6 Steve Carell Roles That Prove He Can Do More Than Comedy, Steve Carell has built his career in comedy, choosing projects that have helped solidify him as one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. That’s an impressive feat in itself, but Carell’s resume also proves he can do more than only comedy. Currently, the actor is sparking serious Oscar buzz with his recent dark turn in Bennet Miller’s indie Foxcatcher.
Foxcatcher is based on the true story of John du Pont (Carell), an eccentric million with a passion for amateur sports, who develops a training center, aiming to help prepare wrestlers for the U.S. Olympics Team. But trouble comes about when du Pont’s friend Dave Shultz (Mark Ruffalo) and his younger brother Mark (Channing Tatum) decide to join the center in an effort to train for another Olympic bid. As he works with them, du Pont’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and the relationship between all three men takes a dark and violent turn, eventually resulting in murder.
Since its debut, the movie has been labeled a sordid horror story, made all the more eerie because it’s true. Though Tatum’s role is also spurring talk of potential award season attention, it’s Carell’s performance that’s stealing the show — and for good reason. The actor underwent a dramatic transformation to play the part, donning heavy pale makeup and a prosthetic nose that makes him look virtually unrecognizable. His performance has been called “a marvel” and so convincing and “so profoundly chilling” that it’s hard to remember it’s the same actor we know and love under that fake nose.
