Many actors in Hollywood have a reputation of being capable of playing a variety of roles, and winning prestigious awards for doing it. But there are also plenty of actors who have delivered such an outstanding performance playing a particular character that they are now typically only cast to play one type of role. (Here, on the other hand, are actors who turned down iconic roles.)
These actors are what is known in the industry as “typecast,” which basically means that in every movie or TV appearance they play a similar role. Most actors probably want to break out of the mold and show they have range but casting directors have the final say.
To compile a list of actors who are constantly typecast 24/7 Tempo reviewed online entertainment magazines and other media publications.
Click here to see 44 actors who are always typecast
Entertainment is, first and foremost, a business and people in it have a tendency to measure the bankability of an actor based on stereotypical traits. Some by design and some by accident, prolific A-list stars have been subjects of typecasting over many years, with varying degrees of success. Some have become among the most bankable actors of the 21st century.
Adam Sandler
> Typecast as: The quick-witted sarcastic person
> Most notable examples: Big Daddy, Blended, That’s My Boy
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Alan Dale
> Typecast as: The tycoon
> Most notable examples: Dynasty, Ugly Betty, The O.C.
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Angelina Jolie
> Typecast as: Femme fatale
> Most notable examples: Lara Croft franchise, Salt, Wanted
Benedict Cumberbatch
> Typecast as: Neurotic and privileged
> Most notable examples: Sherlock, Patrick Melrose
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Chris Pratt
> Typecast as: Childish and lovable
> Most notable examples: Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy
Christopher Lee
> Typecast as: Villain
> Most notable examples: Star Wars prequels, The Lord of the Rings trilogy
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Clint Eastwood
> Typecast as: Badass kind of guy who gets justice
> Most notable examples: Dirty Harry franchise, Gran Torino
Danny Trejo
> Typecast as: The machete killer
> Most notable examples: Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn
Drew Barrymore
> Typecast as: America’s sweetheart
> Most notable examples: Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates
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Dwayne Johnson
> Typecast as: Headstrong leader
> Most notable examples: Jumanji franchise, Ballers
Helena Bonham Carter
> Typecast as: Eccentric Englishwoman
> Most notable examples: Sweeny Todd, Dark Shadows
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Hiroyuki Sanada
> Typecast as: A samurai
> Most notable examples: The Last Samurai, Mortal Kombat
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Hugh Grant
> Typecast as: Charming English guy
> Most notable examples: Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral
James Marsden
> Typecast as: Good looking but unlucky in love
> Most notable examples: Westworld, Enchanted, Superman Returns
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Jason Statham
> Typecast as: No-nonsense action hero
> Most notable examples: The Expendables franchise, Transporter franchise
Jennifer Aniston
> Typecast as: Rom com star
> Most notable examples: Along Came Polly, Just Go With It
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Jim Carrey
> Typecast as: Funny goofball
> Most notable examples: Liar Liar; Me, Myself & Irene
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John Wayne
> Typecast as: Cowboy
> Most notable examples: Stagecoach, True Grit
Johnny Depp
> Typecast as: Idiosyncratic eccentric
> Most notable examples: Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Mortdecai
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Katherine Heigl
> Typecast as: Busy woman with no romantic life
> Most notable examples: Knocked Up, 27 Dresses
Keira Knightley
> Typecast as: Love interest in historical dramas
> Most notable examples: Pride & Prejudice, Anna Karenina, King Arthur
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Ken Jeong
> Typecast as: Wisecracker
> Most notable examples: Knocked Up, Crazy Rich Asians
Kevin Hart
> Typecast as: The obnoxious one
> Most notable examples: Ride Along, Central Intelligence
Leslie Mann
> Typecast as: Sweet, naive, and lovable
> Most notable examples: The Other Woman, This Is 40
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Liam Neeson
> Typecast as: Dispenser of revenge
> Most notable examples: Taken franchise, Cold Pursuit
Melissa McCarthy
> Typecast as: Loveable, goofy, and bumbling
> Most notable examples: The Heat, Tammy, Spy
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Michael Cera
> Typecast as: Awkward teenager
> Most notable examples: Juno, Arrested Development, Superbad
Michael Emerson
> Typecast as: The evil genius
> Most notable examples: Lost, Person of Interest
Michelle Rodriguez
> Typecast as: The tough girl
> Most notable examples: Girlfight, Fast & Furious franchise
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Morgan Freeman
> Typecast as: The Wise One
> Most notable examples: Bruce Almighty, Million Dollar Baby
Rebel Wilson
> Typecast as: Someone’s best friend with a big heart
> Most notable examples: Pitch Perfect franchise, How To Be Single
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Rob Schneider
> Typecast as: The laughing stock
> Most notable examples: Deuce Bigalow franchise, The Hot Chick
Robert Downey Jr.
> Typecast as: The overly confident smart guy
> Most notable examples: The Avengers franchise, Sherlock Holmes franchise
Ryan Reynolds
> Typecast as: Charming guy who talks too much
> Most notable examples: The Proposal, Deadpool, Red Notice
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Samuel L. Jackson
> Typecast as: Tough, don’t-mess-with kind of character
> Most notable examples: Pulp Fiction, The Avengers
Seth Rogen
> Typecast as: Stoner, lovable lout
> Most notable examples: 40-Year-Old Virgin, This Is The End, The Guilt Trip
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Sofia Vergara
> Typecast as: Fiery Latina
> Most notable examples: Modern Family, Hot Pursuit
Steve Buscemi
> Typecast as: Characters with a weird personality
> Most notable examples: Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Ghost World
Timothée Chalamet
> Typecast as: Angsty teenager
> Most notable examples: Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name
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Tom Cruise
> Typecast as: Action hero
> Most notable examples: Mission: Impossible franchise, Edge of Tomorrow
Vin Diesel
> Typecast as: Caring but no-nonsense tough guy
> Most notable examples: Fast & Furious franchise, The Pacifier
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Will Ferrell
> Typecast as: Buffoon
> Most notable examples: Old School, Anchorman
Will Smith
> Typecast as: Unconventional law enforcement agent
> Most notable examples: Bad Boys franchise, Men in Black franchise
Zooey Deschanel
> Typecast as: Quirky girl
> Most notable examples: New Girl, 500 Days of Summer
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