Tom Cruise
Starting off this list is Tom Cruise. In recent years, Cruise would often be the charismatic and heroic protagonist of a story. One notable example of this is when he portrayed Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible films. He also played Cage in The Edge of Tomorrow, and the titular character in the Jack Reacher movies. To Tom’s credit, he seemed to be playing the same person, just in different scenarios. But in 2008, Tom Cruise got the chance to showcase more of his comedic side through the character of Les Grossman. It was in the action-comedy film Tropic Thunder, where he got nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. To see an action star, who is also known to have a good sense of humor, perform in a role where he can utilize his comedic chops is quite a sight to behold.
Denzel Washington
Some actors can transform into another person entirely from one movie to another, embodying the characters they portray. One such actor is Denzel Washington. For his 2000 biopic film Remember the Titans and 2001’s crime thriller Training Day, Washington’s characters for both films are, to a huge degree, the exact opposite of each other. For the former film, Remember the Titans, he portrays the American football coach Herman Boone, who’s trying to unite his team’s players. For the latter film, Training Day, Washington played Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris, a ruthless member of society who can bend the law in whatever direction he wishes it to be. Other notable performances in Denzel Washington’s resume include the boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter in 1999’s The Hurricane, Frank Lucas in 2007’s crime biopic American Gangster, and Robert McCall in 2014’s action-thriller The Equalizer.
Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall is mostly known for hosting The Arsenio Hall Show, Star Search, and Thicke of the Night. However, Hall has also starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 1988 romantic-comedy film Coming to America. For this particular acting credit – or in this case, credits – Hall performed four characters: the protagonist’s partner Semmi, Reverend Brown, Morris, and a girl in a bar (yes, you read the last one right). After getting his face applied with some makeup, a wig, and facial hair, Hall was able to completely transform into three other characters who eventually meet in the story. If there is one thing that makes acting fun, it’s the fact that acting gives actors a chance to play roles they usually don’t play in real life.
Johnny Depp
Most actors we know and love often perform in roles that are quite synonymous with each other, leading them to become typecast as a result. On the other hand, Johnny Depp is an actor well-known for taking on various roles throughout his career. He deserves credit for playing characters like Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the titular character in Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film, and James “Whitey” Bulger in the biopic Black Mass. Depp is surely an actor who loves to test the limits of his acting skills. Perhaps, it is easy to expect the unexpected when it comes to finding out what Johnny Depp’s next role in a film will be.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is an actress who is well-known for portraying two characters: Padmé Amidala from the Star Wars prequels and the ballerina Nina Sayers in the psychological horror film Black Swan. Another performance worth mentioning would be when she portrayed Evey Hammond in 2006’s V for Vendetta. The film helped Portman become more notable in the film industry thanks to her outstanding performance throughout its runtime. For Portman’s performance in Black Swan, she prepared for her character by taking 8-hour ballet training routines six times a week – not to mention that she also had to work for 12 to 14 hours every day for filming. This dedication to the art didn’t go unnoticed, because Portman eventually received credit for it when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett’s filmography is quite a sight to behold. She’s won so many awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Elizabeth I in 1998’s Elizabeth, and an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in 2004’s The Aviator. Blanchett eventually got an acting credit for playing the majestic elf Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy. However, if her performance as the elf was ever so calm and serene, the same cannot be said for her outing as Hela, the goddess of death, where she sought to destroy everything precious for the main protagonists of the story in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok. What is incredibly impressive about Blanchett’s performance in these films is that they all bring out a different kind of flair from the actress, making each portrayal a remarkable moment to witness.
Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan has made quite a name for himself with films like 3 Idiots and Every Child is Special. For his acting credit in the previously mentioned movie, Khan portrayed a teacher who helps one of his students overcome their dyslexia. In 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan portrays the character Rancho, an energetic, lively, and brilliant engineering student – an impressive feat if you’re aware that Khan was 44 years old at the time of filming. However, Khan’s most astonishing transformation would be for his performance in 2016’s Dangal. He went on a diet and took up an exercise routine to gain 55 pounds within six months in preparation for the film. And that is why the people in India call Aamir Khan, “Mr. Perfectionist.” Because in whatever he does, he dials his energy up to 110%.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds has become more popular in recent years thanks to his involvement in the Deadpool films, both in front and behind the scenes, and for voicing Pikachu in the Pokémon Detective Pikachu movie. The investments he made for the film, from pre-production until its release, has brought excellent results for everyone involved, including Reynolds, who portrayed the titular character. He has prosthetic make up on the whole time his face was shown onscreen. After all those years of hard work and dedication for the film, it can be said that Ryan Reynolds and his Deadpool persona are now synonymous with each other. But that doesn’t stop Reynolds from excelling in other films as well, including Buried, 6 Underground, Life, and Free Guy.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy has become a part of almost everyone’s childhood thanks to his voice-acting credit in Disney’s 1998 animated film Mulan, where he played the dragon Mushu, and as Shrek’s good friend and sidekick Donkey in the Shrek films. In his acting career, Murphy has showcased his comedic prowess and skill in portraying relatable characters. In the 1988 movie Coming to America, Murphy and his fellow cast member, Arsenio Hall, each played four characters. Aside from being the Prince Akeem of Zamunda, Murphy also performed as Clarence and is barely recognizable as Randy Watson and Saul. In his performance as the titular character in 2016’s drama Mr. Church, Murphy showed audiences that he can also pull off more heartwarming and gentle characters.
Emily Blunt
Through the years, Emily Blunt has starred in various films, ranging from dramas, comedies, and musicals. These include 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada, 2011’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. But if needed, Blunt can surely pull off a tough character persona, which we saw in her acting credit as Rita Vrataski in 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow, which Blunt claimed to have spent three months of training before filming as preparation for her performance. And aside from action, Emily Blunt also starred in 2018’s A Quiet Place, a sci-fi-horror film where she portrays a loving mother ensuring her family’s safety, keeping them away from the creatures that roam the outside world. To put it bluntly, Emily Blunt can play a character in any film genre and pull it off magnificently.