Top 20 Serious Movies Starring Comedians

[@WatchMojo]

Can you think of any outstanding movies starring comedy actors we missed? Let us know in the comments! For more content featuring your favorite comedy actors, check here! -kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWHWe2yef51pfq8 Become a channel member to get access to special perks: kzbin.info/door/aWd5_7JhbQBe4dknZhsHJgjoin

[@mlpartclub412]

Top 10 times Game of Thrones tackled serious issues, please?

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

@@mlpartclub412 That’s something you could suggest on their website.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Seth Rogen in Steve Jobs

[@mlpartclub412]

@@Jeremiah_Rivers76 ??

[@kittywetzel92]

The Majestic is my favorite Jim Carrey film. I feel it is completely underrated if not all out ignored.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

Robin Williams (may he rest in peace) from ‘Good Will Hunting.’ Both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck did an amazing job as screenwriters and both of them deserved to be Oscar winners back in 1998.

[@chasehedges6775]

Good will Hunting is a masterpiece

[@leatherhitman7401]

Fisher King too

[@MrGabeanator]

i think you mean all

[@fairbsy7639]

Matt deserved it 😂😂😂

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

‘Ray’ became one of the best damn movies ever made. Jamie Foxx did a great job playing the legendary music artist Ray Charles Robinson (may he rest in peace) and earned an Oscar back in 2005.

[@BFA100]

Ray came out in 2004.

[@GBmovieluv]

The movie is one of many examples that Jamie Foxx is best as the leading role as appose to side character IMO

[@williamsummerson1204]

Jim Carey is one of the most versatile actors of all time and he proves that in Eternal Sunshine, Man in the Moon and The Truman Show.

[@tripendicular]

He’s a terrible human. He convinced his gf her son was damaged by vaccines and that he needed to be cured of autism. 😊

[@kittywetzel92]

The Majestic is my favorite Jim Carrey film. I feel it is completely underrated if not all out ignored.

[@BigEvil6686]

@@kittywetzel92 The Majestic is a masterpiece. Literally EVERYONE I've ever shown it to has absolutely loved it...but none of them had even HEARD of it.

[@roguejester4986]

Truman made me cry.

[@williamsummerson1204]

@@roguejester4986 same

[@LoveHandle4890]

R.I.P Robin Williams. Your legacy is preserved within your amazing films for all eternity.

[@JustAcommenter29]

Life, was in no way shape or form a "serious" film. It touched on very serious subjects, but it was 100% comedy. They took something horrible and made us laugh. That's pure genius.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Totally agree. Even I sometimes dream about Ray's Boom Boom room

[@alaza61]

It had plenty of moments where tragedy was addressed with sincere performances. The whole thing wasn't a joke. The leads weren't just playing for laughs the whole time. Yes, there were many moments containing humor, but the tragedy within the humor was the focal point of the film. It's a great example of the term "dramedy". It worked because of the of the actors giving multi-toned performances.

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

‘Precious’ was a brutal, powerful movie, both Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry became co-producers of that movie. Mo’Nique won both Golden Globe award and Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actress.”

[@leatherface964]

Life? That's a horrible example. Life is a comedy. It has serious parts, but overall, it's mainly a comedy. Dreamgirls was Eddie's dramatic role debut for the most part

[@damarbell6733]

Life is a good example, because while it's comedic it touches on important situation and is emotional

[@disturbedpyro4511]

I just clicked this video to say this😂. yes I agree with WatchMojo, it’s a drama/comedy but I agree with you, LIFE doesn’t fit here. It is a terrific and hilarious movie and definitely underrated, but it’s definitely not a “serious” movie. Harlem Nights would have worked too, and they could have added Richard Pryor as well. Been a while since I’ve seen it but I remember it having some funny moments but being serious most of the time.

[@disturbedpyro4511]

@@damarbell6733 true. But I feel it has a little too much comedy to take it entirely seriously. I agree with you it’s emotional but there’s some really silly scenes that keep me from taking it completely seriously. I can take certain scenes entirely seriously, like the Cookie scene( I’m trying to avoid spoilers)and the montage of the years passing by. But there’s scenes I can’t take seriously whatsoever that are funny but really silly, like the dock scene at the start, The Boom Boom Room scene, and the scene were Ray is reading mail are just too silly to be taken seriously

[@jeffcroweii4095]

I thought the same. To me Life is more comical.

[@brianc3761]

It's almost like Watch Mojo lists are complete clickbait bullsnot

[@khalidhenry3857]

I love it when comedians show their serious performances

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Comedians are highly intelligent. I love it too. They get to show off their many talents. Plus I honestly think most comedians have endured a lot of pain in their lives which helps in these serious roles

[@LoveHandle4890]

A great judge of character is not how serious a person is but how humorous they can stay in serious situations.

[@AdamLarge-ts1if]

How did Tom Hanks not make this list? Did nothing but comedy through the 80’s, then wins back-to-back Oscars.

[@reynaolvera7526]

Agreed. But I think he’s redefined himself as almost solely serious these days. With that said, my favorite 80’s movie of his is Bachelor Party.

[@chasetemple1518]

Y'know, Tom Hanks DABBLED at comedy, but he's MORE known for his SERIOUS work.

[@reynaolvera7526]

@@chasetemple1518 his career in the 80s and early 90s (which is extensive) was pure comedy. It wasn’t until Philadelphia that he started doing more serious roles.

[@gemstony85]

My guess, most of these picks have sporadic Serious Roles. Tom Hanks has done plenty.

[@alaza61]

Tom Hanks was a frequently comedic actor. Keyword is Actor. He wasn't an actual comedian within the context of how it's defined today. Therefore, him transitioning to dramatic roles more consistently just means he successfully expanded his niche. He's an actor...who can shift his tone based on the nature of the script/story. Including him would mean you'd have to consider every actor who ever played a humorous role more than once a comedian. You'd have to call Nicolas Cage, Richard Dreyfuss, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Lemmon, and so forth comedians too. This appears to be a list for people who were seen as comics who built a film career on that basis alone and then made a leap to heavier content.

[@joannemckinley2487]

I can't believe you would leave out Whoopie Goldberg in "The Color Purple." I loved Robin Williams in the film "Awakenings", also starring Robert De Niro. I think I prefer many of his drama roles over his over-the-top comedic roles. Even "Mrs. Doubtfire" had some heart-tugging dramatic scenes. He is greatly missed.

[@CraigSteelyard]

I really enjoyed Metro, kind of a hidden gem from the Eddie Murphy catalogue. Michael Wincott was also a great villain!

[@davidcoombsbestmegadethalb9780]

same here Metro and Life didn't get the credit they deserved more his family friendly films Eddie was doing back then I add Vampire in Brooklyn too Metro was good film

[@jonathanbaileyartanimation2992]

Not to mention Tom Hanks in almost every movie like Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Philadelphia, etc.

[@keithegan8035]

You could say Robin Williams hit it with his first dramatic role in Dead Poets Society even though it was more about the younger cast members.

[@jonathanbaileyartanimation2992]

You missed Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple and Ghosts of Mississippi, Jim Carrey in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon, Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, Jack Black in King Kong, Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness and Ryan Reynolds in Buried

[@jamiethal1319]

Will Smith’s first dramatic turn came in 1992 with Where The Day Takes You. It came out during the second season of Fresh Prince. In 1998, he did Enemy of the State, also not a comedy. He has done many dramatic roles.

[@WrenFaithBridger]

@@jamiethal1319 Wasn't "Six Degrees of Separation" also an earlier dramatic effort of Will Smith's?

[@jamiethal1319]

You are correct. Six Degrees of Separation came out in 1993, although it’s thought of as a comedy/drama. In fact, IMDb lists it as a comedy first. I’ve yet to see it but I always thought it was more on the dramatic side, given what I’ve heard about it. I will have to view this for myself. I knew about it but I didn’t want to have to list every possible dramatic role Will Smith has ever done.

[@davidcoombsbestmegadethalb9780]

@@WrenFaithBridger yes it was

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

We ❤ you and we still miss you dearly, Mr. Robin Williams.

[@LoveHandle4890]

A great judge of character is not how serious a person is but how humorous they can stay throughout serious situations.

[@jedparker2855]

My favorite serious movie starring a comedian is Batman starring Michael Keaton!! He wasn't taken seriously when it was announced he was cast for Batman due to his comedic roles before hand, but then audiences praised him when it was released.

[@karlsengupta7185]

I think _One Hour Photo_ deserves more than a fleeting reference...

[@hectorsmommy1717]

One you missed is "Friendly Fire" where Carol Burnett turns in a great performance as the mother of a soldier killed in action who discovers that he was accidentally killed by his own side and the government covered it up.

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

This list is missing Stranger than Fiction with Will Ferrell

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

I guess it was still kinda comedy? Everything Must Go was even more dramatic I think.

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

@@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Some of the movies featured here are dramedies

[@waltersherrod549]

How did you forget Tom Hanks, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett? Carol Burnett once said acting was easy. It's comedy that's hard. So true.

[@alaza61]

Tom Hanks didn't build a brand as a comedian. He's an actor who has done comedic roles. Also, when performers who do comedy AND act say "acting is easy, comedy is hard", it's usually in reference to the contrast of acting out a scripted character and creating/performing original material for laughs.

[@AKking27]

Life was funny especially that cornbread scene

[@Chantara27]

Whoopi Goldberg definitely should've been on this list for The Color Purple

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

‘Life’ may be underrated, but both comedy icons Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence did a very good together.

[@tehf00n]

not under-rated by me. I've watched it a dozen times. Great movie.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Life with Eddie Murphy & Martin Lawrence...That movie was more a Drama than a Comedy. Imagine your whole life taken from you for a crime you didn't commit.

[@jamiethal1319]

Right. That’s why it’s on this list.

[@arnellamahoney317]

I wish Chris Rock made the list for his role Pookie in New Jack City.

[@ltmmoviereviewsharrison3462]

I didn’t see The Whale with Brendan Fraser on here.That one would definitely be good for the list.

[@jamiethal1319]

Brendan Fraser has had quite a number of serious roles. Including School Ties, which came out the same year as Encino Man.

[@tmoore4075]

Sandler in Reign Over Me was so good. Haven't seen Uncut Gems yet.

[@BrockMarz69]

Ray Romano’s character in The Big Sick had comedic elements but was overall a pretty serious/delicate role and he knocked it out the park.

[@atoz7017]

Uncut Gems is a masterpiece❤️‍🔥

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Hell yeah. I liked it when he said it leaves the audience anxious approaching the movies end. So true Sandler was a bomb waiting to go off. Brilliant movie

[@cammy85]

While not a movie, Jon Cryer rocked as Lex Luthor in Supergirl. He pulled it off perfectly. Dick van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder and Andy Griffith in Matlock as well. Steve Carell also did terrific in The Patient, on Hulu or Disney Plus with Star.

[@denimdan908]

Kinda surprised The Green Mile or Saving Private Ryan didn't make the list. Tom Hanks is one of greatest comedians of all time, but those films are about as serious as it gets.

[@denimdan908]

Apollo 13 as well...

[@hwizell7478]

Road to Perdition

[@BigFella117]

Robin Williams, you will be forever missed, it never forgotten Rest In Peace, and thank you for making our childhood memories so special

[@flamendless]

Jim Parsons was still being like Sheldon haha

[@WatchMojo]

Can you think of any we missed? Let us know in the comments! For more comedy content, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3uknZekgNikqrc

[@alaza61]

1.Chris Tucker in "Dead Presidents" 2. John Candy in "JFK" 3. Robin Williams in "One Hour Photo" 4. Jamie Foxx in "Collateral" and "Any Given Sunday" 5. Richard Pryor in "The Mack" and "Greased Lightning" 6. Peter Sellers in "Never Let Go"

[@chelseacanales8763]

I’m still shock on how good Sasha Baron Cohen in The Trial of the Chicago 7. Marlon Wayans also shocked me when he was in Requiem for a Dream

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

That’s really solid!

[@lochthefox6397]

You can also add "Moscow on the Hudson" to Robin Williams list of dramatic rolls.

[@DrVenture45]

It has always fascinated how comedians can play dramatic roles with such conviction, but those who make us laugh are often best qualified to genuinely portray tragedy, perhaps through experience.

[@leesashriber5097]

Precious was such a great movie. Ordinary People is an acclaimed classic. I also loved The Good Girl. It showed Aniston in a whole new light. Good Will Hunting was an amazing movie. Still miss Robin Williams and his talent to this day. 🕊️🙏❤️

[@samkresil6011]

I might even add Jack Black in King Kong.

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

Wouldn't Dreamgirls be a better example for Eddie Murphy? Life is still a comedy.

[@JoRN1222]

Mr Church?

[@stuartkseels]

For Richard Pryor, you could have also used Greased Lightening. A personal fav.

[@pokemasterhek]

Seeing Marlon Waylans being mentioned is refreshing. I truly believe all four of the actors should have received nominations

[@Jaxam01]

Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

One of my favorites

[@davidcoombsbestmegadethalb9780]

great film

[@theupliftchannel]

How about Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple?

[@TranzparentMethods]

For me, it would be Marlon Wayans in "Requiem For A Dream", that is one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen, and to think Marlon did "Senseless" right before that... Mind blowing!!! I STILL watch "Senseless" everytime I see it's on. Love that movie, but yeah, Marlon was AMAZING in "Requiem...". I also think it was his first dramatic role. No, wait "Above The Rim" was. He killed it in that too!!!

[@andrewbloom7637]

He also appeared in 2009's "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra", 2020's "On the Rocks" and 2021's "Respect".

[@khalidhenry3857]

My favorite movies are The Truman Show, Good Will Hunting, and Punch-Drunk Love

[@taylorwatts9391]

Jack Black in Bernie. Would never have predicted him doing some thing like that considering the movies he has done prior to said movie

[@jamiethal1319]

Bernie is considered a comedy/drama.

[@robertbartoii3401]

NOT BAD BUDDY GOOD LIST KEEP ON MAKING THESE KIND OF VIDEO'S

[@COMPFUNK2]

I think even Leonardo DiCaprio would complain that the Irishman was too long.

[@sugarboy924]

Comedian, Milton Burrell did an episode of the Dick Powell show called Doyle against the house. Where he portrayed a gambler, it was outstanding. Also to me, Eddie Murphy’s best dramatic role was Mr. Church

[@art.of.verser]

Life was a rollercoaster of a movie. And I'd watch it a million times over just for the performance of Eddie Murphy alone. I like Marlon Wayans' performance in "Requiem of a Dream" as well. I just can't watch that movie more than once. Far too depressing.

[@TheLizzerazu]

Comedians is a rather generous title for some of these people.

[@isaiahsuero3668]

Been waiting for this

[@emiliomanueldepedro9650]

I agree with Foxcatcher. It's hard to believe Michael Scott and John Du Pont are played by the same man.

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

I didn't even know Jamie Foxx was a comedian until after Ray.

[@tehf00n]

heh there is a video of all his sketches on In Living Colour. It's so funny.

[@jeremytheentertainer7732]

-New Jack city (Chris Rock) -Dead presidents (Chris Tucker) -Mr Church (Eddie Murphy) -Just mercy(Jamie Foxx) -True story(Kevin Hart) -Respect (Marlon Wayans) -Mindcage(Martin Lawrence -Chi-raq(Nick Cannon) -JoJo Dancer(Richard Pryor) -The color purple (Whoopi Goldberg

[@StuzRoz]

Yet another list of THINGS WE DIDN'T BOTHER RESEARCHING BEFORE TRYING TO SOUND LIKE EXPERTS. Life is a comedy, end of lesson.

[@Rontlens]

I feel like the clip you guys used for Parson's undersells how amazing he was in that role

[@Meng776]

Ray should've been #1 imo. Incredible acting.

[@KimberlyParrish-o1b]

How is Ray not higher. He was brilliant and won a best Oscar.

[@Canuxhead]

You missed Carol Burnett in 1979’s Friendly Fire. Yes it was only a TV movie but it definitely deserved a mention.

[@rosejustice]

Thank you for reminding me of that! Excellent film and Carol Burnett hit it out of the park on that one.

[@gl3913]

There is some really great films with the very actors that were spotlighted in this video. For those who were born after Windows 95, the films THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP had Robin Williams, Glenn Close and a young Amanda Plummer (STAR TREK: PICARD season 3 currently) in it and it was a very serious film that was very well done along with Dead Poets Society and Awakenings.

[@eddiebranden1]

Glenn Close. Not Meryl Streep.

[@bloodwolfgurl]

Jim Carrey did amazing in The Number 23 as well!

[@mattblast44]

Kevin Hart in Fatherhood should be on here

[@str8ballinonyou]

There were alot of good mentions,but I remember being impressed with steve in foxcatcher. Especially to portray such a dark person/story that has a real life connection.

[@BFA100]

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for Ray, the character in Nashville that Keith Carradine played was Tom Frank, Blue Collar was a drama not a thriller.

[@MachetesAreFun]

Glad to see Life on the list. Love that movie :D

[@NickCC23]

In this case comedians = Actors who usually starred in comedies.

[@mikewilliamsdr.dreadful1962]

You forgot John c Reilly and Steve Coogan in Stan and Ollie, Also Jack Black as Bernie

[@codyhiginbotham6616]

Jack Black - King Kong Neil Patrick Harris - Gone Girl Bill Hader & Kristen Wiig - The Skeleton Twins

[@diddymuck]

John Cleese, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein; Steve Martin, Pennies from Heaven; Ed Wynn, Requiem for a Heavyweight, (among other works); Pierre Richard, A Chef in Love; Bob Hope, Beau James: Goldie Hawn, $ (Dollars); Jack Lemmon, Days of Wine and Roses.

[@denimdan908]

I really liked Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me. Uncut Gems was great too, but I hated that he played a complete scum bag. I preferred him as a broken man, at least I didn't have to despise him. But he did fantastic in both films..

[@robynwolph3836]

This should be renamed to Top 20 comedians who starred in serious movies.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Jim Carrey in The Truman Show was one of The Greatest Comedians in a Serious Movie I've ever seen.

[@WrenFaithBridger]

He was also in an incredible 1992 TV movie "Doing Time on Maple Drive", in an incredible dramatic turn.

[@dazzlinghills3439]

Uncut gems should be no 1 on this list

[@neleprechaun]

Jim Parsons also played in the film The Normal Heart, in the same role he played in the stage version too.

[@douglasmijangos3327]

Bruh Jamie Fox is just talented as fuck for real for real 🙌🏻

[@misterbondage007]

Comedians are the best actors.

[@ALEXANDERNEVERMIND1958]

AND SOME OF THE BEST PHILOSOPHERS.

[@rosejustice]

8:39 Sacha Baron Cohen not only nailed his character's Sorkin-penned dialogue but he perfectly nailed the Central Massachusetts accent which is notoriously difficult for non-native speakers. For examples on the difficulty please see Robin Williams's role in *_Good_* *_Will_* *_Hunting_* . I adore Robin Williams and he deserved the Oscar for so many of his roles, but this one wasn't his best work. He dropped the accent so many times it was distracting esp to one who was born & raised in that area. Garp? YES! The Birdcage? Abso-fucking-lately!! Aladdin? Oh my, YES! Dead Poets? Hell to the yes.

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

If you want to see Bill Murray in another drama, check out 1984's "The Razor's Edge".

[@Thorgnor]

#18- I'm this far into the video and I hope "Cake" is also listed. Amazing performance by Anniston! #16- Jamie Fox delivers so good it hurts. He hits the part hard and owns it. #6- Can't say I've seen it. I did see "Razor's Edge" Which was Murray's first dramatic role. He absolutely killed it. #4- Carrey was scary brilliant in "23" also. I dare say 23 was a better performance.

[@lordinvex1406]

Jim Parsons in Hidden Figures. John Cho in Searching. Ryan Reynolds in The Voices.

[@buggy64roberson-tb2gw]

Henry Winkler in Night Shirt is an good example.

[@BlackHatCinephile]

Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan???

[@HarryPotter87]

May not be in a movie, but I did enjoy the late Bob Saget's acting in an episode of "SVU"

[@josephblumenberg6574]

Honorable mention: Vince Vaughn in Brawl in Cell Block 99

[@kheM863]

I am elated that the movie Life has been recognized for the genius that it is!!

[@richardhoehn9922]

Life seems like an... obscure film to include on this list, although possibly this could be said about several of the other movies. Life seems like "lighter fare," so to speak, with some serious moments. Dramedy, if you will. And if I were Mo'nique? I'd be awfully careful about yelling at Queenie like that 😆

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

Where's The Spanish Prisoner? Steve Martin played the villain.

[@lindabarnhouse3724]

Carol Burnette in Friendly Fire needs to be on this list!

[@KevyB1990]

So basically The Joker lifted a ton of their script from The King of Comedy.

[@jimmynonvak6006]

I'm surprised Seth Rogen didn't make it on this list for the 2015 Steve Jobs movie. To me, he nailed that role as Wozniak.

[@Akira625]

Jamie Foxx impressed me with Ray, it make me see him as much more than a comedian.

[@eddiebranden1]

WatchMojo should do a list of serious actors with great comedic performances. Ex: Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder.

[@LoveHandle4890]

This is what makes them the greatest actors of all time.

[@GBmovieluv]

Not denying Lost in Translation was a great movie. Loved it. But what about Bill Murray's role in Rock the Kasbah? That was equally great