I recently watched "Good Morning Vietnam" starring Robin Williams, and it got me thinking of other actors/actresses who have successfully changed genres.
While Good Morning Vietnam wasn't a comedy per say, and much of it was an avenue for Williams to improvise in his famous way, the dramatic parts were not overshadowed. Good Will Hunting was another dramatic performance not to be missed.
Yes, he has done other movies that don't have the word 'good' in the title...
The Top Ten Comedy/Drama Performers
10. Robert De Niro. I grew up knowing him as a dramatic actor, but it seems that all he does now is comedy. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
9. Whoopie Goldberg. I first saw her as a stand-up comedian in the 80s, then in a semi-dramatic role in Ghost, and as Guinan on Star Trek. I didn't realize that she has the rare EGOT. No it's not a disease, it's winning and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
8. Alan Rickman. In Galaxy Quest he played a dramatic actor who became more famous for his science fiction role. While not side-splitting hilarious, he delivers some very funny lines with a tinge of sarcasm and self-loathing.
7. Jeff Daniels. Watch him in The Newsroom and Pleasantville, then watch Dumb and Dumber. Wait. Do it the other way around.
6. Brad Pitt. One of his best roles was in the creepy thriller, Se7en, delivering the unforgettable line, "What's in the box? What's in the box!?". But he showed off his comedic side on an episode of Friends and to a lesser extent in 12 Monkeys.
5. Meryl Streep. Is there nothing she can't do?
4. Brendan Fraser. After a career starring in goofy teen movies and lighthearted action films, Fraser blew me away in The Whale.
3. Sally Field. I first saw her in the 70s movie, Smokey and the Bear, but she is as versatile an actress as you can get.
2. Jim Carrey. Who would have thought this goofy impressionist with the mailable face would been so good in movies like The Truman Show, Man on the Moon and Eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
1. Robin Williams (see intro)
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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