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Top 20 Actors Who Broke Type-Casting

Top 20 Actors Who Broke Type-Casting
VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu WRITTEN BY: Nathan Sharp & Matthew Thomas
You can't paint these actors into a corner! For this list, we'll be looking at famous actors who played against type and earned widespread acclaim for their performance. Our countdown includes Adam Sandler, Tom Cruise, Jonah Hill, Heath Ledger, Bryan Cranston, and more!

Top 20 Actors Who Broke Typecasting


Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 actors who broke typecasting.

For this list, we’ll be looking at famous actors who played against type and earned widespread acclaim for their performance.

Who’s your favorite versatile actor? Let us know in the comments below!

#20: Adam Sandler

“Uncut Gems” (2019)
Adam Sandler is enormously popular for his immature brand of humor, marked by fart jokes, pee jokes, and those weird gibberish noises. That said, Sandler has played against type on numerous occasions, proving that he’s an excellent dramatic actor. His first big “serious” role was that of Barry Egan in “Punch-Drunk Love,” but he also proved astoundingly good in “Uncut Gems.” Sandler’s performance earned him universal praise; some believed that he would be up for an Oscar. While he was awarded Best Actor by the National Board of Review, he was totally snubbed by the Academy. Still, he’s come a long way from being peed on by a deer!

#19: Will Ferrell

“Stranger Than Fiction” (2006)
It’s amazing to consider how many comedians make a seamless transition to drama. Will Ferrell really hit his film stride in the early 2000s with films like “Old School,” “Elf,” and “Anchorman.” In all of them, he plays a man who’s immature for his age. And then came “Stranger Than Fiction.” This comedy drama follows an IRS agent who learns that he’s the subject of a novel in progress - and that the ending dictates his death. The movie was warmly received for its unique story and performances, which saw Ferrell delivering a confidence performance alongside the likes of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson. And to think, this came out three months after “Talladega Nights!”

#18: Leslie Nielsen

“Airplane!” (1980)
For many of us, it’s hard to imagine the late Mr. Nielsen as anything but an obvious choice for comedy casting directors - but that wasn’t always the case. For about 25 years between the 1950s and 1970s, Leslie was a steadily employed actor in serious films. These included well-known classics like films “Forbidden Planet” and “The Poseidon Adventure”. However, the perception of this talented actor was forever altered with his hilariously deadpan performance as Dr. Rumack in “Airplane!” This would also lead to one of his most memorable roles, as Frank Drebin in the film series “The Naked Gun”.

#17: Henry Fonda

“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968)
The patriarch of the highly respected Fonda acting dynasty, Henry originally built his career as the heroic everyman, always primed to fight for what’s right in the world. That’s why it took so many people by surprise when he took on the role of the hired gun Frank in “Once Upon a Time in the West”. He’s sent to intimidate a local landowner, but instead slaughters the man and his kids. The image of the actor who played the lone holdout, heroic juror from “12 Angry Men” killing three children forever altered the way he was seen by audiences everywhere.

#16: Melissa McCarthy

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018)
This funny woman burst onto the scene with “Bridesmaids,” earning herself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress - a rare Academy acknowledgment of the comedy genre. This led to a long string of comedic roles. In 2018, however, McCarthy pivoted in a big way when she starred as Lee Israel in the acclaimed biographical comedy drama “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” The movie is based on Israel’s criminal career in literary forgery, penning up to 400 fake letters from dead authors and actors. McCarthy’s performance was widely praised, and she earned her second Academy Award nomination - this time in the Lead Actress category. She ended up losing to Olivia Colman for “The Favourite.”

#15: Jeff Daniels

“Dumb and Dumber” (1994
In the late 1980s, Jeff Daniels earned back to back Golden Globe nominations for his work in “The Purple Rose of Cairo” and “Something Wild.” In 1993 he played Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in the epic war film “Gettysburg.” And in June 1994 he played a SWAT officer in “Speed.” Six months later... he was enduring explosive diarrhea on a broken toilet and giving bottled pee to a police officer. Yep, “Dumb and Dumber” changed how we saw Jeff Daniels forever. We never expected such lowbrow comedy from an actor of Daniels’ stature, but Daniels made it work thanks to his commitment and incredible chemistry with Jim Carrey. He wouldn’t often return to comedy, but we all know that he can do it.

#14: Robert Pattinson

“Good Time” (2017)
If an actor is looking to break type, all they have to do is go to the Safdie brothers. It worked for Adam Sandler, and it worked for Robert Pattinson. After “Twilight,” many were willing to write off Pattinson as just another heartthrob flavor of the month. But maybe he just needed the right director and material. In the 2010s, he tackled roles in several dramas, but it was his performance as Connie Nikas in “Good Time” that really cemented his reputation as a serious actor. The role earned him widespread acclaim and Best Actor noms at various film festivals. He’s since carried his newfound reputation into more stellar work like “High Life” and “The Lighthouse.”

#13: Johnny Depp

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990)
Throughout the 1980s, Johnny Depp was perceived as something of a pretty boy, and cast accordingly - not unlike Robert Pattinson. He had a starring role in “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” appeared as Lerner in Oliver Stone’s war drama “Platoon,” and later starred as the titular character in John Waters’s “Cry-Baby.” And then came “Edward Scissorhands.” Directed by Tim Burton, the movie was positively received for its gothic, fairy tale style, and Depp was nominated for a Golden Globe. It was the first time he was recognized by a major institution, and would prove the first of ten Golden Globe nominations. Funnily enough, the success of “Edward Scissorhands” resulted in a new typecasting, as he became the go-to guy for Tim Burton and weird, fantastical characters.

#12: Jamie Foxx

“Ray” (2004) & “Collateral” (2004)
Before “Ray,” Jamie Foxx was known for his comedy. He performed on “In Living Color” and starred in his own WB sitcom, “The Jamie Foxx Show,” from 1996 to 2001. And when he ventured into film, he was given supporting roles in movies like “Any Given Sunday” and “Ali.” That changed in 2004, when Foxx starred in “Ray” and “Collateral,” which were released around three months apart. Both proved Foxx’s capabilities as a leading dramatic actor, and each earned him widespread praise from critics and Academy members. In fact, he received two Oscar nominations in the same year, making him just the third male actor in history to do so.

#11: Jonah Hill

“Moneyball” (2011)
Once an actor who was more likely to be nominated for a Teen Choice or MTV Movie Award than an Oscar, Jonah Hill had his breakout role as the vulgar and funny Seth from “Superbad”. That is, until he was tapped for his role of Peter Brand in the 2011 biographical sports drama “Moneyball”. Cast as an economics expert who changes the way that baseball teams are put together through his expertise and knowledge, “Moneyball” depended on Hill’s untested ability to be taken seriously. Pulling it off to such a degree that it earned him an Oscar nomination, he turned out to be well worth the gamble.

#10: Will Smith

“Ali” (2001)
While Jamie Foxx was great in “Ali,” that movie belonged to Will Smith. Early in his career, Smith was widely known for his rapping and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” When he ventured into film, he mostly stuck to fun, lighthearted movies like “Men In Black,” “Independence Day,” and “Wild Wild West.” Even “Bad Boys,” his most “serious” work at the time, had elements of camp and goofiness. Smith took on more prestigious work with Michael Mann’s “Ali,” filling some massive shoes by portraying the titular boxing legend. While the movie earned a solid, if somewhat muted, reception, Smith’s performance as Ali was singled out for praise, and he earned his first of two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.

#9: Jim Carrey

“The Number 23” (2007)
When Jim Carrey’s first famous leading film role involved a sequence where he literally talked out of his ass, it set a precedent for the types of roles he was offered and given thereafter. In the years since then, he’s attempted to fight that perception with more and more dramatic roles, including acclaimed performances in “The Truman Show,” “Man on the Moon” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Still the idea that he was that guy who starred in outrageous comedies that took advantage of his rubber-faced antics persisted. For many, it took him starring in a psychological thriller as a man struggling with dreams of murder to truly break the mold he’d created.

#8: Michael Keaton

“Batman” (1989)
Many actors have broken type by playing Batman, including Christian Bale. But none have shattered their type quite like Michael Keaton. Before 1989, Keaton was a comedic performer. He was on the sitcoms “All’s Fair” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Hour” and starred in film comedies like “Night Shift” and “Mr. Mom. In 1988, he worked with Tim Burton on “Beetlejuice,” which of course led to his starring role in Burton’s “Batman.” Keaton’s casting actually caused considerable controversy. Thousands of protest letters were sent to Warner Bros., and even Batman creator Bob Kane voiced his reservations. Luckily, it all worked out, and “Batman” became the fifth highest grossing movie in history at the time.

#7: Joe Pesci

“Home Alone” (1990)
In many of Joe Pesci’s most famous film roles, he’s the most dangerous and feared person on screen - despite his small stature. It takes an actor who’s capable of tapping into a raw anger and rage that few of us can understand to be able to pull that off successfully. For the same actor to be able to make a fool of himself for the delight and laughter of families worldwide without missing a beat is truly impressive. But that’s just what Pesci did as Harry in 1990’s “Home Alone”. Even more amazingly, this performance came right on the heels of his role as Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas” - showing just how easily Pesci was able to switch character types.

#6: Robin Williams

“One Hour Photo” (2002)
A lot of actors who’ve earned the respect of their peers spend the later years of their career coasting on fame and taking on easy roles that line their wallets. Fortunately for ardent film fans, Robin Williams was not one of those people. Choosing to stretch his acting muscles in dark new ways, his performance as a photo clinic employee with a dangerous obsession was so organic and real we wish he’d given the genre a try much earlier. The role won him universal acclaim from critics and a Saturn Award for Best Actor.

#5: Tom Cruise

“Collateral” (2004)
Tom Cruise has spent most of his career carefully cultivating a resume of respected performances and a squeaky clean image. He has played against that image at times, for example, as the villainous yet charming Lestat in “Interview with the Vampire”. Then there was the vulgar and over the top Les Grossman in “Tropic Thunder.” But it is as Vincent in Michael Mann’s neo-noir crime thriller “Collateral” that he truly stands out. As a remorseless contract killer who makes no attempt to be likable, this role had critics raving and moviegoers seeing him in an all new light.

#4: Heath Ledger

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
The Joker is arguably one of the most recognizable and acclaimed villains in modern pop culture. Previously brought to the big screen by Hollywood heavyweight Jack Nicholson, anyone assigned the challenging role certainly had big shoes to fill. So when they cast the guy who sang in the bleachers in a 90s teen comedy, a lot of fans were shocked and appalled. Even though he’d given respected performances in films like “Lords of Dogtown” and “Brokeback Mountain” prior to “The Dark Knight,” few thought he’d be up to the task. Outperforming even the highest expectations, he gave one of the most legendary performances in film history and earned a posthumous Oscar to boot.

#3: Steve Carell

“Foxcatcher” (2014)
Steve Carell is one of the most acclaimed and respected comedians working today. He received widespread recognition for his work as Michael Scott on “The Office” and supplemented this with hilarious work in “Anchorman” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” among many other films. And while he demonstrated his dramatic chops in “Little Miss Sunshine,” that movie can still be considered a comedy - a word no one would use to describe “Foxcatcher.” Carell was barely recognizable as wrestling coach and convicted murderer John du Pont, and he, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo all received praise from critics. Carell earned his seventh Golden Globe nomination (the first six being for “The Office”) and his first Oscar nomination for the role.

#2: Tom Hanks

“Philadelphia” (1993)
In the 80s, Tom Hanks shot to fame thanks to his roles in comedies, including “Splash” and “Big”. However, his filmography took a very different turn in the next decade. 1993 saw him star as Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer and AIDS patient, in the legal drama “Philadelphia”. At the time, the film was groundbreaking in mainstream cinema for addressing the HIV epidemic and homophobia. Hanks’ performance won him his first Oscar, and led to a number of other dramatic roles in the 90s, such as in “Forrest Gump” and “Saving Private Ryan”.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Ashton Kutcher, “The Butterfly Effect” (2004)
Talk About a Tonal Whiplash

Robert De Niro, “Stardust” (2007)
From Tough Guy to Captain Shakespeare

Mark Duplass, “Creep” (2014)
Those Who Haven’t Seen Duplass Be Funny Might Be Convinced That He’s Actually Psychotic

Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Twins” (1988)
The Terminator Does Comedy

#1: Bryan Cranston

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
Few people can be both funny and utterly terrifying. Bryan Cranston is one of those people. Before “Breaking Bad,” Cranston was primarily known for his comedy work. He had a bit part on “Seinfeld” playing Tim Whatley before hitting it big with “Malcolm in the Middle.” Before that glorious bald head and glasses look became iconic, all anyone could picture was Cranston doing a goofy dance on rollerskates. But “Breaking Bad” proved Cranston to be an accomplished dramatic actor. He disappeared into Walter White, becoming another one of those brilliant casting decisions that make it impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. He won four Emmys, one Golden Globe, and two SAG awards for his performance, solidifying his place in television history.
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