Actors/Actresses that Have Overcome Typecasting

Just thinking about how a lot of actors and actresses get typecast because of certain roles. It seems to ruin some careers. Think Radar on "Mash". Not that he needs to work after that show's run.

At first I couldn't watch "Criminal Minds" because I felt that Thomas Gibson (Arron) was Greg from "Dharma and Greg" and played a too serious person on "Criminal Minds". In re-runs, I've softened my feelings towards him and now enjoy the show.

I was also hesitant about Ted Danson joining the CSI cast since he spent so much time as Sam Malone on "Cheers". However, I've been pleasantly surprised with his character's contribution to the show. I've noticed that the advertisements for the show now show him and Elizabeth Shue as the new new faces of CSI (There's the Vegas link for those that care). I first became infatuated with Elizabeth in the movie "Adventures in Babysitting" in 1987. She also appeared in "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) for a second Vegas connection.

Who are other actors/actresses that have or haven't overcome being typecast due to roles they've played?

Regarding Thomas Gibson, I may be remembering wrong, but didn't he play a doctor on Chicago Hope before Dharma & Greg?

Edited to add: I just googled him, and I was right. And before his TV work, he was a serious actor on stage, including Shakespeare roles.

So I wouldn't exactly put him in the category of actors who were typecasted.

Sue,

Nice to see you're still checking out the boards here. Perhaps one day I'll have the honor of meeting you in person.

Verne Troyer



Lou Ferrigno



Mr. T



Steven Seagal



Gabourey Sidibe



Leonard Nimoy

I can't watch NCIS and not think of Mark Harmon as Mr Shoop from the goofy teen comedy Summer School.
Mr Shoop and wonder mutt



I always liked that movie

J

Thanks, Wrosie.

Mark Harmon was also on Chicago Hope. (Can you tell I liked that show? LOL)

How about John Travolta - aka Vinny Barbarino

Mark Harmon also played Ted Bundy in a tv movie based on the book "Stranger Beside Me."

Leonard Nimoy didn't star in any series after Star Trek, but he did guest star on numerous drama shows and became a very sought after character.

Ted Danson also starred in another series called "Becker," as a very cynical doctor with a less than stellar practice.

One of the best examples of typecasting might be Kelsey Grammer. More than twenty years as a single character on two different successful series, but he couldn't buy an audience afterward.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt has done a good job transitioning from a child star to an adult star.
He was the teenage boy on 3rd Rock from the sun. He's getting alot of big cinema roles now.

This is only slightly off topic, but I was just thinking the other day how ironic it is that Woody Harrelson from Cheers was the one who ended up with the long career in cinema, with Oscar nominations and all that. Of all the people who were on that show, the moronic goofball comes out on top.