10 Times Comedic Actors Went Against Type (And Totally Pulled It Off)

Could it even be a comedian-turns-to-drama list without mentioning the great Bill Murray and his Academy Award nominated turn in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation? In short, no it wouldn't.

Known for his energetic, ad-libbing and completely hysterical roles in films such as Caddyshack, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Scrooged and What About Bob?, Murray rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and proved early in his career to be a one-of-a-kind performer and a natural talent in the realm of comedy.

Fast forward to 2003, and Murray found himself cast in the drama Lost in Translation, portraying fading movie star Bob Harris, who's having a mid-life crisis and travels to Tokyo to promote a brand of whiskey. On his travels, Bob strikes up a connection with a young woman and the pair help each other confront their lives.

It's an intelligent and moving piece of cinema, anchored from start to finish by Murray at his career best. Quiet, restrained and effortless, he plays Bob with wit, dry humour and maturity and holds the screen with every scene, without ever reverting to his typical brand of eccentric and odd-ball humour.

And it pays off endlessly.