Your favorite dramatic performance by a comedian?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 7:48pm

So many to choose from. What would you pick?

Technically, Tom Hanks' performances could count but he's not really considered a "comedian" anymore. That implies that "comedian" is somehow lower than "actor."

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 7:53pm

For some reason, the first thing that popped to mind was Mary Tyler Moore in ORDINARY PEOPLE - and I'm not really bothered by that.

I think I'd also throw in Robin William's GOOD WILL, HUNTING turn.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 7:56pm

It's kind of weird to think of what comedians today will win Oscars ten years from now. No one expected Jamie Foxx to win an Oscar when BOOTY CALL came out.

Will Dane Cook win an Oscar in 2018?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:02pm

I'm looking forward to the day Jeff Foxworthy stars in something serious.

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:04pm

Hey, Dennis Leary actually IS one of my fave actors!

I think it's obvious where the lines are drawn.

I'd also like to mention Carol Burnett in the TV movie FRIENDLY FIRE.

[scott68]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:24pm

It's so tacky, but Robin Williams in Patch Adams makes me cry every time.

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:30pm

Scott - I'm sure there would be many here who could go into detail about how 'horrific' a film they think PATCH ADAMS is. But, you know what? As treakly as some may find it, the intention WAS to reach people emotionally. If you were reached, then they were successful - at least as far as you are concerned.

That's not tacky, that's the point.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:34pm

Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation"

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:34pm

Robin Williams in Insomnia

Eddie Izzard in The Riches

[Mamie]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:35pm

Red Buttons in 'Sayonara'
Bill Murray in 'Lost in Translation'
Rodney Dangerfield in 'Natural Born Killers'
Mickey Rooney in 'Bill'
Jackie Gleason in 'The Hustler'
Burl Ives in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'
….. and tons more that will come to me for the next few days.

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:36pm

Mamie - I love your list, and agree with all of them!

[supportivemom]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:41pm

Mamie- I knew you would have a great list. I hope Best12Bars chimes in as well. I definitely think there is a difference between comedians and comic actors. I saw a dramatic performance on TV I believe from Don Rickles- yes- THE Don Rickles- and he was amazing. I heard Phyllis Diller say on a show this weekend that most of the great comics came from tragic lives.

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 8:53pm

Absolutely, SupMom - that's been discussed since . . . well, the development of comedy! I think it takes some sort of real dissatisfaction with a particular reality to develop a comedic approach to it to try and cope. But that doesn't indicate an overly peaceful existence.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 9:38pm

I'm curious to see Mike Myers in 54.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:01pm

Carol Burnett in FRIENDLY FIRE, a little TV movie she made. She plays the mother of a Vietnam vet who demands to know how her son was killed. She's remarkable.

Robin Williams' performance in MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON is probably his best, I think.

Jim Carrey in ETERNAL SUNSHINE, too. The one performance where he drops the outlandish mugging.

There's a TV film based on THE OVERCOAT with Buster Keaton, who plays it straight for probably the only time I'm aware of. He's really somethng, delivering an impassioned speech at the end with real force. But then, Buster Keaton is GOD.

[DG]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:07pm

Roscoe - we referenced the same Burnett performance - there's hope!

You see, I LIKE CHICAGO

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:09pm

Mamie, your list is wonderful. This is a great thread! So many are coming to mind...


Roberto Benini in "Life Is Beautiful"
Jackie Gleason in "Gigot"
Ed Wynn in "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Bill Murray in "Lost In Translation"
Judd Hirsch in "Ordinary People"
Billy Bob Thornton in "Sling Blade"
Jim Broadbent in "Iris"
Sally Field in "Sybil" and "Norma Rae"
Bette Midler in "The Rose"
Una Merkel in "Summer and Smoke"

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:13pm

DG, there's a movie of CHICAGO?

[etoile]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:35pm

That implies that "comedian" is somehow lower than "actor."

You really do pull these type of inflammatory comments out of your butt just hoping for a reaction, don't you? Much like the avatars you display.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:45pm

Madeline Kahn in Judy Berlin.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 11:07pm

See, I told ya'll that Best12Bars would have a great list!

[RetroBoy]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 11:54pm

Red Buttons in "Sayonara"

[Bret]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:56am

Normally, I can't stand Jim Carrey, but his performance in "Eternal Sunshine..." is fantastic.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:34am

Robin Williams in Awakenings and Good Will Hunting
Bette Midler in The Rose
Lucille Ball in a movie about a homeless woman- made for TV movie, can't remember the name, but very serious.

[DG]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 2:08am

Jennifer - Lucy's movie was STONE PILLOW.
imdb link.