Seeing him in Dick and Jane, I am reminded of Bruce Almighty, the Mask, Liar Liar, etc. Regardless of his comic genius and energy, I think he is playing a single character again and again.

A few actors are guilty of playing slight variations of the same persona across a wide range of movies. I see it in Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage, especially. Some would say Tom Cruise. Mirielle Enos might fit in that category, but I've only seen her in The Killing and Sabotage.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
A few actors are guilty of playing slight variations of the same persona across a wide range of movies. I see it in Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage, especially. Some would say Tom Cruise. Mirielle Enos might fit in that category, but I've only seen her in The Killing and Sabotage.

I agree with all on your list except Mirielle Enos. The first time I took notice of her was in Big Love. She played twins in that series, and were very different than her later characters.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Seeing him in Dick and Jane, I am reminded of Bruce Almighty, the Mask, Liar Liar, etc. Regardless of his comic genius and energy, I think he is playing a single character again and again.

Yep, brain-rape!

i feel like this about will smith now. its gotten almost annoying.

Dont forget that John Wayne got really good at playing John Wayne .

Jim Carey isn't playing the same guy/himself in The Truman Show or The Number 23 or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

And +1 about Mirielle Enos and Big Love.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Jim Carey isn't playing the same guy/himself in The Truman Show or The Number 23 or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

And +1 about Mirielle Enos and Big Love.

or the Majestic,


as far as the same character, the one that comes to mind for me is Marky Mark,

Carrey can act (Eternal Sunshine) - but often plays Jim Carrey.

Two words, Jack Nicholson. A one note symphony, but what a note it is.

You could make a huge list... some people are loved, yet are the same in every role. Others hated for it. What the difference is I do not know.

23 and Eternal Sunshine were pretty stinking good, as far as Jim Carrey was concerned anyway.

He'll always be Fire Marshal Bill when i see him.

Carrey is best when he plays a semi-serious/dramatic roles. When it's comedic, it's the same Jim Carrey. George Clooney is the direct opposite, he's best at comedic roles and crap playing dramatic roles.

John Wayne
Tom Cruise
Nicholas Cage
Jennifer Anniston
Jude Law
Jada Pinkett
Will Smith

...every movie, they all play the same character, themselves.

Jackie Chan can be included in the list.

Johnny Depp has played some parts very well and showed very differnt charactures, as has Adam Sandler in at least one movie that he is not comedic. (Reign Over Me)

Billy Bob Thorton has the ability to change it up as well.

Just a few I can think of.

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Will Ferrell. I've stopped watching any movies with either of them in it, as I already know what to expect.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Will Ferrell. I've stopped watching any movies with either of them in it, as I already know what to expect.

Try Will Ferrell in "Everything Must Go". Like Carey, Ferrell has the occasional more serious/dramatic role.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
Jackie Chan can be included in the list.

I saw an interview where he address this. His thoughts were that maybe someday he would increase his range, but he didn't think his fans were interested in seeing him in different types of roles, so he's sticking to what he does best and what people enjoy seeing from him.

IIRC, he said things like, "...nobody wants to see Jackie Chan kiss the girl..." and "...so maybe someday, "dialogue, dialogue, dialogue," but for now..."

Whether he has the capability to do other characters, who knows? I don't see it as likely, but I've been surprised before.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
You could make a huge list... some people are loved, yet are the same in every role. Others hated for it. What the difference is I do not know.

Jennifer Aniston comes to mind. The only character I've seen her play that was different and interesting and not like herself was in The Good Girl. People seem to like her though.