Actors who can only play one part

[Brokenchair1]

By that I don't mean that they are bad actors but that they are so attached with one character that they always seem to become a caricature of themselves.

So for example yesterday DD and I watched Christopher Robin the movie. As soon as Mark Gatiss came on, despite playing a serious character, all I could see/hear was "Yes Mrs Levinson".

Now watching Night at the museum. Ricky Gervais always sounds like David Brent.

Can anyone think of any other actors that you struggle to see in other roles?

Jim Parsons is a racist uptight git in Hidden Figures. I think he can have range.

Meryl Streep.

I'll get my coat.

@lljkk

Jim Parsons is a racist uptight git in Hidden Figures. I think he can have range.

Yes he was very much not sheldon Cooper in that. I thought he was great.

Michelle Keegan will always be 'pretty girl from working class Manchester' in anything she appears in. Our Girl was much like 'Tina from Corrie joins the Army'.

Despite playing a huge range of characters I don't actually think Johnny Depp has much range; could he convincingly play a 'normal' character in a drama, rather than always being the oddball?

David Suchet can only be Poirot

And it's really wrong to see anyone else being Poirot, though the Ustinov films do have their own charm (and pre-dated him having the role)

Tom hanks just plays himself. There's one or two roles which he stands out and is convincing in, but on the whole - he's just playing himself. I really don't get why he's so popular.

Kristen Stewart seems to only be able to play surly teenagers with the personality of an ironing board

@ShirleyPhallus

Kristen Stewart seems to only be able to play surly teenagers with the personality of an ironing board

Spot on.

Emma Watson
Daniel Radcliffe

Agree on Inbetweeners with the exception of Blake Harrison - thought he was great in A Very English Scandal

@EdithWeston

David Suchet can only be Poirot

And it's really wrong to see anyone else being Poirot, though the Ustinov films do have their own charm (and pre-dated him having the role)

But I've seen him in other stuff where he was excellent as NOT Poirrot.

In terms of always playing the same character in every movie:

Jim Carey= ridiculous over acting and stupid gurning face.

Adam Sandler= Nice guy but slightly dim and a ‘goofball’.

Jason Statham plays the same role in every film.
Monosyllabic, brooding action hero

Michael Caine doesn’t even change his accent for a role.

James Nesbitt

Matt Smith will always be the Eleventh Doctor. He’s got such a distinctive look that I struggle to see him as anything else.

Kate Hudson always plays the same character.

Even though he was seen, Ben Whishaw will always be Paddington bear. I can only see and hear Paddington whenever I hear his voice now. Which made it sooo awkward when he was in A Very English Scandal. I think someone did something on t’internet with the Vaseline/Court case scene and the poor little bear in the dock.

Jim Carrey -he is the same in every film.

Hugh Grant was in a Guy Ritchie film lately and VERY different (o forget the film title, sorry). And Robin Williams in One Hour Photo made me forget all about Mrs Doubtfire!

"Meryl Streep"

Devil Wears Prada, Sophie's Choice, Iron Lady.

All wildy different characters.

All of the Friends characters! I love friends, but anything they’ve done after has been average, Il give David schwimmer Brand of Brothers but that’s it.

John Wayne
Bruce Willis
Clint Eastwood
Sandra Bullock
Jeff Goldblum

Most of the carry one crew.

I think Hugh Grant has demonstrated that he is a much better actor than just the bumbling, fool. Maybe it's only as he's aged, he's been given the opportunity.

@LadyCatStark

In terms of always playing the same character in every movie:

Jim Carey= ridiculous over acting and stupid gurning face.

Adam Sandler= Nice guy but slightly dim and a ‘goofball’.

@LadyCatStark have you seen Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems? He's so different to his usual character.

And in Reign Over Me. Adam Sandler makes me cry my eyes out every time. So powerful.

I can only see Derek Jacobi as Claudius (shows age).

Stephen Graham is always a version of Combo from This is England.