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30 Times Actors Surprised Everyone By Nailing A Character That’s Against Their Typecast
Interview With Expert
Being someone you’re not takes a lot to pull off. Even if it is for a job, i.e. acting (as opposed to lying, feigning, avoiding situations or responsibilities, etc.).
It’s even more so impressive when an actor who’s historically predominantly been typecast to fill a particular kind of role breaks free from the shackles of assumption and proves to the world just how versatile they are as professionals.
Well, folks on Reddit have been discussing just that: actors who were typecast, but performed spectacularly in a role against that type. Take a scroll down the list to see the answers, and why not also share some of your insights and picks for the list in the comment section below.
And be sure to check out our interview with horror blogger Palvi Sharma who provides insights into typecasting from the perspective of the horror genre.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Tom Hanks was the adorable jokester and lovable romcom man until he did Philadelphia and then he became very versatile for everything.
Lunaofthenest (She/they) 1 year ago
I saw this movie in the community center at college and it truly completely unhinged me. I was *NOT* prepared for the depth & gravity. That movie shook 18 year old me. Not only did it really own my eyes to bias, homophobia & the AIDS epidemic but it made me see Tom Hanks in a completely new light. Harsh, but brilliant film.
Meredith 1 year ago
Tom Hanks is a brilliant actor with a lot of range. Think of some of his movies: Nothing In Common - Big - Philadelphia - Cast Away - League of their Own - The Green Mile - Toy Story. He was awesome in Bosom Buddies too.
Lunaofthenest (She/they) 1 year ago
Bosom Buddies! And I know it's total fluff, but I actually loved "You've Got Mail" 🤓 I know, I'm embarrassed for myself but it's just one of those films that reminds me of a younger, more wide eyed & naive me.
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RELATED:
#2
Ik it’s a TV show but Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad is a no brainer for this.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
Reminds me of Hugh laurie. Before he was Dr. House, he was George on Black Adder with Rowan Atkinson and he did sketch comedy with Stephen Fry.
Tracy Wallick 1 year ago
I was genuinely surprised to learn Hugh Laurie's British, his American accent is FLAWLESS
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T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
I've been a fan of Bryan Cranston's since he played Douglas Donovan in "Loving", a soap opera that started in the EIGHTIES. (It seemed to be pretty unremarkable as far as Americans were concerned, but South Africans were *obsessed* with it.) He had some really good guest-starring roles as well, and I remember reading that he got the part in BB when the showrunner showed the higher-ups his X-Files episode. He gave a GREAT performance in that!
Xitxarel•lo Panda 1 year ago
Well...I don't know that show but I was fan since one of my favorites shows of Bryan Cranston. Malcolm in the middle. :)
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Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
Now he's more well known for drama and having a million Emmys instead.
#3
Surprised I haven't seen Ralph Finnes in here. Guy built his career on prestige drama roles, and never shied away from playing an unlikable character. See The English Patient, Schindler's List, Red Dragon, The Dutchess, Harry Potter, etc. His performances are always heavy.
Then he goes and does The Grand Budapest and you see the guy has great comedic timing. Blew my mind to be laughing at Ralph Finnes.
Rebecca Ferguson 1 year ago
This man is a brilliant actor and this is by far my favourite Wes Anderson film.
Ban-One 1 year ago
Great actor. Also enjoyable in the light-hearted rom-com " Maid in Manhattan".
RedMarbles 1 year ago
It's almost as if appreciation for art and spelling ability aren't correlated.
Load More Replies...For those unaware, typecasting is when film directors and anyone else responsible repeatedly assign the same actors to the same types of roles because of the appropriateness of their appearance or previous success in the roles. The most common reason for that is the industry and (or) the audience simply wants specific people playing specific roles. Simple as that.
#4
Heath Ledger as the Joker
Owen 1 year ago
He absolutely blew my mind in that film. He brought something to the screen that is very rare.
Suck it Trebek 1 year ago
No one will ever be able to top his version of the joker. There is no way anyone could come close in my opinion.
BarkingSpider 1 year ago
Recently discovered the movie Candy where he plays a heroin addict, brutal. A Knight's Tale is one I will watch any time it's on, too.
SirWriteALot 1 year ago
Idk if it's because of his death but whenever I see his face in that makeup I get goosebumps. His performance was just something else.
Vvee Work 1 year ago
Personally I think Joaquin Phoenix did better,and also was able to make most people relate to him and not see him as a bad guy
zak 1 year ago
That's kinda apples-and-oranges though (or maybe more like oranges-and-tangerines?) They both played the same character, but the movies were quite stylistically different from each other (one leaning heavily on the over-the-top comic book style and the other a more "real life" version). IMO, they both were perfectly cast for their respective characters in the movie they were in.
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DragonofMordor 1 year ago
He was amazing. My favorite in that movie, though, was Aaron Eckhart.
JessieJ&LilyLovebug 1 year ago
If only he hadn't had to go to such a dark place to get that performance...
#5
Charlize Theron in *Monster*.
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
South Africans call her the "bombshell from Benoni". She's a great actress.
Sam Cook 1 year ago
One film I felt truly squandered her and a good bit of the adult cast was The School for Good and Evil. That film had so much promise, but it ended up failing in some areas. I didn't dislike it, but it was still my least-favorite film of 2022.
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#6
Robin Williams playing a killer in Insomnia was always so striking to me. He did such a great job and it was so different from his prior roles.
electronicgogo 1 year ago
this and one hour photo. his character in that one made me cringe. what an incredible talent. *sigh*
David 1 year ago
For me with Robin it was 1998's What Dreams May Come. I know it was not his first movie you might call serious but it was perhaps the first I'd seen him play a serious role. I was used to Mork and Doubtfire and Patch Adams and such.
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 1 year ago
What dreams may come is in my top 5. It absolutely guts me every time. My husband too. We prolly watch it every 5 years or so because it's so difficult, even though by the end, it makes sense.
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KitKat 1 year ago
For me, Robin Williams' exceptional acting skills and range were highlighted in 'The Dead Poets Society ' and 'The Fisher King'. ♡ Forever missed ♡
Rizzo 1 year ago
His work in One Hour Photo was in my opinion his best performance in a non-comedy movie.
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Daddy’s Girl 1 year ago
Robin Williams had an incredible depth of emotion. Everything I’ve seen him in I love.
Christopher Bowers 1 year ago
I still like to watch Jack. Watched it when he passed away. Something about that, speech he gave at the end was like him giving himself a tribute in a loving way.
Big Chungus 1 year ago
Another great one he did is called World's Greatest Dad (I think that is the name)
Martin Kaine 1 year ago
I've felt its easier for a comedic actor to transition to drama than vice versa. Timing, delivery, pace, etc. are so important in comedy that it translates well to drama. It could also be the juxtaposition of a person who gets laughs now plays a serial killer or something along those lines. (I'm not saying drama actors cannot be funny, btw.)
An example of typecasting can be seen with actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose entire career is mostly based on the strong man action hero type of character.
The same can be said about the likes of Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, and Bryan Cranston, all of whom mostly had funny, lighthearted or otherwise comedic roles, but when given an antithetical role nailed that too.
#7
Woody Harrelson. It would be an understatement to say people were surprised when Woody from Cheers showed up starring in Natural Born Killers.
Also, Bruce Willis. Until Die Hard, everyone knew him as a romantic lead. He was in Moonlighting with Cybill Shepherd.
AtMostTheFabulist 1 year ago
I remember Woody Harrelson in Cheers. He played such an airhead. Then when he moved to movies it was like he flipped a switch. You could see his intelligence in every role.
Bored something 1 year ago
Yes! Compare Cheers to True detective and its mind blowing that it's the same actor.
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Javelina Poppers 1 year ago (edited)
Woody Harrelson's father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was an organized crime hitman who was convicted of assassinating a federal judge. There were allegations he was also involved in the assassination of JFK. Thank goodness the apple fell far from that tree.
Karen Rutland 1 year ago
I first saw Bruce Willis in Miami Vice playing a drug kingpin. I was legit scared of him and couldn’t watch Moonlighting for the first year!
#8
Bruce Willis broke into action roles with Die Hard.
TheBoredMan replied:
Yeah people these days forget Bruce Willis was a TV heart throb when Die Hard came out. People were used to 80s body builders starring in action movies and a lot of the buzz came from confusion “An action movie starring BRUCE WILLIS wtf??”
moo-loy replied:
Audiences laughed en mass when trailers for Die Hard were aired. The thought of Bruce Willis playing an action hero was hilarious to the general public.
Lupita Nyong'heaux 1 year ago
same. it ruined the show. al jarreau and the theme song were fab, tho.
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Bored something 1 year ago
I love him in Hudson Hawk. But also in Die Hard and Pulp fiction. He's an all round great actor.
Liam Walsh 1 year ago
Still puzzling as to why it was released in July...
Load More Replies... Jossh Nine 1 year ago
Bruce Willis is one of my favorite actors. He did his best performance EVER in "12 Monkeys". We all were used to him being big, loud, fast, and aggressive, then he pulled a quiet, shy, insecure, unknowing last minute hero in that film. "Lucky #7", too.
#9
Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys. That movie showed the world that he could act and wasn't just a pretty actor.
Owen 1 year ago
It's not Irish. It's not English. It's just... well... Pikey
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UpQuarkDownQuark (he/hey you) 1 year ago
The first film I ever saw Pitt in was Kalifornia, so I absolutely did not see him as a pretty boy. He was a scary mfer in that movie!
Skip Reynolds 1 year ago
Bruce Willis was also a hell of a good actor in that film. Surprised a lot of people, myself included.
Dawnieangel76 1 year ago
12 Monkeys disturbed me so much. I had a huge crush on Brad growing up, but I could never watch that particular movie again.
Paul K. Johnson 1 year ago
He sucked in 12 monkeys. Nobody does psychotics well because they're impossible to do. I've worked in psych for 30 years and know what I'm talking about. Nobody knows how to do a dementia, psychotic or schizophrenic because it's just not possible.
Tim 1 year ago
He played a character with bipolar disorder during a manic episode.
Load More Replies...Bored Panda has reached out to horror movie expert and blogger Palvi Sharma of Dark Horror Tales, who shared her insights into breaking a typecast from the perspective of the horror movie genre.
"Actors can go through a grueling process while acting in horror movies. It can affect them mentally and several actors have mentioned suffering from PTSD-like symptoms after performing intense scenes," elaborated Sharma. "Take for example Alex Wolff in Hereditary or Janet Leigh in Psycho. Both actors were left feeling traumatized after shooting terrifying scenes."
#10
John Travolta in Pulp Fiction. Everyone and I mean everyone at the time associated him with the Look Who’s talking movies and Saturday Night Fever. Then he just gets this amazing career revival and puts out a badass performance in an instant classic.
Jeff White 1 year ago
My most "embarrassing" internal thought ever. John Travolta was with Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. As she makes him come up to the stage for Twist contest, I clearly remember thinking "Can John Travolta dance?"
Vicki Perizzolo 1 year ago
Hairspray killed me -- he and Walken dancing - laughed so hard I almost choked
Paul K. Johnson 1 year ago
That's not true. I never saw either of those movies. What I associated him with was Welcome Back Kotter.
#11
I think Sally Field provided the blueprint for breaking type casting originally with Sybil. Then came her Oscar wins.
Daddy’s Girl 1 year ago
I worked with Sally on Sybil. Definitely a breakout movie for her. She was delightful to work with and very intense in her preparation.
#12
Gary Oldman played a lot of bad guys. Liam Neeson played a lot of good guys.
Christopher Nolan reversed that typecasting in Batman Begins.
Owen 1 year ago
That version of 'My Way' I think was better than the original. I say this as a punk in my early thirties.
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Roxy222uk 1 year ago
If you haven't seen Gary Oldman in Slow Horses you are lucky for one reason - you have all that delight ahead of you.
Jennlyn 1 year ago
Always my first thought when I see Gary Oldman in anything
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SleepSycho 1 year ago
Toss up between True Romance and The Professional my fave roles of his but he brilliant in everything (just don’t watch tippy toes) and he’ll always be Sid to me
Sharma did go on to say that every genre requires actors to perform with a different set of skills. Many might argue that just because an actor is doing comedy, it doesn’t mean that things are easier on set. Performing comedic scenes can be just as challenging as performing an emotional scene.
However, horror can even be more demanding. The one thing people might hear is that actors are required to perfect their screams for horror movies. In fact, several actors have even taken coaching lessons to perfect their screams and land good movie roles.
#13
Several have mentioned Robin Williams but I didn't see any mention of *Awakenings*, a straight dramatic role with virtually none of his usual comic shenanigans.
Macaulay Culkin in *My Girl* plays a role that's almost a total opposite of the *Home Alone* character he's best known for.
Rebecca Ferguson 1 year ago
One of his greatest performances - It was so subtle and controlled.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
He and Elijah Wood were both excellent in that movie.
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Sammie 19 1 year ago
Awakenings is a fantastic movie but I've only seen it all the way through once because when everyone is awake and wanting to get on with their lives, even though time had gone on and things outside were different, when Leonards twitching started again I can't stop crying and have to switch it off. For a brief moment in time they got to actually be them but then they realise that it isn't permanent and they'll go back to being statutes, shells, it's too heartbreaking.
#14
Steve Carell comes to mind for mainly being known for his comedic roles to then doing films like foxcatcher and beautiful boy.
AmusingMusing7 replied:
I think Little Miss Sunshine was his first real dramatic role.
#15
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. People were scoffing at the idea that the snarky goofball from Fantastic Four would be the stalwart, noble leader of the avengers. Said Downey would act him off the screen in Avengers. That the character itself was too boring and he wouldn’t elevate it. Instead became the heart and soul of the MCU and a superhero icon.
CrazyKnitter 1 year ago
I am really not a fan of the Boy Scout heroes (Captain America and Superman), but damn did Evans change my mind. Perfect casting.
"Many actors started their careers in horror movies before they transitioned to comedy and action," explained Sharma. "Take for example Jennifer Anniston who starred in Leprechaun before moving on to her famous role as Rachel on Friends. Then there was Kevin Bacon who starred in Friday the 13th before playing his most iconic role in Footloose."
"If there is one actor who made a successful transition into the horror genre, I would have to say it is Nicolas Cage. He played meek roles before moving on to action and then adventure roles. He was even sometimes criticized for his acting skills in them. But it is in horror movies that Nicolas Cage has found a way to display his vast acting range and truly shined."
#16
Between the latest James Bond movies and *Layer Cake*, **Daniel Craig** is mostly known as "suave British spy / criminal." But later he proved he has comedic talent and also a knack for southern accents in *Logan Lucky* and the *Knives Out* films.
D. Pitbull 1 year ago
Okay. Seriously. Daniel Craig... as Benoit Blanc... and ... ahem... JOE BANG... omg... BEST roles EVER. Spouse and I still yell out "It's SCIENCE, people!" every once in a while...
MadMonkey 1 year ago
I have to say, as someone who grew up in the South of America, Craig's accent is deliberately awful. It doesn't sound anything like any southern accent, from Louisiana to Georgia to North Carolina and all in between. But that's the point, isn't it. That wretched wannabe Nawlins accent is exactly the point of his character. My bigger beef here is, however well Craig did in those films, Janelle Monae absolutely stole the show in Glass Onion. She is amazing.
Cathelijne Van 1 year ago
Couldn't get over his horrible accent too, and I'm from NL
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amanda strachan 1 year ago
Daniel Craig played Geordie in Our Friends From the North. A brilliant drama mini TV series. He was absolutely brilliant as the scruffy, junky.
#17
Stanley Tucci in the Hunger Games.
AtMostTheFabulist 1 year ago
Stanley Tucci is so versatile, it's hard to believe. You should see him in Big Night.
Der Kommissar 1 year ago
Inside Man was excellent, and Tucci is great in everything I've seen him in
Lunaofthenest (She/they) 1 year ago
Stanley Tucci for President! J/k, of course we, as a country, would never elect a celebrity to the highest office in the land! Oh... wait...
Load More Replies... Lunaofthenest (She/they) 1 year ago (edited)
His role as the killer in The Pelican Brief & the Lovely Bones proved his range to me early on but his Hunger Games performance was just next level.
Daddy’s Girl 1 year ago
Stanley Tucci is an amazing actor. One of my favorites is a little known movie called Big Night with Tony Shalhoub. What a pair!
#18
Most recently I would say Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All At Once. She is known for pretty or sexy or put together characters. In Everything she is dowdy (sometimes evil) but never her usual - and she was great.
Patricia Steward 1 year ago
Her episodes on the TV show The Bear are astonishing. I didn't know it was her until I read the credits.
Janet 1 year ago
Same here. I had no idea it was her and she played the part so well.
Load More Replies...Sharma continued: "Take for example [Cage's] role in the recent Dream Scenario. He goes from playing a timid professor anyone can walk over to an overconfident celebrity to a deranged maniac, calculating criminal (even if it is in a dream), and then a walkover once again. Nicolas Cage truly gets to display his full potential in that movie and you do end up sympathizing with him throughout."
"His best role would have to be as the silent janitor in Willy’s Wonderland. Many horror fans will tell you that this Nicolas Cage was better in Five Nights At Freddy’s. Willy’s Wonderland was supposed to be a sort of parody of the famous video game but Cage’s acting skills helped the movie stand out. Only Nicolas Cage could make a movie with that premise, actually entertaining."
#19
Tom Cruise - Les Grossman.
electronicgogo 1 year ago
while his scientology stuff creeps me out, this part blew my mind. his dancing weirded me out, but it was good.
Johnnynatfan 1 year ago
It is weird for sure but he is a damn good actor.
Load More Replies... OutspokenHBW 1 year ago
I feel like in his heart, Tom Cruise wants to be a character actor, but got stuck in the Hollywood superstar category instead. He was a delight in Interview with a Vampire and Collateral as well.
Bored something 1 year ago
I still love interview with a vampire, it's one of my favourite movie. I cannot stand Tom Cruise but I still love the movie so that's why I think his acting is really good in this. It makes me forget who he is.
Load More Replies... AtMostTheFabulist 1 year ago
I didn't recognize him until the end of the movie. Then i just sat there with my mouth open when he did that dancing bit.
D. Pitbull 1 year ago
omg. I had to watch the dancing clip, like, 3 times just to convince myself I wasn't having some sort of tripped up half-asleep dream. Part of me STILL doesn't believe this actually happened.
Sugar Shack 1 year ago
SO good. The dancing was amazing... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srH94OR1TbU&ab_channel=sudofilm
#20
Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems.
acart005 replied:
I scrolled too damn far before I saw Adam. That man is a Robin Williams level actor in the right films when it comes to flawless serious and comedic acting.
The problem is he figured out he gets paid more to hang out with his friends on camera for mid comedies (ex. Grown Ups). You can't blame him if the studio is gonna pay for you and all your bros to hangout in Hawaii for a few months AND you get a dump truck of cash, you would do it too. So even though I think he has the actual acting potential to equal Robin, his overall filmography never will which is sad.
His debut comedies are eternal classics and Punch Drunk Love, Longest Yard, and Uncut Gems are all extremely well made serious films.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
I enjoyed Sandler in Spanglish. I also liked the movies he played opposite of Drew Barrymore. He helped her return, and she helped him play fully adult characters. A forty year old man shouldn't be playing the twenty year old living in Mom's basement.
CSCole 1 year ago
I'll add to the list: "Reign Over Me" He plays a man who lost his family on 9/11. This is not the Adam Sandler you were looking for. I think people pass over it because of the time frame. I understand that. It is very good though.
VNES101 1 year ago
That was a very good film. Loved him in Reign Over Me. I almost forgot about that.
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Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago
He is not a good actor. The excuse he makes crappy movies because he gets to hang out with his friends is flawed too. Wes Anderson and Scorsese use the same cast of friends every time. Joe Rogan and Simon Pegg both made their careers by being in movie after movie with their friends. All of these people but Sandler make good movies doing it.
Rebecca Ferguson 1 year ago
I have to agree with you there. I do think he has been in a couple of good films but to class him as a great actor is a real stretch.
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#21
Robert Pattinson post-Twilight BUT ALSO I have so much respect for Elijah Wood and Daniel Radcliffe. They made their money and then just started doing BONKERS stuff that they really believed in and wanted to do. Elijah Wood in Sin City and I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore (plus SpectreVision which is a production company he started that produces proper B horror), and Radcliffe in Horns, Swiss Army Man, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
FreeShavocadoCitizen replied:
Agree 100%. Loved Elijah so much growing up, then he went from hobbit to serial killer and it was chilling.
justhere4daSpursnGOT replied:
Green street hooligans is a great movie that he really gave his all in. Completely changed my view of him
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
I would have mentioned this if you didn't. His American accent was *perfect*.
Load More Replies... D. Pitbull 1 year ago
Whoa. wait up. Daniel Radcliffe... plays... Weird Al???? okay, geezus, NOW I have to see that movie.
mysterious(all pronouns) 1 year ago
I watched it with my dad, it's a good movie, kinda bonkers.
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Jcusack 1 year ago
YEEESSSS!!!! Btw, Josh Hartnett made 11 yr old me want to do drugs... haha
Load More Replies... JayWantsACat 1 year ago
I love what Radcliffe and Pattinson have done with their careers. So many interesting and eclectic choices. I particularly love that Radcliffe did several years of Deadspin's Tweets of the Year and seeing him cringing to some of the best/worst ones.
BarkingSpider 1 year ago
Everything that Daniel Radcliffe does anymore os so off the wall and I love it. Guns Akimbo was it for me.
Casey Payne 1 year ago
For Elijah: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. For Radcliffe: A Young Doctor's Notebook with Jon Hamm. Neither show gets a lot of attention, but both are weird and mostly fun.
Sam Cook 1 year ago (edited)
I actually knew Elijah Wood better for voicing Spyro than playing Frodo for a time (mainly because the trilogy he voiced Spyro in came out when I was between the ages of eight and ten, and I didn't watch The Lord of the Rings fully back-to-back until I was maybe fifteen).
dan martyr 1 year ago
Radcliffe wasn’t even good in the Potter movies. Really enjoyed The Light house
Now, it isn't unusual to see actors being typecast after their success in a single movie role. Audiences might sometimes demand it, and it can be exhausting for actors as they are given little choice in their roles.
Sharma elaborates that, at least in the horror movie scene, that is the case for the likes of Scout Taylor-Compton, who is often cast to play a character with morals who ends up on the wrong side of the law or with bad company, but pulls through and does justice to the character.
Another example that Sharma notes is Justin Long. "There is a running joke that if he appears in a horror movie, his character is going to go through a lot of trouble. And it usually is the case. Movies like Barbarian and House of Darkness are proof of that."
#22
Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a Dream
Owen 1 year ago
One of the best movies I've ever seen. But I don't really want to watch it again. Brutal.
Rae North 1 year ago
I've always felt the same way. I literally got up and took a shower and scrubbed myself after watching it. I think it was the Ellen Burkins performance (the mother) that did it to me.
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Rostit. . 1 year ago
I get PTSD reactions from this movie. It's amazing but I absolutely can't watch it again
Tamra 1 year ago
Absolutely same here. It gave me a visceral, sick feeling in my gut for days.
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Jack Wheeler 1 year ago
A movie I've watched once, would possibly recommend, except I never want to watch it again.
Der Kommissar 1 year ago
Once your kids get old enough this is a good way to teach them that "drugs are bad, mkay? "
Rostit. . 1 year ago
It's beyond that. It's not the drugs, it's the attitude and social stigma around addiction.
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#23
I think Matthew McConaughey is up there for breaking out of the romcom stuff to do things like Interstellar.
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
I read he got an Oscar for that movie (I've boycotted the Oscars since 1985 when Jeff Bridges didn't win because it was a sci-fi movie he was nominated for.) I knew *nothing* else about the movie and watched it anyway. Imagine my surprise at the subject matter and his *fantastic* performance!
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Con O Cuinn 1 year ago
Dude's been doing serious roles for years, A Time to Kill was before a lot of the romcoms he did
T. D. 1 year ago (edited)
OMG, you're so right. Totally forgot about "A Time to Kill" Lets not forget Samuel L Jacksons performance as well.
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Gabby Ghoul 1 year ago
Matthew McConaughey won me over with We Are Marshall. More than the performance, it was the care with which he approached the role.
#24
Jason Bateman in Ozark?
Pittsburgh rare 1 year ago
Absolutely. He did a Bryan Cranston type of thing and turned out fantastically.
LargeMarge 1 year ago
Right, watching him as the ahole kid in Silver Spoons to Ozarks is pretty cool. I always wondered why his sister didn't keep acting. I liked her too.
Bartlet for World Domination 1 year ago
Bateman... Justine? Mallory's his sister?!!
Load More Replies... Now, some might argue that it's the fans that ultimately own the franchises. This in turn might encourage anything from gatekeeping to well, akshually moments that leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Well, Sharma notes that horror fans, while being some of the most loyal in the industry, are very accepting of actors jumping genres and breaking their typecast to test out the waters in the horror scene.
"How the actors eventually perform in the movies is what cements their place in the Horror community. Many actors have found their place in [here] and have been supported through the years by horror fans."
#25
Jeff Daniels in *Dumb & Dumber*
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
His part as Union Col. Joshua Chamberlain in the 1993 movie Gettysburg was one of his best roles.
Johnnynatfan 1 year ago
Have you seen him in the Netflix show :godless"? Holy c**p he was an evil bastard in that show.
Load More Replies... Jeff White 1 year ago
We in Michigan are used to Jeff Daniels in a WIDE variety of roles. Don't forget he was in "Terms of Endearment". And then wrote and starred in "Escanaba in da Moonlight" weird as heck, psychadelic, "Up North" deer hunting camp movie. Jeff Daniels is probably the least type-castable actor I've ever seen.
Con O Cuinn 1 year ago
My favourite part about him being in this film is Clint Eastwood telling him that Eastwood had actually experienced the bathroom scene.
Vicki Perizzolo 1 year ago
I was so disappointed he lowered himself to this rub bish - I love Jim Carrey too but this was just stupder
#26
Tom Hanks in Road to Perdition. He leaned into that role so hard and it really paid off. Never would’ve thought he’d play a great gangster like that.
David 1 year ago (edited)
I feel like tom hanks can play just about anything. Not sure about comedy but he seems believable in just about any serious role. EDIT: Okay yes, he did some early comedy. But mostly stuff I consider 'amusing' rather than laugh out loud funny. I didn't really consider Splash or Sleepless in Seattle that funny. Big was amusing in places. I just have a hard time imagining him doing the kind of comedy that would have me laughing so hard I'm wheezing with tears in my eyes. But he's a damn fine actor so probably could if given the right role. Possibly he is just too classy for my sense of humor. I like absurd humor and dark humor. So... Robot Chicken, earlier seasons of Archer, Shoot Em Up, Deadpool - stuff like that.
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
Try watching "Splash" or "Big" - they're not 'ha ha' comedies but they're not 100% dramatic either.
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Robin DJW 1 year ago
He's probably the best actor since the golden days of Hollywood, right up there with Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Clark Gable. He can play anything, anyone. Example: Forrest Gump.
Vicki Perizzolo 1 year ago
loved a Man Called Otto - my fave book is the Man Called Ove and this one actually followed the book.
Aidan Campbell 1 year ago
People complained that he couldn't play an evil character but Mike Sullivan was a family man who had a nasty job.
Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago
I honestly think Hanks' best performance was in Big. He catches the feelings of navigating how to grow up. He is childlike and then he is pretending to be an adult. It's a great performance. Keeping it light-hearted but bringing some drama is a tough line to walk for actors and directors - everyone, particulary Hanks, did a great job of this on Big.
#27
Most recently Dave Bautista in Knock at the Cabin.
AliasUndercover123 replied:
Bautista in every role. Dude broke in with Guardians and then made a decision to go as varied as possible to break the typecast and prove he's got skill. He's the anti-Rock.
deathbystereo007 replied:
I love that he very obviously cares about working with great directors and pushing boundaries with interesting roles. The Rock has chosen instead to chase money & feed his ego - & thus, has taken on almost no roles that take risks. At one time he did seem relatively eager to take on different types of roles (like in Be Cool), but somewhere along the way he became satisfied with just playing the same character over and over. I don't mean to say that all of his films are bad. The Jumanji reboot & the sequel were surprisingly good. I just always know exactly what I'm getting from The Rock in a movie & that can become stale pretty quickly.
Lexekon 1 year ago
People used to not take Bautista or Dwayne Johnson seriously in acting, and both deserved more credit than they got. I want to see them work together in something.
CrazyKnitter 1 year ago
I don't think that Dwayne Johnson gets enough credit. Sure he tends to do similar characters, but I think that he knows what he's good at and does it. I would also love to see him and Bautista do a movie with each other, I think that it'd be awesome.
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MrsFettesVette 1 year ago
All I want is for him to play a Goron in the Legend of Zelda film. He would be a perfect Daruk; actually, when I think of Daruk's voice, it's Bautista's voice in my head.
Rebecca Ferguson 1 year ago
I actually was more surprised by Rupert Grint in this. He really said "bye, bye Harry".
Heather Vandegrift 1 year ago
If you get the chance to see Dwayne Johnson's Saturday Night Live performances, do it! He has surprisingly good comedic timing and makes fun of himself SO WELL
Dawnieangel76 1 year ago
At least Dwayne didn't cheat on his wife with some cheap hoochie while she was near dying of cancer. I can't see anything aside from that about Bautista.
Sharma continues: "Felissa Rose who rose to fame as Angela Baker in Sleepaway Camp is still doing horror movies and fans still watch any movie her name is attached to."
"Tara Reid used to be known for her roles in raunchy comedies or as the ditzy blonde character in rom-coms, but she too has been able to make her mark in the horror community with numerous roles in horror movies."
"She now gets to move away from stereotypical roles and do something that is better suited to her acting talents. Despite the low ratings on some of her movies, she has been appreciated for her acting skills and screen presence."
#28
I haven’t seen anyone mention James Caan’s amazing performance in Elf or George Clooney going to near Nic Cage levels in Burn After Reading. I think Burn After Reading is an amazing overlooked Coen Brothers movie that does a good job getting actors to play against type
Ban-One 1 year ago
Clooney was hilarious in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" as Everett "Ulysses" McGill. The performance on stage singing Man of Constant Sorrow was fantastic. The whole movie was...
Lisa Miller 1 year ago (edited)
"I'm a Dapper Dan man, dammit!" Great movie!
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Sonja 1 year ago
I think George Clooney is much better in Up In The Air or From Dusk Till Dawn. Definitely surprised me there
Caroline Nagel 1 year ago
George Clooney in BAR is brilliant. His wardrobe was so spot on for the kind of person he played.
#29
Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me.
Lexekon 1 year ago
She is an amazing actress, and I like her onscreen presence. I don't know how to properly explain it, but she just seems to bring more depth to a role, than the writer likely expected.
Johnnynatfan 1 year ago
Ive never heard of this movie. Perhaps I need to check it out because to me she plays the same character in everything she does.
LGBTQpanda 1 year ago
She was actually amazing in the new Disney's Little Mermaid. Her performance as Ursela was incredible and she was a stand out for me.
#30
Hugh Grant in The Gentlemen
Full of Giggles 1 year ago
Yes! Hugh’s role is completely different than every other comedic role he’s played. He was fantastic!
You can check out more from Sharma on her blog Dark Horror Tales, where she discusses all things horror—movies, books and the horror industry in general.
But before you do that, did you notice any actors who didn’t make the list? Share your picks and takes in the comment section below!
You might also want to check out the original Reddit thread which has generated 1,400 comments in discussion, so they might have more to say about things.
#31
Jim Carrey in The Number 23.
Freddie Saturn 1 year ago
Truman Show, what a breakthru. From Ace Ventura, The Mask, Cable Guy, Dumb & Dumber.
#32
Sylvester Stallone in Oscar. He could be so so funny. Who knew?
Nano Iders 1 year ago
It may be because I was a kid back then and easy to entertain, but I still remember Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot fondly.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 1 year ago
He made many successful (and unsuccessful) comedies in the 80s. He's hilarious in 1984 Rhinestone with Dolly Parton for instance.
Kimi Little 1 year ago
I LOVED him in that movie! Who knew he could do humor? Plus we got to see Tim Curry!
MrsFettesVette 1 year ago
I need to see this movie again, I saw it at release with my grandparents because I have a family member involved with it, thought it was just okay. Now have found out quite a lot of people really enjoyed the movie and it's become more popular than I could have imagined.
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#33
Does Jack Black in the Holiday count? Still goofy but as a romantic lead? Move over Brad Pitt.
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 1 year ago
He was better in King Kong. Surprising, really for the first 20min I kept waiting for him to be Jack black. But it didn't happen and I forgot about it because he was so damned good in the movie!
Red Reilly 1 year ago
The Holiday (fav christmas film) is the only film with Jack Black where he isn't forcing his humour on you, he is just a really sweet lovable guy in it.
Powerful Katrinka 1 year ago
He was phenomenal in a lesser-known movie called Jesus' Son. His funny, carefree character goes from a hospital intern who fools around with recreational drugs, to a serious heroin addict whose world is collapsing. A brilliant performance.
Paul Pienkowski 1 year ago
Jack Black is amazing everywhere. From the heroic Po to the evil but hilarious Bowser.
#34
Ryan Gosling in Drive & The Place Beyond the Pines Before watching him in those movies, I only knew him as the guy from The Notebook
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 year ago
The first movie I ever saw with him in was "Blade Runner 2049". I think his work in Barbie is *fantastic*. How a character who is a doll tries to become more and expresses his frustration. at being stymied. He was amazing.
Lunaofthenest (She/they) 1 year ago
Then he goes and just kills it in the Barbie movie? I was literally in tears during his "Beach Off"
Sugar Shack 1 year ago
The first thing that I saw him in was 2007's Lars and the Real Girl. Pretty amazing film and very moving and sweet.
#35
Ben Stiller in Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I think Walter Mitty was originally supposed to be posited as a comedy of sorts, and Stiller does well in comedy roles, but i thought it was just a fantastic emotional piece that just had some absurdity elements.
Say No to Downvoting 1 year ago
Ben Stiller did a great job with the material he had but otherwise the Walter Mitty remake was a travesty. It is just a completely different movie - tones, themes, plot, everything. Give me the Danny Kaye version any day!
#36
Aubrey Plaza has been killing it since her Parks and Rec role and other comedies. Back to Safety Not Guaranteed, but even that wasn’t too far from her Parks and Rec character. I watched Emily The Criminal recently and she was great.
#37
Will Farrell - Everything must go and Stranger than Fiction.
AtMostTheFabulist 1 year ago
I loved him on Stranger Than Fiction. Don't really like him in other movies. Except maybe Elf.
Rayne OfSalt 1 year ago
He was excellent in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.
Load More Replies... Heather Vandegrift 1 year ago
Stranger than Fiction is my favorite Will Farrell movie! He really plays the well-intentioned, awkward accountant well
Moxitron Jazz 1 year ago
Everything Must Go is excellent and sorely underrated, especially for those who suffer/endure the demons of alcoholism...
#38
Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People. So different that it took me a while to figure out that she was the issue.
What do you think ?
Say No to Downvoting 1 year ago
Can we get a few more women on this list? Kathy Bates - Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes, Titanic Glenn Close - World According to Garp, Fatal Attraction, 100 Dalmations, Air Force One Whoops Goldberg - The Colour Purple, Sister Act, Boys on the Side Kate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Emma Thompson
Casey Payne 1 year ago
Let's not forget Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People right after her TV career. Leslie Ann Warren going from Mission Impossible to Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria to Miss Scarlet in Clue, but I'm not sure if she has a type. Sigourney Weaver going from Alien/Aliens to Working Girl then Galaxy Quest, as well as The Ice Storm. Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey both played against type and are excellent in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but only Carrey seems to get the praise. Winona Rider surprised and impressed everyone in Stranger Things. Those are just the roles off the top of my head. Oh, I love the story where executives told Lucille Ball that she was too pretty to do comedy, so she had to self produce I Love Lucy to prove them wrong. While pregnant. You're right, there needs to be more women on this list.
Load More Replies... Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
HOW COULD YOU MISS Michael Keaton in BATMAN?!? Tim Burton watched Mr. Mom and said "Hey this guy is really good! I'm gonna make him a mischievous ghost." Then he said, "That went well, let's make him FREAKING BATMAN".
Lisa Schmid 1 year ago
Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People. Her portrayal of a mother incapable of loving her surviving son is heartwrenching and totally against her sunny, funny, normal characters.
shawn mckinney 1 year ago
I'd like to add Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett from Modern Family. For years he was mostly known for playing Al Bundy.
functional human 1 year ago
Sascha Baron Cohen as Eli Cohen in "the spy" , instead of some absurdly comedic character
Say No to Downvoting 1 year ago
Can we get a few more women on this list? Kathy Bates - Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes, Titanic Glenn Close - World According to Garp, Fatal Attraction, 100 Dalmations, Air Force One Whoops Goldberg - The Colour Purple, Sister Act, Boys on the Side Kate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Emma Thompson
Casey Payne 1 year ago
Let's not forget Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People right after her TV career. Leslie Ann Warren going from Mission Impossible to Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria to Miss Scarlet in Clue, but I'm not sure if she has a type. Sigourney Weaver going from Alien/Aliens to Working Girl then Galaxy Quest, as well as The Ice Storm. Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey both played against type and are excellent in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but only Carrey seems to get the praise. Winona Rider surprised and impressed everyone in Stranger Things. Those are just the roles off the top of my head. Oh, I love the story where executives told Lucille Ball that she was too pretty to do comedy, so she had to self produce I Love Lucy to prove them wrong. While pregnant. You're right, there needs to be more women on this list.
Load More Replies... Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
HOW COULD YOU MISS Michael Keaton in BATMAN?!? Tim Burton watched Mr. Mom and said "Hey this guy is really good! I'm gonna make him a mischievous ghost." Then he said, "That went well, let's make him FREAKING BATMAN".
Lisa Schmid 1 year ago
Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People. Her portrayal of a mother incapable of loving her surviving son is heartwrenching and totally against her sunny, funny, normal characters.
shawn mckinney 1 year ago
I'd like to add Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett from Modern Family. For years he was mostly known for playing Al Bundy.
functional human 1 year ago
Sascha Baron Cohen as Eli Cohen in "the spy" , instead of some absurdly comedic character
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