Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Actors Who Played Against Type On TV - And Nailed It
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Vote up the stars who stepped outside their comfort zone and nailed it.
Actors tend to build a name for themselves in Hollywood by playing a particular “type.” Even actors who start their careers later in life aren't immune to this phenomenon, as it affects everyone, from child actors to seasoned veterans. The word "typecast" exists for a reason, as an actor known for playing a goofy dad can undoubtedly play a goofy dad again, and it's no stretch to imagine a romantic lead from one film you enjoy thrilling you in another romance. Genres can also be considered a type, from actors who thrive in sitcoms to those who are best suited for gritty drama.
However, most actors relish the chance to mix it up and go outside of their typical box. This list highlights memorable roles where actors played against their known "type" on television shows – many of which became highly regarded all-time performances for those actors. Here are some of the best instances of actors playing against type on TV and absolutely nailing it.
It's no surprise that the network was skeptical when Vince Gilligan first suggested Bryan Cranston to play an egotistical antihero in Breaking Bad since Cranston was best known as bumbling sitcom dad Hal on Malcolm in the Middle. However, this turned out to be one of the best casting decisions of all time, as Cranston brings Walter White's drive to provide for his family to life with incredible range. From the first episode - where Walter is a downtrodden teacher picked on by everyone from his boss and his students to his wife - to his terrifying reign over the Albuquerque drug scene as “Heisenberg” in later seasons, Cranston captures Walt's transformation perfectly, earning every bit of acclaim that he received.
Though he's had a storied career in various kinds of films, Steve Buscemi is perhaps best known for playing supporting characters who are the butt of the joke. Boardwalk Empire was a rare chance for Buscemi to lead a TV series and to play a terrifyingly competent character. Though Buscemi doesn't look like the typical image of a "gangster," he does an excellent job playing both sides of Nucky Thompson: the beloved politician who supports Prohibition and the crook who ruthlessly runs an illicit bootlegging business. Buscemi is chilling as he portrays Nucky's willingness to do anything to advance his interests, including facilitating the rape of a preteen girl to help kick off his political career. Buscemi proved his chops at playing a more serious character and even earned a Golden Globe for the role.
Goofy sidekicks were Alan Tudyk's most common fare during the early parts of his career, from Hoban Washburne in Firefly and Serenity to Steve the Pirate in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. In Dollhouse, that typecasting is used to great effect when he's introduced as the harmless, paranoid architect who designed the hidden headquarters of the legendary “Dollhouse.” Unsurprisingly, Tudyk plays this character with predictable charm and humor. The real twist comes when he shocks the audience by revealing himself as the villain who's been alluded to throughout the entirety of the first season: the escaped, murderous Alpha. After the reveal, Tudyk shows off the full range of his acting chops by cycling through Alpha's multiple personalities in a role that's both humorous and terrifying.
Thanks to his eight-year stint on Saturday Night Live, Bill Hader continues to have a reputation for transforming into countless bizarre characters and always bringing the laughs. From his best-known SNL characters like Stefon to supporting roles in numerous comedy films, he was pigeonholed as a comedy superstar until Barry proved he could also play a dead-serious hitman with terrifying realism. It's hard to decide which facet of Barry Berkman is more surprising given Hader's past roles: his stoicism as he carries out hits, or his awkward wooden acting as Barry struggles in his aspirations to become a great actor.
To younger audiences, Betty White's role in The Golden Girls may be what she's best known for, but Rose Nylund was a departure from White's previous acting roles. In fact, White was almost cast as Blanche Devereaux due to her outgoing and promiscuous personality being similar to White's character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Rose, on the other hand, is innocent, sweet, and willing to believe anything, but White managed to prove she could play that character just as well. The cheerful charm she brings to The Golden Girls ensemble added even more repute to White's already-impressive, insanely lengthy television career.
Timothy Olyphant has a knack for playing rugged heroes, especially in Western settings, like Sheriff Seth Bullock on Deadwood or Raylan Givens on Justified. Joel Hammond on Santa Clarita Diet can't get much farther from this typecast as Olyphant plays a sweet, unassuming realtor who will do anything for his wife Sheila, even helping her find human flesh to eat once she turns into a zombie. In addition to proving his ample comedic skills, Olyphant shows off a softer side that only increases the humor as he struggles with cleaning up his undead wife's messes with a bright smile and deep loving commitment.
