10 of the most typecast actors in Hollywood

If acting is such a hard job to get into, why do Hollywood producers insist on casting the same actors and actresses to perform what is essentially the same role in six different films? We’ll never know. However, these people are typecast because they’re good at what they do and producers and directors know they can deliver the goods. So allow me to look at some of what I consider to be Hollywood’s most typecast actors.

This list is supposed to be lighthearted so don’t take it too seriously if you disagree with any of the names on this list. In fact feel free to let me know the actors you believe to be typecast in the comments.

1 Seth Rogen – The Loveable loser/stoner

Canadian Seth Rogen appeared almost out of nowhere in 2005’s The 40 Year Old Virgin and has proceeded to supply the laughs whenever he is cast. His relationship with director Judd Apatow following their working relationship on TV show Freaks and Geeks helped his career, and he is also a dab hand when it comes to writing and producing some of the films he has featured in.

2 Adam Sandler – Not-so-funny funny man

Personally I am not an Adam Sandler fan, and I don’t think I am alone (last year’s Razzies, anyone?) but he is prolific when it comes to those comedic roles. Although he has dabbled with more dramatic roles during his career I’m sure his fans will agree when I say his performances in films such as Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Bid Daddy, The Waterboy, and Billy Madison are among his best.

3 Jack Nicholson – Crazed neurotic mentalist

I’ll happily admit that old Jack isn’t typecast in the way that others on this list are, but you have to admit that he absolutely nails those neurotic characters. Playing Jack Torrance in The Shining for example is easily his most widely known role and real masterclass in how to ‘play crazy’. He is also fairly evil in The Postman Always Rings Twice and The Departed, and let us not forget his portrayal of The Joker in Batman.

4 Michael Cera – Awkward geek

Yes, when it comes to the cripplingly shy, awkward, and quiet geek-boy Michael Cera is top of the list. He is 24 now though, so perhaps he’ll branch out soon. Made his name in the incredible TV series Arrested Development alongside Jason Bateman before going global with roles in Superbad, Juno, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and, of course Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. He’ll always be George Michael Bluth to me though.

5 Hugh Grant – Bumbling English gent

Ask any American what they think us Brits are like and they’ll most likely say Hugh Grant. Why is this so? Why it is because Hugh Grant plays a soppy English ‘gentleman’ in almost all of his films of course. Need examples? Please see Four Weddings and A Funeral, Sense and Sensibility, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Nine Months to get you started.

6 Samuel L. Jackson – BAMF (Bad Ass Motherf*****r)

Old Samuel doesn’t care if I think he is typecast, as he is highest grossing actor of all time! He also nails the bad ass characters time and time again, think Pulp Fiction, or Shaft. He is also great in Snakes on a Plane, which I think is a great film. Many will disagree. Either way, we can all agree that Samuel L. Jackson may be typecast from time to time, but seriously, who else would you get to play these roles?!

7 Will Ferrell – Off the wall oddball

Well this guy needs no introduction and with Anchorman he took Ron Burgundy to the masses and absolutely nailed it. Earlier turns in Old School (“FRANK! THE! TANK!”), Zoolander, and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery sent Will in the right direction and since then he has been a one-man international improve machine. I’m not a fan of every one of his films but he owns the adlib / improvisation angle along with Seth Rogen.

8 Christopher Lloyd – Bats**t-crazy old man

If you need someone a little crazy to play a crazy role you’ll go to Christopher Lloyd, no questions asked. Becoming known for his role in a US TV series called Taxi, Lloyd then become a worldwide household name when he played the Doc in the Back to the Future film franchise. Further weird roles followed in the Addams Family franchise and as Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He’s consistent though, and hasn’t been out of work since the 1980s. He recently played a (crazy) marine biologist in the comedy horror films Piranha 3D and Piranha 3DD.

9 Steve Buscemi – Goofy yet loveable

He’s popped up everywhere and played a plethora of different characters but there is just something endearing about Steve Buscemi that comes across in almost all of his film roles. Quentin Tarentino even cast him as Mr Pink in reservoir Dogs, a role that he had actually written for himself. Other films where he endears himself even more include Ghost World, Big Fish, and he is currently starting in the US TV show Boardwalk Empire.

10 Jeff Goldblum – Always the geeky and/or nerdy scientist

Another favourite of mine, mainly due to the films he was in when I was younger Jeff Goldblum is your go-to nerdy scientist type. Seeing him first as Dr. Ian Malcolm in the Jurassic Park films probably makes me see him as a scientist, and his performance in The Fly would have furthered that belief.

About the author: Lee is one of The Stag Company and Hen Heaven’s Online Content Editors. As you can probably tell he loves to watch films, usually a horror flick.