Entertainment

Zach Galifianakis to Star in Gay Rights Drama & Follows These 11 Comedians Gone Serious

Zach Galifianakis and Julianne Moore have just been confirmed to star alongside Ellen Page in the gay rights drama Freeheld. Based on a true story, the film follows Stacie Andree (Page) and Detective Laurel Hester (Moore) and their struggle to transfer pension benefits when Laurel becomes terminally ill. Galifianakis will play Steven Goldstein, a local gay rights activist.

Both Page and Moore have been able to jump between comedic and dramatic roles throughout the course of their careers, but Freeheld will be somewhat of a first for Galifianakis. The nervous and absurdist comedian is best known for The Hangover franchise and his delightfully uncomfortable stand-up and web series, however, I wouldn’t call his place in this film in any way miscast. Part of what makes his humor so accessible is that there’s a real heart to it and Galifianakis is always attached and committed to whatever he is doing.

In what may be a breakout performance for the actor, he joins the ranks of these fellow comedians who successfully transformed into dramatic roles. Take a look.

Images: Getty Images

by Rachel Semigran

Anna Kendrick 'Up in the Air'

She might be one of the Internet’s most gif-able human beings, but prior to her Pitch Perfect fame, Kendrick made waves in Hollywood for her dramatic roles. She was nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for her role as a corporate downsizer protege against George Clooney in Up in the Air.

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Robin Williams in 'Good Will Hunting'

Williams is best known for his off-the-wall character work and decidedly filthy stand-up routines and though Good Will Hunting wasn’t his first foray into drama (Dead Poets Society), it was a role that spurred his career into new directions in the late ’90s. He also managed to steal the spotlight from Matt Damon circa 1997. A well-deserved Academy Award indeed.

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Mo' Nique in 'Precious'

She absolutely transformed for the harrowing role of the abusive mother Mary in Precious, and she turned a whole lot of heads in the process. She went on to win an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for her performance.

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Will Ferrell in 'Stranger than Fiction'

Mr. Ferrell, you are without a doubt one of the funniest people on this here planet. You’re also really wonderful when you do less screaming and more acting. Stranger Than Fiction wrecked me. More of that, please.

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Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig in 'Friends With Kids'

Their roles as women unhappy in marriage, overwhelmed with children and lost senses of self was a surprising turn for the IRL BFF’s. Together, they can truly conquer the world of entertainment.

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Jim Carrey in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'

I grew up shooting milk out of my nose while watching movies like Ace Ventura and Liar Liar. Suffice it to say, his performance in Eternal Sunshine is one of those rare moments in Hollywood when we get to see the real depth of someone’s talent. Anyone in comedy knows that humor often comes from very difficult and dark places. If anything, his work in The Truman Show was just a sneak peek into the heartbreaker that was Eternal Sunshine.

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Steve Carell in 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Though Little Miss Sunshine was marketed as a comedy, the majority of the film is a slow and sweeping drama about a family trying to keep it together for the sake of a little girl’s dreams. It’s not until the last 15 minutes that the film becomes a full-blown comedy. Carell’s quiet and heartfelt performance helped audiences to see the actor beyond his iconic role as Michael Scott on The Office.

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Emma Stone in 'The Help'

She played a writer aspiring to reveal the truth about African American maids in the 1960s south. Her gutsy and powerful performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2011.

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Seth Rogen in '50/50'

Granted, Rogen still played a pothead in the film, but he played a pothead that had to deal with the very heavy weight of a best friend dealing with cancer. Better yet, he wasn’t just comic relief, he was the rock for Joseph Gordon Levitt throughout the film.

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Steve Martin in 'Shopgirl'

He might be the best-known banjo-ing SNL alum, but he’s also a talented author. Martin penned the novella about a love triangle between a shopgirl, a hapless young man, and a successful suit that the film was based on. This indie darling introduced Martin to legions of film school fans.

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Eddie Murphy in 'Dreamgirls'

Jennifer Hudson may have been the breakout star of Dreamgirls, but Eddie Murphy was a scene stealer in his own right as a fading soul star.

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