Top 10 Moments We Found Out Comic Actors Could Nail Dramatic Roles

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Comedic actors usually tend to give solid dramatic performances. You look at Robin Williams in movies like Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting, and Jim Carrey in Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine, and The Majestic, and you see how good they really are

[@vanessastegall]

Both movies were 💔

[@giggle_snort]

Agreed. I, along with everyone, could wax poetic about Robin Williams for hours. But not enough attention is paid to The Majestic, in my opinion. Such a fantastic movie, and a stirring performance from Jim Carrey. His serious roles are my favorites.

[@trinaq]

Rest in peace, Robin Williams. He was such a legend, he could make us laugh, then cry, within seconds. He'll be forever missed. 😭💔😇

[@kamsismith]

What's your favorite Robin Williams movie?

[@ninademci1500]

@trinaq, exactly.

[@mykellayne]

So true,

[@trinaq]

@@kamsismith Probably Mrs Doubtfire or Dead Poets Society. How about yourself?

[@kamsismith]

⁠@@trinaq Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin. I watched Aladdin the most and the remake was fine, but nothing compares to the original and can see why the remake was successful. I hope they don't remake or do a sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire as I remember that they were supposed to do a sequel to Mrs Doubtfire with Robin coming back, but his death made it impossible to come to fruition.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

_Dead Poet Society_ wouldn't be the same without Robin Williams. Normally he would get some dramatic parts in his comedic roles. Here, it's the opposite and he nailed it. RIP you legend.

[@ConnorMiller417]

Robin Williams was one of a kind. He was one of only very few comedic actors who could nail any kind of role in any movie. His performance in Mrs. Doubt fire as a loving and struggling father was off the charts! RIP Robin ❤

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Comedian/actress Mo’ Nique did an amazing job on her performance in ‘Precious’ as the angry, abusive mother. She officially won both Golden Globe award and Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actress.”

[@mlynettepinky595]

No, she didn't She played herself, so it wasn't hard to do When she acts life that in real life Just look how she treats her son

[@TheCommenterDragon]

Nailing dramatic roles is one of the many things that makes these actors so legendary. Especially Robin Williams we all know how dedicated he was to his craft as an actor.

[@MChantal76]

I agree with the #1 but "Dead Poets Society" wasn't Robin's first dramatic role. His second movie, "The World According to Garp", was an amazing film and a great performance by him.

[@mathieudarroman5521]

Bill Muray deserves at least an honorable mention for his role in Lost in Translation

[@Tomy_Yon]

Agreed!

[@NanCRow]

I'm normally not a Bill Murray fan, but I will agree with this statement.

[@Werntzy]

Other good examples Steve Carell 'Little Miss Sunshine' Jonah Hill 'Cyrus' Jack Black 'Bernie' Seth Rogen 'The Fabelmans' Kevin Hart 'Fatherhood' Paul Rudd: 'The Fundamentals of Caring'

[@bryanalstoncoxing]

Mo’Nique in Precious is one of the most memorable Oscar winning performances in decades TBH, especially since she went from hosting VH1 reality shows to delivering a terrifying and heartbreaking performance all within 2 years

[@mithroch]

How in the heck is Tom Hanks not on this list? Did everyone forget that in the 80s he was a comedic actor? Then Sleepless in Seattle came and then Philadelphia and all of the sudden he was a serious Oscar winning actor. How is he not right next to Robin Williams in the 1-2 spot?

[@Sturmantor]

Stranger than fiction showed me how good a dramatic actor Will Ferrell is

[@angiedawnmoody3519]

As a comedy actor,I'm not a fan of Will Ferrell but as a serious actor...10/10

[@angelatircuit2355]

@@angiedawnmoody3519 I feel the exact same way. Stranger than Fiction is one of my favorite movies and he was excellent in Everything Must Go. But, I can't watch his comedies.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

We are so impressed by Jamie Foxx’s performance as the music legend Ray Charles Robinson (may he rest in peace) in ‘Ray’, and Mr. Foxx’s officially is won the Academy Award for “Best Actor” in 2005.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Seth Rogen should do more dramatic roles. His performance in Steve Jobs was so good

[@mithroch]

Also 50/50... though I guess he was still kinda Seth in that one.

[@davidz3879]

When people tell me they're fans of Olivia Colman, I ask them what they think of Peep Show, which includes the longest role of her career. I'm baffled at many of them saying they haven't seen any of it!

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

Whoopi Goldberg, "The Color Purple".

[@camaronshoultz6137]

I’m blown away that Jamie Foxx did all his own piano playing! While his eyes were glued shut

[@idkalan00]

While I did enjoy "Punch-Drunk Love," it still felt more of a dark comedy rather than a drama. Now, the film that really showed that Adam Sandler can do drama was in "Reign Over Me." I still remember before the movie came out that critics claimed that there was no way Sandler could portray a serious role of that level and that he may end up insulting families of 9/11 victims. Then, when the movie came out, many praised Sandler's performance but that the film wasn't great leaving Sandler to pretty much carry it

[@SabrinaChach]

Reign over me is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen

[@cryospiral]

People should understand that comedy comes from Dark Places. That's why comedians are so good at nailing drama

[@davidz3879]

Comedy films & TV shows usually contain some drama, so it's not that surprising that many comedic actors are also good dramatic actors.

[@angelbabysqueaky3985]

Robin Williams was a great actor. He wasn't just a comedian, he could really act. I met him and he was quiet and a little shy. We were both leaving San Francisco and going to LAX. with my Son and Robin played together. Jim Carrey did a great job too. So many actors get stuck making comedy roles, which are hard. But can break your heart, for their drama roles . Great acting in both categories

[@humayrafaizah1428]

Robin Williams was not a mere comedian! He was versatile. He was terrifying in Insomnia and his dark and sketchy role in One Hour Photo was a treat! Get your facts right.

[@MrGabeanator]

People tend to forget Robin Williams went to juliard

[@maxride1760]

One of my other favorite Robin Williams drama movies is Good Will Hunting. He did a fantastic job in that one as well as Dead Poets Society. Miss you Robin.

[@beautifullyblessed2768]

Richard Pryor in Lady sings the blues and the Mack, Marlon Wayans, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Epps, Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker and Will Smith

[@martingargaro4855]

Adam Sandler’s dramatic chops are part of the reason why I would like to see more of the Happy Madison company try more dramatic roles. Not just the main folks like David Spade or Kevin James, but also some of the lesser known like Jonathan Loughran, and even Adam’s wife, Jackie Sandler

[@harryorenstein1144]

I'd include some of the actors from the Classic era as well. One who comes immediately to mind is Jack Lemon: while he appeared in a few dramas throughout the 50s he wasn't given much to do and was primarily known for his comedies (including an Oscar for Mister Roberts and especially Some Like It Hot). He really showed his range in the dreamed The Apartment, but knocked it out of the park in The Days of Wine and Roses.

[@CaptainFirefred]

It was always known that good comedy acting is harder than dramatic acting, so the good comedic actors are usually generally good actors.

[@cathm8523]

Robin Williams was a truly inspired actor, simply one of a kind!

[@800Ms-k6n]

You know as they say, comedic actors are way better actors when they step outside of their comfort zone and takes on more serious challenging roles that fully embrace their acting potential. Never doubt any of them when they try to do something different as long as the material is right

[@Werntzy]

Steve Carell is a comedic who has done many dramatic roles like 'Little miss Sunshine' 'Foxcatcher' and 'Beautiful boy' I'm surprised he's not mentioned on this list.

[@chadyepipia8383]

Jim carrey should of been on number 1 or even number 2. He was incredible at dramatic performances. He surprised everyone in 1998. When they realise Jim should have won academy awards at least.

[@chelseacanales8763]

Carol Burnett and Mary Tyler v Moore surprised me in drama roles.

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

In your honorable mentions I would've chosen "The Good Girl" (2002) as Jennifer Aniston's breakout dramatic performance.

[@et3294]

As my brother said comedic actor most often give you the best dramatic performance, but not everyone can be a comedic actor

[@EMuro-wu7uy]

For a surprising movie "A Promising Young Woman,". Molly Shannon, Jennifer Coolidge, and so many more.

[@gamingntea]

I would’ve put Moscow On The Hudson before Dead Poets Society… Myself.

[@blucat016]

Comedians often find joy and laughter in the most hopeless and depressing settings possible. That’s why they’re good.

[@donnalichvarcik5588]

Rip to the comedy/drama kings and queens 👑 that we have lost over the years 😭

[@lananikos]

How come that Brandon Fraser didn’t even deserve an honorable mention on this list?

[@livingarrows]

Matthew Perry was another comedic actor who was also a talented dramatic actor. Even as Chandler, he always nailed the emotional moments, such as the proposal to Monica and when he and Monica found out they couldn't have children. He was also great in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

[@vesbarrow]

Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls.

[@peteryanes3413]

Rest in peace to one of the best actor and one of my favorites Robin Williams 🙏 we all miss u

[@kindoe66]

I loved Robin Williams. ❤

[@peteryanes3413]

@@kindoe66 me too

[@tonythehappynerd7241]

You should have mentioned Michael Keaton in Clean And Sober. Before he was cast as Batman, Clean And Sober was Michael Keaton’s first non-comedic performance

[@vikiirnawenzel1722]

HM to Whoopi Goldberg in the "The Color Purple".

[@donnalichvarcik5588]

Robin McClaren Williams will always be our favorite badass comedy/drama king 👑 rip

[@kellyfalletta1949]

Jamie Fox RAY was mind blowing. Robin Williams did several powerful dramatic roles. One not mentioned, was Bill Murray in Razors Edge. I’ve no idea why the movie wasn’t better received. Murray was incredible in the role.

[@kenschultz4033]

I am glad you had Mary Tyler Moore on this list. Her role in Ordinary People was outstanding. Who would have thought she could play the role of a stone cold bitch whose perfect life went when the wrong son dies and the other ends up in therapy. Definitely not expected but totally believable.

[@Mama-eu1ss]

The Truman Show has an amazing cast, Jim Carrey gave his everything and deserves praise, that played beautifully both emotional and still wanting to grab the spotlight for fame and personal fortune.

[@alottalogic]

I've never been a major fan of Will Ferrell, bit EVERYTHING MUST GO A has always been the best film by him and it actually came at the exact same time my life hit that low as well

[@xavierwilson2546]

Let’s discuss Mike Epps in Sparkle and Marlon Wayans in Respect!

[@SMW34]

Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls" or "Mr. Church" Steve Carell in "Foxcatcher", "Little Miss Sunshine" or "The Big Short" Whoopi Goldberg in "The Color Purple" Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation"

[@cainealexander-mccord2805]

If you're going to mention Robin Williams, then you missed the chance to mention not that snoozefest "Dead Poet's Society", but the REAL performance he gave in "One Hour Photo". Or "Insomnia". Or even "What Dreams May Come". He was just as talented as a dramatic actor, maybe more than a comic performer, as that manic stuff got to be a one-note symphony pretty quick.

[@jessyleppert2]

Jim Carrey was also in Simon Birch which starred him in a dramatic role too

[@donnalichvarcik5588]

Most of these comedy kings 👑 are amazing drama kings 👑 that have been nominated and that have won golden globe and Oscar award winners for there amazing performance in these magical movie moments

[@fullmetalgeisha3264]

WTF no mention of Eddie Murphy? Not even as an honorable mention?! You should've made this a top 20 instead of a top 10 and make it more diverse too.

[@NeverlandSystemPixie]

Jim Carrey did it TWICE- The Truman Show and The Majestic... both VERY underrated movies.

[@klg477]

I think, The World According to Garp, is the performance that showcased Robin Williams' dramatic capabilities.

[@philyra2]

You literally had Kristen Wiig on the screen but made no mention of her? :(

[@circa81]

I would have mentioned Winter Passing with Zooey Deschanel. I had no idea how good of an actress she was before I saw that very sad movie. Will Ferrell is also featured in that was well as very disturbed man.

[@pattiy8240]

I still get teary when I watch Robin Williams. His death has affected me more than any other person I'd never actually met.

[@USMC49er]

I don't think Hollywood appreciated Robin Williams as much as they should have. His animated roles were significantly better compared to his live action roles. I mean, his Mrs. Doubtfire deleted scene was pure class in acting.

[@Nikodymus]

No surprise. Comedians usually face serious trauma in their lives. It’s easy to tap into that raw emotion instead of masking with humor.

[@wcjasmine]

Im surprised that Robin Williams role in awakening was so awesome he was great in the role playing opposite of Robert DeNiro.

[@heatherhillman1]

Marlon Wayans in Requiem For A Dream. Amazing performance.

[@denisefreitas6727]

I totally agree with Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society on # 1! ❤

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Mary Tyler Moore was great in "Ordinary People" and "Heartsounds."

[@grahtman]

Comedy is considered to be far more difficult than drama, so for a comedic actor/actress to perform in drama and kill is no surprise. That being said, I wish more comedic actors would do more dramas.

[@donnalichvarcik5588]

Melissa was a major badass as the iconic queen 👑 Ursula in the little mermaid

[@camaronshoultz6137]

I don’t understand why it’s so shocking that these comedic actors can do drama so well. Actors act. Comedy is probably the hardest thing to pull off. Pretending to be happy or silly all the time is the hardest thing. Everyone has pain and heartache and actors tap into that for their performances.

[@aekangelo]

Here we go again,it's like cinema exists only for the past 30-40 years!You don't go before the 90's,except from "Ordinary people" (1980).The legendary performances by Jack Lemon in "Missing" (1982) and Peter Sellers in "Being there" (1979) were also made roughly about that time you know..Talking about world class,world famous comedians here

[@MariuigiKhed]

I wanna add Roberto Benigni for both "Life if beautiful" and his second "Pinocchio".

[@tfe1788]

I love Truman Show and Dead Poet's Society! ❤❤

[@SabrinaChach]

Even though I put several movies you mentioned on my "Watch list", I have to tell you that you forgot a great one: Reign over me with Adam Sandler. I'm not very emeotional but this drama hit very hard when I watched it and is now one of my favorite movies of all time

[@OCMELLO18]

I realize that you only stuck to movies, but man Bryan Cranston and Bob Oedenkirk is Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are excellent examples too

[@mykellayne]

When I saw this video, I guessed Robin Williams was one of them, but that was before I saw the cover on the video, great work on video.

[@welcometothemovies9157]

Steve Carell has been doing great in dramatic roles

[@angiedawnmoody3519]

Im pleased Robin Williams was no 1 but i would have picked Awakenings myself as his acting in that is second to none

[@donnalichvarcik5588]

Even the comedy queens 👑 can be iconic drama queens.and win Oscar and golden globe awards too

[@ctk4949]

No Kristen Wiig??

[@kevthajum]

I would have thought Bryan Cranston would be here. The man was almost not picked for Breaking Bad, because they thought he couldn't play such a serious role based on this roles like Malcolm in the Middle.

[@gamersxwolverine1591]

Reign over me was my introduction to Adam Sandler's dramatic side

[@Musicfan88.]

Chris Farley should’ve been on this list for “Tommy Boy.”

[@prosen8966]

I’m sure I’ll think of other ppl later, but right now, the only difference I would make is to change MTM to #2 on the list, second only to Robin Williams. Decades have passed since I first saw Ordinary People and it stays with me, within me, as one of the most remarkable films, helmed by a mother I would compare to Nurse Ratched. She was so awful, so rigid and uncaring that it broke my heart to watch Conrad and his dad have to live w her. However, seeing Robin Williams in dramatic roles was originally just mind bending and then it merely showed how extraordinarily talented he was. (RIP) And this isn’t a diss to Adam Sandler. Maybe it’s bc Ordinary People came out in 1980, IIRC, so I’ve thought about it what seems like forever…

[@ericomarquesfernandes3646]

I think The Majestic should have been picked instead of The Truman Show. Jim Carey shows his amazing talents as a dramatic actor.

[@360whiplash]

Jerry Lewis In The King Of Comedy should have made the list. He was also in a few episodes of Wise Guy, where he played a real mean and unlikeable, business owner.

[@justineves3588]

Very very great list I like it a lot very very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever 😊❤

[@adagiobreeze8493]

Steve Carrell in Foxcatcher Aubrey Plaza in Black Bear Tom Hanks in Philadelphia Sandra Bullock in Crash John Candy in Home Alone

[@amyleyshon9013]

You left out Cameron Diaz in My Sister’s Keeper. She was incredible playing a mother of a dying child

[@lford1130]

WHERE IS WHOOPI GOLDBERG AND “THE COLOR PURPLE”??????????????

[@khalidhenry3857]

Punch-Drunk Love is my favorite movie

[@Meanfromeindhoven]

European actors are more versatile when it goes from drama to comedy,because most of actors from Europe have huge thetre backround,on the other hand when Holywood actors do theatre(Ofc there rare examples like John Malkovich and few others) they usually dont act good in theatre.

[@act2lifeafter50]

Jeffery Daniels in Godless. Amazing!!!

[@abubakarmuallim4326]

Will smith had some dramatic performances In fresh prince it’s a shame he didn’t even make it on the honorable mentions

[@theoriginaledi]

I agree these are all great, but seriously, not even an honorable mention for Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple, Bill Murray in Lost in Translation, Steve Carell in Foxcatcher?? Dang. =\ There are lots of other examples, too. Maybe this one should have been a top 20 list instead.

[@IsabelleAProf]

Tom Hanks??? He was all about comedy before we knew him for his dramatic roles

[@elijahstark3663]

It's because they understand the difference of them trying to make people laugh

[@bheast86]

Jim Carey didn't 'nail' THE TRUMAN SHOW;he looked like someone who knew a camera was on him

[@frayhua9716]

How about Richard Pryor he was great in White Collar his best dramatic role of his career.

[@daniellewis2133]

Check out Adam Sandler in Reign On Me where he cries like crazy.

[@davidkuhns8389]

Jack Lemon was all comedy until "Days of Wine and Roses."