7. Nicolas Cage - From Respected Actor To Hollywood's Most "Out There" Leading Man
Nicolas Kim Coppola started his cinematic journey in the least noticeable way possible - his debut was that of an un-credited extra in the largely forgotten Robert Redford movie Brubaker. Under the pseudonym Nicolas Cage, a name taken to draw attention away from his famous surname, it was inevitable that recognition would quickly come his way, however, and a string of critically acclaimed performances marked him out as one of the most talented actors of his generation. From Rumble Fish through to Raising Arizona, his demented turn in Vampire's Kiss through to his lead role in David Lynch's Palm d'Or winning Wild at Heart, Cage's stock rose and rose, culminating in Golden Globe and Oscar triumphs for his portrayal of a suicidal alcohol in Leaving Las Vegas. Cage's next film, however, signified a career shift that shocked us all. After having established himself as one of the most intensely charismatic, albeit slightly eccentric, character actors in the industry, Cage decided to trade in the off-beat dramas with which he had made his name to become an unlikely Hollywood action hero. Beginning with The Rock, Cage's new career path saw him star in big budget fare such as Con Air, Face/Off, Gone In Sixty Seconds, National Treasure and Ghost Rider.
With neither the strong man aesthetics of an Arnold Schwarzenegger or the matinee idol looks of Tom Cruise, Cage has since spent a large percentage of his career as a square peg trying to fit a round hole.