This list explores comedic actors, who I feel, have made a successful dramatic turn. The two criteria for the list are: the actor had to first come to public recognition as a comedic performer before taking on a dramatic role and that they made at least one successful dramatic turn. To be clear, this is not a ranking. I have simply chosen 12 comedic actors who I believe excelled in their dramatic turns.
Also, there are potential spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.
ALBERT BROOKS
Film: Drive
I’m not even sure where to start with Albert Brooks. Yes, we’re a couple of generations removed, but every time I see a clip of him on Carson or any other talk show, I cannot help but laugh. He’s that funny to me. I may not be the biggest fan of each of his films, but he has such a unique and innovative voice. I mean, he directed a mockumentary called Real Life, in 1979, a good two decades before reality TV became popular. And I could argue that he made the greatest movie ever made about the afterlife, with his magnum opus, Defending Your Life. But I’m here to talk about Brooks not as a comedian or writer/director, but rather as an actor. He’s appeared in many films over the years from Taxi Driver to Private Benjamin to This is 40. Additionally, people from my generation will instantly recognize his voice as Marlin the Clownfish from Finding Nemo. It would be a sin not to mention his brilliant turn as Aaron Altman in James L. Brooks’ classic Broadcast News. After all, the role did earn Brooks the only Academy Award nomination of his career (so far). As complex of a character, as Altman is, I cannot consider it to be a true dramatic turn. Instead, I am focusing on Brooks’ turn as Bernie Rose in the 2011 film Drive.
For those unfamiliar with the plot of the film, Ryan Gosling plays an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. He begins to fall for his neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her young son. When her husband (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, The Driver helps him to orchestrate a multi-million dollar heist that goes wrong and puts everyone in danger. Brooks has the small, yet fruitful role of Bernie Rose, a Jewish-American mobster connected to both the heist and The Driver’s employer, Shannon (Bryan Cranston). Brooks plays Rose with such a subtle menace. You know from the first time you meet him, that he’s not one to piss off. But as the film progresses, so does his frightening demeanor. Brooks even shaved his eyebrows to make the character look more unsettling, to great effect.
It’s hard for me to write about his performance as much as I wrote about somebody like Bill Murray in Lost in Translation, because Brooks’ part is significantly smaller than Murray’s, but also because his part is less showy. Brooks’ performance comes from deep inside him and he can do so much with so little screen time. Playing Rose is a balancing act, and Brooks does it so well. One moment, you feel like Rose could be your best friend. Then a moment later, you fear he could murder you. There’s a fine line Brooks must walk to achieve the right balance of charm and menace, and he does it perfectly. There’s a scene in the movie that gives me chills every time I see it. Shannon has just convinced Rose to back a racecar for The Driver to race professionally. Upon first meeting The Driver, Rose extends his hand. The Driver hesitates and remarks, “My hands are dirty.” Without missing a beat, Rose responds with “So are mine.” That one line just speaks volumes about the power Rose wields in his world.
Oftentimes the most effective villains in films are the quiet, menacing type. Rose gets angry, yet he does not explode. He can keep his cool, even as his world falls apart around him. That makes him more dangerous. I feel like I just can’t say enough how scary and brilliant he is in this role. Brooks was even nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role, and some even say he was snubbed by the Academy. As talented of a comedic actor as he is, it’s a shame we haven’t seen Brooks play roles this dark since. But, I also believe that since this is the only movie of this type in his filmography, it just makes it all that more special. Don’t believe me? Watch the film. You won’t regret it.
Check this out: Drive — “He’s never had a lot of luck”
