Comedians Who Tried Acting In Serious Films But Failed

On numerous occasions, we’ve been taken aback when comics demonstrate their dramatic prowess. It’s common to think that someone excels only in comedy if that’s all they’ve attempted, but when a humorous individual delivers a compelling serious performance, it can be quite unexpected. However, many sayings suggest that comedy is more challenging than drama, so if someone masters the harder skill, it’s reasonable to expect them to handle the less demanding one with ease.

It’s commonly understood that this isn’t always how things play out. Occasionally, a humorist or an actor renowned for comic roles falls short when attempting a major dramatic performance. To clarify, we’re not discussing cases where the movie itself flopped. Instead, we’re referring to instances where the comedic actor’s portrayal didn’t fully exhibit their overall acting abilities and versatility as they intended.

Some actors on this list had shown their acting skills in dramatic roles before these examples or went on to deliver much stronger performances later, redeeming themselves from these early mistakes. However, a few of them, it seems, found these dramatic roles to be either their only such performance or their final one, which may suggest that they struggled with this type of acting.

Dane Cook – Answers to Nothing

In the 2000s, Dane Cook shone brightly for a couple of years, with a significant boost from being one of the earliest stand-up comedians to actively use social media. However, as is commonly seen when a comic’s fame skyrockets due to a specific cultural moment, the criticism towards Cook intensified rapidly. Following a few moderately successful films, his cinematic career as a leading man also dwindled by the end of the decade.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reflect on how Mr. Cook endeavored to stay current as his stardom started to fade slightly. One method he employed was delving deeper into dramatic acting roles. He had already starred in the modestly successful “Mr. Brooks” in 2007, sharing the screen with heavyweights like Kevin Costner, William Hurt, and Demi Moore. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by his esteemed co-stars, Cook’s performance was just sufficient to get by. However, when he took on a leading role in the 2011 thriller “Answers to Nothing,” it became glaringly apparent that he lacked the talent to shoulder the weight of an ensemble cast in a serious film.

Indeed, the film itself was critically panned, which certainly added to the negativity surrounding it. However, critics singled out Cook’s performance in particular, offering harsh criticism without mercy.

Jim Carrey – The Number 23

As Jim Carrey embarked on his journey towards becoming one of the most financially successful actors ever, it was the trio of films from 1994 – “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “The Mask,” and “Dumb and Dumber” – that paved the way. These movies were among the silliest comedies produced during the decade, showcasing Carrey’s physical comedy skills. Although he gradually reduced some of the exaggerated slapstick and facial expressions in subsequent years, he primarily continued to work within the realm of comedy until 1998, when “The Truman Show” demonstrated his ability to excel in dramatic roles as well.

During the late ’90s and early 2000s, Carrey alternated between comedic and dramatic roles, such as the critically acclaimed surreal romance film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” in 2004. However, who would have thought that by 2007, Carrey would create one of his worst films across all genres with “The Number 23”?

The numerology-centered psychological thriller garnered a dismal 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, leaving critics stunned at the poor acting by Jim Carrey, who had previously starred in “The Truman Show” and “Eternal Sunshine.” Peter Travers of Rolling Stone labeled it the worst star vehicle of 2007 and stated that Carrey’s performance in this movie was the most unintentionally humorous of any film that year.

Mike Myers – 54

Before Mike Myers’ tenure on “Saturday Night Live” came to an end, he had already demonstrated his prowess as a big-screen comedian with his debut film in 1992, “Wayne’s World.” In this movie, not only did Myers star, but he also co-wrote the successful film, which was built around characters that he himself created. Five years later, he took on the writing duties single-handedly for “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

1998 marked the zenith of Myers’ abilities, and he seized this moment to venture into dramatic acting for the first time. His chosen role was that of Steve Rubell, a real-life entrepreneur, in the film “54”. The movie offers a somewhat fictionalized account of Studio 54, a nightclub co-owned by Rubell that faced troubles. Regrettably, Myers’ foray into serious acting didn’t lead to a new career path. “54” was both a critical and commercial flop, and Myers’ portrayal of Rubell was criticized as being overly exaggerated and more reminiscent of his “SNL” characters than an accurate representation of the complex figure.

It’s important to mention that some believe the role was impacted negatively due to studio meddling and edits, with the director’s cut of “54” leading many to reevaluate both the movie and Myers’ performance positively. However, it’s clear that the initial negative feedback on the film and his acting deterred Myers from taking on significant dramatic roles in the future.

Ashton Kutcher – Jobs

Ashton Kutcher initially gained popularity as Michael Kelso on “That ’70s Show” and the host of MTV’s prank show “Punk’d.” He continued to portray a character similar to these roles in his early films, which were primarily romantic comedies and immature humor. Although he occasionally ventured into other genres, the 2004 psychological thriller “The Butterfly Effect” was his only significant work outside of comedy during the first ten years of his film career. His performance in this movie was solid but did not stand out exceptionally, nor did it significantly elevate his acting skills.

2013 marked the year when Ashton Kutcher stepped into the lead role of Steve Jobs in the movie “Jobs”. This seemed like a significant move for Kutcher, signifying his emergence as a genuine A-list actor. However, before Michael Fassbender’s highly acclaimed portrayal in “Steve Jobs” came along, Kutcher’s interpretation of Jobs received mixed reviews at best. Critics like R. Kurt Osenlund of Slant found it lacking, remarking that everything Kutcher did seemed unconvincing, including the exaggerated glares he used to portray Jobs’ intense gaze. In his review for The Telegraph, Sebastian Doggart considered casting Kutcher in the role a disastrous decision, stating that this choice was where the film ultimately failed.

Among the actors from the movie ‘Jobs’, one received an Oscar nomination, while another received a Raspberry (Razzie) nomination. Can you guess who earned which recognition?

Chevy Chase – Memoirs of an Invisible Man

Discussions about actors known for difficult behavior often bring Chevy Chase to mind, given his history of challenging, volatile, and at times toxic conduct on film and television sets. Remarkably, rather than denying these stories, Chase seems to embrace them, sometimes wearing them as a symbol of pride. During the production of “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” in 1992, director John Carpenter experienced such a hard time with Chase that he almost considered leaving the film industry altogether due to the experience.

Was the outcome of the project, in any sense, commensurate with the hardship it caused Carpenter? Absolutely not. The high-concept drama-comedy-thriller failed both critically and commercially, an outcome that was hardly unexpected given its tumultuous production process. Rather than allowing Chase to unveil his dramatic flair as originally intended, the project seemed destined to transform into a comedy against his wishes.

For many years, there was a constant back-and-forth regarding the tone of this project, resulting in an inconsistent final product that barely made it across the finish line, a movie that struggled to decide whether it should be comedic or dramatic. Leaving viewers unsure if Chase was capable of handling more serious roles, especially when the film leant towards the dramatic, “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” became a misstep in his pursuit of more dramatic roles.

Chris Rock – Spiral

1990 marked a significant milestone in Chris Rock’s professional life. This was largely due to his addition to the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” which eventually catapulted him into widespread recognition following several years spent honing his stand-up act and taking on minor roles in a few movies. However, it was also the year he filmed “New Jack City,” an acclaimed crime drama that served as a major platform for Wesley Snipes, but also offered Chris Rock his first substantial dramatic role. In this film, Rock portrayed Benny “Pookie” Robinson, a small-time crook who succumbs to crack addiction throughout the movie. Critic Roger Ebert praised Rock’s portrayal as “genuine and convincing.

Throughout most of his extensive acting career, Rock tended to focus on comedy, occasionally delving into more serious roles and doing well in those instances. However, he rarely accepted leading roles in dramatic productions. Despite being ranked the worst among all five seasons of “Fargo,” Rock’s portrayal of crime boss Loy Cannon in Season 4 was positively received. On the other hand, his comeback to dramatic film, the 2021 spin-off “Spiral” from the “Saw” series – a project he also produced – did not fare as well.

Adam Graham from The Detroit News commented that among all elements in the movie, Chris Rock’s acting as Detective Zeke Banks was the most chilling according to his review. Similarly critical, Ciara Wardlow of Pajiba stated that while it seems like an intentional portrayal of a weary detective, what Chris Rock delivers in this film is a lackluster performance instead.

Amy Schumer – Thank You for Your Service

Following her success in stand-up and sketch comedy, Amy Schumer stepped into the limelight on the silver screen with her self-penned movie, “Trainwreck,” released in 2015. Directed by Judd Apatow, “Trainwreck” received widespread praise and garnered numerous accolades for Schumer’s acting prowess. Beyond a Golden Globe nomination, film critic Richard Roeper also proposed that Schumer was worthy of an Oscar nomination for her role in “Trainwreck.

In the wake of the acclaim I received for my acting in “Trainwreck,” I guess I felt confident enough to dive headfirst into my first dramatic role just two years later, starring in the war drama “Thank You for Your Service.” This film, with Miles Teller portraying a Staff Sergeant who fought in Iraq in 2007, was generally well-received. Critics had nothing but praise for the performances across the board, except mine. Many found that my presence in the movie, where I played an Army widow, was more of a distraction than anything else. They struggled to separate my edgy comedic persona from my portrayal of a grieving woman. As for critiques of my performance itself, words like “flat” started popping up frequently among reviews.

In essence, Schumer’s performance in the critically acclaimed 2021 psychological drama “The Humans” earned her some of the best acting accolades she’s received since “Trainwreck,” marking a significant return to her acting career.

Vince Vaughn – Psycho

Vince Vaughn often faces criticism for being advised to limit his roles to comedies. However, this is somewhat unfair given that he started his career with a dramatic role in “Rudy,” and followed it up with a significant part in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.” Throughout the initial phase of his career, Vaughn worked across various genres rather than confining himself to comedies. It wasn’t until the 2000s, during the era known as the Frat Pack, that he became more associated with comedy roles.

It soon became evident that Vaughn excels in comedy, contributing significantly to his most financially successful ventures. While he can deliver an acceptable dramatic performance, it’s apparent that when he struggles with a serious role, he struggles significantly. In such cases, lacking the ability to rely on his endearing charm and quick-witted monologues as he typically does to bolster a comedy script with weak spots, his performance falls flat.

A comprehensive college film course could potentially focus on the unusual choice made by director Gus Van Sant in 1998 to create a frame-by-frame remake of “Psycho.” The question arises as to whether Vaughn had the ability to portray the unnerving menace that Anthony Perkins so convincingly displayed in the 1960 original. However, it becomes evident that Vaughn fell short of this expectation when he appears in a dress and blonde wig towards the end, eliciting laughter from the audience instead of the intended response at the climactic moment of the film.

Billy Murray – The Razor’s Edge

It’s undeniable by now that Bill Murray is an exceptional dramatic actor, not just a comedian. Over the past three decades, he has appeared in as many dramedies or serious films as traditional comedies. In fact, it was the less humorous roles that earned him more recognition during this period. However, what many don’t know is that Murray had a keen interest in dramatic acting long before collaborating with Wes Anderson and Jim Jarmusch. Interestingly, Murray agreed to star in “Ghostbusters” on one condition: That Columbia Pictures would also fund his passion project, which was not typically funny.

1984’s “The Razor’s Edge” was a historical drama based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel of the same name, and it featured Bill Murray in what is arguably his most serious dramatic role to date. Despite his knack for comedy in more recent roles, this film saw him take on a straight-faced character that audiences didn’t seem to connect with. The movie earned only around $7 million at the box office. Critics such as Roger Ebert and Paul Attanasio of The Washington Post were also unimpressed, with Ebert stating in his review that Murray’s performance was misguided, while Attanasio criticized both Murray’s acting and the script that he co-wrote, concluding that it ultimately fell short for the millions of fans that Murray had amassed by that time.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 1993 about “The Razor’s Edge”, Murray admitted, “I had deceived myself into thinking there would be much enthusiasm. I erred greatly.

Jerry Lewis – The Day the Clown Cried (unreleased)

Including “The Day the Clown Cried” on this list might raise some eyebrows, given its controversial history. Originally, star Jerry Lewis was instrumental in halting the release of this Holocaust comedy, which attempted to find humor amid one of humanity’s most heart-wrenching tragedies. Despite being fully produced at one stage, the movie never saw the light of day due to a mix of creative disputes, financial difficulties, and other complications. However, its mythical status and the grandeur of its failure make it a fitting addition to this discussion.

Regarding Lewis, he was often inquired about the aborted movie for the remainder of his life. Rarely did he provide more than a curt dismissal when discussing the topic. In fact, Lewis had nothing good to say about the movie or his involvement in it. One such instance took place during a 2013 Q&A session, where he appeared more forthcoming than usual. He candidly admitted to the audience, “as for that film, I was mortified. I felt ashamed of my performance and grateful that I had the authority to suppress it, ensuring no one would ever see it. It was terrible, terrible, terrible.

2025-04-29 19:31