Some comedic actors can change things up and deliver incredible dramatic performances. Think Jim Carrey in The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting.
Not every actor has this ability, though, and there are those that, despite starring in dramatic roles, we can’t take seriously, no matter how hard we try.
Leslie Nielsen
Despite becoming known as one of the best comedic actors of all time, Nielsen actually got his start with more serious roles.
That’s how he was cast in Airplane! They needed someone to deliver their lines with a straight face. Ironically, it’s hard today to look at him and not think of his silly and iconic roles.
Jim Parsons
Like Neilson, Parsons was one to take on more serious roles before breaking out as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.
The difference here, though, is that his career began in the theatre, most notably in various Off-Broadway Productions. With the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory, he’s returned to the theatre, possibly because it’s hard to see him in film or television as anyone but Sheldon Cooper.
John Krasinski
Like Parsons, John Krasinski arguably suffers from the success of his most popular role: Jim Halpert from The Office.
There’s no denying Krasinski’s acting talent, given his success in films such as A Quiet Place, but it’s so hard to watch him on screen and wonder when he will look in the camera and make that trademark Jim Halpert face.
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Jason Biggs
I’m sorry, but when you’re best known for getting intimate with a pie, that’s all she wrote.
Biggs has had a turn in some more dramatic roles, but he’ll always be best known for his work in American Pie, and for that, I can never take him seriously.
Sean William Scott
It’s not fair for an actor to be typecast into a certain role, but that’s what happened with Sean William Scott after American Pie.
The unfortunate thing here is that he, like other typecast actors, has the chops and range to pull off almost anything. Yet all people see is that one goofy character.
Matthew Broderick
Any time I see Broderick on screen, I feel like I’m waiting for him to break the fourth wall and talk to me like he’s Ferris Bueller.
Part of it is, unfortunately, the way he looks. He has such a babyface that it’s too distracting, especially for his performance in Glory.
David Schwimmer
I will say this as someone who hates Friends: Ross has one of the most punchable faces in the world.
Imagine my surprise when he appeared in Band of Brothers and People vs. O.J. Simpson. There’s no denying that he does well with these roles, but he’ll always be Ross to me.
Jack Black
There was a strange time in Jack Black’s career when he seemed eager to take on more dramatic roles. The one I remember the most is as one of the lead actors in Peter Jackson’s King Kong.
That wasn’t the one time he’s taken a more dramatic role in a film, but it’s hard for him to shake the image of his over-the-top comedic style, especially with his more recent roles in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie.
Michael Cera
While Cera is more than capable of delivering a leading performance, which he has done on several occasions between the mid-2000s and early 2010s, something about him makes it easy to overlook him.
Perhaps it’s the fact that I’ll always see that young, awkward kid in Arrested Development, or the fact that Paulie Bleaker, his character in Juno, is a low-key pushover. Either way, Cera is at his best when you’re not supposed to take him seriously, such as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Vince Vaughn
Vaughn is at his best when he plays two roles: an overtly smug jerk with some redeeming qualities deep inside or the ultimate slacker who has learned how to coast on life.
He’s had his hand in some more serious roles, including the infamous Psycho remake, where he was horribly miscast, but he’s at his best when we’re laughing with him, not taking him seriously.
Will Smith
Now this is a story all about how a talented actor’s life was flipped upside down. And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, and let me tell you the story about how I stopped taking Will Smith seriously.
Part of it is oversaturation during his peak. Yes, I get his mainstream appeal and will forever love just about everything he did in the 1990s, but after a while, the act starts to get old, ultimately wearing thin in recent memory. That slap certainly didn’t help, either.
Nicolas Cage
Even in his more serious roles, Nic Cage’s performance is still pure Nic Cage. He has a certain aura about himself that is at its best when you’re not supposed to take his character seriously.
Don’t get me started on that awful accent he has in Con-Air, either.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is the perfect example of why it’s sometimes okay to be typecast. He’s at his best when he’s arrogant and overly confident.
As much as I love Smokin’ Aces, I can’t help but feel like he’s out of place and desperately wanting to burst out a witty one-liner at the camera.
Rob McElhenney
If we’re talking Ryan Reynolds, it only makes sense we talk about his new BFF Rob McElhenney.
There are two issues at play here with poor Rob. First is the fact that most people cannot look past his character in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This isn’t a cast-wide issue, as his co-stars have all had success outside the show. It’s just a testament to how lost he became in Mac. The second, and arguably bigger issue, is that he’s got a lot of work done and it doesn’t really look all that great.
The Rock
Some of The Rock’s latest movies have tried to portray him as a serious actor. That’s not to say he can’t act; he spent decades winning over WWE fans through incredible character work.
So what’s the issue? It’s the fact that he’s built his Hollywood career on action and charisma. For him to be in more serious roles, such as The Smashing Machine, sometimes breaks immersion.
Chris Pratt
Where do I begin here?
Is Chris Pratt naturally funny? Yes. There’s a reason why his career took off after both stealing the show in Parks and Rec and becoming one of the MCU’s biggest stars in Guardians of the Galaxy. However, his ability to be an action lead is very questionable. Never mind that he’s the voice of Mario, which still makes me laugh every time I hear it.
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