
“They Always Play Themselves”: 35 Actors & Actresses Accused Of Having No Versatility On The Screen, See If You Agree
Some actors are super versatile and can play anyone or anything. Others, on the other hand, are often described as “just playing themselves.” Today we have a list of 35 actors and actresses who, at least once, have been accused of such performances. Some of these you might agree with, while some might be controversial. It’s time to put this question to bed once and for all - are they really good, or are they just really good at playing themselves? Cast your votes and see if others agree.
This post may include affiliate links.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always plays himself
Has more versatility than just his own persona
Haven’t watched any of his movies
Rebel Wilson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always just her
Never the same
Don’t know her
Seth Rogen
Poll Question
What do you think?
All the same, in all the movies
There’s some versatility
Dunno
It seems he always plays similar characters, but I don't think he can be said to be "playing himself." His characters tend to be hapless schlemiels, but he is actually pretty thoughtful and erudite in real life. (TBH - I have only seen a few of his movies.)
Amy Schumer
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always herself, mainly not funny
There’s more to her acting than just being herself
Don’t know her
Jason Statham
Poll Question
What do you think?
Absolutely always plays himself
I’ve seen some flexibility in his acting
Who? What?
Zooey Deschanel
Poll Question
What do you think?
"Adorkable" character, but just plays herself
More than a one-trick-pony
Idk
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Poll Question
What do you think?
Physically dominant, stoic, with a touch of self-aware humor - but that’s just who he is
There’s more to his acting
Not sure
Chris Pratt
Poll Question
What do you think?
He might be charming and quirky, but that’s just him being himself on the screen
Dude has some versatility!
No idea
Mark Wahlberg
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just himself
More than a one-trick-pony
Idk
Jonah Hill
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always the same role, just himself
I’ve seen unique performances from him
Don’t know
Owen Wilson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always quirky, but just himself
More than just a one-trick-pony
Haven’t seen him on the screen
Adam Sandler
Poll Question
What do you think?
Plays himself all the time
Might have some versatility
Don’t know
Kristen Stewart
Poll Question
What do you think?
The same in all interviews and all movies
There’s much more to her acting than just “playing herself”
Never seen her
Tom Cruise
Poll Question
What do you think?
Most of the time he just plays himself
Versatile!
Not sure, really
Comedian Rich Hall mentioned that not only is he the same character, but the plots of his movies are all the same. "He's a fighter pilot, maybe the best damn fighter pilot. Then he has a crisis of confidence, meets a girl, and gets his mojo back. He's a cocktail waiter, maybe the best damn cocktail waiter, until he has a crisis of confidence, but then he meets a girl and gets his mojo back. He's a race car driver, maybe the best damn race car driver..."
Mindy Kaling
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always plays herself
Has more versatility than just her own persona
Who?
Vince Vaughn
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always plays the same role - himself
I think there are more layers to his acting
Have not seen a single movie with him
His comedy roles are all identical but when he branches out to dramas he shows his range.
Samuel L. Jackson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Very intense, but very much just himself
Don’t diminish the talent to “just playing himself”
No idea
The man is an amazing actor, yes we all know he likes one particular curse word, but all of his roles are different unique characters.
Will Smith
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just himself
He won an Oscar for “King Richard,” where he’s not playing himself - there’s your proof
I don’t know
Melissa McCarthy
Poll Question
What do you think?
Absolutely always plays herself
I’ve seen some flexibility in her acting
Who?
I think fat actresses get screwed over with the roles they're given. They're either the funny fat chick, or the wise bestfriend/momma character.
Robert Downey Jr.
Poll Question
What do you think?
Witty, self-assured, and fast-talking - the same on the screen and in life
Have people who say this seen “Oppenheimer”??
No idea
Bill Murray
Poll Question
What do you think?
He’s quirky on the screen, but that’s just who he is probably
Talent and versatility are clear
Idk
Jennifer Aniston
Poll Question
What do you think?
Has not produced a unique performance since “Friends”
She has some flexibility
No idea
Ryan Reynolds
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just plays himself
Versatile
Don’t know him or his movies
Julia Roberts
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just playing herself
Multi-talented
Idk
Steel Magnolias, Erin Brockovich, Sleeping With The Enemy... She's definitely got range.
Zach Galifianakis
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always the same
Not always the same
Idk
One of my favorite Onion articles was titled something like, "Director of new Zach Galifianakis movie disappointed to find out he's just a potato with a crayon beard." But I think he's pretty great.
Jennifer Lawrence
Poll Question
What do you think?
Same
She might bring her personality to her acting, but definitely not just playing herself
Not sure
Angelina Jolie
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just playing herself, really
She has talent and versatility!
Haven’t seen any of her movies
Steve Carell
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just plays himself
Excellent and plays more than just himself
Haven’t seen him in anything apart from “The Office”
If you only know him from The Office, just watch Foxcatcher and you'll see why he doesn't deserve a place on this list at all.
Cameron Diaz
Poll Question
What do you think?
Just plays herself
Versatile
Don’t know her or her movies
Jack Nicholson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Big personality, but plays himself
Are you kidding?
Not sure
His characters are always so intense and a little off-balance that it makes me wonder about his actual personality. (I had a friend who is an actor, and he was so caught up in the character he was playing that it took a long time to see who he really was.)
Nicolas Cage
Poll Question
What do you think?
Over-the-top, but just playing himself
He’s played many different roles, not just himself
Not sure
Reese Witherspoon
Poll Question
What do you think?
Most of the time she just plays herself
Versatile!
Not sure, really
Scarlett Johansson
Poll Question
What do you think?
Always just playing herself
So many different movies and roles
Have not seen her acting
I feel like we haven't seen her full capability yet. Like if we gave her a really good dramatic role, lots of pain and anguish, and the right director to bring out the best in her, I think we could see an incredibly deep and powerful performance. Think she's not getting utilized well or she's not taking enough challenging roles.
Keanu Reeves
Poll Question
What do you think?
Really cool dude, but just plays himself
I think he has versatility
No idea
Morgan Freeman
Poll Question
What do you think?
Doesn’t he always play God?
Morgan Freeman has a lot of talent and flexibility - what are people even saying?
I’m not sure
I think Jeff Goldblum always plays himself and that he’s brilliant at it
He does. Also, I'm surprised that Jim Carrey isn't on this list.
Load More Replies...What the f**k is this? What kind of answer options are those? Some are *way* too specific why not just have the same options for everyone, and make them general, instead of trying to put words into people's mouths? Also, yes, I DO sometimes take things too seriously. WHY DO YOU ASK?
Lol yeah the options changing seemed to be based on how the OP felt about the celeb
Load More Replies...I think Jeff Goldblum always plays himself and that he’s brilliant at it
He does. Also, I'm surprised that Jim Carrey isn't on this list.
Load More Replies...What the f**k is this? What kind of answer options are those? Some are *way* too specific why not just have the same options for everyone, and make them general, instead of trying to put words into people's mouths? Also, yes, I DO sometimes take things too seriously. WHY DO YOU ASK?
Lol yeah the options changing seemed to be based on how the OP felt about the celeb
Load More Replies...