I guess you can say that every actor is a 'character actor' on some level. But I think some actors have a wider range. I think that's how you get that mantle.
“I'll never forget the day that I was told I would have to have a mastectomy. My reaction to the words was total denial.”
“In symphonic music, when you are conducting, you do the same thing. You are feeling the whole orchestra, thinking ahead so you can prepare for a change.”