The Academy Award winning "Birdman" stars many actors primarily known for their comedic roles. Looking at other films (Jim Carey in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Steve Carell in "Foxcatcher," and many more) it shows that this transition is not so rare. This article would explore such casting choices and the transition between comedic and dramatic acting. Is it easier to transition from comedy to drama, are there any examples of the inverse? This could also take a list format to rank such performances while addressing some of these questions.
Robin Williams is also worth mentioning for Good Will Hunting, The Fisher King, and Good Morning Vietnam. – Cagney10 years ago