The Best Versatile Actor of All Time: A Look at Some of the Greatest Performances

‍There is an art to acting. You can’t just be good at it– you have to be able to act in all types of situations, and not just the ones where everything is going your way. A great actor has the ability to transform before the camera lens, no matter how tense or awkward the scene might be. Anyone who has seen more than one movie will know what we mean. Let’s face it: actors don’t always get so much praise as they should when it comes to acting. 

Sure, a great voice and a fancy smile certainly go a long way, but there is so much more that goes into making an exceptional performer. Whether you are looking for some inspiration about becoming a versatile actor yourself or just want to read about some of the best performances ever by one of your favorite actors, we have got you covered today!

 

Christian Bale: The Incredible versatility of Christian Bale

Christian Bale is one actor who has practiced his craft since he was little. So much so that he was awarded the “Most Versatile Actor” title! This lucky Welsh guy has been able to play a variety of characters and go through different emotions in each one of them. Bale has been successful with the likes of American Psycho, the superhero movies Batman and 

The Dark Knight and the war movie series, but his versatility is what we love the most. Bale can switch between being a nerdy schoolboy or a tough dude in a matter of seconds, which is a talent not many can boast of. His acting is also enriched by his body language, which is one of its many features. Bale also has a great voice, which contributes to forming his characters. So, when you are watching Bale in action, don’t forget to keep an eye on his face and body language as well.

 

Brad Pitt: From tough guy to sensitive soul

Brad Pitt may not have been the first choice to play the tough guy in the movies he was cast in. In fact, there was a period when most directors and producers thought he was too “cutesy” for such roles. 

But as luck would have it, Pitt’s earnest and intense performance as a boxer in the movie Fight Club found a huge fan base and he was soon seen in all big projects. He then delved into the world of politics in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and did a superb job as a husband and wife who grow suspicious of each other. Pitt’s versatility doesn’t end there though, as he proved his mettle as a father in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and even a superhero in the movie Inglourious Basterds.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio: A versatile actor with a great voice

DiCaprio may be known for his great performances as a rich kid who discovers his true self in The Great Gatsby, a man whose life is shattered when his wife is killed in a car accident in Romeo and Juliet and a ruthless former thief in The Departed, but he has also been seen in various other roles. 

From a psychiatrist who has to deal with a crazy patient, to a rat-packing gangster, to a man who gets arrested and killed, to even a murderer in Django Unchained, DiCaprio has shown us a variety of different sides of himself. 

His versatility is also shown in his singing career, where he has recorded various songs for films and even for advertisements. What’s more? DiCaprio has also been seen as a director in Reel Craze films like This Must Be the Place and The Empiricist. His versatility doesn’t end there though, he is also a successful entrepreneur.

 

Johnny Depp: From a dancing debaucher to a killing machine

Johnny Depp is one actor who has gone from a dancing debaucher to a killing machine in a matter of weeks. After getting his start with small independent films, Depp was eventually cast in the blockbuster films Pirates of the Caribbean and Sweeney Todd. He has since been seen in other big movies, such as The Tourist, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find 

Them, but we mustn’t forget his role as a dancing debaucher and a killing machine in Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp’s versatility doesn’t end there though. He has also tried his hands at directing, playing himself in the Reelcraze film Sweeney Todd and has even tried his hand at music. Depp has recorded and released songs under the name The Fantods and the name Johnny Depp’s Medicine Show. His versatility doesn’t end there either as he has also been seen as an investor in various businesses.

 

Morgan Freeman: Is there anything he can’t do?

Morgan Freeman has been acting for more than five decades now, and it doesn’t seem like he will stop any time soon. The list of his successful projects is just too long to be listed here. Freeman’s versatility doesn’t end there though; apart from being a great actor and a voice of wisdom, he is a doctor, a sportsperson, a musician and a singer. Freeman has also played various characters with their own special skills. 

Freeman has played a doctor in the film 12 Monkeys, a fighter in the film The Longest Yard, a musician in the film Ted, a basketball player in the film Space Jam and a baseball coach in the film The Rookie. His versatility doesn’t end there either. Freeman has also been seen as a baseball coach in the film The Rookie and as a basketball player in Space Jam. Freeman has also been seen as a doctor in the film 12 Monkeys and has even been seen as a sportsperson.

 

Edward Norton: From Ed Norton to Bruce Wayne, He is Versatile As Hell

From the role as a nerdy schoolboy in the movie Fight Club to being an arrogant billionaire in The Invention of Lying and a deranged cop in the movie Birdman, Edward Norton is definitely one actor who can go from any character and make it look real. 

His versatility doesn’t end there though; apart from his great acting skills, Norton also has a beautiful voice and a charming smile. Norton has also been seen as a schizophrenic in the film Someone to Love and a struggling musician in Birdman. His versatility doesn’t end there either as he has also been seen as a billionaire in The Inventor of Lying and an arrogant Bruce Wayne in Batman.

 

Jennifer Lawrence: From a quirky girl to a badass woman, She is Versatile As Hell

Jennifer Lawrence has proved herself to be a great actress in several movies that have been successful at the box office. Her versatility doesn’t end there though; apart from her great acting skills, she also has a beautiful voice and a charming smile. She has also been seen as a quirky girl in the movie The Hunger Games and a badass woman in the movie Joy. Lawrence’s versatility doesn’t end there though as she also has a beautiful voice and a charming smile. Lawrence has also been seen as a nerdy girl in the movie The Hunger Games and a badass in Joy. She also has a beautiful voice and has been seen as a quirky girl in The Hunger Games and a badass woman in Joy.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no limit to the versatility of these actors. From dancing debauchers to killing machines, they can go from any character and make it look real. What’s even better is that you will be able to learn from their examples as well. So, if you want to become a versatile actor like them, all you need to do is keep practicing and never give up.