Maybe he wasn’t acting...
jerk? yes, it’s called type-casting
I will agree with some posters that he’s performed some good roles, and I think that “Hunt for Red October” is an excellent movie.... haven’t seen any of his TV work at all.
Besides, any man who gets to marry both a “Bond girl” and a Playmate in one package (Kim Basinger) can’t be a total failure :^) although that turned out really really badly so I guess he is a total failure....... but I do think he was/is a credible actor when he doesn’t let his political b.s. get in the way.