10 Actors Who Brilliantly Reinvented Themselves

Melissa McCarthy is actually quite difficult to place on this list. For one thing, she's had a number of roles completely against type, all of which she has proved to be perfect for. But on the other hand, she also hasn't completely tossed aside her old on-screen persona. A loud, fun, scene-stealing comedienne, McCarthy seems happy with the way she's seen.

Making a name for herself on Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) and then the sitcom Mike & Molly (2010-2016), McCarthy made her way into film with roles in Bridesmaids (2011), This Is 40 (2012), Identity Thief (2013), The Heat (also 2013) and Spy (2015), solidifying her position as one of Hollywood's most energetic and unabashed comedic actors.

She may have received an Oscar nomination for Bridesmaids, but that didn't stop her from doing the same kind of raunchy, odd-ball comedies for the years to come.

It wasn't until 2018's Can You Ever Forgive Me? that she completely gave in to her ability to be a dramatic actress, and the film marked a great change of pace for her. Playing forger Lee Israel, McCarthy was nominated for a second Academy Award and proved to be capable of seriousness.

Her role in The Kitchen (2019) and the upcoming drama The Starling prove she may be ready to move out of her comedy field and fully embrace her serious side, and if she decides to keep it up there's no doubt she's destined for lots more praise.