It is used of those playing a role contrary to their real character, with whom contact is dangerous.

In 2005, he appeared in the remake of King Kong, playing the assistant to Jack Black's character.

The prequels had him play two faces to his character:

He played the cousin to Will Smith's lead character; Ribeiro also directed some episodes of Fresh Prince.

He was certainly a virtuoso pianist but rarely played in public due to his introverted character.

She played the ex-wife to Platt's character at a newspaper giant.

Burton played Deborah Owens, the deceased mother to Dakota Fanning's character.

She also played the love interest to Gene Hackman's character in the basketball film Hoosiers (1986).

The latter role is his best known performance, in which he played "Jim Goose", the best friend and partner to Gibson's character.