What comic film/TV actor is most likely to follow in Bill Murray's footsteps? (see comments)
Submitted by AJDaGreat on Mon, 08/01/2005 - 09:45
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Bill Murray's recent Oscar nomination for a serio-comic performance in Lost in Translation and acclaimed dramatic performance in Broken Flowers seem uncharacteristic of a former SNLer and star of films like Meatballs and Caddyshack. Which of today's actors in lighter, funnier fare is most likely to take a similar turn in favor of more dramatic, subtle acting?
Additional suggestions welcome. Feel free to post comments explaining your choice.
Note: For Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller, pretend that The Royal Tenenbaums doesn't exist. Ditto Adam Sandler and Punch-Drunk Love.
What's wrong with Johnny Depp? Do I not understand the question?
I think Johnny Depp was always on a different level from most of these guys. I don't think of him as a purely comic actor, the way I would've thought of Bill Murray early on, after he had done SNL, Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, the Ghostbusters movies, Scrooged, and What About Bob? Depp has been in lighter fare but has always done dramatic roles, and he's twice been nominated for Best Actor Oscars of late, one in a very serious role in Finding Neverland. I am looking for actors who've tended to do Caddyshack-type movies but could be doing Broken Flowers-type movies in 20 years, like Bill Murray.
Thanks for clarifying.
I think a few of these guys could possibly turn to weightier work later in life. Will Ferrell I think could have the chops, given a few more years to mature. I voted Owen Wilson because although he seems to have the easy devil-may-care attitude and relaxed comedy, I think he also carries pathos well. I would love to see Adam Sandler get more depth and acting ability, but I think it took a very special director to use what he already has to bring out a performance like Punch Drunk Love . I'm trying to imagine Jack Black maturing, but I gotta say I'm having difficulties (bless him). As for Eugene Levy, I think he's chosen his path already, much to the advantage of us fans of subtle, touching comedic characters in mockumentaries.
And Ashton Kutcher? Are you serious? Following in the footsteps of Rob Lowe, maybe. And I can see Mike Myers following the career path of Jim Carrey, turning in Oscar bait performances instead of focussing more on what could be a serious talent.
I'd actually like to see SNLer Darrell Hammond try a weightier role. He's a fantastc impressionist because he really works hard and commits to the impression he's doing. I wonder if he could commit that much to a dramatic role.
You might be right-on with Owen Wilson, although I could see Jack Black pulling a Bill Murray. I didn't love Shallow Hal, but I thought Black handled the dramatic parts pretty well. As for Ashton Kutcher, I certainly don't think all of these actors are capable, I just wanted to offer plenty of options. Maybe I should add Pauly Shore as well; I'm still waiting for his Oscar-winning dramatic turn.
I don't think I'm familiar with Darrell Hammond's work. It's been an awfully long time since I've seen any SNL, and at no point have I ever caught it regularly. Plus, they don't get it here in the UK (at least not on the 5 channels I get).
Now I would SERIOUSLY love to see Pauly Shore pull off the Bill Murray transformation. Not a lot of things surprise me (I try not to have too many preconceptions about anything), but I think that would honestly cause my cerebellum to blow a fuse.
If you've seen any of those famous Celebrity Jeopardy skits, Hammond's the one playing Sean Connery. He did Bill Clinton after Phil Hartman left, and he did an amazingly accurate impression of Al Gore for the 2000 election.
Oh him! "I'll take 'The Rapists' for $100". "That's 'Therapists'".