10 Serious Actors Who Successfully Made The Jump To Comedy

10. Robert De Niro

Here's a rare case where a very serious dramatic actor crossed over into the comedy world with staggering aplomb, only to slowly wear out his welcome by beating the hell out of a dead horse.

De Niro attempted a few comedies during the height of his popularity - starring in the buddy flick Midnight Run and serving as the sole source of laughs in the Terry Gilliam mindf*ck, Brazil - but it wasn't until 1999, when he steered himself into more mainstream comedies, that De Niro really shined as a funny guy.

Analyze This played off De Niro's inclination toward portraying psychotic gangsters, sticking him in a successful odd couple situation with Billy Crystal. He went even broader in Meet the Parents, playing the super-intimidating father-in-law who famously asks Ben Stiller if his nipples are milk-able.

His comedy career these days is more uneven - as his unwillingness to turn down a script has meshed poorly with his tendency to sleepwalk through familiar roles - but he's delivered standout performances in Silver Linings Playbook and Stardust that provide some hope for his future in comedies.