Following the conclusion of comedian Bob Odenkirk's challenging dramatic role in Better Call Saul, movie fans on Reddit have begun to discuss some of their other favorite comedy actors who made the transition to drama and proved that their acting talent isn't limited to one genre.
It can sometimes be a little jarring to see a fan-favorite comedian take on a more challenging, emotional role - but when it's done effectively, they can be some of the most interesting and complex performances to watch. There have been plenty of great examples of this, and Reddit users have shared just a few.
Kevin Hart: Fatherhood (2021)
Although his character is still funny in Fatherhood, Kevin Hart brings a surprising amount of emotion and tenderness to the role. The film navigates one single father's life as he's forced to raise his child alone after the devastating loss of his wife.
It's not a typical role for somebody like Kevin Hart, but he completely understands how to get the audience on his side and navigate all the complex emotions that are crucial for this story. He clearly succeeds, as Redditor goldmoontrucks admits they "shed so many tears" watching the film. Fatherhood is one of the best movies about the topic, and that's due to Hart's dedication.
Will Ferrell: Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Even after the film had been announced, very few people realized just how non-comedic Ferrell's role in Stranger Than Fiction was going to be. As Reddit user auraelleux points out, Ferrell "gets to be the straight man for a change," whilst everybody around him gets to be the funny ones.
Perhaps surprisingly, Stranger Than Fiction proved that Ferrell's talents stretch much further than comedy. He made for an incredibly compelling protagonist in the film, playing the character extremely naturally and letting his emotions loose.
Tyler Perry: Gone Girl (2014)
It's only a supporting role, but Tyler Perry's turn in Gone Girl was a huge surprise for several reasons. Not only did he manage to hold his own against veteran actors like Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, but he also does so in a genre that he isn't familiar with - which is twice as impressive.
Reddit user fruitporridge believes that "Tyler Perry in Gone Girl" is one of the all-time great dramatic performances from a comedian, even though it's not even a lead role. He steals the show as egotistical lawyer Tanner Bolt, perfectly embodying the character as he was written in Gillian Flynn's original novel.
Bob Odenkirk: Nobody (2021)
Although Bob Odenkirk's transition into dramatic roles began several years ago with Breaking Bad, his work outside that universe has still remained strictly confined to comedy. But with Nobody, Odenkirk proved that perhaps drama is where his strongest talents lie.
Nobody isn't the kind of film that's going to win Odenkirk any awards any time soon, but it might just help propel him into a more prosperous dramatic career in the future. Reddit user tom_ace1 claims they were "blown away" by his work in Nobody, writing that they "didn't know he had it in him."
Robin Williams: Good Will Hunting (1997)
Despite his extensive comedy career, it's Good Will Hunting that is often cited as Robin William's best performance of them all. It takes a bit of adjustment to view Williams in this kind of role, but he quickly makes his presence known and steals almost every scene in which he appears.
Robin Williams is one of the main reasons that Good Will Hunting is so widely regarded as one of the best films of all time. He gives the performance of a lifetime, with Reddit user hellbilly69101 claiming that his dramatic turn in the film "gives me chills to this day."
Jamie Foxx: Collateral (2004)
Jamie Foxx's casting in Michael Mann's Collateral raised a few eyebrows at the time, as Jamie Foxx was well-known at the time for his more lighthearted, comedic roles. But he immediately proved in Collateral that comedy isn't his only strength, acting alongside Hollywood star Tom Cruise with effortless talent.
Reddit user supernntendochlmers calls Foxx's performance in Collateral "phenomenal," claiming that "he played that role excellent[ly]." His overwhelming innocence and vulnerability keeps the film exciting from start to finish, allowing Mann to raise the stakes at every turn and keep the audience invested.
Bill Murray: Lost In Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation is an extremely moving meditation on marriage, independence and purpose, which is propelled by star-affirming performances from both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The two have incredible chemistry on-screen, and their relationship is an extremely complex one that Coppola navigates expertly.
Reddit user ezramusic98 claims that Murray is "just perfect for the role" in this film. He has the perfect amount of cold cynicism and warm approachability that makes his character so entertaining to watch whilst remaining distanced from the other characters in a way that's important for the film's main themes.
Jim Carrey: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Jim Carrey is widely known for his slapstick jokes and physical comedy, but he also proved in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind that he's an incredible actor when it comes to portraying authentic, raw humanity too. His on-screen relationship with co-star Kate Winslet is one of the most moving and emotional ever written.
Reddit user jvnd0 agrees that Carrey was "so good" in this role, despite concerns at the time that a comedian wouldn't be able to convincingly play such a dramatic role. Thankfully, the actor proved everybody wrong and Eternal Sunshine ended up being one of Jim Carrey's best ever movies.
Adam Sandler: Uncut Gems (2019)
It's no secret that 2019 was one of the best years for movies that audiences have seen for a long time, and even in such a competitive year, Adam Sandler still managed to make Uncut Gems stand out as one of the year's greatest achievements. It's an incredibly anxiety-ridden film that grips the viewer straight away and doesn't let them breathe until the very end.
The actor received huge amounts of critical praise for his role in Uncut Gems, to the extent that many fans consider Sandler's omission from the Oscars that year to be one of the biggest snubs of all time. Reddit user crosecrizzle believes that Sandler should do more dramatic roles, claiming that they're often better "than his comedic roles."
Steve Carell: The Big Short (2015)
Adam McKay's The Big Short tells the story of the tragic financial crash of 2008, recounted from the differing perspectives of several financial experts who saw the disaster coming and staked against it. Carell plays a big-time investor named Mark Baum who struggles under the weight of the imminent disaster.
Unlike with most of his comedic roles, Carell brings huge amounts of rage and intensity to this role that makes the audience genuinely fear him at points - which is something you'd never expect from an actor as friendly as Carell. Redditor pocketdog accurately describes his performance in The Big Short as "stellar."