In Hollywood, typecasting is a blessing and a curse. It might launch an actor into superstardom, but it can also lock them into that same role repeatedly. But some of these stars won’t remain in that same lane. They’ve taken risks, changed gears, and surprised fans by demonstrating they can do much more than everyone thought they could. Here’s a glimpse of 14 actors who turned the script around and left us questioning all we ever thought we knew about them.
14. Elijah Wood
Everyone will always see Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, but he didn’t allow the world of Middle-earth to constrain him. Rather, he made the jump into indie film and darker fare. From the creepy murderer in Sin City to emotionally complex performances in movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Wood dove headfirst into quirky, difficult work. That decision provided him with a career that’s as unexpected as it is versatile.
13. Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes is renowned for his intensity in heavy dramas and as the terrifying Voldemort in Harry Potter. But he totally upturned expectations when he moved into comedy with The Grand Budapest Hotel and Hail, Caesar! Fans found he had a keen sense of humor, transforming him from a brooding villain to a surprise comedy hero.
12. Robin Williams
Robin Williams was the lord of comedy—whether playing trans in Mrs. Doubtfire or illuminating the screen in The Birdcage. But when he went dark with dramas such as Insomnia and One Hour Photo, he amazed onlookers with just how creepy he could get. Those roles reminded us that the finest comedians will always be the best dramatic actors.
11. Matthew McConaughey
After being pigeonholed as a shirtless guy in every romantic comedy, Matthew McConaughey stunned the world with what critics currently refer to as the “McConaissance.” Within a span of a few years, he gave powerhouse performances in Mud, Dallas Buyers Club (which earned him an Oscar), True Detective, and Interstellar. He transformed from rom-com joke to one of Hollywood’s most highly regarded dramatic performers.
10. Jonah Hill
For years, Jonah Hill was stuck in the funny sidekick role in comedies such as Superbad and Knocked Up. But when he showed up in Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street, he demonstrated he could do serious drama just fine—picking up two Oscar nominations in the process. These days, he’s not only performing in dramas but also writing and directing, establishing a whole new persona.
9. Bruce Willis
Before Die Hard, Bruce Willis was famous for his dashing TV romantic comedy character in Moonlighting. No one expected him to carry off being an action hero—until John McClane turned him into a legend. Afterwards, he surprised fans once more by demonstrating his dramatic abilities in The Sixth Sense. Willis demonstrated that he was more than explosions and one-liners.
8. Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson started as goofy barkeep Woody on Cheers. For a moment, it seemed like comedy would be his niche forever—until Natural Born Killers shattered box offices. Since then, Harrelson has easily transitioned through genres, earning Oscar noms and displaying depth no one ever expected from a sitcom regular.
7. Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston was the bumbling, lovable father on Malcolm in the Middle. Casting him as Walter White in Breaking Bad almost seemed ridiculous at first. But Cranston’s evolution from gentle schoolteacher to cold-blooded drug kingpin turned out to be one of TV’s all-time great performances. He redefined his entire career in a single performance.
6. Jason Bateman
Jason Bateman’s bread and butter was sardonic, dry comedy in Arrested Development and lightweight rom-coms. Then Ozark, in which he gave a tense, nuanced performance as a man spiraling into crime. It won him critical praise and proved he could do more than just make people laugh.
5. Steve Carell
Best recognized as the awkward boss Michael Scott of The Office, Steve Carell cornered the market on comedy. Then he floored viewers with unflinching, dramatic turns in Foxcatcher, The Big Short, and Beautiful Boy. Carell transitioned from clownish everyman to a thespian adept at wrenching drama.
4. Dave Bautista
Following Guardians of the Galaxy, everyone expected Dave Bautista to take the wrestler-to-action-hero route like Dwayne Johnson. Yet, he pursued meaty, dramatic roles in Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Knock at the Cabin. Bautista has emerged as one of the handful of action heroes considered a serious dramatic actor.
3. Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig’s face was all James Bond for more than ten years. But when he played eccentric detective Benoit Blanc in Knives Out, fans were introduced to the actor in a whole new light. His comedic timing and cute Southern accent made him a household name overnight, launching a whole new franchise for him apart from 007.
2. Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels began as a serious dramatic actor, so his slapstick performance in Dumb and Dumber surprised everybody. Rather than destroying his career, it demonstrated he was capable of handling extremes—being dead serious one moment, and then stupidly funny the next. His talent at switching between genres has ensured that he’s remained popular over the decades.
1. Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler made a fortune off goofy comedies such as Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. For decades, critics wrote him off as a one-trick pony. Then Uncut Gems came along, a high-wire thriller that showed just how rich he is. With Hustle backing it up, that it wasn’t a one-off, Sandler has finally established himself as a respected comic and serious dramatic performer.
Typecasting might still be the shortcut of Hollywood, but these 15 actors show it doesn’t have to be a career death sentence. Stepping out of their comfort zone, they not only rebooted themselves but also reminded us why we fell in love with films in the first place: to be surprised.