19 Comedy Actors Who Frankly Put Drama Actors To Shame

    What, like it's hard?!

    Amy Glover
    by Amy Glover

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Michaela Coel

    Micheala Coel looking shocked at her phone in "Bubblegum" next to a serious image of her looking directly into the camera lens in "I May Destroy You"
    Channel 4,BBC

    The whole internet is talking about I May Destroy You right now, but Michaela Coel also hit our screens in 2015 with the iconic comedy Chewing Gum. The series was hilarious, but its adorkable protagonist Tracey Gordon couldn't have been more different to I May Destroy You's traumatised writer Arabella. Michaela has also appeared in Black Mirror, Top Boy, Star Wars, and Black Earth Rising.

    2. Jim Carrey

    Jim Carey pointing his finger dramatically in "The Grinch" next to an image of his character form "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" getting his memories erased
    Universal. Pictures, Focus Features

    A '90s movie binge just isn't complete without an appearance from Jim Carrey, who stars as a comedy actor in The Grinch, Bruce Almighty, The Mask, and more. Viewers got to see him in a different light with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, where he played one half of an estranged couple whose memories had been erased. Jim has also worked as a dramatic actor in films like The Truman Show, Man On The Moon, The Majestic, and more.

    3. Melissa McCarthy

    Melissa McCarthy wearing relaxed clothes on a plane in "Bridesmaids" next to another image of her in a suit handling a book in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"
    Universal Pictures

    Melissa McCarthy has nailed comedy roles in everything from Bridesmaids, to Spy, and Identity Theft, where she earned her reputation for bringing some laugh-out-loud magic to every scene she's in. In Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Melissa got to show off her dramatic acting chops too! Her nuanced performance as a writer-turned-forger earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

    4. Whoopi Goldberg

    Woopi Goldberg in a nun's habit for "Sister Act" next to an image of her in traditional American housewife attire for "The Colour Purple"
    Disney, Warner Bros.

    Whoopi made her name in standup and with comedy roles in movies like Sister Act, Ghost, and Made in America, where she perfected the art of laugh-out-loud delivery. Her dramatic role as a downtrodden housewife in Spielberg's The Colour Purple was just as impressive as her comedy performances, proving that there's nothing this woman can't do when she's put in front of a camera!

    5. Adam Sandler

    Adam Sandler squinting at a golf ball for "Happy Gilmore" next to an image of him handling an expensive piece of novelty jewellery in "Uncut Gems"
    Universal Pictures, A24, Netflix

    When it comes to established comedy actors, Adam Sandler ranks pretty highly. He cemented his role as an iconic comedic lead in movies like Happy Gilmore, Grownups, and The Waterboy, so it was an interesting turn of events for fans worldwide when crime thriller Uncut Gems came out in 2019. Sandler stunned as a debt-ridden jewel merchant, sweeping up awards and acclaim for his high-drama performance! Adam has also appeared as a dramatic actor in Reign Over Me and The Meyerwitz Stories.

    6. Olivia Colman

    Olivia looking weepily into the camera in a wedding veil for "Peep Show" next to an image of her in regal attire for "The Favourite"
    Channel 4, Fox Searchlight Pictures

    Peep Show fans will recognise Olivia Colman as Mark's love interest Sophie, and she's shown her comedy prowess in productions like Hot Fuzz and Bruiser too. Even non-fans might know her from the iconic Oscar acceptance speech she gave after winning Best Actor for her role as Queen Anne in historical drama The Favourite.

    7. Tracee Ellis Ross

    Tracee Ellis Ross peering round a door frame for "Black-Ish" next to an image of her as a pregnant woman sitting down in "Private Practice"
    ABC, Disney

    Tracee stars in TV comedies Black-ish and Girlfriends, and she's well-known as Dr. Carla Reed in the sitcom Reed Between The Lines too. Her dramatic roles include Tanya in the TV movie drama Life Support, Ellen in medical drama Private Practice, and more!

    8. Kate McKinnon

    Kate McKinnon laughing while dressed as Hillary Clinton for "Saturday Night Live" next to an image of her as a journalist holding a clipboard for "Bombshell"
    NBC, Lionsgate

    You probably know Kate McKinnon from her hilarious performances in Saturday Night Live or for her appearances in movies like The Spy Who Dumped Me, but the based-on-real-life film Bombshell proved Kate can deliver on drama too. She plays Jess Carr (a queer, liberal-minded woman in a conservative workplace that's rife with sexual harassment), showing audiences that her incredible acting chops aren't just reserved for comedy.

    9. Maya Rudolph

    Maya squatting in a wedding dress for "Bridesmaids" next to an image of her as a pregnant woman standing in an unfinished home in "Away We Go"
    Universal Pictures, Focus Features

    The Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids, and The Good Place star is pretty much a comedy institution at this point, but her role in the family drama movie Away We Go proves that this actor has some impressive drama credentials too. She plays expectant mother Verona De Tassent in the movie, starring alongside fellow comedy actor John Krasinski! She's also appeared in the crime drama Inherent Vice.

    10. Steve Carell

    Steve Carell in a suit holding a 'Wold's Best Boss' mug for "The Office" next to an image of him looking older and less well-dressed for "Foxcatcher"
    NBC, Annapurna Pictures, Likely Story

    Don't let his success in The Office, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, or Little Miss Sunshine fool you – Steve Carell hasn't rested on his impressive comedy rep, choosing to develop his skills in the drama world too. He starred as a millionaire wrestling enthusiast in the crime drama Foxcatcher and as the father of an addicted son in Beautiful Boy.

    11. Mo'Nique

    Mo'nique gesturing during her standup routine in "Queens of Comedy' next to an image of her smoking on a sofa for "Precious"
    Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate

    You'll probably recognise Mo'Nique for her standup routines and talk show, as well as her comedy appearances in Almost Christmas, Steppin, Soul Plane, and more. However, it was her role as a troubled mother in Precious that won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress! Her other dramatic roles include appearances in thriller Shadowboxer and action crime film Domino.

    12. Kristen Wiig

    Kristen Wiig smiling humorously with stained teeth in "Bridesmaids" next to an image of her looking serious in "Skeleton Twins"
    Universal Pictures, Roadside Attractions

    The long-time Saturday Night Live member has also starred in comedy films Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters, so her appearance in family drama The Skeleton Twins felt new for fans. She plays the twin sister to a suicidal bother in the film (incidentally, the brother is played by Bill Hader, making this movie a double comedy-turned-drama whammy). You can also catch her in teen drama Diary of a Teenage Girl!

    13. Will Smith

    Will Smith in a cap for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" next to an image of him looking distressed with his hand in front of his mouth for "Concussion"
    Warner Bros., Sony Pitcures

    From The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air to Bad Boys and Men In Black, it seems there's no comedic character Will Smith can play without turning it into a laugh-out-loud success. The actor is definitely not limited to humorous roles, though – he's equally well-known for biopcs The Pursuit of Happyness and Concussion, as well as the drama film Seven Pounds among others.

    14. Ashton Kutcher

    Ashton Kutcher in a headband looking bemused in "Cheaper By The Dozen" next to an image of him writing into a notebook in "The Butterfly Effect"
    20th Century Fox, New Line Cinema

    Whether you're a fan of That '70s Show, No Strings Attached, or Cheaper By The Dozen, it's pretty likely that you've seen Aston Kutcher's comedy skills at one point or another. The rom-com and sitcom actor didn't stop there though – Aston played the main character in sci-fi thriller The Butterfly Effect, and has also starred in movies like drama Personal Effects and biopic Jobs.

    15. Donald Glover

    Donald Glover smiling in "Community" next to an image of him looking serious in front of an American flag for "The Martian"
    NBC, 20th Century Fox

    You might know Donald Glover as Troy from Community, as various characters on 30 Rock, or as a stand-up comedian in one of his own shows. You might also recognise him as musician Childish Gambino – or maybe you've spotted him starring in his own Emmy-winning drama Atlanta or as Rick Purnell in the sci-fi film The Martian. What can't this guy do?!

    16. John Cho

    John Cho looking baffled and scuffed in a fast food outlet for "Harold and Kumar" next to an image of him looking concernedly into the camera for "Searching"
    New Line Cinema, Sony Pictures

    John Cho played Harold in the hit Harold & Kumar movie franchise, Henry Higgs in the rom-com Selfie, and Daniel Casey in Identity Thief (among tons of other hilarious roles). He's also famous for playing Hikaru Sulu in the rebooted Star Trek films, but his dramatic roles in mystery thriller Searching and sci-fi movie Solaris are just as attention-worthy IMO.

    17. Robin Williams

    Robin Williams looking dishevelled and wearing leaves in "Jumanji" next to an image of him in glasses smiling in "Good Will Hunting"
    Sony Pictures, Miramax Films

    Robin Williams will be familiar to most people as a comedy standout in Flubber, Jumanji, and Mrs Doubtfire (not to mention the voice of the genie in Aladdin). His role as Dr. Sean Maguire in drama film Good Will Hunting was decidedly less funny, but nonetheless equally impressive – Robin scooped up a 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' Oscar for the character! He also wowed audiences with his dramatic acting in films such as Dead Poet's Society, Patch Adams, and What Dreams May Come.

    18. Sandra Bullock

    Sandra Bullock with her hand on her hips in "The Proposal" next to an image of her rowing a boat while blindfolded in "Bird Box"
    Walt Disney Studios, Netflix

    Based on her consistently funny performances in everything from The Proposal, to Miss Congeniality, and Two Weeks Notice, it's easy to see why Sandra Bullock has become a rom-com staple. That doesn't mean she can't master drama too, though – her roles as the mother in horror Bird Box and as an astronaut in sci-fi thriller Gravity are just two examples of her acting expertise.

    19. Emma Thompson

    Emma with a prosthetic nose looking bemused in "Nanny McPhee" next to an image of her crying with her hand on her face for "Love Actually"
    Universal Pictures, United International Pictures, Studio Canal

    If she's not making you giggle in Nanny McPhee, Late Night, or Men In Black 3, you can guarantee Emma Thompson is stirring up your emotions with her dramatic roles. She dazzles in Oscar-winning romantic drama Howard's End, and she's pretty impressive as an ignored housewife in Love Actually and as a writer in fantasy drama Stranger than Fiction too.