9. Christopher Reeve - Deathtrap
Even though in 1982 he'd only been a star for five years, Christopher Reeve still took quite a gamble taking on the role of Clifford Anderson in the movie Deathtrap. See, during those five years Reeve had played an American icon twice in Superman and Superman II, and I defy you to find a more good guy role than that! Okay, there's Jesus Christ, but other than the Messiah you would be hard pressed to find a whiter hat than the one worn by the Man of Steel. Metaphorically speaking of course. I know he wouldn't really wear a white hat with that cape. What is he, Lady Gaga? Come on. Furthermore, in between his first two turns as the Metropolis Marvel, Reeve managed to squeeze in a little romantic flick called Somewhere in Time, a film of such haunting beauty that it still moves some fans to tears to even think about it. I might be one of them. So what? So, with cred like that and with the paint still relatively wet on his career, what would make Reeve risk alienating his new-found fans by playing a murdering psychopath like Anderson? There are those who think it was an attempt to branch out early and not let Superman ruin his chance to play other parts the way it reportedly did for George Reeves (no relation) who played the character in black and white serials, feature films and television shows back in the 50s. Those same folks believe that his limited career prospects were the reason George Reeves (still no relation) ate a bullet rather than face a lifetime wearing tights. It's understandable if that had been Reeve's mindset at the time, and he was looking to put some dramatic distance between himself and Superman by playing a fledgling playwright who helps murder his college professor/lover's wife. Oh yeah, Clifford was also gay. Another bold choice for Reeve, at least back in the dark ages of 1982. Seriously, they used to chase people with torches back then.