You may know them for their exceptional comedic skills and the laughter they bring, but these talented actors have also proven themselves in serious roles. This list was created based on suggestions from an online survey asking audiences to name comedic actors who have delivered incredible performances in dramatic roles.
Robin Williams – Good Will Hunting
“He put on a number of strong performances in serious roles once he got established, including The Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, and The World According to Garp.”
“Let’s not forget Awakenings, which he did with DeNiro.”
Adam Sandler – Punch Drunk Love
“Adam Sandler is a master at serious when he gets to do them (Punch Drunk Love), which makes me resent him even more because he actually is a great talent, but he does those terrible comedy flicks nevertheless.”
“As long as his character is basically just an angry, embattled version of himself.”
Will Ferrell – Stranger Than Fiction
“My favorite movie of all time, and I am not even a big Will Ferrell fan. But that movie was just perfect.”
“His next movie after Talladega nights was Stranger Than Fiction; we weren’t expecting a serious movie because we’d never seen Will do serious roles before.”
Jim Carrey – The Truman Show
“The Truman Show is the perfect movie for him too. It’s got a lot of seriousness but has just enough comedy. It definitely feels like a good stepping stone for him between comedy and serious.”
“Definitely Jim Carrey in The Truman Show. That movie is a masterpiece.”
Bill Murray – Lost In Translation
“He and Scarlett Johansson were great in that movie.”
“Lost In Translation is my all-time favorite movie. I watch it way too many times a year.”
Jonah Hill – Moneyball
“Jonah Hill, funny or not, is a great actor all-round actor; I see Moneyball has been (rightfully) mentioned as an example of his dramatic work.”
“Yes! I’d also say that he gave a great performance in The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Jason Bateman – Ozark
“It’s not a movie, but Jason Bateman in Ozark was totally outside his typical funny/nice guy roles.”
“Bateman is super talented, and I would really like to see him stretch further with his roles. I could totally see him carrying high-budget Oscar dramas.”
Jamie Foxx – Collateral
Collateral is a 2004 American neo-noir action thriller film starring Jamie Foxx. The film follows Max Durocher, a Los Angeles cab driver, and his customer, Vincent. When offered a high fare for driving to several locations, he agrees but soon finds himself taken hostage by Vincent, a hitman on a contract killing spree.
Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems
“I liked Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems a lot more than I did many of his comedic roles.”
“Sandler is a hell of a dramatic actor. You’d just never expect it until you saw it. The guy who did Happy Gilmore and Little Nicky… on the opposite end of the spectrum, and selling it so well, in Reign Over Me and Uncut Gems.”
Bob Odenkirk – Nobody
“I love Bob Odenkirk, and I don’t have a problem with comedians doing dramas or serious acting, but I also don’t understand why a lot of people are blown away by it. Actors are supposed to be good at… acting!”
“Bob Odenkirk absolutely kills his role in Nobody; amazing!”
Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
“I really like Ben Stiller in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” I honestly didn’t really like him in many of his other roles, but in Walter Mitty, something about his timidness and optimism was really relatable for me.”
“I think that Ben Stiller wanted to establish himself as a serious actor and redo his image.”
Steve Carrell – The Way, Way Back
“The Way, Way Back is one of my all-time favorite movies. I highly recommend it.”
“Love this movie. His behavior is hard to watch.”
Jim Carrey – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
“The commentary for that movie is great. They talk about how Carrey was known for his insanity, and his character in that movie was so buttoned up it hurt. It adds a lot to the movie to have him playing so hard against type; it adds an extra element to the awkwardness of their relationship.”
Bill Hader – Barry
“With Barry, his image has drastically changed.”
“Bill Hader in Barry is currently blowing my mind.”
“His work in Barry is incredible for someone I knew mostly as Stefan on SNL.”
Rowan Atkinson – Maigret
“God, that show was amazing. I was legit upset they canceled it after only two series.”
“When he’s interrogating the Serbian woman right after she’s given birth, and he knows he was part of a gang that tortured people to death for fun, was a great and subtle moment of subdued rage and anger.”
Jason Sudeikis – Colossal
“He’s a great actor, much greater than his usual comedic roles and fast-talking would suggest.”
“Agreed! Plus, don’t forget his work on Ted Lasso too. Iit has a lot of dramatic moments that he really pulls off well.”
Robin Williams – One Hour Photo
“One Hour Photo was great. He was deeply disturbing. I totally forgot he was Robin Williams whilst watching it.”
“Robin Williams, One Hour Photo, is the definition of this topic. To be honest, I found him to be a ham outside of his work in drama.”
Vince Vaughn – Hacksaw Ridge
“That scene in Hacksaw Ridge where he questions Garfield on who hit him and he raises his voice “Private Doss!”… oh man, it gives me chills.”
“So true! He’s also really good in the Psycho remake.”
Kristen Wiig – A Deadly Adoption
A thriller about a successful couple who take in and care for a six-month pregnant woman after losing their second unborn child. They are hoping to be able to adopt the new baby, but taking a total stranger into their house proves risky. The movie also stars comedic actor Will Ferrell.
Paul Rudd – The Fundamentals of Caring
The Fundamentals of Caring is a 2016 American road drama film written and directed by Rob Burnett, based on a 2012 novel by Jonathan Evison. It stars Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, and Selena Gomez, and was released on Netflix in 2016.
John Leguizamo – Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 jukebox musical romantic drama film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann.
It was a co-production between Australia and the United States. It features an ensemble cast including Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and John Leguizamo.
Richard Pryor – Blue Collar
Blue Collar is a 1978 American crime drama film directed by Paul Schrader in his directorial debut. The film stars Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, and Yaphet Kotto. The film is both a critique of union practices and an examination of life in the working-class Rust Belt.
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Source: Reddit
