12 Actors Who Broke Typecasting In The Most Epic Way

11. Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

His Type

While he had done serious roles - like Little Miss Sunshine - before, Carell's break came as part of the Dana Carvey show, which led to predominantly comic roles, including his first major movie role as Brick Tamland in Anchorman.

His casting in The Office doubled-down on that persona and he was adopted as part of Hollywood's so-called Frat-Pack alongside Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Luke Wilson.

How He Broke It

In 2014, Carell unexpectedly played sinister millionaire heir John Eleuthère du Pont in Foxcatcher, leaving his slightly goofy everyman image behind for the thoroughly detestable monster in a seriously unfunny film. It was like the anti-Carell movie, and while comedy actors do often excel in straight roles, they tend to be ones with lots of pathos as opposed to something so grotesque.

Since then, his focus has shifted to more dramatic roles with critical acclaim following, so it was definitely a good gamble.