Top 20 Serious Movies Starring Comedians

Jim Parsons
It can be challenging to break out from the shadow of a very popular comedic character. It’s doubly difficult when you’re also trying to make a successful transition from television into major motion pictures. Fortunately, Jim Parsons seems to be on the right track, thanks not only to a supporting role on Netflix’s Ted Bundy true crime dramatization, but for another of the streaming service’s projects, an update of “The Boys in the Band.” Parsons shines within an ensemble cast, while the film’s pedigree as both a stage play and a 1970 film from “Exorcist” director William Friedkin, lend it a certain level of prestige for the actor. A win-win situation.

Mary Tyler Moore
It was a bold move for Mary Tyler Moore to take on the role of Beth Jarrett, a mother who’s unsuccessfully dealing with the emotional loss of her eldest son, and the traumatic aftermath going on within her family. Moore was America’s sweetheart, showcasing a warm and outgoing personality on T.V. programs like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Beth is a startling about-face, a woman who may not truly love anyone, and who is clearly dealing with the realization that she may have cared about one child more than the other. “Ordinary People” is unflinching about presenting real characters with real problems, and Moore absolutely delivers a brave performance on screen.

Jennifer Aniston
It might have been easy for nay-sayers to write off Jennifer Aniston as simply “a comedic actress” if she only stayed within the confines of hit shows like “Friends,” but thankfully we have films such as 2002’s “The Good Girl” offering proof to the contrary. Aniston successfully hits on the beats of loneliness and disillusion as a housewife who craves excitement and escapes from what she sees as boring adult life. There are comedic elements to “The Good Girl,” but the stakes of an extramarital affair, robbery, and unplanned pregnancy all hit in a serious way, especially in how they relate to the relationship between Aniston and her husband, played by John C. Reilly. “The Good Girl” is definitely worth a watch.

Eddie Murphy
Speaking of comedy-drama balancing acts, “Life” is a movie that very easily could’ve devolved into a one-note premise, but thankfully brings a surprising amount of pathos and drama into what’s basically a story of friendship. Although today we know exactly how well Eddie Murphy can handle drama, as evidenced by other films like 2016’s “Mr. Church,” it wasn’t totally that way back in 1999. “Life” describes the timelines of Ray and Claude during their life imprisonment for a crime they didn’t commit. We see how their relationship ebbs and flows, with plenty of moments for both Murphy and his co-star Martin Lawrence to showcase their dramatic chops. We highly recommend giving “Life” a watch.

Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx can seemingly do it all in the entertainment industry, a talented actor, musician, and comedian who saw early crossover success thanks to his breakout performance as Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic, “Ray.” Foxx owns his performance as the soul and R&B icon, perhaps taking from his history of impressions and physical comedy, while filtering it down to a dramatic essence. We feel like we’re watching Foxx step into Charles’ shoes, showcasing both the highs and lows of Ray’s remarkable life. It was just the start of what would be a textured and varied career for Foxx on the silver screen, a journey that continues today.

Albert Brooks
It’s one thing to play against type, and quite another to play violently against type. Consider the performance of Albert Brooks in “Drive” to be one of the latter. This is because Brooks absolutely nails the viciousness and amorality of ruthless mob boss, Bernie Rose, a stark contrast to some of the actor’s other, lighter performances. Bernie, by contrast, is visceral and physical, yet Brooks seems tailor-made for the role. “Drive,” by all accounts, benefitted from its strong ensemble cast, engaging story, and excellent, synth-fueled soundtrack. But, it hinged upon its antagonist, as well, and we have Albert Brooks to thank for that fact.

Steve Carell
Starring on a hugely successful show can sometimes be both a blessing and a curse, particularly if one is trying to avoid typecasting. Hollywood loves milking a good thing dry, and ambitious actors need to diversify early if they hope to survive. Steve Carell seemed to be well aware of this, as evidenced by the jobs he took on after leaving “The Office.” “Foxcatcher” was just one of the heavy and dramatic roles taken on by the former Michael Scott, with Carell’s appearing wildly different for his performance as millionaire John du Pont. The true crime vibes of “Foxcatcher” are compelling, and Carell more than holds his own against co-stars Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. Check it out for yourself.

Sacha Baron Cohen
Aaron Sorkin knows dialogue, and it certainly showed in 2020’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The film is definitely an ensemble piece, but one actor shines particularly bright: Sacha Baron Cohen, whose portrayal of activist Abbie Hoffman is startlingly good, especially given the comedian’s notoriety for dark satire. The “Borat” actor also handles Sorkin’s heady dialogue in an engaging way and helps push the film’s kinetic energy ever-forward. Sacha Baron Cohen may not have been the first actor to portray Abbie Hoffman, but his performance certainly stands as one of the best.

Marlon Wayans
“Requiem for a Dream” is one of those movies that’s fantastic, while at the same time being something most will never want to watch again. This is due primarily to its relentlessly depressing tone, and near-hopeless, downbeat ending. Still, Darren Aronofsky’s film is something audiences will never forget, thanks largely to a cast that felt game to ensure some true on-screen misery. Marlon Wayans may have been a surprising choice, but he absolutely delivers in a role that isn’t glamorous or pleasant. It’s a hard left turn from Wayans’ silly comedy side, but one that proves the comedian’s layered and underrated talent.

Mo’nique
Okay, so we don’t mean to bum out the room here, but please indulge us in another film that pulls no punches with regards to its content. We can’t even begin to describe the horrors the title character Claireece “Precious” Jones endures during the course of the film, but we can tell you how shocking it is to see Mo’nique portraying a character as reprehensible as Precious’ mother, Mary. Mo’nique earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and it’s absolutely well deserved since Mary’s treatment of her daughter feels beyond-the-pale, and a tough pill to swallow for just about any performer.

Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis was a Hollywood legend, but “The King of Comedy” showcased a different side of him, while also presenting an opportunity to another comedic performer, Sandra Bernhard. Both play characters involved in a kidnapping and ransom plot hatched by one Rupert Pupkin, played with understated menace by Robert De Niro. Pupkin is an emotionally troubled, wanna-be stand-up comic, who’s convinced that Lewis’ Jerry Langford, a talk show host roughly analogous to Johnny Carson, is his ticket to the big time. Jerry’s initial kindness to Rupert leads to the eventual harrowing experience at the latter’s hands, while all three actors give the performances of their lives. “The King of Comedy” is a must-see.

Melissa McCarthy
Comedy is hard, and often it’s even harder for comedy fans to accept dramatic performances from their favorite funny people. We have to give it up to Melissa McCarthy, however, as she’s consistently shined as a nuanced and well-balanced actor in some serious-minded movies. “Can You Ever Forgive Me? is one of those films, a biographical film about Lee Israel, a former journalist and infamous forger of letters and autographs. Both the film and McCarthy do their best at presenting Israel’s story as honestly as possible, balancing facts about the writer’s life, while also not softening the impact of her behavior. It may be a bit obscure, compared to other titles on this list, but it’s well worth seeking out.

Ray Romano
The arrival of a new movie from Martin Scorsese remains an event for many of us who love film. Because Martin Scorsese loves film, and it shows. “The Irishman” isn’t a quick watch, by any stretch of the imagination, but it bears so much satisfying fruit for those who are willing to spend the time. There are also some surprises to be had, such as the performance of Ray Romano as Bill Bufalino, a lawyer for Jimmy Hoffa’s Teamsters Union. Romano doesn’t have a lot of scenes, but he makes an impact whenever he’s on screen. The performance feels slightly similar to Ray’s work on the short-lived HBO series “Vinyl,” and proves that there was more than just situation comedy and stand-up in Romano’s bones.

Cloris Leachman
Speaking of directors with that passionate love of film, Peter Bogdanovich worked with many talented actors over the course of his enviable filmography. However, it was Cloris Leachman who would perhaps surprise everyone with her performance as Ruth Popper in Bogdanovich’s 1971 classic, “The Last Picture Show.” The town of Anarene, Texas is a character unto itself, a place of boredom and listlessness where middle-aged Ruth enters into an affair with a local high school senior. The feeling of desperation is palpable in the film, as is the need to escape or act out, if just to feel some sort of excitement in the face of mortality. Leachman’s performance is all of this and more. It also earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Bill Murray
Bill Murray is a funny actor, but he’s not a strictly comedic one. “Lost in Translation” is a funny film, but it’s not a comedy. Not every “serious” movie needs high stakes, and director Sofia Coppola delivered a free-flowing, easy, yet compelling tale of people, travel, isolation, and loneliness. Themes of alienation and personal regrets abound, while Murray and his co-star Scarlett Johansson have a natural chemistry throughout Coppola’s film. “Lost in Translation” is yet another example of how we can love all of Bill Murray’s varied filmography, from the wacky comedy of “Meatballs,” “Caddyshack” and “Stripes,” to the quirkier roads he’s taken in more recent years.

Lily Tomlin
Robert Altman is one of those celebrated directors with a varied filmography and reputation for working with great actors. An example of this fact just has to be his 1975 film, “Nashville,” which many critics deem to be among his best. “Nashville” contains a HUGE ensemble cast, but Lily Tomlin still manages to stand out with her portrayal of Linnea Reese. Reese is a gospel singer trapped within an unhappy marriage, and the mother of two children with special needs. The affair she has with fellow singer Tom Brown doesn’t define her as a character, but instead just offers insight into Linnea’s emotional search for meaning and excitement. It’s part of what Robert Altman did so well: exploring complex and layered characters with unique motivations.

Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey is another actor on this list who struggled to escape from a career largely defined by physical comedy. “The Truman Show” was one such attempt, while 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” was a perfect storm of sorts, thanks to some seriously impressive creative power. Director Michel Gondry, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, and Carrey are firing on all cylinders, while Carrey’s co-star Kate Winslet serves as the missing piece of a puzzle that’s captured the hearts of audiences everywhere. This is thanks largely to the film’s visual style, its sensitive heart, and its outside-the-box point of view. Additionally, Carrey brings an everyman sense of honesty and imperfection to the role, making “Eternal Sunshine” just a little bit brighter, thanks to his involvement.

Robin Williams
The energy of Robin Williams’ comedic performances was impossible to contain. However, he was equally adept at breaking out of that box, and delivering performances that spanned the gamut from frightening to endearing. “One Hour Photo” and “Insomnia” were two examples of the former, while Williams’ performance as Dr. Sean Maguire in “Good Will Hunting” earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. It could be argued that Williams actually upstages the film’s leads and screenwriters, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, but this is in no way a slight. It’s simply a testament to how powerful and affecting Williams was to just about everyone around him, and a reminder of how much he is missed.

Adam Sandler
By all accounts, Adam Sandler seems to enjoy nothing more than getting together with his friends to make some silly, immature comedy movies. However, this isn’t to say that Sandler can’t step it up with some serious dramatic acting chops. “Reign Over Me” was proof of this, as was his performance in 2002’s “Punch-Drunk Love.” However, fans and critics alike really stood up and took notice in 2019, when Sandler starred as obsessive jeweler Howard Ratner in the Safdie Brothers’ “Uncut Gems.” The film is a two-hour-plus panic attack and features a nail-biter of a performance from Sandler. Ratner’s quest to escape from massive debt and a crippling gambling habit spares no expense in leaving the audience anxious and breathless by the film’s end.

Richard Pryor
“Blue Collar” may not be universally known, but trust us when we say that you’ll be glad you spent some time with this tense 1978 thriller. What happens to the trio of Yaphet Kotto, Harvey Keitel, and especially Richard Pryor speaks volumes about the complex dynamics of union labor and the politics that go on behind closed doors. Pryor’s character and his two coworkers get in over their heads when a planned robbery of a union vault reveals more than they bargained for, and Pryor needs to make some difficult decisions as to how he’s going to proceed. Paul Schrader’s direction and screenplay are excellent, while Pryor’s performance is riveting from the first frame to the last. If you watch one movie from our list, make it this one.