Top 20 Serious Movies Starring Comedians

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Let's get serious for a moment... For this list, we’ll be ranking the films that featured comedians spreading their creative wings, and fighting against type-casting by delivering some seriously dramatic performances. Our countdown includes Mary Tyler Moore, Eddie Murphy, Steve Carrell and more! Can you think of any we missed? Let us know in the comments!
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#comedians #serious #movies #comedy #drama #actors #jimparsons #robinwilliams

КОМЕНТАРІ: 359

@WatchMojo Рік тому

Can you think of any outstanding movies starring comedy actors we missed? Let us know in the comments! For more content featuring your favorite comedy actors, check here! -ukposts.info/have/v-deo/a2Ckfm-fgW5nqYE.html Become a channel member to get access to special perks: ukposts.info/the/aWd5_7JhbQBe4dknZhsHJg.htmljoin

@mlpartclub412 Рік тому

Top 10 times Game of Thrones tackled serious issues, please?

@Jeremiah_Rivers76 Рік тому

@@mlpartclub412 That’s something you could suggest on their website.

@Omar-wq9dz Рік тому

Seth Rogen in Steve Jobs

@mlpartclub412 Рік тому

@@Jeremiah_Rivers76 ??

@kittywetzel92 Рік тому

The Majestic is my favorite Jim Carrey film. I feel it is completely underrated if not all out ignored.

@williamsummerson1204 Рік тому

Jim Carey is one of the most versatile actors of all time and he proves that in Eternal Sunshine, Man in the Moon and The Truman Show.

@tripendicular Рік тому

He’s a terrible human. He convinced his gf her son was damaged by vaccines and that he needed to be cured of autism. 😊

@kittywetzel92 Рік тому

The Majestic is my favorite Jim Carrey film. I feel it is completely underrated if not all out ignored.

@BigEvil6686 Рік тому

@@kittywetzel92 The Majestic is a masterpiece. Literally EVERYONE I've ever shown it to has absolutely loved it...but none of them had even HEARD of it.

@roguejester4986 Місяць тому

Truman made me cry.

@williamsummerson1204 Місяць тому

@@roguejester4986 same

@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348 Рік тому

‘Ray’ became one of the best damn movies ever made. Jamie Foxx did a great job playing the legendary music artist Ray Charles Robinson (may he rest in peace) and earned an Oscar back in 2005.

@BFA100 Рік тому

Ray came out in 2004.

@gianinabadami5341 Рік тому

The movie is one of many examples that Jamie Foxx is best as the leading role as appose to side character IMO

@LoveHandle4890 Рік тому

R.I.P Robin Williams. Your legacy is preserved within your amazing films for all eternity.

@JustAcommenter29 Рік тому

Life, was in no way shape or form a "serious" film. It touched on very serious subjects, but it was 100% comedy. They took something horrible and made us laugh. That's pure genius.

@rottieshepcalibre9156 Рік тому

Totally agree. Even I sometimes dream about Ray's Boom Boom room

@alaza61 Рік тому

It had plenty of moments where tragedy was addressed with sincere performances. The whole thing wasn't a joke. The leads weren't just playing for laughs the whole time. Yes, there were many moments containing humor, but the tragedy within the humor was the focal point of the film. It's a great example of the term "dramedy". It worked because of the of the actors giving multi-toned performances.

@joannemckinley2487 Рік тому

I can't believe you would leave out Whoopie Goldberg in "The Color Purple." I loved Robin Williams in the film "Awakenings", also starring Robert De Niro. I think I prefer many of his drama roles over his over-the-top comedic roles. Even "Mrs. Doubtfire" had some heart-tugging dramatic scenes. He is greatly missed.

@leatherface964 Рік тому

Life? That's a horrible example. Life is a comedy. It has serious parts, but overall, it's mainly a comedy. Dreamgirls was Eddie's dramatic role debut for the most part

@damarbell6733 Рік тому

Life is a good example, because while it's comedic it touches on important situation and is emotional

@disturbedpyro4511 Рік тому

I just clicked this video to say this😂. yes I agree with WatchMojo, it’s a drama/comedy but I agree with you, LIFE doesn’t fit here. It is a terrific and hilarious movie and definitely underrated, but it’s definitely not a “serious” movie. Harlem Nights would have worked too, and they could have added Richard Pryor as well. Been a while since I’ve seen it but I remember it having some funny moments but being serious most of the time.

@disturbedpyro4511 Рік тому

@@damarbell6733 true. But I feel it has a little too much comedy to take it entirely seriously. I agree with you it’s emotional but there’s some really silly scenes that keep me from taking it completely seriously. I can take certain scenes entirely seriously, like the Cookie scene( I’m trying to avoid spoilers)and the montage of the years passing by. But there’s scenes I can’t take seriously whatsoever that are funny but really silly, like the dock scene at the start, The Boom Boom Room scene, and the scene were Ray is reading mail are just too silly to be taken seriously

@jeffcroweii4095 Рік тому

I thought the same. To me Life is more comical.

@brianc3761 Рік тому

It's almost like Watch Mojo lists are complete clickbait bullsnot

@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348 Рік тому

‘Precious’ was a brutal, powerful movie, both Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry became co-producers of that movie. Mo’Nique won both Golden Globe award and Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actress.”

@MoviesNGames007uk Рік тому

I really enjoyed Metro, kind of a hidden gem from the Eddie Murphy catalogue. Michael Wincott was also a great villain!

@AdamLarge-ts1if Рік тому

How did Tom Hanks not make this list? Did nothing but comedy through the 80’s, then wins back-to-back Oscars.

@reynaolvera7526 Рік тому

Agreed. But I think he’s redefined himself as almost solely serious these days. With that said, my favorite 80’s movie of his is Bachelor Party.

@chasetemple1518 Рік тому

Y'know, Tom Hanks DABBLED at comedy, but he's MORE known for his SERIOUS work.

@reynaolvera7526 Рік тому

@@chasetemple1518 his career in the 80s and early 90s (which is extensive) was pure comedy. It wasn’t until Philadelphia that he started doing more serious roles.

@gemstony85 Рік тому

My guess, most of these picks have sporadic Serious Roles. Tom Hanks has done plenty.

@alaza61 Рік тому

Tom Hanks was a frequently comedic actor. Keyword is Actor. He wasn't an actual comedian within the context of how it's defined today. Therefore, him transitioning to dramatic roles more consistently just means he successfully expanded his niche. He's an actor...who can shift his tone based on the nature of the script/story. Including him would mean you'd have to consider every actor who ever played a humorous role more than once a comedian. You'd have to call Nicolas Cage, Richard Dreyfuss, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Lemmon, and so forth comedians too. This appears to be a list for people who were seen as comics who built a film career on that basis alone and then made a leap to heavier content.

@LoveHandle4890 Рік тому

A great judge of character is not how serious a person is but how humorous they can stay in serious situations.

@jonathanbaileyartanimation2992 Рік тому

Not to mention Tom Hanks in almost every movie like Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Philadelphia, etc.

@khalidhenry3857 Рік тому

I love it when comedians show their serious performances

@rottieshepcalibre9156 Рік тому

Comedians are highly intelligent. I love it too. They get to show off their many talents. Plus I honestly think most comedians have endured a lot of pain in their lives which helps in these serious roles

@jonathanbaileyartanimation2992 Рік тому

You missed Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple and Ghosts of Mississippi, Jim Carrey in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon, Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, Jack Black in King Kong, Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness and Ryan Reynolds in Buried

@jamiethal1319 Рік тому

Will Smith’s first dramatic turn came in 1992 with Where The Day Takes You. It came out during the second season of Fresh Prince. In 1998, he did Enemy of the State, also not a comedy. He has done many dramatic roles.

@WrenFaithBridger 11 місяців тому

@@jamiethal1319 Wasn't "Six Degrees of Separation" also an earlier dramatic effort of Will Smith's?

@jamiethal1319 11 місяців тому

You are correct. Six Degrees of Separation came out in 1993, although it’s thought of as a comedy/drama. In fact, IMDb lists it as a comedy first. I’ve yet to see it but I always thought it was more on the dramatic side, given what I’ve heard about it. I will have to view this for myself. I knew about it but I didn’t want to have to list every possible dramatic role Will Smith has ever done.

@keithegan8035 Рік тому

You could say Robin Williams hit it with his first dramatic role in Dead Poets Society even though it was more about the younger cast members.

@WatchMojo Рік тому

Can you think of any we missed? Let us know in the comments! For more comedy content, click here: ukposts.info/have/v-deo/nXpyoJqlgqmi1Yk.html

@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291 Рік тому

We ❤ you and we still miss you dearly, Mr. Robin Williams.

@karlsengupta7185 Рік тому

I think _One Hour Photo_ deserves more than a fleeting reference...

@waltersherrod549 Рік тому

How did you forget Tom Hanks, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett? Carol Burnett once said acting was easy. It's comedy that's hard. So true.

@alaza61 Рік тому

Tom Hanks didn't build a brand as a comedian. He's an actor who has done comedic roles. Also, when performers who do comedy AND act say "acting is easy, comedy is hard", it's usually in reference to the contrast of acting out a scripted character and creating/performing original material for laughs.

@hectorsmommy1717 Рік тому

One you missed is "Friendly Fire" where Carol Burnett turns in a great performance as the mother of a soldier killed in action who discovers that he was accidentally killed by his own side and the government covered it up.

@arnellamahoney317 Рік тому

I wish Chris Rock made the list for his role Pookie in New Jack City.

@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 Рік тому

This list is missing Stranger than Fiction with Will Ferrell

@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Рік тому

I guess it was still kinda comedy? Everything Must Go was even more dramatic I think.

@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 Рік тому

@@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Some of the movies featured here are dramedies

@AKking27 Рік тому

Life was funny especially that cornbread scene

@Chantara27 Рік тому

Whoopi Goldberg definitely should've been on this list for The Color Purple

@jedparker2855 Рік тому

My favorite serious movie starring a comedian is Batman starring Michael Keaton!! He wasn't taken seriously when it was announced he was cast for Batman due to his comedic roles before hand, but then audiences praised him when it was released.

@atoz7017 Рік тому

Uncut Gems is a masterpiece❤️‍🔥

@rottieshepcalibre9156 Рік тому

Hell yeah. I liked it when he said it leaves the audience anxious approaching the movies end. So true Sandler was a bomb waiting to go off. Brilliant movie

@tmoore4075 Рік тому

Sandler in Reign Over Me was so good. Haven't seen Uncut Gems yet.

@ltmmoviereviewsharrison3462 Рік тому

I didn’t see The Whale with Brendan Fraser on here.That one would definitely be good for the list.

@jamiethal1319 Рік тому

Brendan Fraser has had quite a number of serious roles. Including School Ties, which came out the same year as Encino Man.

@joshuamohlman Рік тому

Robin Williams, you will be forever missed, it never forgotten Rest In Peace, and thank you for making our childhood memories so special

@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291 Рік тому

‘Life’ may be underrated, but both comedy icons Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence did a very good together.

@tehf00n Рік тому

not under-rated by me. I've watched it a dozen times. Great movie.

@alaza61 Рік тому

1.Chris Tucker in "Dead Presidents" 2. John Candy in "JFK" 3. Robin Williams in "One Hour Photo" 4. Jamie Foxx in "Collateral" and "Any Given Sunday" 5. Richard Pryor in "The Mack" and "Greased Lightning" 6. Peter Sellers in "Never Let Go"

@denimdan908 Рік тому

Kinda surprised The Green Mile or Saving Private Ryan didn't make the list. Tom Hanks is one of greatest comedians of all time, but those films are about as serious as it gets.

@denimdan908 Рік тому

Apollo 13 as well...

@hwizell7478 Рік тому

Road to Perdition

@user-em6ie2be7x Рік тому

Life with Eddie Murphy & Martin Lawrence...That movie was more a Drama than a Comedy. Imagine your whole life taken from you for a crime you didn't commit.

@jamiethal1319 Рік тому

Right. That’s why it’s on this list.

@cammy85 Рік тому

While not a movie, Jon Cryer rocked as Lex Luthor in Supergirl. He pulled it off perfectly. Dick van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder and Andy Griffith in Matlock as well. Steve Carell also did terrific in The Patient, on Hulu or Disney Plus with Star.

@LoveHandle4890 Рік тому

A great judge of character is not how serious a person is but how humorous they can stay throughout serious situations.

@samkresil6011 Рік тому

I might even add Jack Black in King Kong.

@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Рік тому

Wouldn't Dreamgirls be a better example for Eddie Murphy? Life is still a comedy.

@JoRN1222 Рік тому

Mr Church?

@BUY_YOUTUBE_VIEWS_511 Рік тому

This video is so good! 🤩👍

@Jaxam01 Рік тому

Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction

@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 Рік тому

One of my favorites

@robertbartoii3401 Рік тому

NOT BAD BUDDY GOOD LIST KEEP ON MAKING THESE KIND OF VIDEO'S

@lochthefox6397 Рік тому

You can also add "Moscow on the Hudson" to Robin Williams list of dramatic rolls.

@stuartkseels Рік тому

For Richard Pryor, you could have also used Greased Lightening. A personal fav.

@leesashriber5097 Рік тому

Precious was such a great movie. Ordinary People is an acclaimed classic. I also loved The Good Girl. It showed Aniston in a whole new light. Good Will Hunting was an amazing movie. Still miss Robin Williams and his talent to this day. 🕊️🙏❤️

@BrockMarz69 Рік тому

Ray Romano’s character in The Big Sick had comedic elements but was overall a pretty serious/delicate role and he knocked it out the park.

@GamerFunOriginallyAarush Рік тому

That’s really solid!

@chelseacanales8763 Рік тому

I’m still shock on how good Sasha Baron Cohen in The Trial of the Chicago 7. Marlon Wayans also shocked me when he was in Requiem for a Dream

@flamendless Рік тому

Jim Parsons was still being like Sheldon haha

@isaiahsuero3668 Рік тому

Been waiting for this

@apmanna474 Рік тому

I feel like the clip you guys used for Parson's undersells how amazing he was in that role

@catrobertsverser Рік тому

Life was a rollercoaster of a movie. And I'd watch it a million times over just for the performance of Eddie Murphy alone. I like Marlon Wayans' performance in "Requiem of a Dream" as well. I just can't watch that movie more than once. Far too depressing.

@taylorwatts9391 Рік тому

Jack Black in Bernie. Would never have predicted him doing some thing like that considering the movies he has done prior to said movie

@jamiethal1319 Рік тому

Bernie is considered a comedy/drama.

@khalidhenry3857 Рік тому

My favorite movies are The Truman Show, Good Will Hunting, and Punch-Drunk Love

@sugarboy924 Рік тому

Comedian, Milton Burrell did an episode of the Dick Powell show called Doyle against the house. Where he portrayed a gambler, it was outstanding. Also to me, Eddie Murphy’s best dramatic role was Mr. Church

@emiliomanueldepedro9650 Рік тому

I agree with Foxcatcher. It's hard to believe Michael Scott and John Du Pont are played by the same man.

@Canuxhead Рік тому

You missed Carol Burnett in 1979’s Friendly Fire. Yes it was only a TV movie but it definitely deserved a mention.

@rosejustice Рік тому

Thank you for reminding me of that! Excellent film and Carol Burnett hit it out of the park on that one.

@TranzparentMethods Рік тому

For me, it would be Marlon Wayans in "Requiem For A Dream", that is one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen, and to think Marlon did "Senseless" right before that... Mind blowing!!! I STILL watch "Senseless" everytime I see it's on. Love that movie, but yeah, Marlon was AMAZING in "Requiem...". I also think it was his first dramatic role. No, wait "Above The Rim" was. He killed it in that too!!!

@andrewbloom7637 Рік тому

He also appeared in 2009's "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra", 2020's "On the Rocks" and 2021's "Respect".

@mikewilliamsdr.dreadful1962 Рік тому

You forgot John c Reilly and Steve Coogan in Stan and Ollie, Also Jack Black as Bernie

@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Рік тому

I didn't even know Jamie Foxx was a comedian until after Ray.

@tehf00n Рік тому

heh there is a video of all his sketches on In Living Colour. It's so funny.

@MachetesAreFun Рік тому

Glad to see Life on the list. Love that movie :D

@gl3913 Рік тому

There is some really great films with the very actors that were spotlighted in this video. For those who were born after Windows 95, the films THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP had Robin Williams, Glenn Close and a young Amanda Plummer (STAR TREK: PICARD season 3 currently) in it and it was a very serious film that was very well done along with Dead Poets Society and Awakenings.

@eddiebranden1 4 місяці тому

Glenn Close. Not Meryl Streep.

@bloodwolfgurl Рік тому

Jim Carrey did amazing in The Number 23 as well!

@denimdan908 Рік тому

I really liked Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me. Uncut Gems was great too, but I hated that he played a complete scum bag. I preferred him as a broken man, at least I didn't have to despise him. But he did fantastic in both films..

@str8ballinonyou Рік тому

There were alot of good mentions,but I remember being impressed with steve in foxcatcher. Especially to portray such a dark person/story that has a real life connection.

@neleprechaun Рік тому

Jim Parsons also played in the film The Normal Heart, in the same role he played in the stage version too.

@TheLizzerazu 11 місяців тому

Comedians is a rather generous title for some of these people.

@BFA100 Рік тому

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for Ray, the character in Nashville that Keith Carradine played was Tom Frank, Blue Collar was a drama not a thriller.

@jeremytheentertainer7732 Рік тому

-New Jack city (Chris Rock) -Dead presidents (Chris Tucker) -Mr Church (Eddie Murphy) -Just mercy(Jamie Foxx) -True story(Kevin Hart) -Respect (Marlon Wayans) -Mindcage(Martin Lawrence -Chi-raq(Nick Cannon) -JoJo Dancer(Richard Pryor) -The color purple (Whoopi Goldberg

@theupliftchannel Рік тому

How about Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple?

@COMPFUNK2 Рік тому

I think even Leonardo DiCaprio would complain that the Irishman was too long.

@misterbondage007 Рік тому

Comedians are the best actors.

@ALEXANDERNEVERMIND1958 Рік тому

AND SOME OF THE BEST PHILOSOPHERS.

@KainzMusic Рік тому

#18- I'm this far into the video and I hope "Cake" is also listed. Amazing performance by Anniston! #16- Jamie Fox delivers so good it hurts. He hits the part hard and owns it. #6- Can't say I've seen it. I did see "Razor's Edge" Which was Murray's first dramatic role. He absolutely killed it. #4- Carrey was scary brilliant in "23" also. I dare say 23 was a better performance.

@buggy64roberson-tb2gw Рік тому

Henry Winkler in Night Shirt is an good example.

@DrVenture45 Рік тому

It has always fascinated how comedians can play dramatic roles with such conviction, but those who make us laugh are often best qualified to genuinely portray tragedy, perhaps through experience.

@davidpumpkinsjr.5108 Рік тому

If you want to see Bill Murray in another drama, check out 1984's "The Razor's Edge".

@Meng776 Рік тому

Ray should've been #1 imo. Incredible acting.

@user-iy7ep4ep8m 5 місяців тому

How is Ray not higher. He was brilliant and won a best Oscar.

@partofthetribe3277 Рік тому

Fox Catcher was great!

@douglasmijangos3327 Рік тому

Bruh Jamie Fox is just talented as fuck for real for real 🙌🏻

@StuzRoz Рік тому

Yet another list of THINGS WE DIDN'T BOTHER RESEARCHING BEFORE TRYING TO SOUND LIKE EXPERTS. Life is a comedy, end of lesson.

@josh72456 Рік тому

Not seen Can You Ever Forgive Me, Uncut Gems and Blue Collar. When talking about Robin Wi

@HarryPotter87 Рік тому

May not be in a movie, but I did enjoy the late Bob Saget's acting in an episode of "SVU"

@michaelmonthey5974 Рік тому

Jim Carrey starred in the darkest movie of his career. The Number 23. Say what you will about it, but Carrey is anything but funny in this one.

@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom Рік тому

Where's The Spanish Prisoner? Steve Martin played the villain.

@BlackHatCinephile Рік тому

Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan???

@dazzlinghills3439 Рік тому

Uncut gems should be no 1 on this list

@frayhua9716 9 місяців тому

You left Jerry Lewis he did his first dramatic movie called The King of Comedy with Robert De Niro back in 1983.

@eddiebranden1 4 місяці тому

WatchMojo should do a list of serious actors with great comedic performances. Ex: Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder.

@wunderkind-7724 Рік тому

You missed Don Rickles in Run Silent, Run Deep

@trexadvent4726 Рік тому

Can you do top 10 episodes of Foster Home for Imaginary Friends?

@gianinabadami5341 Рік тому

Not denying Lost in Translation was a great movie. Loved it. But what about Bill Murray's role in Rock the Kasbah? That was equally great

@kimberleyhemingway2863 Рік тому

I am elated that the movie Life has been recognized for the genius that it is!!

@jimbrentar 9 місяців тому

Neither Tom Hanks nor John Candy made the list. Remember, Hanks started off on Bosom Buddies and did mostly comedies early in his career

@richardhoehn9922 Рік тому

Life seems like an... obscure film to include on this list, although possibly this could be said about several of the other movies. Life seems like "lighter fare," so to speak, with some serious moments. Dramedy, if you will. And if I were Mo'nique? I'd be awfully careful about yelling at Queenie like that 😆

@freddiemolinajr.8397 Рік тому

great video

@robynwolph3836 Рік тому

This should be renamed to Top 20 comedians who starred in serious movies.

@coryakabueze4541 Рік тому

Life is one of the most depressing films ever made

@River2384 Рік тому

I was actually gonna watch it last week but I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be a comedy or drama, especially since it's about two guys who go to jail for a crime they didn't commit, ya know? I was hoping it would be upbeat, at least in the end, since I'm not in the mood to watch something sad.

@AKking27 Рік тому

That cornbread scene was funny

@tehf00n Рік тому

@@AKking27 dats my cornbread. I like the scene where they are old and playing cards and one lads pulls out some drugs to bet with and Eddie called him an ass sniffer.