# Actors Who Impress More Playing Against Type **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373 "2021-12-20T18:02:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/21 "2021-12-20T21:02:10Z")
Jimmy Cagney earned an Oscar nomination for parlaying his breakthrough tough-guy gangster role from **The Public Enemy** into an iconic performance in **Angels With Dirty Faces** — and then did an about-face to _win_ an Oscar as a patriotic song-and-dance man in **Yankee Doodle Dandy**. If I wanted to start an argument, I’d say that he out-Edward-G-Robinson-ed Robinson, and that he then out-Gene-Kelly-ed Kelly. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/22 "2021-12-20T21:02:42Z")
I really really want to see the movie in the OP now! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/23 "2021-12-20T21:11:07Z")
Leslie Nielsen found himself a new place in comedies halfway thru his 60 year career. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/24 "2021-12-20T21:12:36Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Tom Cruise was also very impressive at the start of Edge of Tomorrow. He’s a coward and sneak who deserves what happens to him. He thinks he can get out of anything. He becomes cool, but starts intentionally playing the guy we hate. You want to see Cruise play against type, watch him as bald, fat-suited, unhinged Les Grossman in **Tropic Thunder**. **Collateral** is also considered one of Tom Cruise’s least “Tom Cruisy” films. @Grrr - I think playing a bit of a lunatic has become Woody Harrelson’s “type” at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/25 "2021-12-20T21:13:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Sacha Baron Cohen in _Hugo_ I agree Baron did a fine job in Hugo. I mentioned this in another thread, but John Belushi, in Neighbors ‘81. The reviewers generally panned the movie, but what do they know! I liked it. Belushi and Aykroyd swiched roles shortly before shooting commenced, so they played against type. It made what would have been just another predictable bombastic Belushi film (which I’d grown tired of), into a much funnier (IMHO) comedy, with Belushi playing the meek, put-upon character, and Aykroyd playing the over-the-top nut. They both did a good job. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HUO1OugYbRk/maxresdefault.jpg "Neighbors 1981 Trailer | John Belushi | Dan Aykroyd | Kathryn Walker") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUO1OugYbRk) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/26 "2021-12-20T22:17:50Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You want to see Cruise play against type, watch him as bald, fat-suited, unhinged Les Grossman in **Tropic Thunder**. **Collateral** is also considered one of Tom Cruise’s least “Tom Cruisy” films. Yes to both. His Les Grossman routine was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/27 "2021-12-20T22:24:16Z")
I freaking love that movie. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/28 "2021-12-20T23:40:50Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > > [@MrDibble](#): > > > > Sacha Baron Cohen in _Hugo_ > > I agree Baron did a fine job in Hugo. > > I mentioned this in another thread, but John Belushi, in Neighbors ‘81. The reviewers generally panned the movie, but what do they know! I liked it. > > Belushi and Aykroyd swiched roles shortly before shooting commenced, so they played against type. It made what would have been just another predictable bombastic Belushi film (which I’d grown tired of), into a much funnier (IMHO) comedy, with Belushi playing the meek, put-upon character, and Aykroyd playing the over-the-top nut. They both did a good job. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUO1OugYbRk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUO1OugYbRk) I’m a fan of _Neighbors_, too. If you read the book, you would know that Aykroyd was perfect casting for Captain Vic – he looks exactly like the way the character is described in the novel. When I heard it was being cast, I expected him to play the role. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/29 "2021-12-20T23:47:56Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Jim Carrey in _Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind_ Yep, my favorite movie of all time. I like him better as a serious actor (The Majestic, Truman Show). Arnold was good in Kindergarten Cop, a comedy. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PeH_fzD5W8w/maxresdefault.jpg "Kindergarten Cop (1990) Official Trailer - Arnold Schwarzenegger Movie HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeH_fzD5W8w) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/30 "2021-12-21T01:39:56Z")
I was watching **American Hustle** the other day, Most people are used to seeing Christian Bale as some version of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho or Batman/Bruce Wayne (arguable the same character). In this film, he’s more of a sleezy, fat, paunchy, middle-aged con artist with a heart condition. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/31 "2021-12-21T02:09:03Z")
I don’t know if it counts as playing against type but Bill Burr surprised me in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/32 "2021-12-21T04:32:36Z")
Steve Colbert gave an impressive dramatic performance as a forger/murderer on Law & Order: Criminal Intent ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/33 "2021-12-21T05:23:32Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I don’t know if it counts as playing against type but Bill Burr surprised me in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. Well, since you brought up Breaking Bad - Bryan Cranston. Pretty much just known as a comic actor from Malcolm in the Middle & a memorable guest spot on Seinfeld before being cast as Walter White. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/34 "2021-12-21T10:44:21Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Tom Hanks played the villain in Ladykillers and it was actually really bad. I enjoyed his creepy smile, with the curling lips under the Van Dyke. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hFbqAM8SUDM/hqdefault.jpg "The Ladykillers (2004) Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFbqAM8SUDM&t=44) > [@Mahaloth](#): > > I would love to see him play a straight up unlikeable character again to see how he does. Agreed. How about Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? In comparison to De Niro in Awakenings, IMO, DiCaprio used a wider range of tics, he did so more naturally and, overall, he did more with less. Maybe the two characters/performances aren’t really comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/35 "2021-12-21T11:13:46Z")
> [@alovem](#): > > How about Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Well how about DiCaprio in **Django Unchained**? Playing a sadistic plantation / slave owner with aplomb, even improvising around [cutting his hand open](https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/hollywood-news/leonardo-dicaprio-used-real-blood-in-django-unchaineds-dinner-scene.html) in an accident. IMO it’s a shame he didn’t get a best supporting character nomination, instead it went to…Christoph Waltz doing Christoph Waltz. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/36 "2021-12-21T13:13:48Z")
Few remember, but David Schwimmer was very impressive as a vigilante in _NYPD Blue_ before joining _Friends._ ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/37 "2021-12-21T13:25:32Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Well how about DiCaprio in **Django Unchained**? > Playing a sadistic plantation / slave owner with aplomb, even improvising around [cutting his hand open](https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/hollywood-news/leonardo-dicaprio-used-real-blood-in-django-unchaineds-dinner-scene.html) in an accident. Better yet, playing an actor playing a villain in _Once Upon a Time in Hollywood_? Twice! ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/38 "2021-12-21T13:36:27Z")
Dick Powell played many singing juvenile roles in early 1930s musicals, and did a great job. But he switched and played hard-boiled gumshoe Philip Marlowe in _Farewell My Lovely_, and was even better at that, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/39 "2021-12-21T13:49:38Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You want to see Cruise play against type, watch him as bald, fat-suited, unhinged Les Grossman in **Tropic Thunder**. **Collateral** is also considered one of Tom Cruise’s least “Tom Cruisy” films. I like to think Cruise was playing his true self under the prosthetics. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373/40 "2021-12-21T14:18:45Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > However, in 2002 we were all surprised to see Adam Sandler acting, and doing a good job of it in _Punch Drunk Love_ . It’s been a long time since I saw that movie, but my impression was that it was an Adam Sandler character in a non-Adam Sandler movie. (Which is not a criticism, nor an implication that it wasn’t good acting; but it’s why the movie worked so well with Sandler in it.) Perhaps similarly, the serious actors in _Airplane!_ (including but not limited to Leslie Nielsen) weren’t so much playing against type as they were playing _to_ type in a different sort of movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-impress-more-playing-against-type/956373.md?page=3)