Moneyball
Dynamic actors are hard to come by . More often than not , actors will work the same roll over and over again , thus defining themselves as either comedic or dramatic . Typically , there is n’t much room for the in - between . But in very rare cases , actor will dip into both realms , taking on various roles with more active implications . When they ’re successful , these are the actors that steal our kernel and that we deem some of the good .
But when typically comedic actors better free from their slapstick and satirical roots , it ’s dispatch or lose . But in the rare case an actor successfully transforms from comedic to dramatic in their acting ability , we ’re pull up stakes with pure cinematic Au . While this list does include some of the best of the good from some of the most well - known comedic actors , it is in no way , shape or forge thorough .
Here are the12 Best Dramatic Performances by Comedy Actors .
Adam Sandler –Punch-Drunk Love(2002)
Better know for his slapstick humour in films such asBilly Madison(1995),Happy Gilmore(1996 ) andMr . Deeds(2002 ) , Adam Sandler has earned his spot in the funniness realm . He began as a stand - up comic andSaturday Night Livecast member ( 1990 through 1995 ) and has since create his own production ship’s company , Happy Madison Productions . Still , these achievement are all related to his popularity as a funnyman .
But in 2002 , Sandler starred alongside Emily Watson in Paul Thomas Anderson ’s brilliantPunch - Drunk Love , his comedic spell was pause , and hearing last see him as the brilliant actor that he is . As Barry Egan , a dispirited gaud supplier that descend in love with an English womanhood in the midst of being extorted , Sandler usher off his acting abilities , making the so - called " romanticist clowning " far more than just that .
Bill Murray –Lost in Translation(2003)
Bill Murray is one of Hollywood ’s favorite comical human race , and it ’s difficult to see him as anything but . With plastic film such asGhostbusters(1984),Caddyshack(1980 ) andStripes(1981 ) and even comedic cameo like inZombieland(2009 ) , he ’s more than demonstrated his ability to make even the direst of situations amusing . So what pass off when he ’s transported from his sarcastically singular root word to the populace of drama ?
The film may be titledLost in Translation , but his act ability is anything but . Murray is fantastic as Bob Harris , a burnt out movie star that travels to Tokyo to film commercial message , hoping to reignite his career . or else , he get hold Charlotte ( Scarlett Johansson ) and they bond over their common “ lost in the human race ” position and their inability to understand those around them . The film has some wit as well , but is an overarching chronicle of love , life and detect one ’s place in the cosmos : far - fetched for a comedic doer , but Murray succeeds effortlessly .
Eddie Murphy –Dreamgirls(2006)
The former viewpoint - up comic best known forBeverly Hills Cop(1984 ) and48 Hrs.(1982 ) , as well as his superfluity of voice work includingShrek ’s Donkey andMulan ’s Mushu , has mostly stuck to the Earth of comedy , and his more striking roles are few and far between . But his spectacular work in 2006’sDreamgirlswas a whole different ball plot , and he remove this one out of the ballpark .
Jamie Foxx –Ray(2004)
Often watch as the comedic junior-grade case in films such asHorrible Bosses(2011),Due Date(2010 ) andValentine ’s Day(2010 ) , Jamie Foxx also has his fair contribution of more serious roles , such as Django inDjango Unchained(2012 ) , President Sawyer inWhite House Down(2013 ) and Will Stacks inAnnie(2014 ) . Still , it ’s Foxx ’s performance inRaythat keep the public talking . Prior to that , he was best jazz for movies likeBooty Call(1997 )
The narration of the life and vocation of Ray Charles , the legendary calendar method of birth control and blues instrumentalist that went blind at seven , helped Foxx gain a report for being more than just a comic . Foxx look at on the part above and was almost unrecognizable on filmdom . Ask anyone and they ’ll distinguish you he is n’t just play as Ray Charles , heisRay Charles .
Jim Carrey –Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(2004)
Jim Carrey is everyone ’s favorite funny gentleman’s gentleman . He takes goofball humor to an all - new level in his films , i.e. Yes Man(2008),Ace Ventura : Pet Detective(1994 ) andDumb and Dumber(1994 ) . In fact , his track phonograph recording lie mostly of comedic performance , leave very little elbow room for dramaturgy . But inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , we see Carrey unlike we ’ve ever seen him before .
Carrey plays Joel Barish , a brokenhearted man in a false human relationship . When he learns his girlfriend , Clementine ( Kate Winslet ) has erased him from her memory , he does the same , understand too deep it might just be his gravid mistake ever . The story is stalk and heartrending , two qualities typically scatty from Carrey ’s film .
Jonah Hill –Moneyball(2011)
Typically seen alongside Seth Rogen or Channing Tatum , Jonah Hill broke out on his own , ditching his comedic partnership and aiming for something a little higher alongside Brad Pitt inMoneyball . While fans might be more familiar with his work in21 Jump Street(2012),This is the End(2013 ) andSuperbad(2007 ) , Hill ’s spectacular abilities are shockingly ripe .
InMoneyball , Hill plays Peter Brand , a character generally based on Paul DePodesta , Billy Beane ’s ( Pitt ) help who aid successfully reinvent the Oakland A ’s on a tight budget by recruiting undervalued participant . Hill is brilliant in the supporting role , leaving the bodily fluid behind him and take on a much more unmanageable character of a much high caliber .
And though he did n’t take home any win , his carrying out did n’t go unnoticed by the prize - consecrate biotic community . Hill was name for a Golden Globe , Academy Award , BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in a supporting function .
Mo’Nique –Precious(2009)
Perhaps one of the most lurid execution on this list , Mo’Nique ’s operation as abusive mother , Mary , is groundbreaking , and in perfect contrast to her other roles . Mo’Nique was a stand up - up comic before the film , and though she ’d voiced a few television receiver show reference , most of her vocation was in the stand - up realm . It was n’t untilPreciousthat Mo’Nique truly caught her big interruption , and for expert reason .
Preciousis a coloured , worked up cinema about an overweight teenager pregnant with her second sister by her biologic father , live with an emotionally and physically abusive mother and trying to accomplish more with her life . And Mo’Nique ’s performance matches the tone , blow away audiences , and also perhaps scarring them in the process .
The film is critically acclaimed , and Mo’Nique impart home countless laurels for Best Supporting Actress , including an Academy Award , Golden Globe , BAFTA , Screen Actors Guild Award and BET Award , just to name a few . And if that does n’t verbalize to her performance , I do n’t know what will .
Robin Williams –Good Will Hunting(1997)
An incredible actor in every respect , with a bent for the comedic element , Robin Williams was a true star . And with his ability to move between the comedic and spectacular realms seamlessly , he was one of the outstanding player Hollywood will ever know . Some rooter favorite include his vocalization work as Genie fromAladdin(1992 ) and his role as Armand Goldman fromThe Birdcage(1996 ) , but he ’s also well known forJumanji(1995),Mrs . Doubtfire(1993 ) andHook(1991 ) .
ButGood Will Huntingis undoubtedly one of his most recognisable office . The story follows Will Hunting ( Matt Damon ) , a janitor at M.I.T. , who unwittingly tapdance into his overwhelming numerical ability , and then visits a psychologist to help him attain greatness . Though it was a breakout performance for both Damon and Ben Affleck , also writer of the pic , Robin Williams ’ functioning as psychologist Sean Maguire was hauntingly beautiful .
Williams brought home several Best Actor in a Supporting Role awards , include an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award , and was also nominated for a Golden Globe .
Robin Williams –One Hour Photo(2002)
Yes , Williams made the list twice . His dramatic persona are so out of fictitious character , as Williams was most well - known for his fast - paced , unmatched stand - up talent , often toy upon in his comedic moving picture , that they suffer out from the rest , make the summons of choosing his best dramatic photographic film nearly impossible . Of course , fans of his will also argue thatDead Poets Society(1989 ) andInsomnia(2002 ) are worthy of the list , and they would n’t be wrong . But confine myself to only two Williams films , One Hour Photocouldn’t be left out .
Williams plays Seymour “ Sy ” Parrish , a technician at a one - hour photo workshop that becomes increasingly obsess with a young family . He develop their picture , making copies for himself , and fantasizes about being a part of it . The genial state of the role is brilliantly played out by Williams on screen , and is often regard one of his effective , though more isolated , dramatic whole kit .
Steve Carell –Foxcatcher(2014)
Steve Carell , well known for his portrayal of Michael Scott onThe Office(2005 to 2013 ) , has been working in comedy for year , typically as an unintelligent , awkward or flat - out weird persona . Some of his more popular comedic works includeThe 40 - class - Old Virgin , Anchorman , Dinner for SchmucksandCrazy , Stupid , Love . Really , Carell had n’t direct on any big - scale , spectacular function until 2014’sFoxcatcher , where he is unrecognizable .
Foxcatcher , a film that ’s been consult to on multiple occasions as Carell ’s best workplace ever , is a shocking storey , base on the veridical thing , about multi - millionaire John du Pont and Olympian championship matman ( and pal ) Mark and David Schultz ( Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo , severally ) . The motion picture is reportedly sinister and oftentimes disturbing , and Carell ’s functioning is unlike anything you ’ve ever seen him do before .
Though he did n’t bring home any bragging - name awards , Carell was nominated for nearly every one , including an Academy Award , Golden Globe , BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award .
