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

As with Bill Murray before him, it wouldn't be a complete against-type list without giving a due shout-out to Adam Sandler and his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2002 romantic drama Punch-Drunk Love.

Playing Barry Egan, a man with social anxiety who falls in love with a friend of his sister's, Sandler defined all expectations with his moving and subtle performance.

Previously known for his own brand of silly and over-the-top humour, best seen in films such as Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy and Big Daddy, his role in Punch-Drunk Love completely dialled back his usual level of weirdness and instead offered audiences a clever, subtle and endearing performance.

Though Sandler's comedy roles have arguably increased over the years, Punch-Drunk Love easily proved he could do more than yell and make stupid jokes. Proving it wasn't a fluke, his recent turn in the crime drama Uncut Gems has been his most recent foray into drama, and may be his best performance to date.

Perhaps, it may also be a turning point in his career.