"I can't stand her in comedies, but in this movie, she was really good. I'd prefer her in more dramatic roles."
Recently, I asked the BuzzFeed Community which comedy actors truly surprised them with their performances in dramatic or serious roles.
Here are 19 of their top responses:
1. "Katey Sagal as Gemma on Sons of Anarchy. We were all used to her as Lela [on Futurama] and Peg Bundy [on Married... with Children], but during the first episode, you could see her talent."
2. "Mo'Nique in Precious [the role that won her an Oscar]. The final scene where she breaks down blew me away."
3. "Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl. The movie is quite old (2002), but it was the first movie I saw her in after she starred in Friends. I didn't know she was such a good dramatic actor."
4. "Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction. Really surprised me how subdued he is in it — and yet sincere."
5. "Kevin Hart surprised me in Fatherhood. I cried, which says nothing, but my husband cried, and that says everything."
6. "Hands down, Kevin Hart in The Upside. That movie was great. Broke my heart. Made me laugh."
7. "So many have probably watched Uncut Gems, but watch Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me. Very gripping and emotional."
8. "John Kraskinski made me laugh in The Office but played a very different role in Jack Ryan. He did an excellent job!"
9. "I'm going to argue forever for Owen Wilson in The Darjeeling Limited, and to be fair, most of his Wes Anderson roles, but that one in particular sticks with me."
10. "Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was the very first time I could appreciate him as a serious actor."
11. "Awkwafina in The Farewell. I can't stand her in comedies, but in this movie, she was really good."
12. "Jason Bateman was amazing in Ozark. I went in not knowing what it was about, but I thought Bateman is funny in everything."
13. "Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls. The man gave an outstanding performance, for which he nabbed an Oscar nomination."
14. "Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me? I didn't know she had such range!"
15. "Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a Dream. That movie always makes it on lists of great movies that you can only watch once (true), but I was shocked by how good of a dramatic actor he was when I watched it."
16. "Steve Carell in Foxcatcher, for which he nabbed an Oscar nom for Best Supporting Actor."
17. "Michael Keaton in a number of different 'serious' roles was initially a shock until I realized he had great acting chops. Clean and Sober was the first time I remember seeing him in a non-comedy."
18. "Peter Sellers is best known for his work in The Pink Panther series as a more outlandish character but was absolutely wonderful in Being There."
19. And finally: "Robin Williams — Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, The Fisher King, One Hour Photo, and Insomnia."
Which comedic actor suprised you the most with their performance in a dramatic role? Why? Let us know in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.