What do you think about comedians switching to serious roles?

Hossan Leong will next be seen playing the nerdy florist Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors”, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Also starring Dim Sum Dollies. Directed by Glen Goei. Opens 2 Nov, Victoria Theatre. Tickets from Sistic now! http://www.sistic.com.sg/cms/events/inde...

What do you think about comedians switching to serious roles?
As a theatre/movie buff, I think it's a great way for an actor/comedian to stretch their abilities. To me, a comedian is already an actor doing a comedy role. To have them move to a serious piece can really be challenging, but it offers them the growth to become not only a well rounded actor, but a better person as well (tears of the clown and all that).





A great example of the switch over is Robin Williams (he's not the only one, just the first that came to mind). Besides, if a dramatic actor can move to a comedy piece why not the other way around?
Reply:i think if comedians want change to serious roles..firstly dun go to extreme "serious " type like murderer on first try





most audience dun accept great change..just get good warm up, take role with some "serious" yet not being "hated". Maybe professional role? when audience start accept that way , they will crossed their mind, u actually can preform well in serious roles..





if successful, u try extreme serious role in future..well that is my view
Reply:If u are talking for example urself and comedians like Kumar, etc... I think it will take a long while for the audience to take in ur actiing skills as we are so used to all ur funny gags and witty remarks and behaviour. We would expect comedians to be funny so as to brighten our day... Looking at comedians will instantly brought to mind that we can expect something spectacular, like a joke or a funn remark or action.... if turning into a serious role.. i think maybe can start from a short film so as to tell prepare the audience.. "hey... he can act a serious role!!" and then slowly slowly bring the audience awareness that you can be funny and act in serious roles as well. Then I think ultimately.. u will be classify as versatile actor who can entertain and at the same time wow us with your acting abilities......





ps... love ur acting in Forbidden city... love ur roles in the various plays u done.. most recently seen is the magic fundoshi.and army daze... I cannot see the little shop of horrors cos i no $$ to buy the ticket as I decided to go and see Jack and the Beanstalk...hehehe but of cos.. I do hope that I can get free tickets to watch little shop of horrors!!!!! (*wink wink*) All the best!!!!
Reply:Get serious!
Reply:Well Jack Black pulled it off too (in Kingkong). And he sure has the face of a comedian.
Reply:I think this is a good opportunity for an actor to expand his/her acting skills. A good actor may excel in comedy, but, shld also have no problems in taking on challenging roles.
Reply:I guess it all depends on the actor/comedian....It's not stupid or ridiculous to want to try out new things..but some people just have a face for comedy...i believe serious acting , most people can muster that kinda "face expression" but to make a few hundred people or even 10 people laugh out ..is a serious job..and takes a really talented person....so hooray and kudos to all comedians..but if you aspire for greater things..hey, u never know till u try..no harm...
Reply:you must be kidding!!!
Reply:comedians switching to serious roles will not be much of a problem especially hossan is a very experienced and good actor. However in my opinion, although it is good for him to be able to switch in between different type of roles and show tat he is alble to do well in all, i find that it is still important for him to put his importance in being a successful comedian. that will means to put in more effort and continous upgrading himself in comedy plays. you have to go all out to be successful in a particular thing. Just remember not to side track too much. good luck.:)
Reply:They will be taken seriously.
Reply:I think it is a great idea. Robin Williams manages to straddle both roles quite successfully. Bette Midler, Dustin Hoffman and yes, even Leonardo Dicaprio take on "serious roles" convincingly. But I do believe the first serious role should ideally be a very break-through performance to help audience forget that they are watching a "comedian". At least, that helps me=)
Reply:Is this Hossan that has written? LOL, if he does a good job in the serious roles, who will have the last laugh? ;)





(Very nice glamour shot!!!)
Reply:it's a joke..... right?
Reply:Know what. Ignore the negative comments up here. I am sure you have absolutely overwhelming passion for the Arts- theatre and acting. It is not easy doing what you are doing- in fact, most of the people who gave negative feedback have probably never been in your shoes.





Truly, it would make sense that the audience will find it hard to accept your serious role; they have identified you as Hossan Leong the comedian actor. I felt that perhaps you should have tried on these serious roles earlier to avoid this difficult transition. then again, it is never too late. the first few serious roles may be difficult, but if you can pull it off well, in good time, the audience, haters and lovers alike will be able to appreciate your new serious role. versatility. determination. passion.





Go, Hossan!
Reply:A comedian is someone who makes people laugh regardless its on TV or real life.Comedians can be classify under 2 different types-One who has the natural charisma and the others are those who tried "to act" to have the charisma which the latter is usually not appreciated by audience but rather as trying too hard. For a comedian to switch to a serious role is definitely something to show the versatality and adaptablity of a actor. But before a comedian do a switch, the comedian should know if he has the "Natural face and Personality" to bring out his best in the serious role or he should seek comments from friends/relatives or even fellow colleagues/producers if he has the "potential" to do a serious role. Not all actors are born equally, some of them are born natural charismatic and have the versatile look,some are born with a comedian look and personality.Depending on the actor himself, one should know his stand and only by knowing of positioning oneself in the mind of the audience, this actor could be the next Jim Carey. If not, this actor could only be someone where the audience see,laugh and forget the very next minute.
Reply:It is a good move as it enables the audience to see the actor from a totally different angle and realise that the actor has what it take to be an all rounder in his career choice. IN addition i believe an actor would benefit immensely from ensuring that the do NOT stick to the same genre for their whole carer or else how would they know for sure that they can succeed and it is their true calling in live?
Reply:Its true, it's pretty difficult on the audiences part to take it seriously. But on the other hand, i strongly believe its dependent on the comediam him/herself. Afterall, not every comedian can switch to serious roles. Very debatable topic. The expressions, actions, mentality completely changes... not every comedian i know has done a good job on that. I for one thing can't take Robin Williams seriously. Eddie Murphy however, and weirdly, i can still picture in a serious role.
Reply:I think it's easier for comedians to switch to so-called serious roles, then for serious actors to switch to comedy.





It's not very difficult to be serious lar, c'mon. Just act like you're telling a deadpan joke lar.
Reply:i think it's pretty hard for such a switch, especially for comedians who have been successful. take ashton kutcher for instance, i personally find his latest role in the guardian unconvincing. or rather, i cannot seem to shake off that mental mould i have of him in his role in dude where's my car. mental mould is the key idea here.





having said that, it is not impossible though, having seen matt damon deliver commendable performances both in stuck on you the bourne supremency series. it takes a tad of effort, and persistance but at the end of the day, the fruit is sweet.
Reply:Are you kidding!!?? That'll be the biggest joke of all!
Reply:I think it's a good prospect for artists to act in diff roles ( v boring to stick on something they r well-trained or experienced). They can learn %26amp; perform new role while we can see %26amp; grade them oso. Even Wong Lilin (my fav. artists bcum DJ @ Class95 on Nov, y nt the rest.) Life is short, gto explore all new things/ experience. =)
Reply:Hi Hossan,





You've been a great comedian all these times!


Seen u in forbidden city!


well, what i think is that, if u switch to serious roles, u should find another identity,,,i mean,,,now,,,ur using an identity n a unique feature of urself as an comedian. so yea.





Cheers,


Nelson
Reply:I think comedians switching to serious roles is not a bad idea. It can let them experience many types of roles and decide on which is the best of them. It is like before choosing which job line you want to. You got to try it first before deciding on which is best for you.





I believe that comedians can also act in serious roles like for example Patrica Mok who is very comical and have acted quite a serious roles for the Chinese Drama - Holland Village series. It give us, viewers a better understanding of the artiste.
Reply:It shows credibility %26amp; maturity of e actor/actress... It oso reveals e burnin passion %26amp; capability 2 venture in2 more challengin, artsy roles...Best of luck 2 u Hossan...
Reply:tat mean the comedians fail in his former roles. hope hossan can be a sucess!
Reply:It depends on the substance of the roles and how involved the actor or actresses project themselves in the roles.
Reply:... as long as they know how to act - why not?
Reply:Its a great move man, many actors have done it and i am sure everyone should be allow to try and do serious roles, even comedians! see it as developement..


jim carrey,bruce willis,robbin williams and even local start like gurmit has done well in serious shows and flims.


chill! to ppl who cant change this sterotype of comedians.. : )
Reply:I can give you at least 3 examples,,, all successful in both genres





Adam Sandler


Robin Williams


Tom Hanks


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Steven Wolf
Reply:I believe that comedians that switch to serious roles can be even more touching than those actors who always perform in serious roles. Comedians who act in serious roles reflects life itself in a way that it has its ups and downs, not comedy all the time. Thus if a comedian is serious in whichever role he/she is performing, I believe it would still be credible.
Reply:wow. i think this is something very different which gotta be a must watch.