Honorable Mention for Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes in Days of Thunder)
The only reason we can’t officially included Russ Wheeler on this list is that Days of Thunder came out in 1990, which some people consider the last year of the ’80s, and others consider the first year of the ’90s.
After playing an eminently charming and lovable hero in The Princess Bride, Elwes played way against type as Russ Wheeler, a lowdown, dirty racer and a perfect antagonist to Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise).
Some critics referred to Days of Thunder as “Top Car” because of its supposed similarities to Top Gun, but it’s very much its own quite enjoyable movie. And Wheeler is much less sympathetic than Iceman.
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