Fun!
1. The captain of a downed plane, Wyatt Earp, an engaged man in love with his neighbor.
Jimmy Stewart in Flight of the Phoenix, Cheyenne Autumn, and Bell, Book, and Candle.
Solved (eventually) by Hazel (comment #9).
2. A nurse in a mental institution, a scriptwriter on a soap opera, a bank worker who receives a strange message.
Whoopie Goldberg in Girl, Interrupted, Soapdish, and Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Solved by Melville (comment #2).
3. An ex-con short-order cook, a real estate salesman, a diabolical law firm owner.
Al Pacino in Frankie and Johnnie, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Devil’s Advocate.
Solved by Melville (comment #2).
4. A charity worker in Africa (now traveling through Europe), a saint, a stage star in love with a married man.
Ingrid Bergman in Murder on the Orient Express, Joan of Arc, and Indiscreet.
Solved by George (comment #11) and by Hazel (comment #12).
5. A petty criminal with a bad limp, a serial killer, a pop singer.
Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects, Se7en, and Beyond the Sea.
Solved by Hazel (comment #1).
6. A cross-dresser, a nanny, the queen of a magical land.
Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria, Mary Poppins, and Shrek 3.
Solved by Tom Hilton (comment #6).
7. A gay painter, a motivational speaker, a sitcom star.
Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets, Little Miss Sunshine, and Auto-Focus.
Solved by fiona (comment #4).