Top 10 Actors Who Are Surprisingly Good at Being EVIL

With such a lovable charisma and energy, John Goodman doesn’t appear to be a shoo-in for villain roles. Many of his supporting parts on film and TV, including his work on “Roseanne” or hosting “SNL,” show that he’s great at getting laughs. His collaborations with the Coen brothers gave him a different angle to play characters. In “Barton Fink,” he’s the upbeat salesman who slowly reveals himself to be a murderer. Using his natural charms, Goodman can lure people into a false sense of security as a deceptive antagonist. His ability to also play heroes in “Monsters, Inc.” only proves he has a genuine range as an actor.

After acting on stage, Ben Kingsley made a huge splash in films as one of the great heroes of the 20th century. His title role in “Gandhi” earned him an Oscar for transforming into a historical figure. Along with a heroic part in “Schindler’s List,” it seemed like Kingsley was always meant to play good people from history. His evil performance in “Sexy Beast” completely changed his career. Don Logan is the ultimate antagonist, giving the actor a chance to trade Shakespeare for another kind of colorful language. His work in “Iron Man 3” shows he can even shine as a superhero villain… until that twist. Whether he’s subdued or acting out, the performer’s acting catalog truly spans from the best to the worst people.

As one of the greatest actors of his generation, Philip Seymour Hoffman found humanity in any role. He played all kinds of outcasts and complex men, including an award-winning performance in “Capote.” His role in “Mission: Impossible III” showed that he could still deliver within the confines of a Hollywood action film. Sparring with Tom Cruise, Hoffman could provide menace in both quiet and loud moments. He can also keep you guessing in a movie like “Doubt” where his character’s guilt is ultimately debated. Gone much too soon, the actor could’ve played any number of compelling villains if he was still here.

In the “Alien” series, Sigourney plays the heroine Ellen Ripley. She established herself with the iconic role before throwing audiences a few curveballs. Her turn in “Working Girl” slowly turns sour until she ends up the villain. In the film adaptation of “Holes,” she can turn into the evil warden and put people in their place without saying a word. Both characters give a glimpse into the actress’ intensity and dedication no matter the material. She returned to play Ripley several times, further cementing her status as a heroic figure in cinema. Bringing an edge to her many roles, Weaver is somewhat underrated as a stern and even wicked villain.

In many rom-coms, Hugh Grant reveals his witty sense of humor in the face of romance. He’s sometimes prickly, but always willing to go all out for love. “Paddington 2” gives him the rare chance to play the big bad. Not only that, the part gives him a chance to be both diabolical and theatrical. He even makes a convincing journey into the crime genre with his role in “The Gentlemen.” Through all of these acting transformations, Grant proves that he can really disappear into roles. This doesn’t mean that he loses any of his charm in doing so either.

From his days as Michael Scott on “The Office,” Steve Carell established himself as a comedy hero. This makes his turn as Gru in the “Despicable Me” series seem surprising. There’s still a funny slant to his anti-hero character, making it more expected than something like “Foxcatcher.” He changes his entire personality in order to play John du Pont. With a fake nose and a soulless look, the actor doesn’t let any of his comic persona through in the Oscar-nominated role. Some might argue that “Bruce Almighty” showed his potential for evil parts, but it still couldn’t have prepared us for the chilling presence of du Pont.

For part of the 1990s and early 2000s, Russell Crowe was one of the kings of the period piece. His heroic characters extended from Ancient Rome to 19th-century naval dramas. His heroes such as Maximus stand up for injustice, but he’s arguably underrated in his more evil work. He gives the outlaw Ben Wade some gravitas in the remake of “3:10 to Yuma.” This self-assured attitude and authenticity extend to “Les Misérables,” despite some people not liking his singing voice. He’s also returned to the present day for his violent and hypnotic presence in “Unhinged.” In the distant past or current era, Crowe seems to have a promising career as everyone’s nemesis.

Throughout his storied career, Leonardo DiCaprio has played all kinds of heroes. He’s best known to mainstream audiences for his breakthrough in “Titanic,” epitomizing the free-spirited and loyal protagonist. This all makes a heel-turn like Calvin Candie all the more exciting. In “Django Unchained,” DiCaprio steals the screen with his unforgivable character. He chews the scenery and unleashes a wicked villain like few others from the 2010s. Given the chance, the actor would likely knock another role like this out of the park. He’s shown himself to be a good eye for material, waiting for juicy parts that include anti-heroes like Jordan Belfort.

When you think of the best actors of the last half century, Meryl Streep’s name is bound to be near the top of any list. Her moving presence gives voice to broken, complicated, and determined characters. When she isn’t playing the lead or a heroic supporting part, she gets to show off the full range of her acting talents. “The Devil Wears Prada” finds her as the icy fashion queen Miranda who always gets her way. It’s an iconic performance that ranks alongside many of her greatest achievements. She even plays the Witch in “Into the Woods,” showing that she can be bad through song. Is there anything this woman can’t do?

Few actors have embodied the all-American hero quite like Tom Cruise. In both “Top Gun” films, he represents the kind of bold hero that viewers love to watch. By the 2000s, Cruise started exploring the more chaotic and violent parts of American society. This includes the magnetic role of Vincent in “Collateral.” His hitman takes no prisoners in an electric and physical performance, blending charisma with the mind of a cold killer. There’s also his more comedic take on a villain in “Tropic Thunder.” Les Grossman gives us a goofier side to evil, screaming his way into our hearts. Whether he’s starring in a crime thriller or dancing in a Ben Stiller comedy, the star could play a wide array of bad characters.