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.
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.
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.
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.
Will Smith - from rapper to minor TV star to major film star and two-time Oscar nominee.
I came in here to add Bryan Cranston as well. He’s good in everything I’ve ever seen him in.
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.
Don’t forget Young Hercules.
Is Mark Wahlburg known for being an asshole?
Okay, is this a whoosh? John Hurt played the Elephant Man and he’s had an active career both before and after that movie.
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.
Here’s today’s d-bag move* (that I personally love).
*Well, the move was a few months ago – the reporting was today.
Vince Vaughn - Played bad guys early in his career and now plays lead roles in comedies.
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. 
Yes.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
Heh.
Another great role for Karas – Jim Garner’s gay bodyguard in Victor/Victoria.
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.