History Main / LeslieNielsenSyndrome

* Creator/JamesMarsden gradually shifted to comedy during the late part of the TurnOfTheMillennium. At the beginning of said decade, he is known playing the OnlySaneMan in action and heavy drama films (''Film/XMen1'', ''Film/TheNotebook'', ''Film/SupermanReturns''). Starting the late 2000s, he's mostly seen in romantic comedies or dramedies (''Film/{{Hairspray|2007}}'', ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'', ''Film/TwentySevenDresses''), along with being foil to animated characters (''Film/{{Hop}}'', ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog'').

* Creator/JasonSchwartzman wasn't particularly known for comedy before the 2010s, but when that rolled around he had starred in ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'' and ''Film/TheGrandBudapestHotel''.

* Creator/WilliamShatner is best known for the overly dramatic [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Captain Kirk]], as well as his intense performances in several episodes of the ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'', a supporting role in ''Film/JudgmentAtNuremberg'' and other serious roles. These days, however, he has made a name for himself as a loveable comedic actor, through things like the iconic Priceline commercials, ''Series/BostonLegal'', and most recently ''Series/ShitMyDadSays''.

* Creator/PatrickTroughton: The second actor to play the lead in ''Series/DoctorWho'' was known for dramatic roles both before, during, and after his role as The Doctor. He was television's first RobinHood, a radio version of 1984's Winston Smith, as well as the priest from ''Film/TheOmen1976''. And he played UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler on stage. He played his Doctor as more of a clownish hobo figure in comparison to his more serious predecessor and successor, both of whom, in a way, qualify for TomHanksSyndrome.

* Creator/DavidAlanGrier was initially known as a dramatic actor in his early career in works such as ''Film/{{Streamers}}'', ''Theatre/{{Dreamgirls}}'', ''Theatre/ASoldiersPlay'' (as well as [[Film/ASoldiersStory its film adaptation]]), among others. Then he would become a cast member on the sketch comedy series ''Series/InLivingColor''. This would ultimately redefine Grier as a comedic actor, in which he's been doing more light-hearted work ever sense.

* Creator/DavidAlanGrier was initially known as a dramatic actor in his early career in works such as ''Film/{{Streamers}}'', ''Theatre/{{Dreamgirls}}'', ''Theatre/ASoldiersPlay'' (as well as [[Film/ASoldiersStory its film adaptation]], among others. Then he would become a cast member on the sketch comedy series ''Series/InLivingColor''. This would ultimately redefine Grier as a comedic actor, in which he's been doing more light-hearted work ever sense.

* Creator/HaleyJoelOsment shot to fame as a child actor in dramatic films like ''Film/TheSixthSense'' and ''Film/AIArtificialIntelligence''. As he grew up, he transitioned to working primarily in comedic roles in works like ''Film/SexEd'', ''Film/{{Entourage}}'', and ''Series/SiliconValley''.

* Believe it or not, Creator/JimCarrey sort of qualifies. While he did appear in a short-lived sitcom in TheEighties (''The Duck Factory''), auditioned to be an ''SNL'' cast member (which he didn't get), and had an ongoing stand-up career, most of his early film roles were serious rather than comic (i.e., the alcoholic son in ''Doing Time on Maple Drive'' and the ill-fated rocker in ''Film/TheDeadPool''). Ironically, Carrey's later serious roles like ''Film/TheTrumanShow'' were seen as PlayingAgainstType.

* Creator/JamesMarsden gradually shifted to comedy during the late part of the TurnOfTheMillennium. At the beginning of said decade, he is known playing the OnlySaneMan in action and heavy drama films (''Film/XMen1'', ''Film/TheNotebook'', ''Film/SupermanReturns''). Starting the late 2000s, he's mostly seen in romantic comedies or dramedies (''Film/{{Hairspray}}'', ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'', ''Film/TwentySevenDresses''), along with being foil to animated characters (''Film/{{Hop}}'', ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog'').

[-[[caption-width-right:350:There has to be a perfectly rational explanation. Maybe there's more than one Leslie Nielsen in Hollywood![[note]]Top: ''Film/NightTrainToParis'', ''Film/Snatched1973'', ''Film/ProjectKill!''; Bottom: ''Film/SurfNinjas'', ''Film/SpyHard'', ''Film/ScaryMovie3''.]][[/note]]-]

* Creator/VinceVaughn's first few roles were in the likes of ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'', the remake of ''{{Film/Psycho|1998}}'' and ''Return to Paradise''. In the 2000s he became far more famous for comedies - ''Film/DodgeballATrueUnderdogStory'', ''Film/{{Mr. and Mrs. Smith|2005}}'', ''Film/WeddingCrashers'', ''The Break Up'', ''Couples Retreat'' etc. While he does flirt with the occasional dramatic role - ''Film/IntoTheWild'', ''Series/TrueDetective'' - he's known primarily as a comedian.
* Creator/KateHudson's first film was a light-hearted drama ''Film/AlmostFamous''. Afterwards she became associated with romantic comedies - with the exception of ''Theatre/NineMusical'' (musical) and ''Film/TheSkeletonKey'' (horror). As of ''Good People'' and ''Film/DeepwaterHorizon'' she seems to be approaching drama again.

* Creator/JenniferGarner debuted as an action heroine in ''{{Series/Alias}}'' and ''{{Film/Elektra}}''. After ''Film/13GoingOn30'' proved a surprising hit, she moved onto romantic comedies. While some of the films are dramatic, with the exception of ''Film/DallasBuyersClub'' they're still quite light-hearted - such as ''{{Film/Juno}}''. WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick even commented on how much better suited she was to comedy when reviewing ''Elektra''.

* Creator/VinceVaughn's first few roles were in the likes of ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'', the remake of ''{{Film/Psycho|1998}}'' and ''Return to Paradise''. In the 2000s he became far more famous for comedies - ''Film/DodgeballATrueUnderdogStory'', ''Film/MrAndMrsSmith2005'', ''Film/WeddingCrashers'', ''The Break Up'', ''Couples Retreat'' etc. While he does flirt with the occasional dramatic role - ''Film/IntoTheWild'', ''Series/TrueDetective'' - he's known primarily as a comedian.
* Creator/KateHudson's first film was a light-hearted drama ''Film/AlmostFamous''. Afterwards she became associated with romantic comedies - with the exception of ''Theatre/NineMusical'' (musical) and ''Film/TheSkeletonKey'' (horror). As of ''Good People'' and ''Deepwater Horizon'' she seems to be approaching drama again.
* Creator/JenniferGarner debuted as an action heroine in ''{{Series/Alias}}'' and ''{{Film/Elektra}}''. After ''13 Going on 30'' proved a surprising hit, she moved onto romantic comedies. While some of the films are dramatic, with the exception of ''Film/DallasBuyersClub'' they're still quite light-hearted - such as ''{{Film/Juno}}''. WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick even commented on how much better suited she was to comedy when reviewing ''Elektra''.

* Creator/PatrickStewart was primarily known as a dramatic Shakespearean actor who further ventured into science fiction with his portayal of Capt. Jean Luc Picard in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. Since the 2000's, he's successfully transitioned into comedic roles, most notably Deputy Director Avery Bullock in ''Series/AmericanDad''

[-[[caption-width-right:350:There has to be a perfectly rational explanation. Maybe there's [[NamesTheSame more than one Leslie Nielsen]] in Hollywood![[note]]Top: ''Film/NightTrainToParis'', ''Film/Snatched1973'', ''Film/ProjectKill!''; Bottom: ''Film/SurfNinjas'', ''Film/SpyHard'', ''Film/ScaryMovie3''.]][[/note]]-]

* Creator/JohnCena initially attempted to branch out from wrestling with the usual collection of action movies many pro wrestlers use to try and achieve mainstream success to diminishing returns. Then, he played a wannabe tough guy in a TransparentCloset in ''Film/{{Trainwreck}}'' and people realized he had a flair for comedy. This allowed him to try out different roles and bring his physicality and comedic skills together in roles such as ''Film/{{Blockers}}'', ''Film/DaddysHome'', and ComicBook/{{Peacemaker}} in DCEU features like ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' and [[Series/Peacemaker2022 the eponymous series]].

* Creator/JenniferGarner debuted as an action heroine in ''{{Series/Alias}}'' and ''{{Film/Elektra}}''. After ''13 Going On 30'' proved a surprising hit, she moved onto romantic comedies. While some of the films are dramatic, with the exception of ''Film/DallasBuyersClub'' they're still quite light-hearted - such as ''{{Film/Juno}}''. WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick even commented on how much better suited she was to comedy when reviewing ''Elektra''.

* Terence Hill started his career in dramas like ''Film/TheLeopard'' and straightforward Spaghetti Westerns like ''Ace High'' and a ''Django'' sequel. Then he was cast alongside Bud Spencer in the Western spoof ''[[Film/{{Trinity}} They Call Me Trinity]]'', redefining Hill as a comedian.

* Creator/ChanningTatum first got into films doing either gritty indie projects (''Film/CoachCarter'', ''Film/AGuideToRecognizingYourSaints'', ''Film/StopLoss''), action films (''Film/GIJoeTheRiseofCobra'', ''Film/{{Haywire}}'') or romantic leading roles (''Film/StepUp'', ''Dear John'', ''The Vow''). With the successes of ''Film/MagicMike'' and ''Film/TwentyOneJumpStreet'' he has carved out a niche as a comedic actor - and delights in playing his tough guy image for as much laughs as possible. That being said, he also flirted with TomHanksSyndrome in the dark drama ''{{Film/Foxcatcher}}''.

* Back in UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood Creator/JeanHarlow first got famous for playing MsFanservice roles in ''Film/HellsAngels'', ''Film/ThePublicEnemy'', ''The Secret Six'' etc. After UsefulNotes/TheHaysCode cracked down on sexual content in movies, Harlow switched up her image to be more of a DumbBlonde - and she appeared as such in all subsequent films.

[-[[caption-width-right:350:There has to be a perfectly rational explanation. Maybe there's [[NamesTheSame more than one Leslie Nielsen]] in Hollywood![[note]]Top: ''Night Train To Paris'', ''Snatched'', ''Project Kill!''; Bottom: ''Film/SurfNinjas'', ''Film/SpyHard'', ''Film/ScaryMovie3''.]][[/note]]-]

* In a rare instance of an example being applied to a director, Creator/BlakeEdwards got his start with "private eye" material -- on radio, TV and film -- before he directed the war comedy ''Film/OperationPetticoat''. This wasn't a big catalyst, but after ''Film/ThePinkPanther1963'', most of his output was comedic, although he continued to do drama here and there.

* Director Creator/BlakeEdwards got his start with "private eye" material -- on radio, TV and film -- before he directed the war comedy ''Film/OperationPetticoat''. This wasn't a big catalyst, but after ''Film/ThePinkPanther1963'', most of his output was comedic, although he continued to do drama here and there.

* Creator/ChrisHemsworth hit the mainstream as the stoic Film/{{Thor}} and built his initial career on dramatic roles. But supporting appearances in films like ''Film/{{Vacation}}'' and ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'' showed the world that he is actually downright hilarious and adept at improv. Thus, ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' became a soft reboot of his most famous role and won rave reviews for the new direction he took.

* Creator/JohnCena initially attempted to branch out from wrestling with the usual collection of action movies many pro wrestlers use to try and achieve mainstream success to diminishing returns. Then, he played a wannabe tough guy in a TransparentCloset in ''Film/{{Trainwreck}}'' and people realized he had a flair for comedy. This allowed him to try out different roles and bring his physicality and comedic skills together as ComicBook/{{Peacemaker}} in the DCEU features like ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' and [[Series/Peacemaker2022 the eponymous series]].

* Creator/JamesMarsden gradually shifted to comedy during the late part of the TurnOfTheMillennium. At the beginning of said decade, he is known playing the OnlySaneMan in action and heavy drama films (''Film/XMen1'', ''Literature/TheNotebook'', ''Film/SupermanReturns''). Starting the late 2000s, he's mostly seen in romantic comedies or dramedies (''Film/{{Hairspray}}'', ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'', ''Film/TwentySevenDresses'').

* Brazil offers a musical case: Utopia was a rock band whose dreams of fame fit well with their name. They noticed the jokey stage banter was earning bigger responses than their songs, reinvented themselves as the outright comedy rock group Mamonas Assassinas and had a meteoric rise to fame, being ubiquitous best-sellers [[ShortLivedBigImpact
for six months before dying in a plane crash]]. It even led to them delivering some vengeance, as once their hometown who declined Utopia a concert in the municipal arena now was begging for Mamonas to play there, the eventual gig had as an opening act... the band doing a serious set as Utopia!

* Creator/MeloraHardin generally did drama until she took the role of Jan Levinson on ''[[Series/TheOfficeUS The Office]]''. While Jan began as a ComicallySerious character, Hardin received praise for her performance once Jan started turning into more of {{Cloudcuckoolander}}, and since then she's added a lot more comedy to her resume.

* Creator/JohnCena initially attempted to branch out from wrestling with the usual collection of action movies many pro wrestlers use to try and achieve mainstream success to diminishing returns. Then, he played a wannabe tough guy in a TransparentCloset in ''Film/{{Trainwreck}}'' and people realized he had a flair for comedy. This allowed him to try out different roles and bring his physicality and comedic skills together as Series/Peacemaker2022 in the DCEU.

* Creator/JohnCena initially attempted to branch out from wrestling with the usual collection of action movies many pro wrestlers use to try and achieve mainstream success to diminishing returns. Then, he played a wannabe tough guy in a TransparentCloset in ''Film/{{Trainwreck}}'' and people realized he had a flair for comedy. This allowed him to try out different roles and bring his physicality and comedic skills together as Series/{{Peacemaker}} in the DCEU.