Brendan Fraser was once Hollywood's go-to action star, thanks to his roles in The Mummy franchise and comedies like George of the Jungle. However, after years out of the spotlight, Fraser returned with a powerful performance in The Whale, shedding his image as an action-comedy actor.
In this deeply emotional role, Fraser plays Charlie, a reclusive English teacher struggling with obesity and past trauma. His vulnerable and nuanced portrayal earned him widespread acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actor. This role reminded audiences of Fraser’s range and depth as an actor, transforming his reputation from a lighthearted star to a serious and respected performer.
Matthew McConaughey spent much of his early career starring in lighthearted romantic comedies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Failure to Launch. In Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey underwent a dramatic transformation to play Ron Woodroof, a real-life AIDS patient who smuggled unapproved treatments into Texas.
His raw, emotional performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor and marked the peak of what’s now known as the “McConaissance.” This role helped McConaughey redefine his career and establish himself as a leading dramatic actor. It broke him free from his rom-com image and allowed him to explore more serious and meaningful projects.
Emma Watson will always be remembered for her role as the intelligent and loyal Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. But in The Bling Ring, she completely transformed into Nicki, a spoiled and fame-obsessed teen involved in celebrity burglaries.
This character was the polar opposite of Hermione, showcasing Watson’s ability to tackle edgier and more provocative roles. The movie helped Watson move past her child-star image and proved she could take on mature and challenging roles. It also allowed her to transition into adult acting, making her a more versatile performer.
Zendaya rose to fame through Disney Channel projects like Shake It Up and later through her role as MJ in the Spider-Man films. While she had already started to move toward more serious work with Euphoria, her portrayal of Chani in Dune marked a significant leap into big-budget, dramatic sci-fi.
Though her screen time in the first installment was limited, her commanding presence hinted at a more substantial role in the sequel. The role of Chani showcased Zendaya as a versatile actress capable of holding her own in a star-studded ensemble. It further separated her from her earlier Disney image and positioned her as a rising force in Hollywood.
Channing Tatum was best known for his roles in romantic comedies like Step Up and Magic Mike, where he was often cast as the charming heartthrob or the comedic lead. In Foxcatcher, however, Tatum took on the serious and gritty role of Mark Schultz, an Olympic wrestler caught in a toxic relationship with his eccentric sponsor.
The role required Tatum to delve into intense emotional and physical challenges, and his performance was widely praised for its depth and authenticity. This role helped Tatum shed his “pretty boy” image and showcased his capabilities as a serious dramatic actor. It was a turning point in his career, opening doors for more complex and challenging roles.
Tom Hanks is known for both his comedic and dramatic roles. He is one of the most popular and recognizable actors worldwide. Because of this, you would think his image etched in stone would not allow him to break into a different kind of role. With movies like Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and voicing characters like Woody from Toy Story, one could hardly imagine him as something as brute as say…a mob enforcer.
A mob enforcer is exactly the role he plays in Road to Perdition. Following Hanks’ character and his son, we watch as they seek vengeance on a mobster who murdered their family. This dark, somber film highlights Hanks’ versatility in acting. Far from a one-trick pony, Hanks is able to leave his image behind to pursue any type of character.
Anne Hathaway had a reputation as the sweet, girl-next-door actress, thanks to roles in The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada. Her turn as Fantine in Les Misérables was a shocking departure. Hathaway transformed herself for the heartbreaking role of a factory worker who descends into poverty, delivering a raw, gut-wrenching performance.
Her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” became iconic, and she earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This role proved Hathaway could tackle deeply emotional and transformative characters, shedding her image as the bubbly and wholesome star. It cemented her place as a serious talent in Hollywood.
Kristen Stewart's career trajectory was significantly impacted by factors beyond her on-screen performance in Snow White and the Huntsman. While the role offered a departure from the subdued Bella Swan of theTwilight saga, showcasing a more assertive and action-oriented character, it was her highly publicized affair with the film's director, Rupert Sanders, that arguably had a more profound effect on her public image and career path.
This scandal led to intense media scrutiny and a significant shift in public perception. However, in the aftermath, Stewart began to actively seek out more challenging and independent projects. Films like Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper showcased her versatility and critical acclaim, solidifying her reputation as a serious and respected actress.
Zac Efron rose to fame as the singing, dancing heartthrob in Disney’s High School Musical. However, in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, he took on the chilling role of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers.
Efron’s unsettling portrayal of Bundy showcased his ability to dive into dark and complex roles, marking a significant departure from his Disney roots. This role helped Efron shed his teen idol image and proved he could take on mature, psychologically intense characters. It was a bold move that earned him respect as a serious actor.
In the early ’90s, Brad Pitt was Hollywood’s ultimate heartthrob, known for his good looks and roles in films like Legends of the Fall and Interview with the Vampire. In 12 Monkeys, Pitt took a bold leap, playing Jeffrey Goines, a mentally unstable activist in a dystopian future.
His quirky and erratic performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and demonstrated his range beyond romantic or dramatic leads. This role allowed Pitt to break free from his “pretty boy” label and solidify his reputation as a serious actor willing to take risks. It paved the way for more diverse and challenging roles in his career.
Margot Robbie initially gained fame for glamorous roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street. However, her portrayal of disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya revealed a different side of her talent.
Robbie fully immersed herself in the character, showcasing Tonya’s complexities and struggles with humor and vulnerability. Her performance earned her critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. This role allowed Robbie to break free from being typecast as the stunning love interest and established her as a powerhouse actress capable of leading character-driven dramas.
Before Monster, Charlize Theron was primarily known as a glamorous actress in movies like The Italian Job and Sweet November. Her transformative performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster was a shocking departure from her previous roles.
Theron gained weight, altered her appearance, and delivered a chillingly raw performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. This role shattered Theron’s glamorous image and established her as one of the most versatile and fearless actors of her generation. It became a defining moment in her career, proving her ability to fully immerse herself in complex characters.
Known for his comedic roles in films like The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, and The Longest Yard, Adam Sandler is most often cast in funny, slightly stupid roles. In fact, nearly all of his roles are tied to comedy in some way whether it’s a rom-com, a kid’s movie, or a straight-up comedy. Being the funny guy for so long, it’s hard to imagine him as any other character.
However, since his role in Uncut Gems, Sandler has been receiving praise for breaking his comedic streak and playing the part of a fast-talking NYC jeweler risking everything. Some critics say it’s his best work, similar to his work in Punch-Drunk Love. The movie, along with Sandler, was nominated for multiple awards and they both ended up winning several. With this movie, Sandler proved once and for all what a versatile actor he can be.
Reese Witherspoon became a household name as Elle Woods in the comedy Legally Blonde, a role that solidified her as a charming and bubbly actress. In Wild, she portrayed Cheryl Strayed, a woman on a soul-searching journey through the wilderness after personal tragedies.
Witherspoon’s raw, vulnerable performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. This role helped Witherspoon shed her “America’s sweetheart” persona and establish herself as a serious actress willing to take on raw and complex characters.
Known as the “unprecedented queen of science fiction movies”, Sigourney Weaver has secured quite the image. Known for her strong female protagonist roles in films such as Aliens, Ghostbusters, and Gorillas in the Mist, Weaver has an on-screen image that is hard to shake.
However, in the 1995 sci-fi film Galaxy Quest, she was able to play a different role. For this parody of sci-fi films, Weaver traded in the hard exterior for a more comedic role as a communications officer. She donned a blonde wig and wore an enhanced bosom to play her character in order to capture the humor of sci-fi production.
Tom Cruise has long been the action-seeking hero or the dramatic hero. His early career was made up of dramas and action films including Top Gun, Rain Man, and A Few Good Men. Later in his career, his roles seemed to focus solely on action films. He often performed his own stunts in films like Mission: Impossible, The Last Samurai, and Edge of Tomorrow. Quite an accomplished action star!
However, in 2008 he made a completely unrecognizable appearance as Les Grossman in the movie Tropic Thunder. This performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Many viewers did not even know Cruise was in the movie until seeing his name in the credits. For such a well-known actor, it’s hard to believe he could shed his image so well!
Steve Carell is another actor known for his humor. One of America’s most versatile comics, Carell is known for his roles in the shows The Office and Space Force, and movies such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Dinner for Schmucks, and Date Night. He’s also voiced several roles including Gru in Despicable Me and the mayor in Horton Hears a Who!
Foxcatcher provides next to no humor. In this disturbing true-crime saga, Carell gives a “career-changing” performance as John Eleuthère du Pont—an American multimillionaire, philanthropist, and wrestling enthusiast. Not only does his acting shed his usual comedic tones, but Carell’s looks also underwent huge changes as well, making him nearly unrecognizable.
When you think about Jim Carrey, crazy expressions, slapstick humor, and spot-on impersonations probably come to mind. Carrey is a comedian starring in films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. While he has broken into more serious roles such as Riddler in Batman Forever and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, each of these roles still holds an element of classic comedic Carrey.
When he assumed the role of Walter Sparrow in The Number 23, audiences were shocked to see this new side of Carrey’s abilities. As his first horror film, viewers weren’t sure what to expect. He proved his versatility though, successfully portraying an obsessive man consumed with similarities between himself, a character in a book, and the number 23. Now we know that when he wants to shed his comedic image, he has the power to do so!
Speaking of unrecognizable, Heath Ledger is another actor who assumed a role that completely transformed him. Known for being an attractive, dramatic actor, Ledger is known for films such as 10 Things I Hate About You, The Patriot, and A Knight’s Tale. His character in Brokeback Mountain certainly made waves in perhaps changing Ledger’s image.
It was his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight, however, that really led him to change the way people viewed him. Besides having a face full of messy clown makeup, Ledger’s acting was so unlike anything fans had ever seen from him that audiences could hardly believe it was him. His performance earned him universal acclaim from fans and critics alike.
Another example of an actor becoming unrecognizable would be Cameron Diaz. Known for comedic roles and girl-next-door charisma, Diaz has starred in movies such as The Mask, Sex Tape, Bad Teacher, and Knight and Day. She also voiced the character Princess Fiona in each Shrek movie. She started out her career as a model and is well-known for her dazzling smile.
In Being John Malkovich, Diaz becomes a different person. Her make-up artist was given the challenge of making her look “homely”. It’s hard to imagine Diaz as anything less than radiant. When she took the role she did not know that “people weren’t going to recognize me”. Amazingly, Diaz’s character is altered enough for audiences to have trouble identifying her.
When you see the name Robin Williams, your mind probably goes straight to the beloved classics like Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and Hook. He’s also voiced several characters such as Genie in Aladdin and Fender Pinwheeler in Robots. Though they may have serious themes within them, many of his roles are comedic and lovable.
That’s why his role in One Hour Photo is such a stark contrast—there is absolutely nothing lovable about a creeper. Gone are his comedic tendencies and in their place are obsessive habits including copying extra prints of a family’s photos and creating a shrine in his home. Williams gave an excellent and believable performance, effectively shedding his funny image for this role.
Robert De Niro has a history of portraying violent and usually abrasive characters. He starred in movies such as Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Raging Bull. As he has aged, he’s become known for his roles as a cranky old man. Meet the Parents, Everybody’s Fine, and The Irishman all showcase his tough, crotchety ways.
It was his role in Awakenings that highlighted his acting skills in a different way—portraying a catatonic man who survived an epidemic. Given an experimental drug, he “awakens” from his catatonic state. However, it wasn’t meant to last. We watch as facial and body tics begin to manifest and he becomes more agitated as he slowly returns to his original state. De Niro shed his tough-guy image to become someone much more vulnerable.
Leonardo DiCaprio had long been associated with romantic leads, particularly after Titanic. In Inception, DiCaprio played Dom Cobb, a skilled thief navigating a mind-bending world of dreams.
The role showcased his ability to handle complex narratives and intense emotional depth, moving him away from his heartthrob image into a respected dramatic actor. This role was part of DiCaprio’s broader career shift into serious, high-concept films, solidifying his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and versatile stars.
Jonah Hill is known for his comedic roles in films such as Superbad, Knocked Up, 21 Jump Street, and The Wolf of Wall Street. He’s also voiced multiple characters in movies like The Lego Movie and How to Train Your Dragon. Known for being a funny guy, he’s usually cast in comedic roles.
He shed that comedic image in the movie True Story. He assumes the role of a journalist whose identity was being used by a man whose wife and three children have been murdered. We follow Hill’s character as he visits the identity thief in jail, absorbed by the manipulative way he tells his side of the story. This somber role is a far cry from Hill’s laughter-inducing roles and helped audiences see him in a new way.
Before Fight Club, Edward Norton was best known for his roles in dramas like Primal Fear and American History X, where he showcased his intensity and dramatic skill. In Fight Club, Norton took on the role of the disillusioned, unnamed narrator, navigating the chaos of consumerism, identity, and mental health.
His performance highlighted a mix of vulnerability and dark humor, which expanded his range. The film became a cult classic, and Norton’s work further cemented his reputation as one of the most compelling actors of his generation. It allowed him to shed the image of a strictly dramatic performer and embrace more complex, unconventional roles.
Though she’s played multiple serious roles in drama films, Melissa McCarthy’s image is largely one of being a comedian. In movies like Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, and Tammy, we see her comedic skills and slapstick jokes lead to commercially successful comedies. She's hilarious!
However, in 2018, McCarthy portrayed the writer Lee Israel in a biographical film. Can You Ever Forgive me? is laced with dark wit and melancholy. Though McCarthy is able to manage some comedy, even if it is dark, this role is far from any character she has ever played. She earned a nomination for Best Actress at multiple ceremonies.
Wow—Owen Wilson has had an exceptionally large amount of roles playing a goofy, fun-loving guy. Known for movies like Zoolander, Starsky & Hutch, and Wedding Crashers, Wilson’s characters are usually not taking themselves too seriously. He’s also voiced characters such as Lightning McQueen and Marmaduke.
Forget his take-it-easy image—No Escape places audiences on the edge of their seats for nearly the entire length of the film. Wilson’s character, Jack Dwyer, finds himself along with his family in the middle of a coup d'état in a foreign country. He must keep his family alive and escape the country as rebels hunt them down. Yet another great example of a movie role that helped an actor shed his image.
“Yer a wizard, Harry.” The Harry Potter franchise cast a shadow Daniel Radcliffe has had trouble shaking. First cast in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 and continuing Harry Potter roles through 2011, audiences found it hard to separate Daniel from Harry. But Radcliffe was determined.
He has starred in multiple horror films, beginning with The Woman in Black. He’s also tried a variety of other genres to leave his young wizard image behind. In perhaps his most peculiar film Swiss Army Man, Radcliffe plays the role of a dead body who befriends a man on a deserted island. If any movie has helped audiences separate its characters, Swiss Army Man is the one to do the trick.
Best known for his role in the blockbuster hit Twilight, Taylor Lautner has been known for his attractive, brooding image. His iconic role as Jacob Black continued throughout the saga, helping mold and solidify his image. He was cast as a heartthrob in Valentine’s Day and continued his serious image with his role in Abduction. Viewers would suspect Lautner would stick with these types of roles he seemed to fit into so seamlessly.
They would be surprised when he starred in the film The Ridiculous 6. Gone was the brooding, serious character. In its place was a goofy, dim-witted character completely unlike any of his previous roles. Side by side, Lautner’s characters in Twilight and The Ridiculous 6 are as different as night and day. He certainly shed his image for this role. Maybe we'll see him in more comedic roles in the future!
Chris Hemsworth became a household name as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he played the noble and heroic God of Thunder. However, in Bad Times at the El Royale, Hemsworth took on a darker, more sinister role as Billy Lee, a charismatic yet menacing cult leader.
His chilling performance showcased a side of him that audiences hadn’t seen before. This role allowed Hemsworth to step away from his clean-cut superhero image, proving his ability to take on complex and morally ambiguous characters. It helped diversify his filmography and showed that he was more than just a blockbuster action star.
Before Layer Cake, Daniel Craig was primarily recognized for his roles in British dramas and supporting parts in Hollywood films. In this stylish crime thriller, Craig played a suave, unnamed drug dealer looking to leave the criminal world.
His sharp, intense performance showcased his charisma and versatility, marking a turning point in his career. This role positioned Craig as a leading man, catching the attention of producers for the James Bond franchise. It directly led to his casting as 007 in Casino Royale, a role that transformed him into an international superstar.
Halle Berry was best known for glamorous roles in films like Die Another Day and Swordfish. In Monster’s Ball, Berry portrayed Leticia Musgrove, a struggling widow who finds an unexpected connection with a prison guard.
Her raw and emotional performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first Black woman to win in that category. The role redefined Berry’s career, showcasing her ability to handle deeply emotional and transformative characters. It shifted her reputation from a glamorous star to a critically acclaimed performer.
