In a previous article from 2016, the Tribune noted the decline of the classic Chicago accent in TV and movies. However, recent portrayals have brought attention back to the authenticity of these accents. Here’s a breakdown of actors and their Chicago accents in various productions, ranging from exemplary to questionable:
John Goodman as Dan Conner in “Roseanne” and “The Conners”: A
Despite being from St. Louis, Goodman convincingly adopts an authentic Great Lakes accent for his role as the patriarch of an exurban Chicago family. His portrayal includes subtle linguistic nuances reflective of the region’s dialect.
Oliver Platt as Uncle Jimmy in “The Bear”: A
Platt, although not originally from Chicago, delivers a convincing Chicago accent reminiscent of the Baby Boom era. His mastery of significant vowel sounds without veering into caricature demonstrates skilled dialect acting.
David Eigenberg as Lt. Christopher Platt in “Chicago Fire”: B+
Eigenberg, hailing from New York but raised in Naperville, exhibits a strong local accent. While occasionally overdone, his portrayal reflects the prevalence of Chicago accents in suburban areas.
Jennifer Beals as Lt. Teresa Colvin in “The Chicago Code”: B+
Beals, with her South Side upbringing and Irish heritage, effectively embodies the demeanor of a Chicago cop through terse speech and hard-bitten consonants. However, some supporting characters lack the same authenticity in their accents.
Chandra Russell as Officer Turner in “The South Side”: B
Russell’s portrayal captures the unique blend of Mississippi and Midwestern accents found in the South Side of Chicago. Her character’s speech reflects the distinctive linguistic traits of the region.
George Wendt as Bob Swerski in “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” on Saturday Night Live: B
Wendt, growing up in Clearing, delivers a performance steeped in Chicagoan vernacular, including the iconic “Da Bears” catchphrase. However, the exaggerated portrayal of the accent by Wendt and others may have contributed to self-consciousness among Chicagoans.
Dennis Franz as Lt. Andy Sipowicz in “NYPD Blue”: B
While Franz, a Maywood native, effectively channels a cop persona, his Chicago accent occasionally shines through, reminding viewers of his Midwestern roots. Despite being set in New York, his portrayal adds a unique flavor to the character.
Overall, these performances demonstrate varying degrees of success in capturing the essence of the Chicago accent, from authentic portrayals to instances of exaggeration or inconsistency.
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