Out of Character

Charlie Chaplin

I bet that one of the best things about your favorite movie star is his or her on screen persona. Sure they may always play different characters, but generally actors are regulated to roles that always seem to have similarities. Occasionally movie stars attempt to break away from their standard roles. It is not always successful.

In the silent film days, movie actors understood that their bread and butter came from playing a single type of character over and over again. Mary Pickford got stuck playing little girls even when she was in her 30's. Can someone name a successful movie Charlie Chaplin starred in when he wasn't The Tramp? Sure these actors did other roles, but who remembers them?

I remember the first time I watched Only Angels Have Wings. Cary Grant plays a working class, tough, swaggering guy in South America. He has two different woman going after him, one played by Rita Hayworth. Grant usually played the upscale charmer. He definitely was more comfortable in roles that took place in doors. The whole time I am watching this movie I am thinking that Clark Gable should have done it instead.

Gable always was the drinking, lady killer. He could charm the panties off the coldest debutante. He always got the girl without ever having to work too hard at it. The one time he really played a variation on his character was in his last role in The Misfits. Here he looses the girl and his smartass character is actually shown to be extremely vulnerable.

Gable's costar in The Misfits was Marilyn Monroe. Monroe had a very strong film persona. She too often played a clueless blonde with some guy pursuing her the entire movie. Monroe's one dramatic break from that character was in Niagara. Here she plays the murderous Rose who uses sex and sex appeal to try to set up her husband to be killed. In this role her character is anything but dizzy.

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire are of course known for their musicals. Both found other roles when they were too old for hoofing and singing. Gene Kelly made a melodramatic May/December romance movie opposite Natalie Wood called Marjorie Morningstar. Astaire played the unlikely hero in the horror movie Ghost Story.

My brother Patrick's favorite movie star is Barbra Streisand. Lets be honest. Barbra always plays Barbra. Her characters are always a loud mouth, aggressive, know it all. Her one exception is Up The Sandbox. Here she plays her most timid, nervous character. Her character dreams of being more aggressive and outspoken.

Many contemporary stars have found themselves locked into screen persona's. Yet, they still attempt to play other roles. Harrison Ford broke from his good guy image by playing the heavy in What lies Beneath. Julia Roberts once took a sabbatical from her contemporary, all American girl with the big smile roles. In Mary Reilly she played a housemaid in turn of the century London who falls in love with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Macho star of Road House, Patrick Swayze, and the action hero from the Blade movies, Wesley Snipes, broke from their usual stereotypes in a big way. They both played drag queens in Too Wong Fu, Thanks for everything, Julie Newmar. Both actors were so muscular in that movie that no matter how well they may have been acting they physically just did not fit the role.

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger both broke from their action roles to attempt comedy. Stallone did the disappointing Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot. The funniest thing about that movie was the title. Arnold faired better in Twins. However, most of the humor in that movie is generated by costar Danny DeVito.

Robin Williams

Meryl Streep is often hailed as the greatest actress of her time. She always plays some dramatic character. She has made a few attempts to break from her emotional roles by doing comedy. All, including Postcards From The Edge and She-Devil, have been big disappointments. I guess just because you can do drama doesn't mean you can do comedy.

In contrast, Robin Williams went from comedy to drama. Although mostly known for his quick wit, Williams proved to be a competent dramatic actor. His role in Good Will Hunting opened many doors for him in getting more dramatic roles.

Another successful breakout from a lead actor was by Denzel Washington. He more often than not plays the good guy. He played against type in Training Day. In this movie he created one of his most contemptible, yet memorable characters of his career.

Movie stars, like all of us, crave a little variety at times. I am sure most will continue to attempt to stretch as actors. But, looking at the above list, I believe some of them should stick to what they do best. How many times did you ever see John Wayne play some soft, big city, accented poof? The guy knew what was expected of him and he was rewarded with one of the longest most successful careers in Hollywood.