Comedic Actors’ Dramatic Turns: Chris Rock on ‘Fargo,’ Steve Carell in ‘Foxcatcher’ and More

Credit: FX; Shutterstock (3)

Comedic Actors’ Dramatic Turns: Chris Rock on ‘Fargo,’ Steve Carell in ‘Foxcatcher’ and More

Bring the funny drama! Chris Rock, Steve Carell, Kate McKinnon and several of their fellow comedians have more than proved they are cut out for serious roles. Actors who are known for their humor often get typecast into similar parts or willingly pursue the funniest projects in the business, but some step outside their comfort zones and show fans what they are made of. Rock followed in the footsteps of Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor and Kirsten Dunst when he agreed to star in season 4 of Fargo as crime lord Loy Cannon. Even the Top Five actor did not expect the role to come his way, though. “I got a call from my agent that [creator] Noah Hawley wanted to meet with me,” Rock told The New York Times in September 2020. “I get acting offers, but I get more hosting offers than anything. It is not uncommon for somebody to want me to do a high-priced wedding or bar mitzvah — a few years ago, I officiated the wedding of Daniel Ek, the owner of Spotify, and Bruno Mars was the wedding band. I think I sat next to [Mark] Zuckerberg at the reception. I just assumed Noah had some crazy request like that. The only reason I went is I love Fargo. And I get there and he offers me this part.” [jwplayer roSIYkpg-l3ahXupL] The Madagascar star knew the way, in part, because of those who came before him. “My casting isn’t as weird as it seems if you really watch Fargo. [Keegan-Michael] Key and [Jordan] Peele are in the first season and Brad Garrett’s amazing in season 2. Hey, it’s my turn, OK?” he explained. “I want to work on good stuff. Everything I’ve done hasn’t been great, but I was always striving for greatness. I loved Marriage Story. I’d kill for something like that. You see what [Adam] Sandler did with Uncut Gems. But you’ve got to get the call and be ready when your number’s called.” Other comedic actors, such as Melissa McCarthy, learn important lessons from their dramatic work and let them influence their everyday lives. “She didn’t need you to like her,” the actress told Us Weekly in October 2018 of playing writer Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me? “She was fine as she was, and that’s a huge takeaway. I was glad for the reminder. I tell my kids all the time, like, ‘You are the one who determines your self-worth. Not what other people think of you.’” Scroll down to revisit comedians’ serious roles.

Credit: FX; Shutterstock (3)

Comedic Actors’ Dramatic Turns: Chris Rock on ‘Fargo,’ Steve Carell in ‘Foxcatcher’ and More

Bring the funny drama! Chris Rock, Steve Carell, Kate McKinnon and several of their fellow comedians have more than proved they are cut out for serious roles. Actors who are known for their humor often get typecast into similar parts or willingly pursue the funniest projects in the business, but some step outside their comfort zones and show fans what they are made of. Rock followed in the footsteps of Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor and Kirsten Dunst when he agreed to star in season 4 of Fargo as crime lord Loy Cannon. Even the Top Five actor did not expect the role to come his way, though. “I got a call from my agent that [creator] Noah Hawley wanted to meet with me,” Rock told The New York Times in September 2020. “I get acting offers, but I get more hosting offers than anything. It is not uncommon for somebody to want me to do a high-priced wedding or bar mitzvah — a few years ago, I officiated the wedding of Daniel Ek, the owner of Spotify, and Bruno Mars was the wedding band. I think I sat next to [Mark] Zuckerberg at the reception. I just assumed Noah had some crazy request like that. The only reason I went is I love Fargo. And I get there and he offers me this part.” [jwplayer roSIYkpg-l3ahXupL] The Madagascar star knew the way, in part, because of those who came before him. “My casting isn’t as weird as it seems if you really watch Fargo. [Keegan-Michael] Key and [Jordan] Peele are in the first season and Brad Garrett’s amazing in season 2. Hey, it’s my turn, OK?” he explained. “I want to work on good stuff. Everything I’ve done hasn’t been great, but I was always striving for greatness. I loved Marriage Story. I’d kill for something like that. You see what [Adam] Sandler did with Uncut Gems. But you’ve got to get the call and be ready when your number’s called.” Other comedic actors, such as Melissa McCarthy, learn important lessons from their dramatic work and let them influence their everyday lives. “She didn’t need you to like her,” the actress told Us Weekly in October 2018 of playing writer Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me? “She was fine as she was, and that’s a huge takeaway. I was glad for the reminder. I tell my kids all the time, like, ‘You are the one who determines your self-worth. Not what other people think of you.’” Scroll down to revisit comedians’ serious roles.

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Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems

The 50 First Dates star earned critical acclaim for his role as jeweler Howard Ratner in the 2019 film. “I would if it comes,” he told Us in January 2020 of taking on similar parts. “It’s funny, a lot of people say, ‘You’ve got to do more movies like that.’ I’m like, you know, it’s not like people just come up to me and say, ‘Here, go do this insane movie.’ I just lucked out.”

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Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls

Murphy made a career out of being the funny guy, but his work in the 2006 musical — which also starred Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx — scored him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

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Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting

The late actor won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor thanks to the 1997 drama. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck took home trophies for Best Original Screenplay too.

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Steve Carell in Foxcatcher

The Office alum ventured away from his beloved Michael Scott character to embody John du Pont in the 2014 movie, which was based on a true story. Carell was then nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. “You just have to step up to the plate and swing as hard as you can and try to keep growing and keep taking parts that challenge you,” his costar Channing Tatum told Us.

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Mo’Nique in Precious

The comedian won a slew of honors — including a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award and Academy Award — for her portrayal of an abusive mother in the 2009 film. She claimed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2015 that she was “blackballed” after her success.

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Chris Rock on Fargo

The FX anthology series is known for its impeccable casting, though Rock’s starring turn in season 4 was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cast and crew halted production in March 2020, and the actor returned to set at the end of the summer to complete filming with new safety measures in place.

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Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

McCarthy was unrecognizable as writer Lee Israel in the 2018 film. She earned her second Oscar nomination for her performance after breaking through with a nod for her hilarious turn in Bridesmaids in 2012.

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Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

The 2003 drama marked a departure for the wacky actor, playing a movie star who meets a newlywed (Scarlett Johansson) in Tokyo and embarks on a heartfelt adventure.

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Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Carrey and Kate Winslet starred in the 2004 Oscar-winning film as exes weathering a tough breakup. He received a Golden Globe nod for his work.

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Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple

One of the View cohost’s earliest acting jobs was in 1985’s The Color Purple, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. She earned a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama for the role.

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Kristen Wiig in The Skeleton Twins

Wiig became famous for her wild characters and impressions on Saturday Night Live, so her turn in the 2014 drama — alongside former SNL castmate Bill Hader — surprised fans. She shocked people again when she signed on to star as Cheetah in the superhero flick Wonder Woman 1984.

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Will Ferrell in Everything Must Go

Ferrell played an alcoholic salesman going through a split in the 2010 film, costarring Laura Dern and Rebecca Hall.

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Michaela Coel on I May Destroy You

Coel made a name for herself on the sitcom Chewing Gum, but her HBO drama, I May Destroy You, which premiered in 2020, set her apart. The comedian used her personal experience with sexual assault to inspire the show and received critical acclaim.

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Kate McKinnon in Bombshell

Amid her lengthy and lauded tenure on Saturday Night Live, McKinnon held her own alongside heavyweights Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman in the 2019 drama.