithgow with a knockout in the ninth round. And that's without even pulling up his extensive theater work.

matt out