While some actors are known for their comedic prowess and synonymous with the comedy genre as a whole, others are more commonly associated with other more dramatic roles. However, every now and then, these actors will surprise audiences by showing off their comedic chops in a movie or TV show. When this happens, it can be a delight to watch, and it can also open up new avenues for the actor's career. In this article, we'll be discussing some of the actors we'd love to see take on more comedy roles. From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming stars, these actors all have something unique to offer in the world of comedy.
Some of these actors may have dabbled in comedy in the past, while others have primarily stuck to dramatic roles. Regardless, we believe that they all have the talent and charisma to excel in the genre, and we can't wait to see what they'll bring to the table in future projects. So, without further ado, let's dive into our list of 10 actors we'd love to see take on more comedy roles.
10 Jason Statham
When most people think of Jason Statham, they think of a rough and rugged leading man synonymous with action-orientated roles. After rising to prominence as a gangster type in British movies like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Football Factory, he then made the move to Hollywood and established himself as a bona fide action star, leading the likes of The Meg and The Transporter, and joining blockbuster franchises including The Expendables and Fast and Furious.
Behind a lot of these roles, there were glimpses of a funny side to the actor, with some great one-liners and tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top action sequences. But it wasn’t until the 2015 Melissa McCarthy espionage comedy Spythat he really stepped up the humor, playing a parody of the tough guy characters he’s been known to play, and it was hilarious. The po-faced delivery and comic timing was on point and left us itching to see him explore this side more.
9 Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is no stranger to the world of film, having cemented his place in Hollywood with countless action-packed blockbusters. But despite his impressive resume, there's one genre that Cruise has yet to fully explore: comedy. While Cruise has had a few comedic roles over the years, including his utterly hilarious prophetic-laden appearance in Tropic Thunder, which certainly put an end to any concerns that he would be unable to poke fun at himself, it's a genre that he's never truly leaned into.
However, given his natural charisma and impeccable timing, it's not hard to imagine him excelling in more comedic roles. Not only would this showcase his range as an actor, but it would also give audiences a chance to see a different side of the iconic star.
8 Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence has quickly risen to the top of the game as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She’s appeared in huge blockbuster franchises like The Hunger Games series and X-Men, and flexed her more dramatic acting chops in movies like Silver Linings Playbook and Mother! But she has yet to play an all-out comedy role. Outside of acting she comes across as an extremely down-to-earth actress with a quick wit and great sense of humor, so it would be fun to see her use these attributes in a role that allows her to play more to her silly side. Luckily, if the upcoming No Hard Feelings comedy does well this summer, Lawrence just might find funnier roles to dive into.
7 Al Pacino
Al Pacino is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, and has delivered some of the finest, intensely dramatic performances of all times in movies like The Godfather, Scent of a Woman, and Serpico. An actor this talented would no doubt be able to tackle, with aplomb, any role given to him. Unfortunately, his forays into the comedy genre have been far from his finest hours.
Ranging from outright appalling (Jack and Jill) to the mildly tolerable (Frankie and Johnny), it seems the problem is that he just hasn’t found the right script yet. His brief yet spirited performance of a flamboyant agent in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is certainly evidence he has it in him, he just needs to find a half decent project to allow him to showcase his undeniable talent.
6 Danny Trejo
Danny Trejo has shown that he can be a good comedy actor in the right roles. Although he is primarily known for playing tough, no-nonsense characters in action and crime movies, he has also demonstrated his comedic talent in films like Spy Kids, Muppets Most Wanted, and the TV series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Trejo's unique look and larger-than-life personality make him stand out on screen, and he has a natural ability to bring humor to his performances. He also has a great sense of timing and knows how to deliver lines with the right amount of comedic effect.
While he may not be a traditional comedy actor, Trejo has more than proven his talent and versatility as an actor and seems to have a great sense of humor. Overall, with the right material and direction, we'd love to see more of the badass Trejo having a laugh and showcassing his funny side.
5 Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson is a highly accomplished actor known for delivering some of the most intense performances committed to film. Neeson rose to prominence for his acclaimed dramatic performances in movies like Spielberg’s Oscar-winning wartime drama Schindler's List, before transitioning into the action genre after the success of Taken. It’s the fact he is so good at being so serious that can also make him so funny. Instead of feeling the need to ham it up, he’s fully self-aware and leans into this reputation, which makes hearing him or seeing him in ridiculous comical situations all the more amusing.
Perfect examples of this can be seen in his Ted 2 cameo or his appearance on Warwick Davis’ sitcom with Ricky Gervais. A similar approach was adopted by the late great Leslie Nielsen, when he was first making the move from dramas to comedies. Fortunately, we’re not alone in wanting to see more of this side of Neeson, and it has been announced that he’ll be starring in a Naked Gun reboot, taking over the role previously played by Nielsen himself.
4 Judi Dench
Judi Dench is one of the most acclaimed and respected actresses in the world of film, known for her dramatic roles and impeccable performances. However, despite her impressive body of work, Dench has yet to truly test herself when it comes to comedic performances. While she has had a few more light-hearted roles over the years, including in films like Mrs. Henderson Presents and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, it's a genre that she's only ever really dipped her toes in, and we’d love to see her take a dive.
Given her natural wit and charm, it's not hard to imagine Dench excelling in the genre. This would not only showcase her versatility as an actress, but also give audiences an opportunity to pay witness to a new side of the beloved star.
3 Pedro Pascal
After years of putting in work in multiple movies and TV shows, Pedro Pascal has become one of the most talked-about stars in the industry, with his profile being further boosted by his highly acclaimed performance in the hugely successful The Last of Us series this year. An undeniable talent, the world is waiting with eager anticipation to see what his next moves will be.
Whilst the emotional depth conveyed in his portrayal of Joel in The Last of Us took us all on a wonderful, yet harrowing journey, it was also refreshing to see him being utterly silly alongside Nicolas Cage in the meta comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and certainly demonstrated his range. With the world as his oyster, we’re keen to see him continue down this path of success and further explore all facets of his acting abilities.
2 Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is primarily known for his dramatic roles in films, but he has also shown glimpses of his comedic talent in a few movies, such as The Preacher's Wife, The Great Debaters, and The Equalizer series. Washington is a versatile actor with great range, and he has the talent to deliver comedic lines with precision and timing. He also has a natural charisma that can be a great asset in comedy, as seen in his more light-hearted moments in his dramatic films. Given the right material to work with, it’s undoubtable that he’d excel in the genre and could even provide the veteran actor with a whole new avenue to explore.
1 Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey has proven to be one of the most exciting actors in the game at the moment, rising to prominence with her role in Game of Thrones at just 10 years old. Her career was elevated to the next level after wowing critics and audiences alike in her leading role of Ellie in the post apocalyptic zombie drama The Last of Us, alongside Pascal.
A fine actor, she brought to the screen a beautiful sense of nuance and vulnerability, but also managed to combine it with occasional bouts of much welcomed humor to the otherwise dark tone of the show. Still young, Ramsey has the advantage of having avoided yet being typecast, and we’d love to see her further explore her obvious comic ability she has previously demonstrated.
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