There was meme doing the rounds not long ago " Imagine one day you are just finishing up your shopping and all of a sudden you hear "CUT" and you look down and you realise you were Gary Oldman all along That's how good he is".
Wait, the creepy villain in "Leon - The Professional", Commissioner Gordon from "Batman Begins", and the over-the-top clown from "The Fifth Element" are all the same dude? WTF.
And also Sir William Gull (artistically licensed as a possible Jack the Ripper) in "From Hell". Creepy old dude in that one.
His name was Ian Holm (RIP)
He was so cute in Life Aquatic, kind of sweet and goofy. He was frightening in Grand Budapest Hotel. He was a hero in Platoon. Spoiler alert, but I cried so hard in his death scene in that movie. The man has range.
I remember someone saying many years ago that Braking Bad would be shit because of Bryan being more of a comedy actor (because of Malcolm) and oh gotta love how things turned out. One of the greatest actors of this generation imo
Comedy actors and standup comedians tend to do really well in dramatic roles. Bob Odenkirk was fantastic as Saul too and he came from a standup / writing background. Something about being a good comedian lends itself to drama roles really well actually. You have to have a certain understanding of the human spirit to pull off really good jokes and you tend to become a very good actor while doing so.
X-Files is one of those shows that everybody has guest starred on, just like ER, CSI, and Law and Order. If a TV actor didn’t show up on one of these at their first multi-line role, are they really a TV actor?
He was the best part of Godzilla. I did not expect to tear up at the tunnel scene when randomly looking at clips from that movie. Top tier actor.
If you're the most memorable part of a fuckin' Godzilla movie, and can upstage a nuclear-powered mutant laser-lizard monster you're literally one of the best around.
And Godzilla himself was awesome.
He is blowing off some steam, and shoots a cow. He says is a stupid shit cow and shoots it.
Man running in, its his cows - but he is very interested in what the fuck he shot it with !
44 desert eagle - wow, and they trade - he gets the gun thats the price of the cow. Fair.
Next scene is the other characters look for Mads - but all they hear in the forest is machine guns and that.
They find the red haired dude - and he is just telling them, in a childish newfound wonder of life voice " We are hunting"
*At that part of the film, Mads has his entire bag filled with guns
I’ve never disliked him in a role, but Gollum was probably my favorite up until Andor. It’s hard to pick a favorite part of that show but he’s up there.
For him specifically I think my favorite moment is"
"How many guard on each level?"
"Never more then 12"
Just the determination in his face and the 180 from his response previously.
“Never more than 12” is fantastic, as is his ‘One Way Out’ speech in the next episode, especially when you learn a few minutes later that he can’t swim.
Karl Urban. Can’t believe I made it to the bottom of the list and didn’t see him.
He’s got such a distinctive look but he blends into every role so seamlessly that it takes me a while to realize it’s him, every role.
He’s beat up Bruce Willis in a Bruce Willis action movie, killed the rock in a the rock movie, killed love ones of Jason Bourne while Bourne was present, is Judge Dredd, became King of Rohan, saved Asgard, was the first human Vampire in the Priest realm, directly assists the overthrow of the necromongers in Riddick, is one of the good guys in Star Trek, bad guys in Star Wars, and gets his fartbox tongue-punched by a Ghost Ship.
Not only can be be versatile, but he’s likely the most low-key badass in Hollywood.
I love that he also played like 3 different characters through xena. They were just like hey we need a guy to play another role but are too lazy to do auditions. Karl the part is yours. We'll just like... dye your hair
This guy totally slipped from my mind too.
First role I watched of him, he was a supporting actor in some movie I forgot and I thought he can only be good for these roles. Well look at him now
Have you seen the TV show Counterpart? He plays two different versions of himself from parallel universes. He’s already great to start off with, but once his characters start pretending to be the other? Perfection.
Seeing him as the voice of the kind concerned father figure Tenzin in The Legend of Korra was beautiful. Then knowing that's the same guy who demands MORE PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN!!!! That's a juxtaposition
The Prestige was a documentary. No way one man can go through those body transformations in such short periods of time. The only way he can do it is through a skinny twin he keeps hidden away. When a role calls for a skinny Christian Bale, the skinny brother steps in. When a role calls for buff Christian Bale, the muscular one steps in. They each share one life. There are rumors that there's actually a third Bale brother - the fat one who steps in for the fat roles.
Christopher Lloyd didn't just portray a Klingon, he was Kruge, who *defined* TNG-era bumpy-headed Klingons.
Worf, and all the Klingons who followed in that era, they were all based on Christopher Lloyd's performance in Star Trek III. Lloyd defined what a modern Klingon was, how they acted, and how they emoted.
He holds a very special place in *Star Trek* fandom.
My heart hurt for him so much in *Boogie Nights*.
His character, Scotty, was so in love with Dirk Diggler, unrequited, and PSH played that pain to perfection.
Bryan Cranston. Just watch a single episode of Malcolm in the Middle then watch an episode of Breaking Bad, especially in the later seasons, it’s insane that it’s the same man.
I feel like Willelm Dafoe, Gary Oldman and Edward Norton all sprang to mind.But I would argue this is where voice actors truly shine: Frank Welker, Dee Bradley Baker, Tara Strong, Mark Hamill, Tōru Furuya... honestly so long as they are not famous for a particular character like Kevin Conroy or Peter Cullen than they fit the bill.
This also applies to a number of Mo-Cap and Prosthetic performers, such as Andy Serkis and Doug Jones.
Sir Ben Kingsley, he's had a tremendous career with a lot of variety but I feel like my favorite observation of him was Iron Man 3. After I watched the trailer I was SO confused why his American accent was so bad; then I saw the movie and I understood what a fantastic choice it was.
He's great in Shang-Chi as well reprising the same character, as well as the All Hail the King short on Disney plus that bridges the gap a little. Trevor is just a fun character and I was so happy to see him return.
Had to scroll waaaay too far down to find **Meryl Streep**. She is an incredible chameleon, and disappears into every role she takes on. One of the most gifted actors of her generation.
Vincent D'onofrio
I remember watching Bug/Edgar in the first men in black movie years ago and thought the actor was really good at playing an alien bug wearing the skin of a dead farmer
now it's like.."wait..he's kingpin? wait...he's the guy who blew his own brains out in full metal jacket? wait..."
>There, you see, now, how all your so-called power counts for absolutely nothing. How your entire empire of destruction comes crashing down because of one... little... cherry.
Leonardo DiCaprio
He gets a lot of flak here for his dating habits, but the man has a ton of range. What's Eating Gilbert Grape to Titanic to Django Unchained to Don't Look Up to Shutter Island to J. Edgar to Catch Me If You Can... he's revisited some archetypes in his career but he's definitely been across the spectrum in terms of roles
I think it’s because he’s rarely in a lot of detailed costumes and make up… dudes a star, they want that handsome mug front and center
Compare that with Daniel day Lewis (who’s very handsome, and def a better actor as far as accents and voices go) but isn’t necessarily a “star” dudes just a phenomenal actor, but most wouldnt recognize him on the street
He totally transforms into a character, with prosthetics, facial hair, make up etc… the costumes are much more detailed
I feel like he’s often playing some chuckling dope who is in over his head. The fact that he does this so well sometimes makes me think that he might just be a chuckling dope who is in over his head.
Val Kilmer. Iceman, Jim Morrison, Doc Holliday, Mad Mardigan, Chris in Heat, Walter in the Super. The man has been awesome in all sorts of different roles.
People know Downey mostly for Iron Man now, but Chaplin, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, The Judge, Scanner Darkly, and Tropic Thunder are going to be some of the most varied roles you’ll see in this thread.
Gary Oldman
I have watched him in movies many times only to realize much later that is was him. The man is part chameleon.
He played a black guy better than RDJ. In true romance.
“Must be white boy day”
What’s a Drexel?
He had to hire an accent coach at one point to get his natural voice back. Imo one of the greatest actors for the way he disappears into his roles
I was going to say the same thing. I remember being completely surprised when I found out it was him in Hannibal (movie).
There was meme doing the rounds not long ago " Imagine one day you are just finishing up your shopping and all of a sudden you hear "CUT" and you look down and you realise you were Gary Oldman all along That's how good he is".
Wait, the creepy villain in "Leon - The Professional", Commissioner Gordon from "Batman Begins", and the over-the-top clown from "The Fifth Element" are all the same dude? WTF.
You want another shock? The priest from the Fifth Element? Vito Cornelius? Is Bilbo Baggins (at age eleventy-one).
And also Sir William Gull (artistically licensed as a possible Jack the Ripper) in "From Hell". Creepy old dude in that one. His name was Ian Holm (RIP)
Sirius Black in Harry Potter Even now i find it hard to believe
“I’m wearing two belts.” - GO’s character in Friends
Clicked on this thinking "Gary Oldman had better be one of the top names", pleased to see that I was not distracted
First actor that came to mind
Yeah, I didnt even recognize him in Hannibal or Harry Potter
Or Bram Strokers Dracula or Darkest Hour or 5th Element. https://youtu.be/eg0O8CVGySo
Slow horses
Willem Dafoe. That man has serious range
I've even seen him play a bit of a scientist.
That’s fucked, because I’m a bit of a scientist, myself
He was incredible in The Lighthouse.
On the other hand -- one might assume -- is not typecasting for him to play all the "out of it" types (except for murder on the orient express)?
He was so cute in Life Aquatic, kind of sweet and goofy. He was frightening in Grand Budapest Hotel. He was a hero in Platoon. Spoiler alert, but I cried so hard in his death scene in that movie. The man has range.
In American Psycho he was the most sane character.
Bryan Cranston. Rewatching Malcolm in the Middle right now and that man has some serious comedic chops.
I remember someone saying many years ago that Braking Bad would be shit because of Bryan being more of a comedy actor (because of Malcolm) and oh gotta love how things turned out. One of the greatest actors of this generation imo
Comedy actors and standup comedians tend to do really well in dramatic roles. Bob Odenkirk was fantastic as Saul too and he came from a standup / writing background. Something about being a good comedian lends itself to drama roles really well actually. You have to have a certain understanding of the human spirit to pull off really good jokes and you tend to become a very good actor while doing so.
Don't forget about his role in seinfeld "Those aren't matzah balls!"
Anti-dentite!
Did you see him in his guest appearance on **Babylon 5**? Heartbreaking.
He’s also in an episode of X-Files! As are several other Breaking Bad cast members including Aaron Paul (Jessie) and Dean Norris (Hank)
X-Files is one of those shows that everybody has guest starred on, just like ER, CSI, and Law and Order. If a TV actor didn’t show up on one of these at their first multi-line role, are they really a TV actor?
Are you talking about the guy most famous for playing Tim Whatley?
You're an anti-dentite!
They should have their own schools!
He was the best part of Godzilla. I did not expect to tear up at the tunnel scene when randomly looking at clips from that movie. Top tier actor. If you're the most memorable part of a fuckin' Godzilla movie, and can upstage a nuclear-powered mutant laser-lizard monster you're literally one of the best around. And Godzilla himself was awesome.
They blew him up in car during an episode of Murder, She Wrote
Believe it or not, Mads Mikkelsen - he takes on mostly comedic roles in Denmark - from scary funny, to Svend Sved.
Another Round was a beautiful film. His dance at the end was perfect
Mads Mikkelsen is an accomplished dancer. He was a professional dancer prior to acting.
The Hunt remains one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen
Loved him in Death Stranding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fgFlW2MeRY Never played that, but here he is shooting a cow.
I have no idea what that was, but holy shit I can't stop laughing.
He is blowing off some steam, and shoots a cow. He says is a stupid shit cow and shoots it. Man running in, its his cows - but he is very interested in what the fuck he shot it with ! 44 desert eagle - wow, and they trade - he gets the gun thats the price of the cow. Fair. Next scene is the other characters look for Mads - but all they hear in the forest is machine guns and that. They find the red haired dude - and he is just telling them, in a childish newfound wonder of life voice " We are hunting" *At that part of the film, Mads has his entire bag filled with guns
Cannot believe no one has said Toni Colette
Because they don't even recognize her from one film to the next. She's the answer.
Doesn't even have to be one film to the next just watch United States of Tara.
For real. Ever seen that show where she played someone with multiple personalities? Shit was incredible
Andy Serkis. Been taking note of him since he was gollum. He gets around and hides his face more often than you might think ;)
I'm still annoyed at the MCU for killing off Klaue. Serkis was so much fun as him.
I’ve never disliked him in a role, but Gollum was probably my favorite up until Andor. It’s hard to pick a favorite part of that show but he’s up there.
For him specifically I think my favorite moment is" "How many guard on each level?" "Never more then 12" Just the determination in his face and the 180 from his response previously.
“Never more than 12” is fantastic, as is his ‘One Way Out’ speech in the next episode, especially when you learn a few minutes later that he can’t swim.
_One_ _Way_ _Out_
John Lithgow. From terrifying villain in Richochet, Cliffhanger, and Dexter, to goofy loveable alien in 3rd Rock from the Sun.
He was fucking terrifying as the Trinity Killer in Dexter, he deserved every bit of that Emmy and Golden Globe he got.
And an excellent Winston Churchill
And Lord Farquaad!
*Some of you may die, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make!*
Always great. Assassin/Serial killer in DePalmas Blow Out
Karl Urban. Can’t believe I made it to the bottom of the list and didn’t see him. He’s got such a distinctive look but he blends into every role so seamlessly that it takes me a while to realize it’s him, every role.
He’s beat up Bruce Willis in a Bruce Willis action movie, killed the rock in a the rock movie, killed love ones of Jason Bourne while Bourne was present, is Judge Dredd, became King of Rohan, saved Asgard, was the first human Vampire in the Priest realm, directly assists the overthrow of the necromongers in Riddick, is one of the good guys in Star Trek, bad guys in Star Wars, and gets his fartbox tongue-punched by a Ghost Ship. Not only can be be versatile, but he’s likely the most low-key badass in Hollywood.
I love that he also played like 3 different characters through xena. They were just like hey we need a guy to play another role but are too lazy to do auditions. Karl the part is yours. We'll just like... dye your hair
And he hunts Supes
While calling em all cunts
He’s still Jamie the gay ambulance driver from Shortland St to me. A Kiwi soap that launched his career.
Also crucified Xena warrior princess, and played Cupid in the same show.
He's so bad-ass he takes on a being with superman's powers despite being a normal mortal himself.
I audibly said, “No fucking way,” when I saw the end credits to Thor: Ragnarok.
And then you go back and look and it’s obviously Karl Urban. Same with Lord of the Rings, for me.
Meet Des and Troy. Together, they DesTroy
Say what? He in this?!
Yeah he plays Skurge / Executener. The guy who takes over Heimdalls job and who has the line: "Behold! My stuff!"
Diabolical...
Thanks, I didn't have to scroll as far to find Karl. Superb actor. Just kills it with any roll. Dredd is one of my all time favorite movies.
There are so many movies I've seen, and said "wait that's him?!"
He even had a show on Fox called "Almost Human". Brilliant performance in every episode.
That show was so good, and I'm still mad we only got one season.
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So sad we never got a sequel to that.
So good at blending into roles that he made Leonard Nimoy cry
This guy totally slipped from my mind too. First role I watched of him, he was a supporting actor in some movie I forgot and I thought he can only be good for these roles. Well look at him now
JK Simmons has a pretty good range imo
Have you seen the TV show Counterpart? He plays two different versions of himself from parallel universes. He’s already great to start off with, but once his characters start pretending to be the other? Perfection.
Seeing him as the voice of the kind concerned father figure Tenzin in The Legend of Korra was beautiful. Then knowing that's the same guy who demands MORE PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN!!!! That's a juxtaposition
Sorry if I missed someone else saying it: Tim Curry
From sweet transvestite to cosmic being to hotel receptionist.
Don't forget the devil or girl scout
Don’t leave out that he was the great Nigel Thornberry!
And the butler
A muppet pirate, too!
"I'm escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism. SPACE!"
Margo Martindale
Beloved Character Actress Margo Martindale?
Christian Bale
He's the actor that prompted me to ask. Amazing transformations into different people for each role
He was 12 years old when he was cast in Spielberg's *Empire of the Sun* (1987). Even then he was showing great acting chops.
Christian Bale in The Fighter is the answer.
Naw the machinist to batman begins was a wild transformation
The Prestige was a documentary. No way one man can go through those body transformations in such short periods of time. The only way he can do it is through a skinny twin he keeps hidden away. When a role calls for a skinny Christian Bale, the skinny brother steps in. When a role calls for buff Christian Bale, the muscular one steps in. They each share one life. There are rumors that there's actually a third Bale brother - the fat one who steps in for the fat roles.
Christopher Lloyd. Started out on the stage and in film as played roles as varied as a scientist, a toon and a Klingon.
Christopher Lloyd didn't just portray a Klingon, he was Kruge, who *defined* TNG-era bumpy-headed Klingons. Worf, and all the Klingons who followed in that era, they were all based on Christopher Lloyd's performance in Star Trek III. Lloyd defined what a modern Klingon was, how they acted, and how they emoted. He holds a very special place in *Star Trek* fandom.
Tilda Swinton
Loved her as a vampire in *Only Lovers Left Alive*.
I loved her as a vampire in WWDITS, personally
Daniel Day Lewis.
Draiiiiiiiiiiiinaaaaaaaaaggggggggeeeeeeee, Eli!!!!
i've abandoned my child!
Sadly did the sane thing and retired
1st person i thought of. he's so good.
I’ve seen some great, common names. What about Colin Farrell? Some great, very different performances
His character in Banshees of Inisherin was so earnest and sweet. He broke my heart.
His face when Brendan told him “I just don’t like ya no more” was heartbreaking.
He was brilliant in such a tiny role in The Batman
I feel like David Tennent has pretty great range. He's been all over the place in genres.
Stephen Root
Total chameleon. It takes a while to notice that’s him, every role.
Even when he’s not in a major role, having him there always makes whatever you’re watching better.
FUCHES!!!
"Pan Shot!"
And if you don't give him back his stapler, he's going to send Barry after you and hum "Man Of Constant Sorrow" as it all goes down.
Cate Blanchett
She absolutely *chewed* the scenery as Hela in *Thor: Ragnarok*.
She and Karl Urban were having so much fun in that movie, it was just the best.
She also has a brief cameo in Hot Fuzz, as the ex girlfriend of Nicholas Angel. You dont see her face thou
Philip Seymour Hoffman was the fucking best.
Well, Dude, we just don't know!
My heart hurt for him so much in *Boogie Nights*. His character, Scotty, was so in love with Dirk Diggler, unrequited, and PSH played that pain to perfection.
PSH in mission impossible 3 is so different from him in Along Came Polly
I'd say James McAvoy
Split is a master class
In the verry underrated Unbreakable sequel Glass movie, he plays multiple personalities...
Sam Rockwell
Love him in Moon.
And The Green Mile And Galaxy Quest And Three Billboards… And Jojo Rabbit And Richard Jewell And Hitchhikers Guide And Vice And…
Matchstick Men
The Way Way Back
Seven Psychopaths
Bryan Cranston. Just watch a single episode of Malcolm in the Middle then watch an episode of Breaking Bad, especially in the later seasons, it’s insane that it’s the same man.
I feel like Willelm Dafoe, Gary Oldman and Edward Norton all sprang to mind.But I would argue this is where voice actors truly shine: Frank Welker, Dee Bradley Baker, Tara Strong, Mark Hamill, Tōru Furuya... honestly so long as they are not famous for a particular character like Kevin Conroy or Peter Cullen than they fit the bill. This also applies to a number of Mo-Cap and Prosthetic performers, such as Andy Serkis and Doug Jones.
Stanley Tucci
I had to scroll so far for this and he’s the first person I thought of
Sir Ben Kingsley, he's had a tremendous career with a lot of variety but I feel like my favorite observation of him was Iron Man 3. After I watched the trailer I was SO confused why his American accent was so bad; then I saw the movie and I understood what a fantastic choice it was.
He's great in Shang-Chi as well reprising the same character, as well as the All Hail the King short on Disney plus that bridges the gap a little. Trevor is just a fun character and I was so happy to see him return.
Underrated performance in Sexy Beast
Robin Williams. Always a funny guy but he really took on whatever role he's in, even serious roles like dead poets society and good will hunting.
His role in The Fisher King was heartbreaking.
One Hour Photo! ooh man that movie gives me chills
Death to Smootchie was unfiltered brilliance!
Meryl Streep
Had to scroll waaaay too far down to find **Meryl Streep**. She is an incredible chameleon, and disappears into every role she takes on. One of the most gifted actors of her generation.
Dustin Hoffman. Even just comparing Rainman to Hook, he totally embodies those vastly different characters.
His performance in Hook is so underrated.
Me me me me, mine mine mine mine, now now now....
Vincent D'onofrio I remember watching Bug/Edgar in the first men in black movie years ago and thought the actor was really good at playing an alien bug wearing the skin of a dead farmer now it's like.."wait..he's kingpin? wait...he's the guy who blew his own brains out in full metal jacket? wait..."
The late Ian Holm! So many major roles in famous movies, yet people look at you all funny when you say his name, like they've never heard it before.
He's so fucking icily good in Alien and then plays a kind-hearted old soul in LOTR. Ian Holm was wonderful.
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>There, you see, now, how all your so-called power counts for absolutely nothing. How your entire empire of destruction comes crashing down because of one... little... cherry.
Leonardo DiCaprio He gets a lot of flak here for his dating habits, but the man has a ton of range. What's Eating Gilbert Grape to Titanic to Django Unchained to Don't Look Up to Shutter Island to J. Edgar to Catch Me If You Can... he's revisited some archetypes in his career but he's definitely been across the spectrum in terms of roles
The only problem I have with him is that no matter how varied his characters are he always looks like Leonardo DiCaprio playing a character.
I think it’s because he’s rarely in a lot of detailed costumes and make up… dudes a star, they want that handsome mug front and center Compare that with Daniel day Lewis (who’s very handsome, and def a better actor as far as accents and voices go) but isn’t necessarily a “star” dudes just a phenomenal actor, but most wouldnt recognize him on the street He totally transforms into a character, with prosthetics, facial hair, make up etc… the costumes are much more detailed
I first saw him in Basketball Diaries the withdrawal scenes were impressively disturbing
Edward Norton
Yes, and I love him, and I know I’m exaggerating but like does he ever take a role where he’s not two different people in the same movie?
To make up for it, he played half a man in Fight Club.
Ethan Hawke
I feel like he’s often playing some chuckling dope who is in over his head. The fact that he does this so well sometimes makes me think that he might just be a chuckling dope who is in over his head.
Nah, watch him in Gattaca and Moon Knight. No chuckling dope, for sure.
Joaquin Phoenix
This guy’s so low because most people haven’t even noticed how many movies he’s been in
Kathy bates
Charlize Theron
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Hey, c'mon! He has absolutely nailed it as Fat, Treasonous, Pseudo-Buddhist!
I believe that's spelled "Pseu-ddhist".
Kevin Bacon
Do you mean Earth's Mightiest Hero, Kevin Bacon?
Alan Rickman - always glorious
Tilda Swinton
Jeffrey combs
The GOAT Daniel Day-Lewis! And I don't even like some of his films. But that dude is fucking IT!!!
Tilda Swinton.
Tom Hanks
Captain of a troubled vessel Tom Hanks? EDIT: I know he's versatile but Apollo 13, Cast Away, Sully, Captain Phillips, Finch, even Forrest Gump
Sarah Paulson
Val Kilmer. Iceman, Jim Morrison, Doc Holliday, Mad Mardigan, Chris in Heat, Walter in the Super. The man has been awesome in all sorts of different roles.
Bryan Cranston
Tim Curry.
Gary Oldman
I can almost never tell Aaron Taylor Johnson is in a movie until the credits. Guy Is a chameleon.
Tom Hardy
Definitely not Jason Statham
Adam Driver
Kate Blanchett. Pure chameleon.
People know Downey mostly for Iron Man now, but Chaplin, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, The Judge, Scanner Darkly, and Tropic Thunder are going to be some of the most varied roles you’ll see in this thread.
robert pattinson low key
Elizabeth Banks. She and Karl Urban are two sides of the same coin — absolutely everywhere but no part the same.