Ostensibly, the entire point of being a trained actor is that you should be able to completely vanish into a role and play someone who is very different from yourself. However, some actors simply can’t do this and instead just play themselves in everything. No matter what you think of these actors, you always know what you’re going to get with them.
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen has been in a ton of movies and TV shows, but he’s probably best remembered for his long role as “Charlie” on Two and a Half Men. If that name didn’t tip you off, he basically did what he always does and played himself in that show. That is, of course, before he got fired for his on-set antics.
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson is handsome, charismatic, and funny. He’s also always Owen Wilson. This serves him well in some roles, but it’s pretty much always noticeable when he pops up somewhere, even with outlandish outfits and wigs. He’s what many fans would call a conspicuous actor.
Kevin Hart
We’re not trying to pick on Kevin Hart, but there’s nothing surprising in any of his roles. He’s going to crack a few jokes about being short, he’s going to get flustered when a taller character gets the leading lady’s attention, and he’s going to yell at a high pitch when things go sideways at the end of the second act. If you’re into that, more power to you. You’ve got plenty of Hart films to choose from!
Jack Black
Jack Black is a great actor, but his distinctive voice and unmistakable presence make it hard to see him as anything other than “oh hey, that’s Jack Black.” Notably, his appearance in an episode of The Mandalorian made many Star Wars fans double take, because he was such an odd inclusion in the setting alongside characters like Luke Skywalker and Din Djarin.
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg gets a lot of hate for his often wooden performance in dramatic movies. For instance, his bizarre lead role in The Happening had many people wondering if the movie was supposed to be a comedy or a drama. While he’s great in comedic roles, he’s perhaps a bit too “Wahlberg” to carry many dramatic films.
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell usually plays some variety of “whacky Will Ferrell character,” with one notable exception. He seemed to make a conscious effort to sound distinct when he voiced the title character in Megamind. Aside from that, he’s usually playing some variation of himself.
Jason Statham
Jason Statham is a rugged, no-nonsense man who knows how to drive really well and can kick the crap out of people. As such, he typically plays that exact kind of person in high-octane action movies. In his case, it’s pretty easy to forgive him because he’s just that fun to watch.
Will Smith
If you’ve seen one movie with Will Smith, you know what to expect from him. He barrels through his roles in a straight line, ready to smack villains and dramatically rattle off one-liners. Ironically, his deepest role came in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Jennifer Aniston
This could partly be a consequence of having played Rachel Green on Friends for nearly a decade, but Jennifer Aniston feels like a very measurable addition to any project. She’s pretty much the same presence on The Morning Show that she was on Friends, which is forgivable in light of how charismatic and mesmerizing her performances are.
Zendaya
Zendaya is a particularly beloved actress and model, especially among Gen Z fans. However, many people don’t get the appeal—especially those who haven’t seen her in Euphoria, where she excels greatly. Sadly, her turns in both the MCU Spider-Man films and in both Dune movies left a lot to be desired, as she gets very little screen time in some of these and scarcely emotes in others. Many fans have pointed out that these genre pictures are likely just boring to her, and that she’d be better with material she liked, such as her standout role in the recent sports drama Challengers.
Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum is a beloved actor precisely because of his “Goldblum-ness.” His particular mode of speech and idiosyncratic line delivery make him impossible to miss. Whether it’s Jurassic Park or Thor: Ragnarok, he’s just Jeff Goldblum transported to some new fantastical world and cracking wise the whole time.
Danny Trejo
Danny Trejo has never played anyone but himself, and yet fans love it. His gravely voice, craggy face, and menacing screen presence make him an unmistakable force in any role. No matter what character he’s playing, you’re getting a full dose of Trejo.
Morgan Freeman
You might initially recoil at the suggestion that Morgan Freeman is a one-note actor but think about it for a moment. What mode is Morgan Freeman always in? It doesn’t help that his overall look and mode of speech haven’t really changed in over 30 years, which gives the impression that he’s always been a wise old mentor figure.
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Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken is a great actor, but there’s some ineffable quality about him that always cracks through any performance. His distinctive mode of speech and peculiar mannerisms always pop up, though many fans argue that’s what makes him so fun to watch.
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Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson managed to become one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood just by portraying himself in dozens of movies. From Black Adam and Jungle Cruise to Skyscraper and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, he’s always just… The Rock. Eyebrow raise, smirk, one liner, CGI-heavy action scene. Roll credits, give him millions of dollars please!
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