We’ve all experienced it. The moment when an actor’s performance so captivates you, it’s as if they became the character itself. You know what I’m talking about—those standout performances that show us the actor and their character are one and the same.
But what do you get when an actor’s transformation goes beyond a well-executed performance? What happens when an actor dives so deep into a role that they become the character they were meant to portray? Here, we’ll look at 10 actors suggested byRedditors, who did exactly that, andcaptivated their audiences with performancesthat seemed more like life imitating art than art imitating life.
10Samuel L. Jackson - Jules Winnfield
According to Redditordenever23,Samuel L. Jacksonbrought the character of Jules Winnfield to life in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994cult classic’Pulp Fiction'. When he read the script, Jackson was amazed at how well-written and rich his character was. As an actor, he felt like he could really identify with Jules and bring him to life.
RELATED:10 TV Character Deaths That No One Saw Coming, According to Reddit
What’s interesting is that Jackson has assumed something of Jules' mannerisms in real life, such as his unique way of talking and his trademark glare when people annoy him. It was no surprise that Jackson became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood following Pulp Fiction, as his memorable performance as Jules made him an iconic figure in popular culture.
9Johnny Depp - Jack Sparrow
In the 2003Disney classic,Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,Johnny Deppearned a lot of fans with his portrayal of Jack Sparrow. As the swashbuckling, rum-guzzling captain of The Black Pearl, Depp became a living cartoon character. As pointed out by RedditorWeekendsession, “It feels like Johnny Depp became more and more like Jack Sparrow.”
RELATED:Every ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Movie, Ranked
Depp also said that he used the effects table on set to become Jack Sparrow - he would pick up random pieces of knickknacks laid across the table and talk about them as if they were real objects he found during his voyage. From all this work, Depp was able to fully embody his character - so much so that many people think of Jack Sparrow first when they hear Johnny Depp’s name!
8Bill Murray - Hunter Thompson
Bill Murraywas the perfect man for the job when it came to playing Hunter Thompson in the filmWhere the Buffalo Roam. When it comes to embodying a character, Murray was no stranger. He’d done it time and time again. Murray was friends with Hunter Thompson in real life.
So, after reading the script and seeing his good friend’s portrayal, he felt he knew exactly who Thompson was and what kind of delivery to use. From his mannerisms and voice to his body language and facial expressions, “Bill Murray couldn’t shake Hunter Thompson,” said RedditorTapeDelayBrain.
7Jim Carrey - Andy Kaufman
“Jim Carrey- Andy Kaufman! Great doc on this one,” mentioned RedditorOldLiversHis transformation into the legendary Andy Kaufman was utterly mesmerizing. Carrey fully embraced Andy’s persona and the film had viewers perplexed, not only with the film itself but with Carrey’s acting skills.
From his signature mannerisms to his impassioned speech at Kaufman’s funeral, Carrey made you forget that you were watching him play a role. In fact, he was so good as Kaufman that when an audience member asked him if he was really Andy playing a part, it took considerable effort for Carrey to convince him otherwise!
6Henry Cavill - Geralt of Rivia
Have you ever seen someone who seemed like they were born to play a certain character? That’s what happened whenHenry Cavillstepped into the role of Geralt of Rivia inThe Witcher. The British actor has been a fan of thefantasy seriessince he was a child, and his love for the characters and world shines through in his performance.
RELATED:10 Fantasy Shows To Watch If You Loved ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’
Redditorelizabethaelasaid, “I feel like Henry Cavill became more like Geralt in interviews - very straightforward answers, stoic and thoughtful, etc.” He brings an earnestness to his portrayal that really speaks to fans of the original books. He’s managed to become one with Geralt—his voice, mannerisms, and attitude all help to bring the character to life. Cavill even worked out rigorously during filming in order to make sure that he had the physique required for a monster hunter.
5Leonard Nimoy - Spock
It’s hard to think ofLeonard Nimoyas anyone but Spock, the iconic Vulcan character he played in theStar Trekfranchise. Nimoy stayed in character so well that it was difficult to tell where Nimoy ended and Spock began. He gained a whole new level of popularity after his experience playing Spock, and apparently he embraced the role fully.
He also embraced elements of his character in real life — as seen in his various books, like ‘I Am Not Spock’, which was also mentioned by RedditorRapunzelUnbraided. His relationship with the character was a bit complicated, but it became an essential part of his identity that was celebrated throughout his career.
4Jack Nicholson - Jack Torrance
Another one of the actors who became incredibly famous for the character they played isJack NicholsoninThe Shining, according to RedditorSleazyMartianJoint. It was impossible to watch that movie without being reminded of the classic line: “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!”
He created a character that seemed to be constantly teetering on the edge of insanity, and it scared audiences everywhere. A deep understanding of the character made Nicholson’s performance truly mesmerizing—and he has continued to take on roles since then that require that same transformation into another person.
3Heath Ledger - The Joker
Heath Ledgeras The Joker inThe Dark Knightmight have been one of the best cinematic performances of all time. And it’s not too surprising when you consider how far Ledger went to get into his role. For months before filming began, Ledger locked himself in a hotel room and method-acted his way into becoming the character – he even kept a diary from the perspective of The Joker himself.
RELATED:10 Great Movies Told From the Villain’s Perspective, According to Reddit
It worked. Ledger’s performance brought an unprecedented level of realism and deep psychological complexity to the character, delivering an iconic performance that earned him a posthumous Oscar win and left everyone’s jaws on the floor. And it all started with Ledger immersing himself in the character until he became him.
2Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps one of the most iconic actors who has become the character he played. Who can forget him as Iron Man? RedditorDMG-Lovercertainly cannot. RDJ almost seemed to be born for the role, and his ability to play the genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist was unrivaled.
It wasn’t just the way he acted either. He was always so eloquent about Tony Stark’s ventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His natural wit and charm matched his character perfectly. In some cases, it felt like Robert Downey Jr. had partially adopted Tony Stark’s personality in real life—and that’s not surprising considering how famous his character became. It reflects not just great acting, but great character development as well.
1Al Pacino - Tony Montana
No list of actors completely transforming into their roles would be complete withoutAl Pacinoas Tony Montana inScarface. The Cuban drug lord will forever be a defining role for Pacino, who perfected the accent and mannerisms that brought the character to life on the big screen.
To achieve this level of transformation, Pacino dedicated himself to a daily 5-hour routine to perfect his accent, which included working with linguists, learning Spanish slang and doing dialect exercises. He was so committed that by the time filming began it was ensured Pacino had truly become Tony Montana.
NEXT:Every Best Actor Oscar Winner of the 21st Century Ranked from Worst to Best
