It used to be that “respectable” actors stuck to serious films and only the silly comedians or action guys made the blockbusters. Now that Oscar winners are starring in comic book movies, all bets are off. Take Iron Man for example, not only does leading lady Gwyneth Paltrow have her own golden statue, but the action adventure flick stars three Oscar nominees as well; Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges.
Now, Hollywood.com takes a look at the top 10 actors who brought their Oscar worthy acting skills to Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
10. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men
This original Odd Couple won Oscars separately as respected thespians but in 1993 re-teamed for an all-out comedy. This was the geriatric Odd Couple and paved the way for three more reunion movies of diminishing quality. But this was the ultimate gift to their fans who supported the serious stuff, but loved the bickering. [PAGEBREAK]
9. Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give
It took Keaton 25 years to capitalize on her comedic talent after winning an Oscar for Annie Hall. When she finally went for it in the post-menopause romance, Something’s Gotta Give, she was nominated for yet another Academy Award. The movie, which played up her frantic abilities, has her co-starring alongside Jack Nicholson, whose charisma easily trumps Woody Allen‘s neurosis. [PAGEBREAK]
8. Al Pacino in The Devil’s Advocate
Even before the popcorn-y Ocean’s 13, Pacino just has fun being his old hoo-ah self. Consider The Devil’s Advocate about a lawyer who actually turns out to be the devil. That’s a cartoon for grown-ups! [PAGEBREAK]
7. Rocky Balboa in all the Rocky sequels
People always forget the first Rocky won three Oscars (including Best Picture) and received seven nominations. So, even though Sylvester Stallone didn’t technically win Best Actor (he was nominated), we feel like Rocky still came out on top. The original film, about a small time boxer who gets a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavy weight champ, jump started a blockbuster franchise that resulted in some of the silliest and best training montages of all time. [PAGEBREAK]
6. Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider
The Oscar for Girl, Interrupted started a whole ball of weirdness rolling for Angelina Jolie (beginning with her infamous sibling kiss the very night she won the Oscar!) All was forgiven when she showed up in shorts, boots and guns holstered at her hips–she looks more like Lara Croft than the videogame Tomb Raider‘s Lara Croft! [PAGEBREAK]
5. Kathy Bates in The Waterboy
Always respected for her work post-Misery, Bates totally lets loose playing Adam Sandler‘s overprotective southern mom in The Waterboy. Bates proves that she can hang with comedy legend Henry Winkler and box office giant Adam Sandler as she dictates, “No son of mine is gonna play any foos-ball.” [PAGEBREAK]
4. Nicolas Cage in The Rock
Nicolas Cage has become one of the big action guns since then, but after his win for the aggressively somber Leaving Las Vegas, he just totally kicked butt in The Rock, one of the greatest action movies of all time. He brings all his indie cred to a story that is basically “Die Hard on Alcatraz” and, with former 007 Sean Connery, makes it feel like the first time we’ve ever seen reluctant heroes take down an army of terrorists one by one. [PAGEBREAK]
3. Robert DeNiro in Analyze This
Even though DeNiro had done Midnight Run–hardly a blockbuster–he was still a serious tough guy. Seeing him as a weeping hitman who needs a hug in Analyze This, however, is sheer brilliance–and unheard of. Most kids now know him as the lovable evil father-in-law from Meet the Parents, but Analyze This is where he proves he can truly do anything. Too bad they followed it with Analyze That.[PAGEBREAK]
2. Jodie Foster in Panic Room
After two Oscars for ultra-serious fare (rape victims and serial killers), Jodie Foster finally started having some fun. Contact is still pretty intellectual for a summer movie, but in Panic Room, she just says, “Screw it, bring on the bad guys!” It is so much fun just rooting for her in a non-dramatic way. [PAGEBREAK]
1. Jack Nicholson in Batman
Marlon Brando did it before him in Superman, but that was nothing compared to Nicholson‘s Joker in the original Batman. In top form, Nicholson brings all the personality that wins him those gold statues to the ultimate comic book villain. We get a load of him indeed.
