But-kicking out-of-character performances.

[ghouck]

I hear people complain, and 100% rightly, about some characters being the same character in EVERY movie they've done. Morgan Freeman gets a bunch of flak over it, as do many others. But what about people who portray a character that is WAY off what they are usually cast as? Don Cheadle played 'Rocket' in the Movie 'Colors', Rocket was a hard-core L.A. Gangsta of the 'Crip' variety, and played it well. Charlize Theron played Aieleen Wuornos in 'Monster', Wuornos was and ugly, drug-addicted, prostitute, serial killer (as was the real Aileen Wuornos, the movie was based on a true story). Anyways, Actors and Actresses get caught in ruts, but who do you know of that have broken their own mold, only to excel?

[Javakoala]

Nice, clean-cut all-American Henry Fonda as the child-murdering gunslinger in "Once Upon A Time In The West".

Nice, clean-cut all-American Frankie Avalon as the total bastard serial killer in "Blood Song"

[Rev. Powell]

Arch Hall, Hr. as a competent actor in THE SADIST.

[zombie no.one]

on this subject, would anyone like to call the 'stereotypical' Jonny Depp performance? e.g. look at EDWARD SCISSORHANDS compared to say FEAR & LOATHING...he's far from my favourite actor but definitely has a broad palette, acting-wise.

[RCMerchant]

Arch Hall, Hr. as a competent actor in THE SADIST.

Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas as the psycho in YOU'LL LIKE MY MOTHER (1972).

[Javakoala]

Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas as the psycho in YOU'LL LIKE MY MOTHER (1972).

Ooh, I forgot all about that one.  That was a favorite of mine as a kid.

[zombie no.one]

here's one...Is Joe Pesci ever anything other than that p**sed-off foul mouthed mo'fo wiseguy who despises everyone?

I'd like to see him play the lead in a remake of 'Swan Lake' tbh

[Dave M]

Paul Reiser as Burke in Aliens.

[ghouck]

Paul Reiser as Burke in Aliens.

That's a good one, I totally forgot that was him. . .

[indianasmith]

Robin Williams playing a psycho stalker villain in ONE HOUR PHOTO!

[ghouck]

That's funny because I was going to mention Williams as one of the actors who's characters are all very similar, but thought there was one that he was serious in. Leslie Nielson is another that I believe had ONE serious role amongst a million Frank Drebin types.

[Wag]

Jim Carrey in The Truman Show (at the time, anyway, however he has done more serious stuff since - maybe he's trying to be a "serious actor")

Along similar lines, Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect.

How about Arnie in Twins, and then there was Kindergarten Cop, then Junior.

Does this count too?

[Doc Daneeka]

Andy Griffith in his very first role: A FACE IN THE CROWD ;)

[ghouck]

Jim Carrey in The Truman Show (at the time, anyway, however he has done more serious stuff since - maybe he's trying to be a "serious actor")

Along similar lines, Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect.

How about Arnie in Twins, and then there was Kindergarten Cop, then Junior.

Does this count too?

Jim Carrey did MUCH worse before "The Truman Show", besides the whole Ace Ventura thing, He was in some weird movie called "Rubberface". TTS was actually when he started turning normal.

[Doggett]

Burce Willis going all Disney in The Kid