8 Actors Who Switched It Up Perfectly

Robin Williams: the Genie, Mork, that Alan guy from Jumanji. He was an icon, loved by adults and children the world over and gone too soon.

These days, it is so obvious that Robin Williams was one of the few great comedians that could shift himself into a dramatic role with ease. His turn as Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting earning him his deserved Oscar.

However, going back to the late '80s, nobody was aware of what he could do dramatically. Then came Dead Poets Society. As John Keating, he was everything that a pupil hopes for in a teacher: inspiring, challenging, engaging, and understanding. Williams restrained all aspects of his usual extroverted nature and calmed the comedy ocean that ran through him in order to give Keating to us, as realised and whole as any other actor could have played him.

It marked a shift in Williams' career. He had already been in Good Morning Vietnam, which was a drama, but he brought himself to that role, and he was allowed to throw in improvisation in abundance.

Later he'd go on to do Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo, Awakenings, The Fisher King and many other great films that commanded a great dramatic performance from him. But to this day, Dead Poets Society arguably remains his greatest outing.