It’s very common for actors to get pigeonholed into certain roles when they just start out. But there are a few who managed to shatter expectations and redefine their careers by displaying their wide range of talents. Here are 22 actors who successfully broke their typecast:
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is known for his immature brand of humor in slapstick comedies. In 2019, he completely changed directions, playing Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems. He showcased his versatility as an actor and got a lot of critical acclaim for his performance.
Tom Hanks
Early in his career, Tom Hanks was primarily known for his comedic roles in film and television. In the ‘90s, he took on a more challenging role in Philadelphia (1993), which won him his first Oscar and opened the door to many more dramatic roles.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron was entirely limited to supporting roles defined by her looks for most of her formative acting years. All that changed when she transformed into serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003). Her performance won her an Academy Award and paved the way for more leading roles.
Will Smith
His role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996) shot him to stardom and led to him being cast in comedy films. He left this niche in 2001 when he starred in the film Ali (2001). His performance proved he had chops and opened doors to more serious roles for him.
Jason Bateman
He’s a sitcom star who also appeared in a bunch of rom-coms, making it seem he was capable of only playing comedic characters. He proved his versatility in the psychological thriller The Gift (2015) and shocked fans with his amazing performance in Ozark (2017–2022).
Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton was originally a comedic actor, gaining fame for his performance in Beetlejuice (1988). He defied expectations by taking on the iconic role of Batman and received widespread acclaim for his performance. This brought more dramatic and nuanced roles like Birdman (2014) his way.
Chris Evans
When he started acting, he was mostly cast as the pretty boy. He strayed away from those roles when he took up the role of “Captain America,” one of the most honorable heroes in Marvel. His performance earned him recognition, which allowed him to star in films like Snowpiercer (2013) and Gifted (2017).
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy is popularly known for her comedic role in Bridesmaids (2011). She earned an Oscar nomination for her performance, and this led to a bunch of other comedic roles. She proved how versatile she was by playing a more serious character in the 2018 film Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Robert Pattinson
After the Twilight movies, Robert Pattinson was mostly cast as the romantic lead. He managed to break this typecast when he starred in Good Time (2017), showing a side of him that surprised fans. His characters in Tenet (2020) and The Batman (2022) show how much of a capable actor he is.
Tom Cruise
He was previously known for playing good characters/heroes in films. He went against this when he played Lestat in Interview with the Vampire (1994) and proved it wasn’t a one-off by playing the remorseless contract killer in Collateral (2004). His performance had movie critics raving and solidified his position as a movie star.
Jennifer Aniston
After Friends (1994–2004), Jennifer Aniston was stuck playing characters similar to Rachel Green. She played a toxic and abusive boss in Horrible Bosses (2011), which served as an eye-opener to her potential. She finally broke the typecast playing Alex Levy on Apple+’s The Morning Show (2019), and it solidified her dramatic flair.
Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill got his breakout role in the comedic film Superbad (2007). He was typically cast as the sarcastic, frequently mean but loveable kid. He took a massive turn from this when he starred in Moneyball (2011), earning an Oscar nomination for his performance. After that, he started racking up more serious roles.
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston was a comedic actor primarily known for his role in the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006). No one could forget him dancing in underpants till he became Walter White. His portrayal of this complex and morally ambiguous character earned him multiple Emmys. He’s now remembered for cooking meth in his underpants.
Heath Ledger
He initially gained fame for his heartthrob roles in films, which established him as a romantic lead. He changed that with his menacing performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008). This outstanding transformation displayed his range as an actor, but unfortunately, he passed away shortly after it was released.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx was a comedian and gained recognition by appearing in comedy films. He made a groundbreaking shift in his career when he played Ray Charles in Ray (2004). He received praise for his performance and continued to take on dramatic roles in films like Collateral (2004) and Django Unchained (2012).
Jeff Daniels
As an actor, he was popular in the ‘90s for playing serious characters in films. He proved himself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors when he starred in Dumb and Dumber (1994). Fans never expected that type of comedy from him, and it forever changed how they saw him.
Johnny Depp
Johnny was often cast in pretty boy roles till he landed the role of Edward Scissorhands. He received critical acclaim for his performance, which created the opportunity for him to play complex and eccentric characters like Jack Sparrow and Sweeney Todd.
Henry Fonda
Fonda was one of cinema’s most cherished movie heroes, frequently embodying characters defined by honor and integrity. He departed from this when he became the ruthless mercenary in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). He played the role with so much conviction that he was unrecognizable.
Denzel Washington
Here’s another actor whose roles tend to be marked by innate wholesomeness. He was known for always playing the hero until he became the crooked cop in Training Day (2001). This was a far departure from the decent characters he’d played, adding grit and depth to his acting persona.
Steve Carrell
Steve Carrell was known for playing goofy characters, particularly in The Office (2005–2013). He broke from tradition when he played the sinister millionaire heir, John Eleuthère du Pont, in Foxcatcher (2014). His performance garnered immense praise, causing him to take on more dramatic and complex roles.
Matthew McConaughey
He mostly starred in romantic comedies and action-adventure movies. He strayed away from those roles and made an instant impact with his back-to-back performances in Killer Joe (2011) and Mud (2012). He has since taken on more challenging roles, resulting in him winning an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club (2013).
Ryan Gosling
When he started, he was often cast in romantic films. He broke away from the “heartthrob” stereotype when he took on Half Nelson (2006). His balance of charm and the struggles of addiction brought positive attention to him, causing him to take on more unconventional roles.
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