Top 10 Most Unexpected Actor Performances

Who knew they had it in them? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at established actors who delivered performances we never expected to see from them - going into the theater at least. Our countdown includes performances in movies "Monster", "The Substance", “Philadelphia” and more! What acting performance threw you for a loop? Let us know in the comments.

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#actors #movies #thedarkknight #demimoore #tomhanks #charlizetheron

[WatchMojo]

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

[trinaq]

I'm so glad that Demi Moore is getting recognition again to a new generation, though she's still continued to work in the entertainment industry. Her work in "The Substance" was incredibly nuanced and detailed, and fingers crossed that she receives an Oscar nomination.

[PricefieldPunk]

He's rarely mentioned cause he wasnt the star but Vince Vaughn shocked me in Hacksaw Ridge. I thought he just played the same goofy role in comedy movies, I didn't expect him to be able to play a serious commander in a war movie.

[codyhiginbotham]

When I saw Everything Everywhere All At Once, I was amazed by Ke Huy Quan’s performance, but then I was completely blown away when I discovered he’s the kid from Temple of Doom & The Goonies

[jamesmendonca]

Charlize Theron was phenomenal as Aileen Wuornos in Monster. That performance proved that she was not just an attractive face and went on to having the most fascinating career any actress would have.

[CandiceVidito]

Charlie Theron nailed the role of Aileen Wuornos

[chelseacanales]

Charlize Theron was unrecognizable in Monster; she was so good and scary in the film

[codyhiginbotham]

Not only is Heath Ledger’s performance the best one of Joker but it’s also one of the greatest movie performances of all time

[rwwilson]

How can Jim Carrey as Truman in the Truman show not be on this list?

[tdi]

Heath Ledger is easily the most unique portrayal of the Joker I've ever seen

Insane and sinister with Hamil-level craziness

To anyone who disagrees, I've just one thing to say:

"WHY SO SERIOUS?"

[jimmymurphy]

I always thought Kristen Stewart was an amazing actress. She was absolutely incredible in Spencer.

[NekoHibaCosplay]

Brendan Fraser's "The Whale" should have been mentioned
We all know that he was an amazing actor, but nobody was really expecting that range

Also, David Dastamalchian in "Late night with the devil", his first leading role after an already impressive career as a supporting actor, and he nailed it.

[codyhiginbotham]

Hard to believe Heath Ledger was considered a wrong choice for Joker

[Pokemonashgreen]

Im hoping Dami Moore get a nomination for her profrome in The Substance. Which is right now my favorite movie of the whole year.

[kris]

Colin Farrell was definitely one of the biggest surprises for me in “In Bruges”. I always thought of him as a generic and vanilla action-star. But that performance blew me away. And then he took it even further for me when he started working with Yorgos Lanthimos for “The Lobster” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”

[albertPI]

Demi Moore is such a talented and beautiful woman.

[christopherboccuzzi]

Honorable mention to Amanda Seyfried's portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes

[josh]

From the list I’ve seen Everything Everywhere All At Once, Philadelphia, bits of Punch-Drunk Love, Once Upon A Time In The West, Vertigo, Monster, The Dark Knight and The Godfather. First 3 are my favourites from the list.

[Jeremiah_Rivers]

Several double-takes made me realize it was Charlize Theron in the lead role in _Monster._

[ROCKONplaceboforever]

Demi Moore proved to a new audience and the fans of hers for years that she is and always has been a phenomenal actress ❤👏👏👏 and one of my all favorite actors performance will be and forever health ledger 🃏 miss him rip 🙏 thank you good list 👏 WatchMojo really enjoyed it