re: Has any actor had a better batting average than John Cazale?

Cazale benefited greatly from being best friends with Al Pacino when he was at the peak of his powers. He got the role of Fredo Corleone only after Pacino invited him to audition for the part. And then Pacino hounded Lumet to give him the role of Sal in Dog Day Afternoon. Don't get me wrong. Cazale was a fine actor. But it was more of being at the right place at the right time while being friends with the right people than being this great actor who all of the top directors wanted in their films.