# Surprising Career Arcs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 2, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958 "2012-07-02T02:08:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/21 "2012-07-02T15:09:09Z")
The Elephant Man made that one great film and then I never saw him again. Travolta’s career looked un-salvageable after ‘Look Who’s Talking Now’ and then along comes Vincent. De Niro’s move into comedy was pretty unexpected. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/22 "2012-07-02T15:13:44Z")
Neil Patrick Harris. From Doogie Howser to minor film roles to amazing song-and-dance man to a minor role on How I Met Your Mother that just took over the whole show. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/23 "2012-07-02T15:47:28Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Shatner was a Shakespearean actor. As was Avery Brooks. I remember reading, back when _The Dukes of Hazard_ was popular, that Sorrel Brooke, who played Boss Hogg, was a classically trained Shakespearean actor. I remember expressing surprise at this to my dad, who shrugged and said, “what would you do? Turn down a role making lots of money on a popular TV series?” Early lesson in perspective for little Ellen. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/24 "2012-07-02T15:53:32Z")
Michael Chiklis – doughy frumpy friendly Tony Scaliain _The Commish_ to Tough, bald, badass Vic Mackey on _The Shield_ to Ben Grimm, The Thing in _Fantastic Four_ (He was reportedly the only cast member who actually used to read the comic). then sorta back to his Commish rooys on _No Ordinary Family_. Shelley Winters – uderappreciated actress to sexpot beauty, who later gained a lot of weight and played a varirety of roles, seriousd and comic. When I first saw her she was in the “heavy” stage, and I didn’t even know about the first part of her career. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/25 "2012-07-02T16:02:17Z")
Will Smith - from rapper to minor TV star to major film star and two-time Oscar nominee. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/26 "2012-07-02T16:04:39Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Bryan Cranston - from sitcoms (Seinfeld, Malcolm in the Middle) straight to serious drama (Breaking Bad). I came in here to add Bryan Cranston as well. He’s good in everything I’ve ever seen him in. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/27 "2012-07-02T16:09:13Z")
Woody Harrillson is probably one of the most diverse actors out there, but I still always think of him as Woody from Cheers. Justin Timberlake - From N Synch to one of the funniest reoccuring guests on SNL and a couple of decent films under his belt. And he still has a pretty successful solo music career. James Franco - He litterally does everything. > [@Equipoise](#): > > Ryan Gosling -from Mouseketeer to Lover Boy to Indie Darling to Badass Hunk. Don’t forget Young Hercules. > [@Scumpup](#): > > In his case, a constant level of personal assholery seems to have been maintained throughout. Is Mark Wahlburg known for being an asshole? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/28 "2012-07-02T16:46:05Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > The Elephant Man made that one great film and then I never saw him again. Okay, is this a whoosh? John Hurt played the Elephant Man and he’s had an active career both before and after that movie. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/29 "2012-07-02T16:49:45Z")
I’m surprised Chris Isaak wasn’t a bigger deal than he was in the 90s. Writing follow-up hits is ridiculously difficult, but I would’ve figured him for a big time leading man. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/30 "2012-07-02T16:53:19Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Is Mark Wahlburg known for being an asshole? Here’s [today’s d-bag move](http://www.giants101.com/2012/07/02/mark-wahlberg-banned-from-watching-football-at-home-following-super-bowl-xlvi-meltdown/)\* (that I personally love). \*Well, the move was a few months ago – the reporting was today. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/31 "2012-07-02T16:56:41Z")
Vince Vaughn - Played bad guys early in his career and now plays lead roles in comedies. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/32 "2012-07-02T18:16:11Z")
Lots of athletes fit the bill, but the most interesting for me was Alex Karras. First round pick defensive tackle played 12 seasons for the Lions, then later starred in… **Webster**. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/33 "2012-07-02T18:45:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Okay, is this a whoosh? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/34 "2012-07-02T18:55:30Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Shatner was a Shakespearean actor. As was Avery Brooks. Cite? Acting in a Shakespeare play does not make one “a Shakespearean actor” in the sense that Patrick Stewart is: he was a member of the [Royal Shakespeare Company](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_in_Royal_Shakespeare_Company_productions). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/35 "2012-07-02T19:29:09Z")
Going back a long way: Fred MacMurray was well-known for film _noir_ roles, particularly _Double Indemnity_, but also made a lot of light comedy. He then went on to make amusing Disney fare and ended up as Stephen Douglas on _My Three Sons_. To see him now in a film _noir_ role is jarring. James Cagney started out in Vaudeville, and was best known for his gangster roles in movies. But he successfully moved on to great movies like _Yankee Doodle Dandy_ (Academy Award), _Mr. Roberts_, and _Man of a Thousand Faces_, and even did a bit of television work. He was so good at being a gangster that it’s surprising that he could break free of the type-casting. Lucile Ball went from serious movie roles to being the prat-falling ditz of TV fame. And speaking of Marky-Mark, there’s also Elvis, who turned out to be a surprisingly competent actor. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/36 "2012-07-02T19:34:57Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > I’m surprised Chris Isaak wasn’t a bigger deal than he was in the 90s. Writing follow-up hits is ridiculously difficult, but I would’ve figured him for a big time leading man. He’s looking quite craggy these days, so maybe a character actor now. I saw him recently on a British cookery show, and he was hilarious, improvising comic songs about food. Seemed like a top bloke. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/37 "2012-07-02T19:49:59Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Lots of athletes fit the bill, but the most interesting for me was Alex Karras. First round pick defensive tackle played 12 seasons for the Lions, then later starred in… **Webster**. 😕 By way of the iconic role of Mongo in _Blazing Saddles_. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/38 "2012-07-02T22:46:56Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > By way of the iconic role of Mongo in _Blazing Saddles_. I remember him on Carson one night with Tony Randall. Randall was a fussy guy at best, and asked Karras (while waving his hands in the air): “Would you mind smoking that cigar somewhere else?” Karras replied something along the lines of: “I’m 6’3 and weigh 325 pounds. I’ll smoke wherever the hell I please!” ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/39 "2012-07-02T23:22:42Z")
Heh. Another great role for Karas – Jim Garner’s gay bodyguard in _Victor/Victoria_. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958/40 "2012-07-02T23:49:33Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > He’s looking quite craggy these days, so maybe a character actor now. I saw him recently on a British cookery show, and he was hilarious, improvising comic songs about food. Seemed like a top bloke. I saw him do a small concert two years ago and he was entertaining as hell. I suspect he’s quite happy doing what he loves. Back to the thread, I’ll nomonate Kurt Russell; from childhood Disney star to anti-hero in \*The Thing \*and \*Escape from New York \*then jumping around from action to comedy to action again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprising-career-arcs/626958.md?page=3)