Actors tend to stick to just a few genres. They play to their strengths and go with roles that will serve their career. However, this means that some performers never really tap into their full potential.
Redditors recently got together onr/movies, the largest film subreddit, to discuss which dramatic actors have hidden talents for comedy that they’d like to see more of. These stars don’t often play humorous roles but, when they do, the results are always memorable.
10Leonardo DiCaprio
Over three decades,Leonardo DiCapriosuccessfully evolved from teen heartthrob to Hollywood veteran, with a focus on dark, gritty characters. However, he can be hilarious. Take his role as Rick Dalton inQuentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. He has so many perfectly-timed comedic moments in the part, like when he has a meltdown in his trailer, pledges to quit drinking, and then immediately reaches for his flask.
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“[DiCaprio’s] comedic timing is so on point and off the charts, especially his performance asJordan Belfort,” saidphantom_avenger. “It blows my mind that he doesn’t do more comedies! He was so hilarious with his line delivery as well as his physicality!”
9Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling’s most iconic characters tend to be the gloomy, quiet ones, like inDriveandBlade Runner 2049. His most charming performances, though, are in movies where he taps into his sillier side. Cases in point includeGosling’s performances in movieslikeCrazy, Stupid, Love, andThe Gray Man.
“He’s SO good at comedic roles. I wish he led with comedy and all the other genres just filled in the negative space,” saidcrowstgeorge. “The Nice Guysis still one of the funniest films of the last couple decades, largely in part because of Gosling,” added the Reddit usershredabetes.
8Liam Neeson
No one plays gruff and stoic better thanLiam Neeson. This makes him even funnier when he does dip into comedy. He was great onSaturday Night Livewhen he hosted, and he also has a terrific guest appearance inRicky Gervais' mockumentaryLife’s Too Short.
“[Neeson] is a big fan of improvisational comedy. The outtakes [from his movies] are just as funny,” said the Redditorsuper_jeenyus. “His cameo inTed 2was the best part of the movie. Just a perfect quick comedic use of hisTakenpersona,” added userColdPressedSteak.
Brad Pittis most famous for roles in action movies and dramas, but he also has major comedic chops and a knack for playing over-the-top characters. Most recently, he was hilarious inLil Dicky’s TV showDave, where he played a fictionalized version of himself held hostage by a crazed fan.
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“I think Brad Pitt is a great actor. Comedic timing inOcean’sfranchise,Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, evenFight Club,” said the uservinsanity406. “Burn After Readingis his comedic magnum opus. The scene in the car withJohn Malkovichwhere he kept narrowing his eyes was my favorite part of the movie,” repliedstriker7.
6Harrison Ford
AcrossHarrison Ford’s nearly 50-year career, he has only done a few straight-up comedies, and most of them are not good. Nevertheless, his performance inMorning Gloryis solid, and he’s the undisputed highlight of the new TV seriesShrinkingwithJason Segel. On top of that, both Han Solo and Indiana Jones are effortlessly funny characters.
“His few comedic roles -Shrinking,Hollywood Homicide, the more comedic parts ofIndiana Jones- are his best,” saidkitty_galore2023. “Even when he’s just being weird more than funny, it feels like a glimpse into the career he would’ve had if he wasn’t Han Solo and Indiana Jones. Weirdly enough, I thoughtBlade Runner 2049was one movie that let him tap into an oddball persona really well,” said the Redditorpassthefancy.
5Charlize Theron
Charlize Theronfirst gained acclaim for portraying the real-life serial killerAileen WuornosinMonster. Of late, she has mostly played action roles, as inMad Max: Fury Road,Atomic Blonde, andThe Old Guard. Her best comedic work is inJason Reitman’s comedy-dramasYoung AdultandTully. These characters are damaged and complex, but frequently hilarious.
“Charlize Theron was hilarious inLong Shotand her brief stint onArrested Development, and she does amazing in all of the dramedies she has done, so I’d really like to see her do more straight comedy,” saidlizzpop2003. “Charlize Theron is the female equal ofGary Oldman. She’s one of those actors who can make you forget who she is, inhabiting a character completely,” said1daytogether.
4Michael Shannon
Michael Shannonis one of themost underrated character actors out there, a performer who shapeshifts between the most disparate roles. He can be nuanced and realistic in films likeRevolutionary RoadandLoving, or delightfully larger-than-life inSupermanorThe Shape of Water.
“I would just like to see what a Michael Shannon comedy would be like. I didn’t seeAmsterdam, so I don’t know what he did there. But would like to see him in a lead role,” said the Redditorriraven.
3Tom Cruise
Like Theron,Tom Cruisespecializes in blockbuster action roles, but he usually imbues these characters with a lot of humor, especially physical comedy. Ethan Hunt inMission Impossible, for example, is always running into mishaps and technical difficulties. Some of Cruises’s line delivery inWar of the Worldsis also very funny.
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“Tom Cruise’s […]Tropic Thunderrole was so against type. That’s why it worked. However,Edge of Tomorrowhad comical elements too that worked,” saidStardustchaser. “Knight and Dayhad some comedic Cruise too,” addedJohnnyJayce.
2Ralph Fiennes
Few actors have greater range thanRalph Fiennes. He seems equally at home portraying heroes or the vilest of villains. He can play everything from romantic leads and wise mentors to dark wizards and Nazis.
He rarely does comedy, however. The closest he has really come is his character inWes Anderson’sThe Grand Budapest Hotel, his villainous role inIn Bruges, and voicing Alfred inThe Lego Batman Movie. Nevertheless, some Redditors rank these among his best performances. “The ‘would that it were’ scene was the funniest part ofHail, Caesar. He was also great inGrand Budapest Hotel,” saidMmeGrey.
1Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaalhas come a long way sinceDonnie Darko. He proved himself as a dramatic heavyweight with projects likeBrokeback MountainandNightcrawler. In recent years, he’s taken on mostly action roles, appearing inMichael Bay’sAmbulance, andGuy Ritchie’sThe Covenantjust in the last year. He’ll also star in the upcomingRoad Housedirected byDoug Liman.
“[Gyllenhaal] was low-key hilarious inAmbulanceas the feral and psychopathic villain. I know he’s pivoted to more action genre these days. But I reckon he could do a solid number in comedy,” saidBoris_Jakov. “He was hilarious inBubble Boy,” addedshadowlarx.
