So, Funny People's been getting mixed reviews, but at the same time, Adam Sandler's performance in it has garnered near-universal praise. I loved Sandler in Punch-Drunk Love, but that was a film which played heavily on his earlier work and I'm looking forward to seeing if he brings anything new to this Funny People role. Although, I guess you could argue no other role in the history of film has played more off a lead actor's past work than Funny People does with Sandler's. Well, anyway, what're your favorite dramatic performances by actors more traditionally known for their comedic chops? Bill Murray's gotta be the gold standard for this in my mind. He's essentially mastered the whole sad-sack, eeyore archetype by now and I think my personal favorite manifestation of that character was Bob Harris in Lost In Translation. I'll reel off a few more of my choices after some people respond with their own favorites

Jim Carrey - Truman Show
Robin Williams - Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Fisher King, Good Morning Vietnam
Bill Murray - Rushmore, Lost in Translation
Jamie Foxx - Collateral, Ray
Billy Connelly - The Last Samurai, Mrs Brown
Hugh Laurie - House

Indeed. Either him or Jack Lemmon.

Hey Zedferret, thanks for stealing all the good answers. Jerk.

Other than those mentioned by Mr. ferret, I'll throw out Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction.

You've got to add Walter Matthau to the list if you've included Lemmon. Or, I've got to add him. And so I will. And I have. I love Matthau in drama every bit as much as I do in comedy and Jack Lemmon is on the same wavelength. Lemmon in Short Cuts? Amazing.

I thought Adam Sandler was pretty good in Spanglish and especially, Reign Over Me. The movie itself is just okay, but his performance has some pretty good moments (there's a small scene where he starts reminscing about his wife and kids in a waiting room which was pretty emotional). I'm curious to see what he does in Funny People.

Robin Williams played two chilling psychos in Insomnia and One Hour Photo... wish he'd take more roles in that same vein, he was excellent. I'd be willing to add the deranged Rainbow Randolph from Death to Smoochy, but that was a comedy (a very dark one though).

I didn't even know Jack Lemmon was primarily a comedic actor, but I thought he was brilliant in Glengarry Glen Ross.

Tom Hanks in Philadelphia

Robin Williams in The Final Cut

Will Smith in The Pursuit Of Happiness

Steve Martin in The Spanish Prisoner.

If anyone's seen the trailer for Big Fan yet, Patton Oswalt looks like he's going to be added to this list.

Otherwise, Adam Sandler's pretty magnificent in Funny People. Rogen's pretty good, too.

I only recently discovered that Patton Oswalt is cool. He is apparently a huge movie geek. I remember reading an interview where he was discussing his choices for a film festival he programmed.

I'm surprised no one mentioned Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction yet.

I apologize to Me Goddammit! for not reading his post more carefully.

You should, that guy's a real loose cannon. I hear he killed a man once over a can of chili.

Hi,
My favourites are:
Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, Fisher King
Bill Murray in Rushmore
Jamie Foxx in Collateral, Ray
Billy Connelly in The Last Samurai
Will Smith in pursuit in happiness.
-------
Andrew

Your Favorites

Good choice, I like him too. He's one of those guys who deserves to be cast in better movies.

Well I think Robin Williams was great in "One Hour Photo" as Sy the photo guy. Very creepy and not sappy-corny as he often does.

I agree with Jack Lemmon. He was fantastic in Glengary Glen Ross - at a point where he also (= like Williams) sometimes went overboard trying to pull the heartstrings.

I would contend that Robin Williams has everyone beat in this category. Love him or hate him he's still one exceptionally talented mofo and wins by sheer volume (which are all at minimum good showings) of performances if not by individual performance as well. However, considering Robin has always done dramatic roles Bill Murray may very well be the gold standard as drama is more of a departure for him. My favorite performance of Robin's would have to be a tie between Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo, and What Dreams May Come.


Honorable mention: Kate Hudson in The Skeleton Key