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Article created by: Saulė Tolstych

Do you ever get that feeling of getting new and fresh opportunities in life, only to find out that they are just more of the same?

Well, turns out, this happens more often than you might think. And it’s especially visible in the film industry. But we’re not talking about films, though they are guilty of this, but about particular actors and the roles they are cast in.

People online have been listing famous names in the movie industry and the same-y roles they keep getting cast in, where effectively only names change, but you’re always either that macho dude, or an ex-cop, or the comic relief or whatever.

Check out the most spot-on observations from Redditors across multiple AskReddit posts (here, here, and here) on the topic in the curated list below, and why not upvote and share some big names who keep getting picked for the same old roles movie after movie.

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#1

Actor known for playing the same person, dressed in a blue shirt and vest, sitting on a private jet working at a desk. Troubleshooter11 said: Dwayne Johnson plays "The Rock" in every one of his movies. Schmoova said: The Rock is always a tough badass good guy.

Troubleshooter11 , therock Report

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    #2

    Actor posing with arms crossed against a weathered wall, representing actors who play the same person repeatedly. duh_metrius said: I love him, but in the last ten to fifteen years Morgan Freeman is basically just Morgan Freeman in everything. OwnagePwnage123 said: Morgan Freeman is always the older advisor to the protagonist, from being God, to Red, to Vitruvius.

    duh_metrius , morganfreeman Report

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    #3

    Actor Tom Cruise smiling thoughtfully at a panel, illustrating actors who play the same person repeatedly. I_sell_phones_ama said: Tom Cruise. other-person replied: I especially loved the movie in which he played the cocky young guy.

    I_sell_phones_ama , Gage Skidmore Report

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    #4

    Couple posing outdoors in casual clothing, illustrating actors who've made a career playing the same person repeatedly. Savarinoj said: Ryan Reynolds. Sure he's a good looking guy with a smoking wife, but I mean come on people. I don't think I've ever seen him actually embrace a character - I just feel like "hey, that's how ryan acts in the real world" jstewart0131 said: Ryan Reynolds has made a career of being the wise cracking quick witted quipper. He’s literally Deadpool in every movie now, just sans the Uber violence, mutant abilities and 4th wall breaking. That’s not a complaint, just the niche he has been able to very successfully embrace.

    Savarinoj , vancityreynolds Report

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    #5

    Actor leaning on a black Audi, showcasing actors who have made a career playing the same person repeatedly. rumbidzai said: Samuel L. Jackson pretty much just plays himself in every movie he's in. ExternalUserError said: Samuel L. Jackson is always the same badass.

    rumbidzai , Samuel L. Jackson Report

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    #6

    Actor giving interview to press, representing actors who made career playing the same person repeatedly in roles. Solterlun said: Nicholas Cage portrays Nicholas Cage. JavierLoustaunau said: To his credit there are a ton of Nicolas Cages in his repertoire, mostly from mixing different levels of Crazy.

    Solterlun , Gerald Geronimo Report

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    #7

    Actor sitting at desk in a red jacket, posing thoughtfully near a computer, illustrating actors playing the same person repeatedly. Kevin Hart. Always the little guy that acts like he’s tough and is then shown being scared of everything.

    indifferentleopard , kevinhart4real Report

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    #8

    Two actors in a prison setting portraying characters, highlighting actors who repeatedly play the same roles in films. Sean Bean, the character that passes away by the end.

    Stroke-Me-Clover , sean_bean_official Report

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    #9

    Actor in blue face paint and large headpiece performing on stage, illustrating actors playing the same person repeatedly. Will Ferrell is a bit of a one-trick pony. Sure his character has major differences based on the story-line, but at the end of the day, his version of an anchorman, pro-ice skater, basketball player, wedding/funeral crasher, nascar racer, etc.. is pretty much the same character every time..

    jstehlick , Gage Skidmore Report

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    #10

    Actor known for playing the same person repeatedly, dressed in a Western outfit with a red bandana and leather vest. John Wayne pretty much played John Wayne in every movie he was in even though the names of his character was different.

    NWBoomer , Pixabay Report

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    #11

    Young actor holding a shiny toaster, representing actors who have made a career playing the same person repeatedly. Obligatory Michael Cera, always the quiet awkward guy.

    Living-Ghost , Eva Rinaldi Report

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    #12

    Actor with glasses and curly hair wearing a plaid shirt, smiling during an interview about actors playing the same person. Seth rogan... bumbling stoner buffoon.

    OHPbrah Report

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    #13

    Actress posing next to a vertical garden tower full of fresh green lettuce and herbs on a sunny day. Zooey Deschanel always plays the quirky quasi nerd hipster.

    Bigleonard , zooeydeschanel Report

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    #14

    Actor speaking into a microphone at an event, illustrating actors who have made a career playing the same person repeatedly. Vince Vaughn has played a wacky underachiever from Chicago so many times it makes me sick.

    Hopalicious , Gage Skidmore Report

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    #15

    Two actors sitting on a couch smiling, illustrating actors who have made a career playing the same person repeatedly. cheddarbiskit said: As much as it pains me to say it, Chris Pratt. It always just seems like he is playing himself in different scenarios. Serpensortia said: Every time Chris Pratt is in a movie I always think of it as Burt Macklin: dinosaur wrangler / space hero / whatever.

    cheddarbiskit , prattprattpratt Report

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    #16

    Actress at comic convention panel, smiling and wearing a white shirt, representing actors making careers playing the same person. RawRocKillz said: Kristen Stewart. sydneyunderfoot replied: Seriously! One twitchy, angsty, but thinks she's cooler than everyone else and oh so edgy chick coming up.

    RawRocKillz , Gage Skidmore Report

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    #17

    Blonde woman wearing a hat and a purple sweatshirt, representing actors who played the same person repeatedly in roles. coffee-and-poptarts said: Jennifer Aniston MedschoolgirlMadison replied: Blonde, tanned and her hair isn't even Gwyneth Paltrow nice (equally annoying). I'm a FRIENDS fan so can confirm she is so overrated.

    coffee-and-poptarts , jenniferaniston Report

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    #18

    Actor tipping hat on stage at Comic-Con, representing actors who made a career playing the same person repeatedly. Benedict Cumberbatch is forever the genius character.

    [deleted] , Gage Skidmore Report

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    #19

    Young male actor with curly hair smiling, representing actors who made a career playing the same person repeatedly. Everything that I’ve seen Jesse Eisenberg in shows him as a stuck-up control freak snarker and I hate him for it.

    SparksWatch51 , SRP Austin Photography Report

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    #20

    Actress with light brown hair and dangling earrings smiling at event, representing actors playing the same person repeatedly. Judy Greer always plays the best friend/sidekick.

    adhesives , lukeford.net Report

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    #21

    Actress posing in front of a dark tiled wall, representing actors who've made careers playing the same person repeatedly. Aubrey Plaza. I love her but she can only do the sarcastic eye rolling act for so many movies.

    demetrilennon , plazadeaubrey Report

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    #22

    Smiling man wearing glasses and a dark shirt with dancing character illustrations, representing actors playing the same person. Matthew Perry. Since Friends premiered, I've never seen him play a character that isn't somewhat like Chandler. In mannerisms, humour, insecurity etc etc. Which makes me think - where does Chandler stop and Matthew Perry begin?

    Teethandflowers , mattyperry4 Report

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    #23

    Middle-aged man wearing glasses and cardigan giving a speech about actors playing the same person repeatedly. Stephen Tobolowsky You might not know his name, but you definitely know his face. He's in everything, and the characters he plays are almost always uptight and disapproving.

    Louise Palanker , Louise Palanker Report

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    #24

    Seann William Scott is usually an idiotic clown of sorts.

    KyleRichXV Report

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    #25

    Actor being interviewed on red carpet, surrounded by media, highlighting actors who play the same person repeatedly. Jon Bernthal. Always the tough guy. Although he does do it well. Liked him a lot in Fury.

    louisbo12 , DoD News Report

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