Comedy Stars Who Took On Serious Roles
Some of the best comedians of our generation have been in legendary movies, like Adam Sandler's Billy Madison (1995) or Vince Vaughn in Dodgeball (2004) or Wedding Crashers (2005). But every so often, these stars take on roles entirely unlike the ones they're best known for.
Let's explore the times comedians took on serious acting roles—and delivered an excellent performance.
Robin Williams
Robin Williams was simply a genius. Despite being best known in the early 90s as the funnyman behind Mrs Doubtfire (1993), The Birdcage (1996), and, of course, Good Morning Vietnam (1987), Williams's early performances in Dead Poets Society (1989), and Awakening (1990) would show he had what it took in a less-comedic role.
He found his stride, though, in a more serious role as a university counselor to Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting (1997).
Miramax, Good Will Hunting (1997)
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is probably best known for his roles in Billy Madison (1995) and Happy Gilmore (1996). However, once he'd proved himself as a comedic actor, he began to take on more serious acting roles in the mid to late 2000s, including Punch-Drunk Love (2002), and the crime drama Uncut Gems from 2019. Sandler gave stellar performances in the dramas, proving his acting versatility.
Vince Vaughn
Ever thought you'd see Vince Vaughn as a skinhead tough guy in prison? No? Me neither. But that's what he was when he played the lead role in Brawl In Cell Block 99 (2017), as a drug-running prisoner famous for his fists. Vaughn made himself famous with huge comedic hits like Dodgeball, but showed he could trade punches (literally) with the best dramatic actors out there in 2017.
Assemble Media, Brawl In Cell Block 99 (2017)
Jim Carrey
While famous for his comedic acting in Dumb and Dumber(1994), How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), and Bruce Almighty (2003), the Canadian-American actor showed his versatility by taking a lead in Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (2004), a film more about the complexity of love and romance than the slapstick comedy we were used to seeing from Carrey.
Focus Features, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy has been making us laugh for decades in films like Coming To America, 48 Hrs, and Beverly Hills Cop, along with The Nutty Professor, and of course, voicing the role of Donkey in the Shrek series. However, in 2006, he played the role of James "Thunder" Early in the musical drama Dreamgirls.
While not a sinister dramatic role, it gave Murphy the chance to take his acting talents to another level, which he did with aplomb.
Whoopi Goldberg
Before Sister Act (1992), Whoopi Goldberg starred in a movie called The Long Walk Home (1990), set in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama at the height of the bus boycott. The drama, before Whoopi's roles in her breakout comedy acts, showcased her versatile acting talent. In addition, she played Celie in The Colour Purple (1995).
New Visions Pictures, The Long Walk Home (1990)
Steve Carrell
It's quite a feat of acting to go from making gut-busting laughter in The Office (2005) to making a couple of excellent dramas like Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and Foxcatcher (2014). Alongside his huge body of comedic work, Carrell's roles in more sinister films seem to have gotten better as he's gotten older: "With age comes wisdom", as they say.
Jamie Foxx
Though he might not be known for it today, Jamie Foxx began his acting career as a comedian on the sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990) and his own sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show (1996). Following that, he put in excellent dramatic performances in Miami Vice (2006), and Baby Driver (2017), and in 2004, he played Ray Charles in the biopic Ray.
Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza is best known for her role in Parks and Recreation as April Ludgate and her stint on SNL, but she's played dramatic roles superbly too, like as Emily in Emily The Criminal (2022), Black Bear (2020) and in the second season of The White Lotus (2021).
Low Spark Films, Emily the Criminal (2022)
Melissa McCarthy
We're sure Melissa McCarthy was born to make people laugh. She's comedic gold in films such as Bridesmaids (2011) and This Is 40 (2012), but these definitely paved the way for her to star in more serious roles such as the thriller Nine Perfect Strangers (2021) and as cunning fraudster Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Blossom Films, Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Will Ferrell
While his two most notable dramatic performances don't have Ferrell losing touch with who he is—charm and humor still present—both Everything Must Go (2010) and Stranger Than Fiction (2006) provide a much more subdued Will Ferrell, taking the dramatic nature of the roles seriously and performing them admirably.
Temple Hill Entertainment, Everything Must Go (2010)
Ben Stiller
Here's another movie star who has played a little less of the goofy loverboy of his youth as he's gotten older. Despite starring in classics like Zoolander (2001) and Meet The Parents (2000), Stiller showed his adaptability by playing a more serious character in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013).
Twentieth Century, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Mo'Nique
You may not realize that Mo'Nique had an extremely successful role in the 2009 drama Precious—earning her a BAFTA, Academy Award, and a Golden Globe! Before her successful drama performance, Mo'Nique had a lead role in The Parkers sitcom and multiple stand-up specials, including The Queens of Comedy.
Bette Midler
Once Bette Midler had made us laugh until we cried, she thought she better make us just cry. That's what happened during her performance as Cecilia Bloom in Beaches (1988). And every time we've ever listened to "Wind Beneath My Wings" since.
Richard Pryor
The comedian was hugely popular during the 1980s for his roles in slapstick comedies, including frequently working with the beloved Gene Wilder. However, before that huge commercial success, Pryor took on a serious role in the 1978 crime drama Blue Collar.
Lily Tomlin
Lily Tomlin's still got it, even later in her career. Although she might be best known for her comedy movie 9 to 5 (1980), alongside Dolly Parton, and light TV shows like Grace and Frankie (2015), she played a serious role in Nashville (1975), which was her feature film debut.
Albert Brooks
Albert Brooks was the funny man in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory in 2016, when he played the voice of Marlin on both occasions, and in the 1987 comedy, Broadcast News. But Brooks took on a sinister, serious role in 2011's Drive, with Ryan Gosling playing the lead and Brooks playing the main antagonist.
Marlon Wayans
A man so talented he could star in a parody horror flick Scary Movie (2000) and star in a brutal horror/drama Requiem For A Dream in the same year? Yes, that's Marlon Wayans.
Artisan, Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Kirsten Wiig
The writer and star of Bridesmaids (2011), and star of one of the funniest films of the 2020s, Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021), Kirsten Wiig can do it all. Including drama. Some of her best dramatic performances include the horror flick Mother! (2017) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013).
Twentieth Century, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Jason Segel
Despite writing and starring in comedic pieces like Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2004), How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014), and Bad Teacher (2014), Segel's versatility was on full display in dramas like The End Of The Tour (2015), The Discovery (2015), and Our Friend (2017).
Scott Free Productions, Our Friend (2021)
Steve Martin
When he isn't being an amazing SNL host or singing with his compadres in The Three Amigos!, Steve Martin is proving himself as an actor capable of spectacular dramatic performances, such as in Shopgirl (2005), a movie based on one of his novellas.
Maya Rudolph
Despite starring many times on Saturday Night Live and in comedies such as Bridesmaids (2011) and Idiocracy (2006), Rudolph played a more sensitive role as a pregnant woman attempting to find housing in Away We Go (2009) alongside John Krasinski.
Focus Features, Away We Go (2009)
Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen is a leviathan of a comedian. Giving fantastic funnyman performances whether on stage in stand-ups or classic Rogen comedies, he did star in the 2015 biopic Steve Jobs. This showcased Rogen's serious side as he played Steve Wozniak.
Kevin Hart
Though Kevin Hart is of course best known for starring in multiple comedies through the years, Hart has taken on a dramatic role once or twice. He played a role in Upside (2019), an English remake of a French drama, and in the 2021 Netflix series, Fatherhood, playing a widower trying to raise his son.
Jack Black
Jack Black is well-known for his roles in comedies such as High Fidelity (2000) and Nacho Libre (2006), but he has also starred in dramas like The Holiday (2006) and the 2011 crime biopic Bernie, where he plays a mortician named Bernhardt Tiede who murders his friend and millionaire, Marjorie Nugent.
Anna Kendrick
Though Anna Kendrick may be best known for Pitch Perfect (2012), Up In The Air (2009), and Twilight (2008), she gave stunning dramatic performances in 50/50 (2011), A Simple Favor (2018), and most notably, the psychological thriller Alice, Darling (2022).
Babe Nation Films, Alice, Darling (2022)
Awkwafina
Known by her professional name Awkwafina, Nora Lum has made some fantastic comedies throughout her career. Notably, Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Ocean's Eight (2018), and her recent 2023 comedy, Quiz Lady. She's also starred in some excellent drama films like The Farewell (2019), showcasing her versatility in Lulu Wang's movie.
Big Beach, The Farewell (2019)
John Lithgow
John Lithgow has an extensive comedy-movie casting history. However, Lithgow also performed very well in dramas such as Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023), Terms of Endearment (1983), and more recently in TV shows like Dexter (2006) and The Crown (2016), where he played Sir Winston Churchill.
Paramount, Terms of Endearment (1983)
Jerry Lewis
One half of Martin and Lewis with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis was no stranger to comedy, starring in The Nutty Professor (1963) or The Disorderly Orderly (1964). However, later in his career, Lewis showcased his dramatic talents by starring in The King of Comedy (1982)—a movie with a kidnap plot that deceives all by its title.
Twentieth Century, The King of Comedy (1982)
Jennifer Aniston
After she immortalized herself on Friends (1994), Jennifer Aniston went on to star in multiple comedies, but in 2014, she took on the role of a mother dealing with the loss of her son, who died in a car accident that she survived; Aniston gives a gripping, heartbreaking performance in Cake.
Jonah Hill
While Hill might be best known for his roles in Superbad (2007), 21 Jump Street (2012), and many other comedies, Hill showed his versatility as an actor in Moneyball (2011), playing Billy Breane's assistant, who was both an incredibly intelligent but awkward assistant, showcasing his ability to play a serious person in a serious film.
Steve Coogan
Renowned in the UK as a prolific comic, Steve Coogan is better known in the United States for his roles in comedies such as Tropic Thunder (2008) and Night At The Museum (2006). He showcased his serious side in a movie that he helped write, Philomena (2013), playing the role of a journalist helping a woman search for her son.
Sacha Baron Cohen
The legendary British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has created and starred in many a comedy film over the years, including Borat (2006), Bruno (2009), and The Dictator (2012), but showcased his ability to act outside of that comedic vein in The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020).
DreamWorks, The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020)
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk made a name for himself in the comedy world with the sketch comedy, Mr. Show (1995) and was a huge hit with fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000). But his work in dark, dramatic punch-em-ups like Nobody (2021), or dramas like Better Call Saul (2015).
John Goodman
John Goodman began his Hollywood career as a comedy actor, starring in films like The Borrowers (1997) and The Big Lebowski (1998). However, some of his most recent work has been on the dramatic side of things, with Goodman starring in 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), The Monuments Men (2014), and Argo (2012).
Paramount, 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Bill Murray
Bill Murray is well known for his comedic exploits on the big screen, from Meatballs (1979) to Groundhog Day (1993), but Murray showed his versatility by playing a washed-up movie star in Tokyo who forms an unlikely friendship with Scarlett Johansson's character in Lost In Translation (2003).
Focus Features, Lost In Translation (2003)
Chris Rock
Perhaps nothing Chris Rock does on the big screen will be as dramatic as *that* Oscars moment, but he can certainly try. Beginning his career as a stand-up comic, Rock's first comedy roles were in flicks like Down To Earth (2001), Head of State (2003), and many others, but later in his career, Rock pivoted toward dramatic films like Spiral: From The Book Of Saw (2021) and appeared in Season 4 of Fargo (2014).
Lionsgate, Spiral: From The Book Of Saw (2021)
John Krasinski
Before John Krasinski was Emily Blunt's husband, he was best known for his role in The Office (2005) alongside Steve Carrell, but he also starred in the rom-com Aloha (2015). Since then, he has pivoted to drama, with the A Quiet Place (2018) film series and a turn in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018), a spy thriller series based on the novels.
Paramount, A Quiet Place (2018)
Tim Allen's Bad Behavior
Tim Allen's undoubtedly a funny man. However, his antics on the Disney+ comedy-drama TV show The Santa Clauses (2022), landed in him in hot water, with a co-star accusing him of "rude" behavior. Casey Wilson claimed
working with him "was the truly single worst experience I’ve ever had with a co-star ever."
Wilson said that at one point, Allen, while standing just four feet in front of her, told a producer to "tell her to stop stepping on my lines." He also refused to make eye contact and, when the scene was done, walked off after only saying, "Leaving!"
