Actors that made amazing transformations.

[Nautical Honors Society]

I just finished watching Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LoTR) and I was amazed by the spectacular transformation that he created through his acting prowess.

Besides Mortensen in Eastern Promises I would also have to say Health Ledger in The Dark Knight, Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood, and Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon all went through amazing transformations in their respective roles.

This isn't a who is the best actor thread, it is more along the lines of a -- "which actors in which roles changed who they were almost completely to succeed in their role?" -- thread.

Anyone have any actor to add?


Note: "Actor" is used to describe both actresses and actors, so feel free to talk about male or female actors.

EDIT: By transformation I mean that they completely changed themselves for the role, not how they evolved throughout their career. That would be an interesting discussion though.

 

[Loop Stricken]

There was somebody I had in mind who I thought "No, he's going to be TERRIBLE!" but turne dout pretty damn decent.

I just can't for the life of me remember who and in what film... :Z

 

[trickyfingers]

I suggest you see a little film called Primal Fear. Edward Norton won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for best actor in a supporting role. He was a fucking nobody before that movie. That was the movie that made his career.

I won't spoil anything for you, but really. watch that fucking movie. Norton is amazing.

To go into details as to how his character relates to the topic at hand would give too much away.
just watch the movie.

 

[qazmatoz]

Bryan Cranston, going from being Hal in Malcolm in the Middle to doing Breaking Bad and winning 2 Emmys.

 

[RatRace123]

Well, Johnny Depp always plays eccentric (or downright crazy) characters, but he never ever looks the same. Not sure if that counts.

 

[fenrizz]

I think Leonardo DiCaprio has come a long, long way since Titanic and Romeo and Juliet.

His latest films has shown an actor that has truly grown over the years, and may become one of our times best actors.

For reference, see Shutter Island, Blood Diamond and The Aviator.

 

[Sinclair Solutions]

Leonardo DiCaprio. He went from good actor in romance movies to fantastic actor in badass movies.

As for good to bad, I would say Halle Berry or Hilary Swank.

And Daniel Day Lewis has always been great. Have you ever seen Gangs of New York? He's Bill the Butcher, certified badass.

 

[Blemontea]

Jim Carrey, he always gets into character once he gets the script, for his role as the Grinch he spent most of his days locked in his home pretending to be the Grinch, and for the Mask he went to late night parties and watched old cartoons for facial expression ideas that the Mask would do.

Edit: and Adam Sandler, In Mr. Deeds he is a nice guy who somehow can beat the shit out of anyone, and in Anger Management hes...again...a nice guy...who can beat the...i forgot what point i was trying to make...

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

I suggest you see a little film called Primal Fear. Edward Norton won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for best actor in a supporting role. He was a fucking nobody before that movie. That was the movie that made his career.

I won't spoil anything for you, but really. watch that fucking movie. Norton is amazing.

To go into details as to how his character relates to the topic at hand would give too much away.
just watch the movie.

I love that movie, he was great in it.

Yea it was his first film.

Watch Eastern Promises, I just saw it and I feel the need to recommend it. It was amazing.

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

Dustin Hoffman


For years I had no clue he played Capt. Hook in the move 'Hook'.
I was watching it a while back and it cut to commercials and said something like "We'll be back with more Dustin Hoffman as Hook..."
My reaction: "Wait, what?"

This is exactly what I mean, when an actor becomes almost hard to recognize since they are doing such a good job of becoming the character.

 

[ThePantomimeThief]

Christian Bale is pretty exceptional for this: The Machinist, American Psycho, and Batman? Pretty varied roles and he carries them all off great.

Also, Robin Williams can do kiddie comedy with ease, adult humour really well, and is also fucking terrifying. Aladdin, Death to Smoochy, Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and Insomnia/One Hour Photo actually show off a lot of acting ability.

Not to mention that masterpiece Flubber

Also, Charlize Theron in monster.