Top 10 Most Unexpected Actor Performances

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)

After starring in 80s staples like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies,” this former child star stepped away from the limelight. He remained active in the industry as a stunt choreographer and assistant director. With Asian actors gaining more recognition in Hollywood, Quan thought he’d revisit acting. Not even he could’ve predicted what came next. The filmmaker duo the Daniels just so happened to be thinking of Quan as casting was underway for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Quan was not only the appropriate age to play Waymond Wang, but his background in stunts and comedic timing made him ideal for the role. Quan didn’t just come back. He returned in the biggest way possible, winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

“Philadelphia” (1993)

Tom Hanks is a master of comedy and drama. In the early 90s, though, he was almost exclusively known as a funnyman. His previous attempts at drama like “Every Time We Say Goodbye” hadn’t been especially successful. Hanks brought more weight than expected to his performance in “Big,” but he was still playing a child in an adult’s body. Portraying an AIDS patient in “Philadelphia” seemed like a 180. Hanks was fully capable of doing a 180, however. Audiences just didn’t realize it until experiencing his empathetic, Oscar-winning performance as Andrew Beckett, who realizes he likely won’t overcome his health crisis. That won’t stop him from fighting injustice. In addition to showcasing Hanks’ range, the role spotlighted an unseen community shunned during their darkest hour.

“Spencer” (2021)

By 2021, those following Kristen Stewart’s career closely knew there was much more to her than “Twilight.” Regardless, moviegoers who never ventured beyond the mainstream still saw her as Bella Swan. Stewart finally garnered the respect she deserved for her Oscar-nominated turn as Diana Spencer. Her transformation into the Princess of Wales might’ve been jarring, but what caught many off-guard was the film’s approach to this historic figure. Instead of a conventional biopic, “Spencer” played more like a physiological thriller as the pressures of being in the royal family bear down on Diana like a collapsing ceiling. Stewart delved deep into Diana, making us feel all of her anguish in an external and internal battle to reclaim control of her life.

“Punch-Drunk Love” (2002)

As Barry Egan, Adam Sandler surprised his harshest critics and adoring fans alike. Even Sander seemed to surprise himself, unsure why the director of “Magnolia” wanted to work with him. Paul Thomas Anderson saw something nobody else did. The role wasn’t a huge stretch for Sandler. Like Happy Gilmore or Robbie Hart, Barry is a nice guy on the surface. Underneath, he’s a ticking time bomb who could go off at any minute. Dig beyond the rage, though, and you’ll find that nice guy again. While Barry fit the Sandler archetype, the role allowed him to explore new levels of intensity, insecurity, and sincerity, revealing layers few realized were there. It reshaped how everyone saw Sander, leaving us to wonder what else he could do.

“The Substance” (2024)

After being one of the most bankable stars throughout the 90s, Demi Moore saw fewer high-profile roles over the next two decades. Part of that’s because she wanted to focus on motherhood, but audiences also got the sense Hollywood revoked her A-list status. To that degree, Moore shares a few parallels with Elisabeth Sparkle. “The Substance” is unlike anything we’ve seen from Moore, however. In one of the most physically arresting performances ever committed to film, Moore is the embodiment of insecurity that numerous women over 40 face, especially when at the mercy of sexist pigs like Dennis Quaid’s Harvey. For a film overflowing with body horror, Moore’s most effective scene is simply looking in the mirror, never satisfied no matter how glamorous she looks.

“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968)

Between playing Honest Abe himself and a juror determined to reach a fair verdict, Henry Fonda seemed like the last actor who’d put on a black hat. When Paramount offered Sergio Leone a large budget with Fonda attached, the director leaped at the chance to work with his favorite actor. Fonda wasn’t keen on the project until Leone made a compelling pitch for him to play the villainous Frank. Leaning into cliches, Fonda showed up with dark contacts and a fake mustache. Leone wanted Fonda to appear in his natural state, though, with a clean shave and bright blue eyes. This made for one of cinema’s most unsettling villain reveals as Frank’s smile turns to a deadly frown, establishing this isn’t the Fonda we know.

“Vertigo” (1958)

Like Henry Fonda, James Stewart was Hollywood’s answer to the Everyman. Stewart had taken on roles that showed his darker side and had already worked with Alfred Hitchcock on multiple occasions. He rarely strayed from his heroic image, however. Although he didn’t play a villain in “Vertigo,” Scottie Ferguson was somewhat uncharted territory for the actor. Falling into a morally gray area, Scottie becomes lost in obsession after losing the woman he loves and seemingly finding her doppelganger. Scottie’s actions grow borderline disturbing as he attempts to recreate the past while coming to terms with what’s right in front of him. An antihero at best, the role saw Stewart unearth new depths while also pushing him to greater heights.

“Monster” (2003)

When Charlie Theron showed Seth Green and Jason Statham an image of Aileen “Lee” Wuornos, they weren’t sure how she could play the serial killer. Makeup can work wonders, but Theron still seemed like an unusual candidate to play such an infamous human being. While Theron brought out Wuornos’ raw evil, she pulled off another feat few could’ve anticipated. She almost made Wuornos sympathetic. The keyword is almost, as the film never celebrates or justifies Wuornos. Yet, director Patty Jenkins and Theron find her humanity, getting to the root of Wuornos’ heinous actions. Theron’s Oscar-winning performance might’ve broken our hearts if there wasn’t so much blood on Wuornos’ hands. Even so, the film left us seeing Wuornos and Theron in a whole new light.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)

The “Batman” franchise has a history of unexpected performances going back to Michael Keaton. Nothing was more transcendent than Heath Ledger’s Joker. Ledger wasn’t known for his comedic chops. While he had played tormented characters, a sinister villain didn’t seem to be his forte. Even more blindsiding than Ledger’s casting was his untimely death after filming. The biggest shocker of all was the tour de force Ledger left behind. In what would be a posthumous Oscar-winning performance, Ledger went beyond reinventing himself. He reinvented the Joker and the idea of supervillains, revealing how twisted and believable they could be. At the same time, Ledger remained faithful to the Joker’s sick humor and knack for chaos. Like a pencil to the eye, few saw it coming.

“The Godfather” (1972)

By the early 70s, Marlon Brando’s best years in the business seemed to be in the rearview mirror. That’s one reason Paramount didn’t want him to play Don Vito Corleone. Star power aside, Brando didn’t seem right for the part on paper. Hardly a frail old man, Brando was in his late 40s at time, not being much older than the actors playing his adult children. Brando also lived up to his unpredictable nature, filling his cheeks with cotton balls for his audition tape. So much about this casting choice could’ve backfired - as would be the case for some of Brando’s future performances. In this instance, though, Francis Ford Coppola’s instincts were right on the money. The results were iconic, Oscar-worthy, and completely unexpected.


What acting performance threw you for a loop? Let us know in the comments.