Actors give remarkable performances on stage and on screen in service of truth. They commit to remembering copious lines before they are said, while delivering those lines authentically. They filter who they are andreplace their personalitywith another to capture and express the wide scope of the human condition. Make believe is a full-time job, an inside job that takes deep understanding and careful choreography to share each walk of life. Actors can be typecast or chosen for stereotypical roles based on their appearance or attributes. To avoid this, actors step out of their comfort zone and perform like they never have before.
8Arnold Schwarzenegger – Twins (1988)
Arnold Schwarzeneggerwas known as the bodybuilding action star, using his bulk as his defining characteristic.Twinswas the first time Schwarzenegger starred ina major comedy, opting for an intelligent yet naïve role. Universal Pictures saw this departure from the actor as a risk to the studio. Instead of taking a salary, Schwarzenegger and his co-star Danny DeVito agreed to share the box office profits. The decision saw huge returns, one which Schwarzenegger was glad he invested in himself.
7Ashton Kutcher - Jobs (2013)
Ashton Kutcherhas been a recurring comedic actor, most famously inThat ’70s Show. InJobs, his portrayal of the CEO of Apple Inc. Steve Jobs was a big pair of shoes to fill. Kutcher looked the part, had the quirks and intensity of the tech company magnate down pat, but the film wasn’t without its historical inaccuracies. Gathering all the facts among the differing ideas and egos that surround big corporations like Apple is an overwhelming goal to achieve. Kutcher even emulated theeccentric and spiritualJobs in a shot-on-location scene inspired by the Apple owner’s trip to India.
6Audrey Hepburn - Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Audrey Hepburnplays café society girl Holly Golightly inBreakfast at Tiffany’s. The part was meant for Marilyn Monroe, but eventually went to Hepburn, who hesitated at the opportunity. Hepburn considered herself an introvert, and breaking out of her shell as an extroverted and flashy socialite was the complete opposite of her. The actress wasn’t a material girl, but she became one of the most famous fashion icons in cinema. Her performance also showed complex character development, which led to more involved character studies for Hepburn.
Related:10 Major Roles Tom Hanks Turned Down or Didn’t Get
5Charlize Theron – Monster (2003)
Charlize Theronplays the antisocial and mentally unstable serial killer Aileen Wuornos inMonster. Theron floats in and out of hesitancy and hostility, never completely in control of her body, but resolute in her actions all the same. In herOscar-winning role, she shaved her eyebrows, wore prosthetic teeth, and gained 30 pounds. The performance was criticized for its killer-as-the-victim and victim-as-the-villain narratives, but Theron’s transformation made her unrecognizable and disquieting compared to her more pristine leading lady roles.
Related:10 Movie Characters That Look Nothing Like Their Source Material
4Jim Carrey – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Jim Carreyis one of the most influential comedic actors who hit his stride in 1994 with three breakout films:Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,Dumb and Dumber, andThe Mask. Since then, he has starred in more dramatic roles, like inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. His character is having his memories of his girlfriend erased to overcome the heartbreak and their dysfunctional relationship. Director Michel Gondry restricted Carrey from improvising lines, as well as used Carrey’s emotional state after a breakup with a woman in real life to his character’s advantage. Carrey was asked to stay “broken” for a year before filming.
3Keanu Reeves – Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Keanu Reevesbecame a star in his sci-fi buddy comedyBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. He moved on to become an established action hero inCrash,Point Break,The Matrix, and as the assassin who comes out of retirement inJohn Wick. In a bold move, Reeves starred as the villain Don John in the ShakespeareanMuch Ado About Nothing, but his performance, while an interesting detour from the actor, was too wooden. The role earned him a nomination for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor.
2Meg Ryan – In the Cut (2003)
In the CutstarsMeg Ryanas an English teacher who has an affair with a detective investigating a series of murders in her Manhattan neighborhood. Prior to this film, Ryan was viewed as the “she’s the one” love interest in romantic comedies, includingWhen Harry Met Sally…,Sleepless in Seattle, andYou’ve Got Mail. Audiences familiar withher wholesome charactersdisliked her sexual and nude scenes. Ryan didn’t care for the limelight as a celebrity or actress (she took up acting to pay her way through college), but she was proud of her performance despite the backlash from critics and fans.
1Michael Keaton – Clean and Sober (1988)
Michael Keatonwas seen in comedic roles throughout the early 1980s,Beetlejuicebeing his most popular. Keaton took on a more serious role for the first time inClean and Sober. He plays adrug-addled real estate agentaddicted to cocaine who jeopardizes his career and the money he’s earned by committing financial fraud. The troubled turmoil of Keaton’s character no doubt prepared him for his stardom inThe Batman. Keaton also won the 1988 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor for his performances inBeetlejuiceandClean and Sober.
