148Kviews
30 Actors Who’ve Made A Career Off Of Playing The Same Person Over And Over, As Pointed Out By Folks In This Online Group
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
Troubleshooter11 said:
Dwayne Johnson plays "The Rock" in every one of his movies.
Schmoova said:
The Rock is always a tough badass good guy.
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.
Adam Freaking Sandler....
Make some weird voices, scream a coupe times. All with a m***nic, lost facial expression. Rinse, Repeat
Bruce Willis is pretty much always some retired cop/military guy who is forced to return to a life of justice/military s**t after some bad s**t happens.
I_sell_phones_ama said:
Tom Cruise.
other-person replied:
I especially loved the movie in which he played the cocky young guy.
He doesn't have an acting range as an actor! He is mediocre at least and wouldn't have this career if it wasn't for his looks
"His looks..." I know this is accurate, but it's also baffling. I don't find most men attractive, so I get that there may just be something that I'm not seeing. However, I feel like he just isn't that good looking (I can acknowledge someone is pretty though I feel no personal attraction) and I've never met anyone in person with a different opinion except straight men who enjoy action movies*. *Lestat is the exception. The one and only character Tom Cruise has played that I have personally observed genuine thirst for, and I doubt it has much to do with Tom. Please note that I say this as a human who is old enough to have watched his movies in the 80s.
Load More Replies...
And then there was Tropic Thunder. I didn't know it was him until the credits.
Look, you can love him or hate him for his Scientology activities all you want, but this argument is bullsh!t. If you think his characters in Interview With The Vampire, Tropic Thunder, and Rock Of Ages were the same, then there's something wrong with you.
Fun fact: to draw the veins of the actors the makeup, they had to hang upside down
Load More Replies...
Hes a race driver, hes a pretty good race driver. He loses his nerve, he meets a girl, he gets his nerve back. Hes a fighter pilot, hes a pretty good fgighter pilot. He loses his nerve, he meets a girl, he gets his nerve back. He's a spy, hes a pretty good spy..... etc etc
Too bad you haven’t seen any of his films since 1994.
Load More Replies... I hate Tom Cruise the person. I love Tom Cruise the actor. He made himself into an action star later in life and his stunts are insane. I will watch any action movie with Tommy C and know that I will thoroughly enjoy it.
I feel the same way, but I'm so disdainful of Scientology that I can't watch his movies if by doing so he gets any financial kickback.
Load More Replies...
Check him out in: Magnolia, Tropic Thunder, Collateral, Born on the 4th of July, and Legend.
I met the man when I was a kid. He's unpleasant and maybe that carries over into my deep dislike of his movies, but he really does just play the same character over and over, with very few exceptions. All 3 main characters ruined the remake of War of the World's. I boycotted his movies because of him, but I broke down and watched that because I love the original. I wish I hadn't wasted my time. He should just go make another Mission Impossible, it's what he does now. What is he up to now, part 8?
I think he's entertaining. I don't like all of his movies, but i actually like it when he tries to be fun and silly. Like in Edge of Tomorrow.
🤔 Tom Cruise is loved by so many and so successful because he has what everybody needs but few people possess: Charisma and Charm. He can instantly capture his audiences attention. He is one of the most charming men on the planet. Watch his interviews in front of an audience like the Graham Norton show, Jimmy Fallon, etc. The audience usually adores him. Same on a movie set because of his charisma. All eyes are on Tom and not just because he does daring stunts. People are fascinated and drawn to him because of his Charisma and Charm. Both were practiced and learned over years. He was not naturally either. But he's incredibly good at both now. ✅
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.
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.
But like that’s true tho, he always is my favorite character in most of his movies
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.
Kevin Hart. Always the little guy that acts like he’s tough and is then shown being scared of everything.
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..
John Wayne pretty much played John Wayne in every movie he was in even though the names of his character was different.
He was also a draft dodger who capitalized on the fact that most Hollywood leading men voluntarily went to war. Like Jimmy Stewart who gained weight after initially being rejected for being too slight—legend. https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/hollywood-legend-jimmy-stewart-was-a-world-war-ii-hero/
Seth rogan... bumbling stoner buffoon.
that's really who he is in real life but he's super nice. He's one of those people who sees the humor in everything and laughs a lot. I love that his parents drive him every time he interviews on Ellen. He's actually doing meatier roles and trying to be taken more seriously lately.
Zooey Deschanel always plays the quirky quasi nerd hipster.
Mark Wahlberg is always pissed and chasing someone. Swears a lot.
Vince Vaughn has played a wacky underachiever from Chicago so many times it makes me sick.
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.
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.
Sarah Jessica Parker is Carrie Bradshaw in every movie. Even in the movies she made before Sex and the City. Even the witch she plays in Hocus Pocus is Carrie Bradshaw.
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.
Benedict Cumberbatch is forever the genius character.
Maybe, but he's a fantastic actor. Just because a character is a genius doesn't mean they're the same character...
Everything that I’ve seen Jesse Eisenberg in shows him as a stuck-up control freak snarker and I hate him for it.
Aubrey Plaza. I love her but she can only do the sarcastic eye rolling act for so many movies.
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?
Well, to be fair, it was pointed out that Chandler is actually Matthew Perry.
I hate to say it but Jack Nicholson hit a certain age where he said 'f**k it I'm done acting'.
Notable films include 'Jack Nicholson in clown makeup', 'Jack Nicholson is a werewolf' and the Boston classic 'Jack Nicholson is a gangster'.
Watch ” One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” . He does not belong here..
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.
Seann William Scott is usually an idiotic clown of sorts.
Jon Bernthal. Always the tough guy. Although he does do it well. Liked him a lot in Fury.
Note: this post originally had 35 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
How is not Sylvester stallone on the list? And almost all these tough fighters? Arnold, Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, Jackie Chan
Well, Jackie Chan has a whole slew of movies that even though involve fighting, are more about him singing. He's more of a stuntman with a character type.
Load More Replies...
Can't believe nobody said Jason Statham. He's either a British tough guy or a British tough guy doing a bad American accent.
because we all know he is always Jason freaking Statham and that's ok. That man is DRIPPING testosterone and I will watch anything he's in.
Load More Replies...
I guess according to this list it would be harder to identify an actor who doesn't play themselves in each movie.
Johnny Depp. His character is always strange, but it's a different character each time. If I didn't know he was each movie, I wouldn't recognize him.
Load More Replies...
So, hang on. You mean to say people don't know that roles are written for actors, playing to their quirks and attributes that made them recognise able and famous in the first place? But, if they cast "wrong" and an actor isn't right for the role, the whole film takes a Swan dive! Stop shitting on the actors, they're doing what they're good at, and what they're known for. I don't go to a film with Jim Carrey headlining for a serious gangster film!
I gave up after the first few, because though some have merit, most of them are so idiotic they are an insult to the reader as well as the actor. This kind of juvenile, acidic criticism is nothing but malignant spite.
Seems most people posting have little knowledge of roles these actors/actresses played that are older than 10 years.
As much as I like her, Meg Ryan. Also, with the exception of Erin Brockovich and Sleeping with the Enemy, Julia Roberts is the same in every other movie.
Many actors take roles to pay the bills and then find indie projects that let them show range. Brendan Fraser did "George of the Jungle" so he could go and do "Gods and Monsters". Jennifer Aniston does rom coms and then does "Cake" or "The Good Girl". Granted, a lot of actors play the same role over and over again but that is sometimes all they are offered. But check out their IMDB lists and choose some of their other films you may not have heard of.
And Matthew McConaughy always plays the pretentious cynical bastard, while Eva Green and Helena Bonham Carter are the slightly creepy quirky Johnny-Depp-in-a-Burton-movie like women.
Ice Cube. He plays the same guy in everything hes in looks, sounds, dresses, and acts the same in every movie.
Why is Scarlett Johanson not on this? I'd like to see her play a flawed character for once.
In all reality, it would be quite out of character and unlikeable if Dwayne Johnson played any other character. I mean, how many other 6'5", works-out-every-day muscle-bound characters are there available for Hollywood to put into such roles? They aren't exactly a dollar a dozen (adjusting the saying for current inflation 🙄), and he's already perfect for the part(s).
I have to say, Will Ferrell is not my cup of tea, but his acting in Stranger Than Fiction with Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhal (sp?) was so far out of his usual foolish characters, and has endeared him to me knowing he CAN actually be a really amazing actor. He DOES have the ability.
This should have been titled differently to reflect that they all play the same type of character...not the same character. Playing the same character means that they would have the same character name in every single movie they made, they do not. Dwayne Johnson DID NOT play The Rock in every movie he made...he is The Rock and played many different characters. However those characters were all alike by being strong tough guys.
And on the other side of the coin, the most diverse actor in Hollywood, in my opinion, is James Franco. Yes, he will always be the goofy stoner simpleton in a way, but the diversity of the roles he's taken on is nothing short of genius. He's Hollywood's real life chameleon.
Lots of these are unfair, it's Hollywood type-casting actors to play roles based either on the actor themselves, or their first big role
This article.proves that modern Hollywood is pure garbage. It's just celebrity worship cults. Zero creativity or artistry
Sean Connery always plays a Scottish guy, even when he was an Immortal Spaniard in Highlander.
Mary Pickford - forever lovely young girl with curly hair. Louis de Funès- always funny choleric guys. Michelle Rodriguez - always badass tough lady. Vin Diesel - Badass tough guy. Karl Urban - tough guy. Mark Ruffalo - likeable, slightly awkward guy. Angelina Jolie - either femme fatale or strong woman. Keira Knightley - slightly rebelious, romantic lady from period dramas. Emma watson- smart beautiful lady.
Jason Bateman, always plays some successful businessman , or Nicholas cage is always some kind of cop or FBI
Alan Rickman always plays the Villain or at least looks like the villain (Harry Potter) but he does it well. If you need a aloof guy he put out those vibes.
he's been dead since 2016 so if you need an aloof guy you're shitouttaluck.
Load More Replies...
Harrison Ford? He's always "what if Harrison Ford was the president"? What if HF was a cop in Chicago? What if HF was a CIA agent? What if HF was a doctor framed for murdering his wife? What if HF lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? He always plays the character as if he just got put into that situation. No range. I love him anyway.
At some point it will dawn on people that most actors out there only play one type of character (Diane Keaton - doesn't do action, does do strong female lead and from what I can tell only protagonists). That's what they are known for. Then there's someone like John Travolta (Look Who's Talking and Face Off) who doesn't ever do a lot of roles but they can be ranged. Then you have someone like Mel Gibson - was known for action and some humor, chased one notable romantic comedy and ....well, he also went off the deep end too....
Hear me out. Jack black. He can act but like…besides voice overs
Yeah, kind of. The Holiday. He played someone a little out of himself but he was still doing silly noises and being cute.
Load More Replies... You forgot Martin Freeman, always plays Tim from The Office (original) even when he plays a Hobbit.
Oh definitely. Ugly ex-con. He's very very specific. I can imagine his resume would be quite colorful.
Load More Replies... How is not Sylvester stallone on the list? And almost all these tough fighters? Arnold, Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, Jackie Chan
Well, Jackie Chan has a whole slew of movies that even though involve fighting, are more about him singing. He's more of a stuntman with a character type.
Load More Replies... Can't believe nobody said Jason Statham. He's either a British tough guy or a British tough guy doing a bad American accent.
because we all know he is always Jason freaking Statham and that's ok. That man is DRIPPING testosterone and I will watch anything he's in.
Load More Replies... I guess according to this list it would be harder to identify an actor who doesn't play themselves in each movie.
Johnny Depp. His character is always strange, but it's a different character each time. If I didn't know he was each movie, I wouldn't recognize him.
Load More Replies... So, hang on. You mean to say people don't know that roles are written for actors, playing to their quirks and attributes that made them recognise able and famous in the first place? But, if they cast "wrong" and an actor isn't right for the role, the whole film takes a Swan dive! Stop shitting on the actors, they're doing what they're good at, and what they're known for. I don't go to a film with Jim Carrey headlining for a serious gangster film!
I gave up after the first few, because though some have merit, most of them are so idiotic they are an insult to the reader as well as the actor. This kind of juvenile, acidic criticism is nothing but malignant spite.
Seems most people posting have little knowledge of roles these actors/actresses played that are older than 10 years.
As much as I like her, Meg Ryan. Also, with the exception of Erin Brockovich and Sleeping with the Enemy, Julia Roberts is the same in every other movie.
Many actors take roles to pay the bills and then find indie projects that let them show range. Brendan Fraser did "George of the Jungle" so he could go and do "Gods and Monsters". Jennifer Aniston does rom coms and then does "Cake" or "The Good Girl". Granted, a lot of actors play the same role over and over again but that is sometimes all they are offered. But check out their IMDB lists and choose some of their other films you may not have heard of.
And Matthew McConaughy always plays the pretentious cynical bastard, while Eva Green and Helena Bonham Carter are the slightly creepy quirky Johnny-Depp-in-a-Burton-movie like women.
Ice Cube. He plays the same guy in everything hes in looks, sounds, dresses, and acts the same in every movie.
Why is Scarlett Johanson not on this? I'd like to see her play a flawed character for once.
In all reality, it would be quite out of character and unlikeable if Dwayne Johnson played any other character. I mean, how many other 6'5", works-out-every-day muscle-bound characters are there available for Hollywood to put into such roles? They aren't exactly a dollar a dozen (adjusting the saying for current inflation 🙄), and he's already perfect for the part(s).
I have to say, Will Ferrell is not my cup of tea, but his acting in Stranger Than Fiction with Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhal (sp?) was so far out of his usual foolish characters, and has endeared him to me knowing he CAN actually be a really amazing actor. He DOES have the ability.
This should have been titled differently to reflect that they all play the same type of character...not the same character. Playing the same character means that they would have the same character name in every single movie they made, they do not. Dwayne Johnson DID NOT play The Rock in every movie he made...he is The Rock and played many different characters. However those characters were all alike by being strong tough guys.
And on the other side of the coin, the most diverse actor in Hollywood, in my opinion, is James Franco. Yes, he will always be the goofy stoner simpleton in a way, but the diversity of the roles he's taken on is nothing short of genius. He's Hollywood's real life chameleon.
Lots of these are unfair, it's Hollywood type-casting actors to play roles based either on the actor themselves, or their first big role
This article.proves that modern Hollywood is pure garbage. It's just celebrity worship cults. Zero creativity or artistry
Sean Connery always plays a Scottish guy, even when he was an Immortal Spaniard in Highlander.
Mary Pickford - forever lovely young girl with curly hair. Louis de Funès- always funny choleric guys. Michelle Rodriguez - always badass tough lady. Vin Diesel - Badass tough guy. Karl Urban - tough guy. Mark Ruffalo - likeable, slightly awkward guy. Angelina Jolie - either femme fatale or strong woman. Keira Knightley - slightly rebelious, romantic lady from period dramas. Emma watson- smart beautiful lady.
Jason Bateman, always plays some successful businessman , or Nicholas cage is always some kind of cop or FBI
Alan Rickman always plays the Villain or at least looks like the villain (Harry Potter) but he does it well. If you need a aloof guy he put out those vibes.
he's been dead since 2016 so if you need an aloof guy you're shitouttaluck.
Load More Replies... Harrison Ford? He's always "what if Harrison Ford was the president"? What if HF was a cop in Chicago? What if HF was a CIA agent? What if HF was a doctor framed for murdering his wife? What if HF lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? He always plays the character as if he just got put into that situation. No range. I love him anyway.
At some point it will dawn on people that most actors out there only play one type of character (Diane Keaton - doesn't do action, does do strong female lead and from what I can tell only protagonists). That's what they are known for. Then there's someone like John Travolta (Look Who's Talking and Face Off) who doesn't ever do a lot of roles but they can be ranged. Then you have someone like Mel Gibson - was known for action and some humor, chased one notable romantic comedy and ....well, he also went off the deep end too....
Hear me out. Jack black. He can act but like…besides voice overs
Yeah, kind of. The Holiday. He played someone a little out of himself but he was still doing silly noises and being cute.
Load More Replies... You forgot Martin Freeman, always plays Tim from The Office (original) even when he plays a Hobbit.
Oh definitely. Ugly ex-con. He's very very specific. I can imagine his resume would be quite colorful.
Load More Replies...