Of all the familiar and up-and-coming faces in Rudy, the great Ned Beatty is the only one that can lay claim to the title of living legend. Prior to taking on the role of Daniel Ruettiger Sr, he'd already appeared in Deliverance, Nashville, Network, Silver Streak, the first two Superman films, and a recurring role on the initial run of Roseanne. Throughout the '70s and '80s he was one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, making extensive use of his easygoing charm and uncanny ability to ground characters with a stark humanity — even when those characters were less than sympathetic.
As the head of the Ruettiger household, Beatty made marvelous use of that ability once again, crafting a character that teeters between an emotionless hardass and a loving father who just wants the best for his family. Of course, we finally do get to see the real heart of Daniel Reuttiger in the film's unabashedly heartfelt (and absolutely pitch perfect) final moments, and the unequivocal pride Beatty displays in those moments seems so real, you just can't help but give over to the feelings yourself. Though Beatty hasn't appeared onscreen since 2013, he kept himself busy post-Rudy, delivering winning performances in He Got Game, Cookie's Fortune (opposite Charles S. Dutton), Charlie Wilson's War, and The Killer Inside Me.
