8 Times Comedic Actors Gave Unexpectedly Great Dramatic Performances

Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday

2004 was a great year for the actor and comedian born Eric Bishop. He stole a summer hit from Tom Cruise (Collateral) and won much critical acclaim for his portrayal as Ray Charles. It was a star-making year for a talent from whom we had only seen sporadic bursts of dramatic potential, and the first sign of that inevitable Oscar win came five years earlier, in 1999, with his turn in Oliver Stone’s football flick, Any Given Sunday.

Foxx, who was probably best known for In Living Color and Booty Call at the time, was not expected to keep up with a legend like Al Pacino. In the film, he plays suave, gutsy quarterback Willie Beamen. As the quarterback, the actor didn’t just show off his charm, but the wit and drive needed to lead a football team and contend with his coach, played by Pacino.

His scenes with coach D’Amato were the most instantly memorable in the film and Foxx more than held his own against an acting titan. There was that fiery power and vulnerability in his portrayal that makes one think of young actor Michael B. Jordan – who also found much acclaim for playing a quarterback, on Friday Night Lights. In this film, Foxx showed his stripes from the midst of an all-star ensemble cast, prompting directors like Michael Mann and Taylor Hackford to sit up and take notice.