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SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

Question of the Day - Which actors are equally good in drama and comedy?

9 Mar 2011

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Today's Question comes from Linlighthouse who asks

"Which actors are equally good in drama and comedy?"

From Linlighthouse

"I love Garret Dillahunt's work on Raising Hope and it's hard to believe he's the guy from Deadwood. Great on both. Carroll O'Connor was a wonderful Archie Bunker, and he transitioned well to the drama In the Heat of the Night. Robert DeNiro though, oh dear. From Godfather to Taxi Driver to--Focker-in-law? That's so sad. What do you think?"

Another great question and some good suggestions already.

I'd also like to add a few of my own. I always thought David Duchovny from X-Files would never be able to play another role, but in Californication he's proved me wrong.

Other actors that I think can do both well are Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Robin Williams

But my all time favourite is Peter Sellers. From bumbling Clouseau, sweet and innocent Hrundi in The Party, through to Chance the simple gardener in Being There, shows what a total talent he was.

If you've not seen either The Party, or Being There I strongly urge you to check them out.

So what about you? Which are your favourite actors who can do both drama and comedy? Sound off in the comments below along with examples of the films/shows that they have done to showcase their talents in both genres.

And please keep submitting your Questions of the Day Below using the form.

You can see previous Questions of the Day here.

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70 comments:

  1. Caitlin Cullinan9 March 2011 at 15:02

    THOMAS GIBSON. Criminal Minds and Dharma and Greg. brilliant in both.

    ReplyDelete
  2. klutzy_girl9 March 2011 at 15:02

    Jason Segel. He's very good with comedy, but he knocks the drama out of the park. I loved Jason's acting when Marshall learned about his father's death.

    And I can't think of anyone else right now, but I'll think about it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. klutzy_girl9 March 2011 at 15:03

    Ooh, yes! I agree. Completely forgot about him. Loved him as Greg Montgomery and I love him as Hotch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Llegaronparaquedarse9 March 2011 at 15:03

    John Lithgow. 3rd Rock From The Sun / Dexter. Awesome actor.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 24fan9 March 2011 at 15:08

    Adam Baldwin. Firefly, Chuck, and the war movie name that I can't remember. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christine Wilson9 March 2011 at 15:10

    Jensen Ackles...He is very good at doing both.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mónica Araújo9 March 2011 at 15:14

    Nathan Fillion from Castle
    Zachary Levi from Chuck
    David Borenaz from Bones

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Francis Santos9 March 2011 at 15:15

    Jon Hamm should be on this list. Drama on Mad Men of course, but he's been hilarious in 30 Rock and SNL.

    ReplyDelete
  9. silvershadow69 March 2011 at 15:17

    Jensen Ackles.
    Jared Padalecki.

    ReplyDelete
  10. meijioro9 March 2011 at 15:18

    Tom Hanks, people forget nowadays that back then he was in Bosom Buddies. Just watching his Toddler's and Tiara's parody makes me wish he did some comedy again.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Katie9 March 2011 at 15:20

    I agree about Thomas Gibson and I'd like to add Bryan Cranston to the list.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Supernatural Junkie9 March 2011 at 15:28

    Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Thomas Gibson, Kirsten Vangsness, and Matthew Gray Gubler can all be very serious and absolutely hilarious. And, they can switch from one to the other in a heartbeat. Supernatural can leave you laughing through your tears.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Matt509 March 2011 at 15:33

    Yup, came here to mention him. Jon Hamm can do everything. God, I have such a mancrush on him. :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Shannon Liedel9 March 2011 at 16:00

    Jensen Ackles, no doubt!

    ReplyDelete
  15. TheSpoilerGirl9 March 2011 at 16:04

    I've not seen Jensen in any comedies, can you recommend any?

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  16. TheSpoilerGirl9 March 2011 at 16:05

    John Lithgow = AWESOME

    ReplyDelete
  17. TheSpoilerGirl9 March 2011 at 16:05

    Wow, yes. I can't believe I forgot he was in D&G

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  18. Bunky Bunk9 March 2011 at 16:18

    I'm going to mention actors who proved to be able to do both in different shows (it's easy to have a little joke every once in a while in a drama, plenty of actors do that but only a few are capable of doing great in two shows completely opposite to one another, not many actors can pull it off).

    So there's Jon Hamm (Mad Men / 30 Rock), Bryan Cranston (Malcolm / Breaking Bad), Garrett Dillahunt (Raising Hope / pretty much every other role he previously had), Ted Danson (Bored to Death & Curb your Enthusiasm / Damages), John Lithgrow (3rd Rock from the Sun / Dexter).

    ReplyDelete
  19. Malwin Turnyánszki9 March 2011 at 16:34

    John Hamm .... I so miss him from my TV (come back MM soon).Also Allison Brie is doing a great job, feels like looking at a completely different person on MM or Community. And undoubtedly Jensen Ackles is the BEST! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Amanda Abila9 March 2011 at 16:36

    Jensen Ackles from Supernatural

    ReplyDelete
  21. theartimus9 March 2011 at 16:49

    As soon as I saw the topic, he was the first person that came to mind. His interview on Conan last year was epic.

    ReplyDelete
  22. atlantisguy19769 March 2011 at 17:03

    You nailed my list. Love all three shows and find all 3 actors unbelievable. I might add Adam Baldwin because of his work in Independence Day.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sean McGrath9 March 2011 at 17:30

    Definitely Bryan Cranston. Hilarious as Hal and so intense and gripping as Walter

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  24. Sasha Jones9 March 2011 at 17:48

    Katee Sackhoff, great in BSG, but hilarious playing herself in Big Bang Theory.
    Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin.
    Christopher Lloyd, awesome actor, so versatile.

    ReplyDelete
  25. HarrisTh9 March 2011 at 17:53

    David Boreanaz ~ Bones
    John Noble ~ Fringe

    ReplyDelete
  26. ivetka9 March 2011 at 18:46

    100% agreed on Jason. He's amazing actor who can act in anything.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Leonie Henckell9 March 2011 at 18:49

    Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock/SNL and some earlier movies.
    Rachel Griffiths in Brothers&Sisters/Six Feet Under and her older movies like Muriel's Wedding.
    Toni Collette in United States of Tara and The Sixth Sense and so on.
    Katey Sagal in Married with Children, Futurama and Sons of Anarchy.
    Lauren Graham in Gilmore Girls and Parenthood (she has a lot of Drama in Parenthood and she does an amazing job!)

    ReplyDelete
  28. cin_kong9 March 2011 at 19:20

    Carol Burnett
    Jean Stapleton
    Ed Asner

    ReplyDelete
  29. Cadence9 March 2011 at 19:40

    Agreed completely. I'd only have to add Bryan Cranston.

    ReplyDelete
  30. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:41

    I agree.. David Boreanaz was serious as Angel.. and though there were "comedic" episodes..he was still considered to be brooding..

    In Bones he's hilarious :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:41

    sometimes i forget that he's the same guy

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  32. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:41

    DEFINITELY!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:42

    Yes John Lithgow is a good one.. I didn't think he could pull of a serious role until I saw Dexter

    ReplyDelete
  34. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:43

    Honestly.. I don't think he's done comedy.. its just his range as Dean Winchester is phenomenal..we all think he'd do great in comedy..

    ReplyDelete
  35. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:44

    When Criminal Minds first came out I was like..oohh Its Dharma's Greg.. he can't be serious.. his character is the dryest character I've ever seen on TV lol. Good job Thomas.. really that was a compliment

    ReplyDelete
  36. TrinekaS9 March 2011 at 19:44

    He was also on Angel :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Bruce_F9 March 2011 at 19:46

    Garrett Dillahunt - He shifted his lucrative acting career based on playing creeps and psychos into playing a great comedic role on Raising Hope.

    Paget Brewster - Forget Thomas Gibson. He may have been in comedies but he's the straight man. Paget is the real funny one on Criminal Minds. Long live Birdgirl!

    David Duchovny - X-Files & Californication. 'Nuff said.

    Mary Lynn Rajskub - Watch Chloe O'Brien on 24 then watch her as Gail the Snail on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. That's all the proof you need.

    ReplyDelete
  38. darq9 March 2011 at 19:55

    Females:

    Kathy Bates (Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes,Harry's Law) is one talented woman! I wish she would get more roles, but in this day and age, a middle-aged woman above a size 10 just doesn't get many chances. At least she makes the most of what she gets!

    Meryl Streep (Silkwood, Doubt, Devil Wears Prada),No list would be complete with her. Best of a generation.

    Charlize Theron is incredible. She can play anything from athletic hitwoman 2 Days in the Valley, Aeon Flux), to mentally challenged quirky love interest( Arrested Development), to a prostitute serial killer (Monster), to an d overrated actor's newlywed wife (Devil's Advocate).

    Susan Surrandon (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dead Man Walking, Thelma and Louise) is another actress that can bring so much to any role!


    Males:

    Robert Downey Jr. (Less Than Zero, The Soloist, Iron Man) is one if the best actors of his generation. PERIOD.

    Bryan Cranston (Malcom in the Middle, Breaking Bad) is unrecognizable from one role to the next he is so good!

    Ron Pearlman (Sons of Anarchy, Hellboy) is AWESOME at both.

    John Noble (Fringe) has that Shakespearian quality to his dramatic work, but then the innocense and comic timing to pull off any form of comedy from awkward to outright hilarious.

    Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood,Jusitified) is well known for his dramatic chops, but he has been truly hilarious on My Name is Earl and The Office.

    Tim DeKay (Carnivale, White Collar) is Awesome in either drama or comedy and has the skill to go from one to the other instantly!

    John Cusack (Say Anything, Better Off Dead, Gross Point Blank, Being John Malkovich) is one of my favorite actors. In movies like Malkovich or Runaway Jury he was sharp and in the moment of the drama, but especially in his early work his comedic timing was incredible!

    James Spader (Secretary, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Boston Legal) is incredible. The amount of idiosyncrasies and nuance he brings to a charcter is both subtle but immense. He adds layers to the simplest of roles and makes sense of complex characters with his outward and "inward expression".

    Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire/ 30 Rock) is another.

    And of course...
    Charlie Sheen. (Platoon,Wallstreet Major League, 2.5 Men) Nowadays he is just an asshat, but in his early films he was surprisingly good at drama... and of course he has been the anchor in the #1 comedy for the past 5 or more years.

    ReplyDelete
  39. darq9 March 2011 at 19:59

    The only thing I have seen him unable to do... was play a martial arts expert/ chosen one to save the world in The Lost Empire... Aaaawkward. He was still charming as ever, but so not believable to me. Incredible regardless!

    ReplyDelete
  40. marchhare19 March 2011 at 20:04

    I'm so glad Nathan Fillion, Jason Segel, Jon Hamm and Alison Brie have been mentioned. I want to add Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) to this ever-evolving list.

    I feel that a lot of Joss Whedon's shows have given actors opportunities to showcase their dramatic and comedic talents. I loved how Alexis Denisof's Wesley was allowed to progress from comedic relief to a dark, compelling character. Fran Kranz was hilarious throughout most of Dollhouse and then did a terrific job in the finale(s) when he was given heavier material to work with. One person who really impressed me was Enver Gjokaj- he was equally amazing in dramatic and comedic roles.

    ReplyDelete
  41. lostrocks4ever9 March 2011 at 20:33

    Jensen Ackles,
    Jared Padalecki
    Thomas Gibson
    Matthew Gray Gubler

    i love how on supernatural it can go from terrifying horror drama one episode to a hilarious comedy the next
    jensen and jared are amazing

    ReplyDelete
  42. darq9 March 2011 at 20:50

    I am a little surprised no one has mentioned Johnny Depp yet. I know he is more known for quirky comedy roles, but he is outstanding in drama too!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Linlighthouse9 March 2011 at 21:55

    He was very good in Donnie Brasco, a crime drama.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Dalia Ebeid9 March 2011 at 22:12

    Yeah, he has great comic timing and he's very good at the heart-wrenching scenes as well.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Dalia Ebeid9 March 2011 at 22:12

    You're totally entitled to have a mancrush on him :))

    ReplyDelete
  46. lichen26419 March 2011 at 22:30

    I'm going to add Alyson Hannigan to the list.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Omarlittletheking9 March 2011 at 22:51

    completly agree. He was the first actor that came to mind when i read the question

    ReplyDelete
  48. Scott Charlton9 March 2011 at 23:13

    rob lowe- the amazingness of parks and rec and him plus the west wing bros and hoes

    ReplyDelete
  49. tvmonkey9 March 2011 at 23:17

    Jared Padalecki is one that springs to mind

    ReplyDelete
  50. Myos410 March 2011 at 00:06

    Johnny Depp and a recent discovery of mine who's amazing both in comedy and drama, Keeley Hawes (check out 2010's Upstairs Downstairs, Ashes to ashes, 2002 /MI5 Spooks etc; for example on youtube.)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Graciela Darlan10 March 2011 at 00:23

    Jensen Ackles from Supernatural !!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. doublevisionqst10 March 2011 at 00:44

    Bryan Cranston, John Noble, and Jorge Garcia! When Hurley was funny, he was hilarious... when he was sad, it was extremely difficult not to feel the same.

    As for actors in movies... for some reason the only actors I can think of right now are Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jim Carrey. While JGL is mainly a serious actor and Carrey is mainly a comedic actor they've proven they can do both well, Carrey with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and JGL with (500) Days of Summer.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Sasha10 March 2011 at 03:13

    Try Ten Inch Hero. You can probably find it online and it's very much worth the watch.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sasha10 March 2011 at 03:14

    Jensen Ackles and Topher Grace.

    ReplyDelete
  55. numbersarebad10 March 2011 at 06:14

    Full Metal Jacket (or did I just not pick up your sarcasm?)

    ReplyDelete
  56. numbersarebad10 March 2011 at 06:19

    They've done comedies? I get that this site has become an overflowing bowl of Supernaturalflakes, but are J&J really good at comedy too?

    ReplyDelete
  57. numbersarebad10 March 2011 at 06:21

    I agree about Ted Danson

    ReplyDelete
  58. darq10 March 2011 at 06:22

    I liked him on two series cancelled in their first years too, The Inside (a Criminal Minds clone) and Day Break. I remember him from his first movie "My Bodyguard", where he played this overgrown manchild that was hired as protection by a nerdy kid. Cute movie. He was tpye cast from his first role as the muscle! :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. numbersarebad10 March 2011 at 06:26

    Johnny Depp used to be okay, but lately...he seems to just do anything he can to wear makeup.

    ReplyDelete
  60. numbersarebad10 March 2011 at 06:31

    Definitely Jim Carrey!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Christy Zachman10 March 2011 at 08:20

    Thomas Gibson is the best. He was great in Dharma and Greg as Greg and his is great as Agent Hotchner in Criminal Minds. A man of many talents.

    ReplyDelete
  62. darq10 March 2011 at 08:22

    I think they are both okay at comedy... the drama is questionable to me. Or maybe I just find myself laughing at their "dramatic acting"?

    ReplyDelete
  63. darq10 March 2011 at 08:26

    Oh I completely agree. Basically the last decade has been one quirky make up role after another, and while he does excel in them.... I wish he would do more dramatic roles again. In fairness I did not see The Tourist and I know he did Public Enemies last ear. He was much better than I expected in Blow, Choclate, Finding Neverland etc.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Rochey_110 March 2011 at 08:50

    I find a lot of 'comedic' actors are absolutely wonderful at nailing 'Dramatic' roles....Case in point....

    'ROBIN WILLIAMS'.....who is a wonderful dramatic actor....i daresay even better than his comedic performances....

    Another one is 'JIM CARREY'....i was surprised when i saw him in 'Truman Show'.....then 'Man on the Moon'...then 'Eternal Sunshine'...He really is good

    .....'PETER SELLERS' is def another one....and as for 'JOHNNY DEPP'....He's such a 'chameleon' of an actor.....he can do anything <3

    JOHN NOBLE - the 'heart and soul' of fringe......so funny, and yet 'heartbreaking' at times to watch...He's a gem of an actor :))

    JENSEN ACKLES - I'm a big fan of his......His character can have you ROFLYAO one second, and crying your eyes out in another....He can act with just his face too...It's all in the eyes for some actors...He's one of them <3

    ALEC BALDWIN - He's really good at whatever role he chooses.....an excellent actor

    JOHN HAMM - This guy is good too.....he has me rolling when he appears on 30 rock'' or 'SNL'.....but iv'e seen his more dramatic roles too...Another good actor.

    JOHN LITGOW - How can i forget this guy....he is A-mazing to watch in anything.....He freaked me out in 'Raising Cain'........Had me coughing a lung up in the hilarious '3rd rock' and feeling horrified yet strangely sad for him in 'Dexter'......This guy is the 'bomb' :))

    MERYL STREEP - Great at everything she does.

    ANNE HATHAWAY - She impresses me too.

    SANDRA BULLOCK - this actress really surprised me recently....and she's just so damn likeable too.

    GARY COLE - This guy is good too, in both dramatic/comedic roles.

    ReplyDelete
  65. 24fan10 March 2011 at 12:21

    Thank you that's the one. Sorry it had escaped me at the time.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Linlighthouse10 March 2011 at 15:04

    Anne Hathaway is indeed impressive. She is hilarious when she hosts SNL, yet was up for an Oscar for the drama, Rachel Getting Married.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Mikas11 March 2011 at 19:48

    Jon Hamm, Sophia Bush, Kristen Bell, James Van Der Beek, Jason Segel, Katee Sackhoff, Jon Lithgow, Jennifer Carpenter!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Leonie Henckell14 March 2011 at 15:17

    I agree with Sophia Bush!

    ReplyDelete
  69. marchhare125 March 2011 at 00:34

    I know this is crazy late but I wanted to add Dule Hill. He was a great dramatic actor in the West Wing and rocks the comedy in Psych.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Linlighthouse30 March 2011 at 13:46

    Not late. Still reading. Love him in Psych but somehow never got around to seeing West Wing. Hope to, someday.

    ReplyDelete

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