Bryan Cranston: Breaking Bad and Malcolm In The Middle
The most talented actors have an incredible way of captivating an audience in their portrayal of a character, whether it’s on the big or the small screen. A great character can make us feel a real visceral reaction, often of affection, but sometimes even hatred toward that person, which can stay with us long after we’re done watching the movie or show.
It’s all the more impressive when someone can embody two roles that are vastly different from each other. We may forget or not even realize that it’s an actor we recognize from a previous work portraying both characters. Take a look at some of the starkly-different characters and performances that were played by the same actor…
Amy Adams: American Hustle and Catch Me If You Can
Bryan Cranston is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to portraying dramatically different characters onscreen. His iconic portrayal of Walter White’s journey from timid high school chemistry teacher to ruthless meth kingpin is what many consider to be one of the finest acting performances in TV history.
Cranston plays White with so much darkness by the end of the series, while his earlier portrayal of the father Hal on the sitcom Malcolm In The Middle is very much the opposite. The wholesome, mild-mannered, and downright lovable patriarch of the family shows some pretty incredible range from the actor.
Natalie Dormer: Hunger Games and Game Of Thrones
Based on real life events involving two con artists who are forced into a sting operation by the FBI, American Hustle showcases the best of Amy Adams and her acting talents. Playing the mistress of serial criminal Irving Rosenfeld, she plays the perfect mixture of sinister and sweet.
Her polished performance in American Hustle couldn’t be further from innocent and dorky Brenda Strong that she plays opposite Leonardo DiCaprio’s conman in Catch Me If You Can. Adams played the lovestruck nurse perfectly in her first major role, highlighting the star she’d become.
Oscar Isaac: Star Wars and X-Men: Apocalypse
Natalie Dormer didn’t have to think twice about the transformation she’d undergo to play warrior woman Cressida for The Hunger Games. Her partially-shaven head is a testament to the commitment she made to the role in the dystopian world.
In contrast to the tough-as-nails Cressida, Dormer plays the doe-eyed, elegant but sly Margaery Tyrell in the hit show Game Of Thrones. Her ability to be a foil to Queen Cersei was quite memorable to say the least.
Halle Berry: Catwoman and Monster’s Ball
In the most recent Star Wars trilogy, resistance star fighter Poe Dameron is a perfect fit for the dashing Oscar Isaac, who played the easygoing, but rebellious pilot with ease. His portrayal of one the heroes against the First Order is a stark contrast to when he played the titular villain in the X-Men: Apocalypse.
Despite being a part of another popular franchise, Isaac does not recall his days on set of the film with fondness. Hours of stage makeup and prosthetics might have made for Isaac’s Apocalypse unrecognizable and terrifying, but it was all Isaac could do to remain in his blue skin for film production.
Natalie Portman: V For Vendetta and Jackie
Halle Berry is a beloved American actress and has had her share of memorable onscreen performances. Unfortunately, her role in 2004’s Catwoman has been remembered but not for great reasons. She won a Razzie for the film that wasn’t quite the highlight of her career.
Although winning an award for worst actress of the year is tough to get over, Berry actually was the first black woman to win an Oscar as well. A few years before she ever portrayed the feline character, she starred in Monster’s Ball, taking home the prestigious statue for her role.
James McAvoy: X-Men: First Class and Split
Natalie Portman transforms from damsel in distress to fearless revolutionary opposite Hugo Weaving in V For Vendetta. As V’s successor to bring about change against the corrupt state, Portman displays quite the range as Evie in the film.
Portman goes from social outcast in hiding to polished Presidential wife in the film, Jackie. Playing the role of Jackie Kennedy, the story documents the tremendous job of balancing grief with heavy responsibility as she seeks to fulfill her husband’s legacy.
Zoe Saldana: Star Trek and Guardians Of The Galaxy
In X-Men: First Class, the film origin story of the popular comic book series, James McAvoy plays mutant leader Charles Xavier, or Professor X, who starts the team. His physical presence and emotional sensitivity onscreen is palpable as he dreams of a peaceful existence involving humans and mutants that can benefit all.
As if playing the good guy weren’t impressive enough, McAvoy flexes his acting muscles with the advent of his character in Split, sporting 24 different unique personalities and wreaking havoc on three teenage girls.
Margot Robbie: I, Tonya and Suicide Squad
Zoe Saldana played the role of Nyota Uhura in Star Trek long before the Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise was even a thought in the minds of film producers. She brought an independence and intelligence to the role that may not have been considered in the original series.
Thanks to the magic of computer-generated imaging, Saldana magically transformed into the wonder known as Gamora for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, also bringing a strong, fearless presence to the character. Hours of hair and makeup and a motion-capture suit still have audiences spellbound when they view her character for the first time.
Gary Oldman: Fifth Element and Harry Potter
Margot Robbie geared up for mass critical acclaim and some audience opposition as a result of her portrayal of Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. Her performance garnered a solid 9.5, turning one of the villains of a famous ’90s Olympics’ scandal into a truly sympathetic character.
Robbie’s ability to transform into her roles is equally as impressive as DC villainess Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad. Playing the eccentric and crazed main squeeze of the Joker is certainly not easy clown shoes to fill, but while loyal comic book fans railed against the film, they enjoyed Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn.
Christian Bale: The Machinist and Batman Begins
Gary Oldman plays a surprising performance as the villain in The Fifth Element as industrialist Zorg, who is recruited by an alien clan to defeat special forces operatives led by Bruce Willis. The film has become a bit of a ’90s cult classic now, and Oldman’s quirky Zorg and unique look stand out in the movie.
Oldman steps out of his effortless bad guy role his portrayal of fugitive Sirius Black in the hugely-popular Harry Potter franchise. His role was complex as his character was initially a villain before becoming an endearing godfather for the series, but fans agree Oldman was a great choice for the role.
Claire Foy: The Crown and The Girl In The Spider’s Web
Christian Bale at this point is pretty well-known as an actor that will physically commit to a role no matter what it takes. For his role in the 2004 film The Machinist, he lost 62 pounds dropping to a weight of 120 pounds, eating a diet that consisted of just an apple, water, and coffee for 6 months.
Six months later, he would bulk up for his debut as Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. To play the Caped Crusader with a martial arts background, Bale gained 100 pounds to go up to 220. These couple of roles are just some examples of the actor’s devotion to his craft.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Catch Me If You Can and Django Unchained
Claire Foy’s skin-tone and royal coloring made her a perfect fit for the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the hit series The Crown. Fitted with historically accurate costumes and simulated royal jewels, she looked every bit the part of the famous aristocrat.
Imagine our surprise when the same Claire Foy is chosen to play the lead in the 2018 movie, The Girl In The Spider’s Web. Lisbeth Salander is a leather-clad, rough and tough teen with a shaven head and an attitude to match, which is quite the change from her refined role in The Crown.
Helena Bonham Carter: The Queen and Bellatrix Lestrange
One of the early roles that helped showcase the star Leonardo DiCaprio would become was his performance as Frank Abagnale, Jr. in Catch Me If You Can. DiCaprio aces the ability to not only play the sympathetic teenager running away from his life changing, but also as the suave convincing con man that fools hundreds of people.
Another colorful character captured perfectly by DiCaprio is Calvin Candie, proprietor of an infamous plantation in Django Unchained. In Quentin Tarantino’s epic tale of a slave evening the score, DiCaprio has the audience mesmerized with the ability to be so cavalier about his cruelty. Leo even cut his hand in the middle of a scene but didn’t stop for the sake of authenticity.
Zac Efron: High School Musical and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile
Tim Burton films are known for a distinctive combination of darkness and fantasy. Many of his movies also have his ex-wife Helena Bonham Carter cast in them. For Alice In Wonderland, she becomes the Queen of Hearts, playing the role to perfection.
Harry Potter fans were pleased and frightened by Bonham Carter’s terrifying portrayal of Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange starting in the fourth film. Fans loved her ability to perfectly encapsulate the cruelty and sociopathic playfulness of the character.
Brad Pitt: Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Zac Efron stole the hearts of teenage girls with his looks in the Disney Channel movie High School Musical. As the charming lead with musical talent to boot, it was his breakout role that showed audiences he would one day be a star.
In stark contrast, Efron shakes us to our very core as we partake in his award-winning performance portraying serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile. His too-accurate portrayal of chilling, real-life events can be seen on Netflix, highlight the range of the young actor.
Tom Cruise: Top Gun and Tropic Thunder
Brad Pitt is one of the most beloved actors to watch onscreen regardless of the role. Young, old, hero, villain, audiences are down for all of them. One early role that showed him to be more than just easy on the eyes was playing opposite Edward Norton in his portrayal of loose cannon Tyler Durden in Fight Club.
Bravo to the hair and makeup department of the drama The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where Brad undergoes a radical transformation of an individual aging backward. Rumor has it that he spent hours in the makeup chair for each ten minutes of screen time.
Charlize Theron: That Thing You Do and Monster
Tom Cruise helped solidify himself as a star and leading man in 1986’s Top Gun. His portrayal of cocky and reckless fighter pilot Maverick trying to win the affection of his flight instructor honed how cool a character Cruise could play.
In the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder, Cruise stole the show with his comedic portrayal as Les Grossman. The Hollywood mogul who quickly becomes known for his expletive-laden rants surprised audiences that it was the actually the A-lister behind the bald head, chest hair, and body suit.
Heath Ledger: The Dark Knight and 10 Things I Hate About You
Blonde starlet Charlize Theron was just begging to be made up for the role of Tina in That Thing You Do, the rise and fall tale of a fictional ’60s pop band. Her sunny disposition and gargantuan beehive lend an air of authenticity to this period comedy.
Her Academy Award for Monster couldn’t be more glaringly different in comparison to the lovable Tina. Fueled by clever makeup and the plump contributions of a potato chip diet, Theron is transformed into grizzly serial killer Aileen Wuomos.
Ralph Fiennes: Harry Potter and Grand Budapest Hotel
Many people were initially outraged when Heath Ledger was chosen by Christopher Nolan to portray The Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight. Once the film was released, audiences saw the brilliant twisted humor and mania that Ledger would infuse into the character, that would even end up terrifying co-star Michael Caine.
In stark contrast to his dark, psychopathic portrayal of the iconic Batman villain, in 10 Things I Hate About You, Ledger plays a rebellious high school heartthrob in his breakthrough role. He wins the heart of the Julia Stiles’ character as well as the audience’s. His untimely death in 2008 remains a tragedy of a real talent lost far too young.
Tilda Swinton: Suspiria
Ralph Fiennes is no stranger to playing a cruel villain onscreen, having previously portrayed the commandant of a concentration camp in Schindler’s List. So when it came to casting Voldemort, the nemesis of boy wizard Harry Potter in the blockbuster movie series, Fiennes was the natural choice. He gives the character an arrogance and sadistic nature that fans of the book can agree were true to the character.
Fiennes adopts a much more refined role as Monsieur Gustave in Grand Budapest Hotel. He adds a humor and charming nature to Wes Anderson’s murder mystery at this illustrious mountain resort.
Liam Neeson: Schindler’s List and Taken
At times, talented actors are called upon to deliver different performances within the same film. Such is the case with Tilda Swinton, who fulfills two dramatically different roles in the 2018 movie Suspiria.
Tilda’s look was perfect for the eccentric Madame Blanc. Though audiences were also likely surprised to discover that Swinton also changed her appearance, demeanor, voice and personality to play a male role of Dr. Josef Klemperer.
Michael Keaton: Beetlejuice and Batman
Liam Neeson delivers an emotional and iconic performance as Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List. A businessman who changes his priorities and ends up saving the lives of over 1200 Jewish people by employing them in his factory has become the most famous Holocaust film to date.
Liam’s smoldering screen presence works well for the creation of character Bryan Mills in the psychological thriller, Taken. While many wouldn’t consider Neeson an action hero before, his determination to get revenge on the men who kidnap his daughter solidified him as in the genre.
Hugo Weaving: The Matrix and V For Vendetta
Rumor has it that Michael Keaton was missing the point of Tim Burton’s vision when pitching the idea for Beetlejuice. In fact, he turned down playing the quirky afterlife ghoul several times before finally accepting the role and making it iconic.
It wasn’t as hard to convince Keaton to don the superhero garb worn in Batman, as he readily admits that it’s every young boy’s dream to play a superhuman role. However, after two films in the complete with form-fitting, custom-made rubber suit, Keaton decided to step away from the Batcave, though is set to reprise his role as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming movie The Flash and Batgirl.
Linda Cardellini: Scooby-Doo and The Founder
Hugo Weaving delivers an intimidating, spine-chilling performance in the iconic sci-fi film The Matrix. Spending his time in hot pursuit of Neo and his band of clandestine truth-seekers, Weaving’s Agent Smith was certainly a memorable villain.
Turning from the dark side to fighting for justice, Weaving voices the patriot role of V in V For Vendetta, inspiring audiences to revolt in the face of tyranny amidst and oppression. The eloquence and suave confidence of V and the trademark mask has become a symbol of pop culture anarchy.
Sacha Baron Cohen: Borat and The Spy
Linda Cardellini thrives on taking on roles that stretch her as an actress and challenge hair and makeup. Her transformation into brainy beauty Velma Dinkley for the Scooby-Doo franchise is reportedly one of her favorites.
In contrast to her lovable and loopy character with her crime-fighting pals, she takes on a much more refined appearance for her role in The Founder, where she plays the wife of Ray Croc, modest milkshake machine salesman and co-founder of the McDonald’s franchise.
Mandy Patinkin: Princess Bride and Homeland
Sacha Baron Cohen plays the role of Borat Sagdiyev so convincingly that it’s hard to conceptualize him in any other role. His mockumentary, Borat! had many people fooled that he wasn’t a real reporter from Kazakhstan, turning into comedic gold.
Cohen takes on a much different role and showcases his serious side in the mini-series, The Spy, about Israeli spy Eli Cohen. Based on the man’s real-life career, the series follows a top-secret mission to Syria as he influences political and military climates in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Denzel Washington: Training Day and Remember The Titans
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen Mandy Patinkin in his iconic role of Inigo Montoya of Princess Bride fame. Some well-written one-liners and fancy footwork cemented his place in Hollywood history forever.
While it’s sometimes rare that an actor can escape such a memorable performance and go on to secure other roles without being typecast, Patinkin has done so with ease. He most recently fulfilled the aged-to-perfection role of Saul Berenson in the political thriller known as Homeland, which lasted eight seasons.
Tom Hanks: Forrest Gump and Big
Audiences were likely surprised to see usual hero Denzel Washington taking on the role of corrupt cop Alonzo Harris in Training Day. The gritty, intimidating role of a renegade policeman showing the ropes to a new partner earned him an Academy Award.
Denzel played high school football coach Herman Boone in Remember The Titans, a classic beloved sports film to this day. Boone led his team to victory while integrating racial tensions during a time of societal chaos.
Joaquin Phoenix: The Joker and Walk The Line
Tom Hanks is the male equivalent of America’s Sweetheart. From early days in television to his award-winning role as Forrest Gump, he’s been one of the most popular actors of the last several decades. Playing the titular Gump, a mentally-challenged man who lives a remarkable life earned Hanks years of credibility.
Years before he was eating a box of chocolates on a bench, he had audiences enthralled by his childish antics in the 1988 film, Big. He is thrust into the corporate world as an overgrown twelve-year-old, navigating both child and adult relationships with boyish charm.
Jared Leto: Dallas Buyer’s Club and Suicide Squad
Joaquin Phoenix stunned audiences with his portrayal of Arthur Fleck in 2019’s The Joker. Phoenix is quite known for his method acting, and his terrifying descent into mental unrest earned him an Oscar.
We’re quick to forgive his heinous nature as we behold his performance of musician Johnny Cash in Walk The Line. At times, film character and real-life musical icon are almost indistinguishable, from stage antics to vocals that Phoenix reportedly sang himself for the film.
Eric Bana: Troy and Star Trek
Jared Leto has thrown himself into every character he’s portrayed with unbelievable authenticity. His role in Dallas Buyer’s Club has him playing the part of a transgender woman who battles HIV, a drug habit, and social stigma surrounding her lifestyle earned Leto an Academy Award.
In the complete opposite to the docile personality above, he transforms into yet another iteration of the Clown Prince of Crime as The Joker in Suicide Squad. Reports from other actors on set report that he was so committed to the role that his character portrayal didn’t stop when the cameras did.
Robin Williams: Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire
One of Australian actor’s Eric Bana’s breakout roles was in the war drama Troy. As Hector, he finds himself embroiled not only in period-specific costume, but an impending tension between Greece and Troy for territory and ultimate political power.
Bana undergoes a very impressive character transformation to play the villain in Nero in J.J. Abrams’ rebooted Star Trek. In it, his good-guy image is shattered as this madman attempts to alter the universe for his own selfish gain.
Will Smith: Pursuit Of Happyness and Fresh Prince
Robin Williams’ comedic genius was certainly appreciated on a level as a comedian and actor. But his legendary portrayal of The Genie in the classic Disney film Aladdin makes the entire movie. Rumor has it, that Williams would just ad-lib and the animators would draw scenes based on his improvisations.
For his role in Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams takes on the role of a beloved nanny, secretly undercover as a father desperate to see his kids after a difficult divorce. From coiffed prosthetics to an impeccable English accent, his hilarious take on the character is as memorable as The Genie.
Anya Taylor: The Queen’s Gambit and The Witch
Will Smith has been primarily known for starring in blockbuster films as either an action hero, or a confident male lead with the ability to bring some levity in times of seriousness. He caught audiences by surprise in a dramatic role as Chris Gardner, a man whose story of perseverance and overcoming incredible obstacles is told in The Pursuit Of Happyness.
Many discovered Smith in his breakout role on the ’90s sitcom, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, playing a confident teenager trying to plug himself into high society in Bel Air alongside stuffy relatives and a clueless cousin. His onscreen antics and charismatic delivery earned him a loyal following long before more serious roles were pursued.
Henry Thomas: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Haunting of Hill House
Anya Taylor Joy may be a very young 24, but that hasn’t stopped her from taking over the acting world by storm with her talent. First rising from obscurity with the 2015 production of The Witch, she plays Thomasin, a role for which she received a Breakthrough Actor award for her performance.
Jumping several hundred years into this century, Taylor takes on the role of Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, a chess prodigy who aspires to become the greatest chess player in the world. Rumor has it that she practiced and played for hours to prepare for her role.
Catherine O’Hara: Kate McCallister and Moira Rose
At times, character transformation is a natural part of an actor’s evolutionary process. Child actors look dramatically different from the adult roles they take on, this being the case for the man we knew as Elliot, the lovable kid of the titular character in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Putting his bike flying days behind him, Thomas grew up in front of the camera, taking on many roles in television and film that have shaped who he is today. He favors the supernatural/horror genre, and can now be seen in films like The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor.
John Travolta: Battlefield Earth and Hairspray
Catherine O’Hara has a legendary background in improv and comedy. Though, other than an iconic scream of “Kevin” in Home Alone film, O’Hara plays the role of concerned and guilt-ridden mother, filled with compassion and worry for her son by himself.
Her portrayal as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek is a bit different than her role as Kate McCallister. O’Hara’s take on Moira, an eccentric and overdramatic woman who always has unnecessary flair helped make the show such a hit.
Glenn Close: Albert Nobbs and 101 Dalmations
John Travolta has been in a number of hit films throughout the years. He’s also had his share of box office duds. One of his more memorable low-points in his career was in the film Battlefield Earth, which was based on a sci-fi novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Travolta, famously a Scientologist himself, apparently cut his $20 million salary in half on the film.
While in Battlefield Earth, Travolta plays Terl is your quintessential bad guy who has been condemned to a life of servitude and subservience by his native race, the Psychlos. This extreme character is somehow outdone by the over-the-top Edna Turnblad, a boisterous lady who lights up the screen in the classic musical Hairspray.
Jake Gyllenhaal: Southpaw and Brokeback Mountain
Glenn Close is known for some truly memorable roles throughout the years, especially opposite Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction. Fans may be surprised that she played the titular character in Albert Nobbs, a woman pretending to be a man, and quite the challenge for Close.
Close admits that one of her favorite film transformations was for the live-action version of 101 Dalmations. Her performance as fur-lover Cruella de Vil allowed her to channel her inner villain, and she reveled in the outrageous behavior she was encouraged to display.
One could say that Jake Gyllenhaal has stepped out of his comfort zone several times to deliver some award-winning performances in television and film. In 2015, he bared his soul and some serious muscles for his role as boxer Billy Hope in Southpaw. A few gritty fight scenes and fancy maneuvers later and audiences were hooked.
A decade prior to stepping into the boxing ring, he had donned a cowboy hat and boots. His role as Jack Twist alongside Heath Ledger in the groundbreaking Brokeback Mountain made huge, controversial waves at the time.