8 Times Comedic Actors Gave Unexpectedly Great Dramatic Performances

Will Ferrell in Everything Must Go

The man best known for playing Ron Burgundy has not delivered as many inspired comedy turns over the past few years as he did at the height of his heyday. Recent hits like Get Hard and The Campaign, as well as the abysmal Anchorman sequel, showed a man of unlimited talent trapped in dumb roles in mediocre screenplays. His loud, brash, take no prisoners energy can apparently be as grating as it is delightful.

Regardless, a few years back, Ferrell gave his most accomplished turn of his career in the modest indie drama Everything Must Go. Unfortunately, the film was barely advertised, probably because of the elephant in the room. If the marketing team emphasized the few funny moments in the film, audiences would be undoubtedly disappointed in the harsher final product. On the other hand, those looking for high-quality drama don’t want to see Ferrell on the screen.

It’s a shame so few people have seen the film. In it, Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, a man having a terrible week. He loses his job only to return home and find all of his belongings scattered on the front lawn, as his wife has locked him out of the house.

Ferrell was deeply moving in his turn as a sad clown, a bottled up loner left to fend for himself in a world that has left him behind. We’re not used to seeing the actor so lost and taciturn, but he absolutely nailed the tone and feeling of this understated drama.