Best Peformances from Comedians in Drama Films

Best Performances from Comedians in Drama Films

Comedians have tried to break out of their classic comedic roles for a while. An actor likes to step out of their comfort zone and really try to do something out of the ordinary and different from what they are used to. To be a good actor it takes a lot of dedication, and also showing risks. Part of these risks that an actor has to make is to pick roles that will be good for them. The great actors are able to play any type of role, comedic, dramatic, action whatever it is.

1.     Jim Carrey in “Eternal Sunshine in Spotless Mind” (2004)

       Jim Carrey is a famous comedic actor. He is known for his comedic roles in “The Mask” and “Ace Ventura.” With his crazy antics, facial expressions, and his ability to create comedic moments with just his funny noises. In 2004 he took of the role of Joel Barish. A troubled man that thinks he found his true love with Clementine, played by Kate Winslet. After a bad breakup, he decides to undergo a surgery that completely erases Clementine from his memory, but during the surgery he realizes it is a mistake. He tries to fight through the surgery, and make Clementine a positive part of his life. It is a very morose, and gloomy look on life but he delivers a powerful performance that will leave you guessing, and sobbing throughout the film. It is a very different role for him because he is melancholy, depressed, and wanting more out of life. It seems like he is not even the guy who becomes the mask, or the pet detective because it is superb to see how well he crushes this role.

2.     Robin Williams in “Good Will Hunting” (1997)

This actor will definitely be missed. He is by far one of the best actors of all time, and he will be remembered. He is known for his roles in “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Aladdin.” Afetr his family comedy classic, “Flubber,” the next role he chose to take is Sean Maguire, a psychiatrist who helps Will Hunting, a young man trying to find direction his life. Williams’s role as Maguire really showed that a comedic actor and a stand-up comedian could do anything. He was extremely powerful, and the intensity that he brought in this film is groundbreaking. And the Oscar that he received is well deserved. After being in “Mrs. Doubtfire, and “Flubber” he decided to take on a dramatic role. This role is one of the key roles that a comedian, like himself, can do much more, and break out of their one type-casted role that is normal for a comedian. Robin Williams is one of the best actors of all time because he was successful in switching genres and taking effective risks that helped his career. His legacy will live on and he will be greatly missed.

3.     John C. Reilly in “Terri” (2011)

John C. Reilly is one of the funniest comedic actors of this generation. His roles with Will Ferrell are extremely popular and Americans flock to their films. A lot of people overlook Reilly as an actor because of his comedic roles. However, he has been in many different dramatic and independent roles that are very well done, and shows how great of an actor he really is. His roles in “Cyrus” “Chicago” and “Terri” prove that he can take risks as an actor. Reilly plays a guidance counselor that helps out a troubled kid named Terri who does not have any friends, and wears robes to school. Reilly delivers on so many levels in this film, whether its through his constant compassion towards Terri, or how really dedicates everything to help him through whatever he is going through, throughout the film. He also very funny, which helps the tension and seriousness break, during the dramatic and depressing parts of the film. He is an amazing actor that should not only be remembered for his comedic roles with Will Ferrell.

4.     Adam Sandler in “Punch Drunk Love” (2002)

Adam Sandler is one of the most famous comedic actors of this generation. He is very popular because of his loudmouth, and crude humor. He has been on the top of comedic films since the 1980’s. Whether it was his role in “Happy Gilmore” “Big Daddy” “Billy Madison” the list goes on. It was a big deal for him to switch roles into a dramatic and depressing role in “Punch Drunk Love,” especially right after his role in “Little Nicky” which was a decent success for him and a classic for his fans. His role as Barry Egan in this film showed that he can be in almost any type of film and he was not bad at switching genres. This role was famous for him because he has worked with comedy for decades and it was a joy to see him shine in a different type of role.

5.     Steve Carrell in “Foxcatcher” (2014)

Steve Carrell is extremely funny. His roles in “The Office” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Anchorman” will be remembered for decades. This year he took a chance and took the role as John Du Pont in “Foxcatcher” the result was a great success. He played a wrestling coach that helped the Schultz brothers in the Olympics but things went astray when he gained more power over them. This is easily one of the best roles he has ever had. Carrell completely transformed his face, his accent and his body to fully create such a dense character. It was terrifying to see how well he became John Du Pont in this film, it was like nothing Steve Carrell have seen before. He nailed his role. He completely deserved his Oscar nomination for this role.

6.     Will Ferrell in “Evrything Must Go” (2010)

Will Ferrell is one of the most popular comedic actors. He is known for his roles in “Anchorman” “Step Brothers” “Old School” “Elf” and the list goes on. His roles consist of much different slapstick, crude humor. However, in this film he plays an alcoholic selling all of his professions at a yard sale to try to get rid his items that relate to his past marriage and the things he wants to forget. It was different to see Ferrell in this type of role because of his past funny, and hilarious roles we all love. He was depressed, gloomy, which could be funny to some people depending on how you see him. However, he showed many different emotions that was interesting to watch and kept us on the edge of our seats in this film. This film is overlooked a lot but it is a very good role that Will Ferrell nails and delivers.

7.     Josh Peck in “The Wackness” (2008)

Josh Peck skyrocketed his career as Josh on the hit Nickelodeon show, “Drake and Josh.” He was an overweight funny brother of Drake Bell that was loveable. In this film he plays a drug dealer trying to help his parents out paying the rent. He is also going to therapy. After becoming friends with his psychiatrist, he starts spending time with his daughter, played by Olivia Thirlby. It is a coming of age tale that really shows how great Josh Peck is acting. This actor started out on Nickelodeon and then completely does a 180 and play a drug dealer, cursing, having sex, and smoking is a big change for an actor, but it worked. It is amazing to see him on a kid show, and see how much he changed for this role.

8.     Seth Rogen in “50/50” (2011)

Seth Rogen is known for his comedic roles with James Franco and Paul Rudd. However, he changed his comedic ways to play a loveable, caring best friend in this film. It is heartwarming to see how great the friendship between Rogen’s and Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character is shown in this film. Yes Rogen, is funny in this film but he is very compassionate, caring, and helpful towards his best friend when he is diagnosed with cancer. He really cares for him and it is nice to see him do something different. He is relatable in this role because we have always tried to help our friends in a time of need, and we feel like we want him to be as good of a friend as he is in this film.

9.     Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)

Jonah Hill is known for being the overweight funny guy. His roles in “Superbad” “Knocked Up” and “Get Him to the Greek” are great comedic roles with him. Over the past few years his weight has fluctuated and so have his roles. One of the best roles he has had was his portrayal of Peter Brand in “Moneyball.” He was very serious and wanted everything right not only for his team but his mentor, Billy Beane played by Brad Pitt. This role has skyrocketed his career even more, and with his Oscar nomination for this role, and his Oscar nominated role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” will probably skyrocket his career even more.

10.   J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash” (2014)

J.K. Simmons has always been a supporting role kind of actor. However, he is still an amazing actor. This year his role in “Whiplash” has proved that he is not a force to be reckoned with because he is spectacular. This film is terrifying because of his incredibly gripping role. He plays a music teacher that leads a big band at one of the music schools in the country. He brings in a young drummer who has a lot of potential played by Miles Teller. Simmons’ character has a cutthroat, intense program that is extremely intense to watch. It is both exciting and horrifying to watch but for some reason it is hard not to keep watching to see what happens.

       11. Bill Murray in “Lost in Translation” (2003)

Bill Murray has always been a popular actor among the comedy world. Whether it was “Ghostbusters” “Stripes” “Caddyshack” or “Groundhog Day” he has been making us laugh with his dry, sarcastic humor for years. In “Lost in Translation” he plays a popular actor staying in Japan after having problems with his wife. It is a depressing tale that shows how powerful Bill Murray can be. He his so passionate, and subtle at the same time in this film, and he really delivers in this film, and is considered one of his best roles. It is depressing and exciting to see how he ends up in this film. It is a very influential film that is incredible and it well deserved Oscar nomination for Bill Murray.

12.   Jack Black in “King Kong” (2005)

Jack Black has always been the hilarious actor that everyone loves whether if it’s been for a stoner film like “Tenacious D: in the Pick of Destiny” or a family comedy like “School of Rock.” In  2005 right after his success of “School of Rock” he decides to take on the role as Carl Denham in the remake of “King Kong.” This was a very different role for him, and with this success it lead to other great dramatic roles for him. He is a decent actor that really shines if he really prepares for his roles. He has been in many different roles that flopped but he made a decent career for herself.