Although he's best known for his role as Michael Scott in the beloved sitcom The Office, lead star Steve Carell has had plenty of other iconic and memorable roles in films both inside and outside of the comedy genre. He's reliably delivers a memorable and inventive performance in almost any project, regardless of the quality of the film itself.
Carell is one of the industry's most charismatic and likable actors, with his so-called 'Michael Scott persona' notably still present in his public life. Although he's not as clueless or naive as the character he's known for playing, the comedic timing and dry wit are traits he's become strongly associated with.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
Despite not being as popular as its predecessor, Adam McKay's Anchorman 2 is still a hilarious movie from start to finish. With clever jokes, absurd performances, and a script that delivers on all fronts, Carell is just one of the elements that makes the film so easy and fun to watch.
The original Anchorman is one of the all-time modern comedy classics, and Carell's role as Brick Tamland is one of the film's strongest assets. He brings a signature charm and sense of humor to every single scene, often stealing those in which he appears.
Get Smart (2008)
Directed by Peter Segal, Get Smart follows Carell's hilariously inept secret agent Maxwell Smart as he's thrown in the deep end in a desperate attempt to thwart a world-ending threat. A lot of the film's comedy comes from the innocence and incompetence of Maxwell Smart, to which Carell plays hilariously.
The film as a whole might not be as laugh-out-loud funny as some of Carell's other projects, but his lead performance is undoubtedly one of his funniest. Every line is delivered in an entertaining way, which keeps the film moving at a fun pace. Although the role was narrowly missed out on by comedy star Will Ferrell, it's clear that Carell was more than fitting for the part.
Dan In Real Life (2007)
Dan in Real Life is one of Steve Carell's most famous and beloved romcoms, which follows the life of Dan Burns as he deals with his wife's passing and his newfound infatuation with Juliette Binoche's character Marie. It's a sweet film that constantly offers memorable and funny moments alongside a tender and heartwarming story.
Although Carell's comedy films can often be goofy and immature, Dan in Real Life is a more serious and heartfelt story that aims to make you cry as well as laugh. It does everything that a romantic comedy should do, and is filled with great performances.
Bruce Almighty (2003)
Bruce Almighty has pretty much everything you could hope for in a comedy. Not only is it stuffed to the brim with hilarious jokes, but it stars comedy legends Jim Carrey and Steve Carell on top form alongside a fantastic Morgan Freeman - who literally plays God.
It might be a little far-fetched for some, but it's this uniquely bizarre story that makes Bruce Almighty so iconic and allows it to stand the test of time. Carell might not have the most screentime in the film, but his character was certainly met with great acclaim and was even granted a spin-off sequel, Evan Almighty.
Over The Hedge (2006)
Over The Hedge is somewhat of a modern classic when it comes to children's animated comedies, following the conflict between a group of animals as they attempt to exploit their way into the human world. Carell plays Hammy, a childish squirrel whose naivety and cluelessness often find him in danger.
Bruce Willis stars in the movie as the raccoon RJ, and whilst this may not be Willis' most famous or most successful movie, it's definitely still worth a watch for his entertaining performance alone. Both he and Carell have excellent chemistry with the other actors, which makes the film endlessly fun to watch.
Despicable Me (2010)
The infamous minions from Despicable Me might have overtaken every conceivable corner of pop culture, but it's ultimately Carell's unhinged and chaotic performance as Gru that makes the film so funny and iconic. He's given a chance to completely let loose and play an extremely over-the-top character, which he grasps entirely.
Gru is one of the most likable villains in a children's animated movie, and that's entirely thanks to the charisma and charm that Carell has carried through all the movies in the franchise so far. The story is extremely well-written and funny, and although the sequels may often fade into the inconceivable, the original remains one of the defining children's comedies of the 2010s.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
In Little Miss Sunshine, Steve Carell delivers one of his most emotional and mature roles to date as the suicidal uncle of a dysfunctional family that finds itself on an impromptu road trip to a beauty pageant in California. The film also marks the breakout roles of Paul Dano and Abigail Breslin, who deliver some of the best ever performances from child actors.
Little Miss Sunshine went on to take home the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, which is a huge testament to the pure emotion and raw humanity that screenwriter Michael Arndt brought to the film. It's one that's sure to take you on an intense journey throughout, but will leave you with a slightly more optimistic outlook on life by the end.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Crazy, Stupid, Love sees Steve Carell's character Cal Weaver thrown into the deep end of the dating scene when his wife files for divorce and destroys his seemingly perfect life. It's then down to Ryan Gosling's character Jacob Palmer to teach Cal what women want - and to transform him into something that they will be unable to resist.
A lot of the film's comedy comes from the relationship between Carell and Goslings characters - the latter of which is one of the most underrated actors out there when it comes to his abilities with comedy. He manages to hold his own against even Carell, which allows for a humor-filled ride from start to finish.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Directed by comedy veteran Adam McKay, Anchorman is a classic comedy that follows Will Ferrell's character Ron Burgundy as he clashes with his new female counterpart in the world of TV news broadcasting. It's filled with clever jokes, outlandish performances, and plenty of memorable scenes that have already gone down as all-time classics.
The ensemble cast of Anchorman is completely packed with some of the biggest names in comedy. Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Fred Armisen, Kathyrn Hahn, Christina Applegate - the list goes on. There isn't a single scene in the film that takes itself seriously, with each of them begging to be laughed at thanks to their sharp writing and clever direction.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Perhaps the film role that Carell is most known for is his character Andy Stitzer from The 40-Year-Old Virgin, whose friends go to hilarious lengths to help him lose his virginity. It's the fantastic chemistry between Carell, Rudd, and Rogen (alongside a touching romance with Catherine Keener's character Trish) that makes the film such an entertaining watch.
Some of the jokes and quips might be a little immature for some viewers, and certain scenes probably haven't aged that well, but there's no denying that The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a defining classic of the comedy genre, and one for which both Apatow and Carell deserve to be praised.