Celebrities Who Can Be Doing More With Their Talents!

by horne_jeffrey | created - 08 Mar 2013 | updated - 08 Mar 2013 | Public

This list is for talented actors/actresses who I believe are either underatted or have the potential to be Oscar nominees or winners in the near future. I feel some of these stars play in the same roles instead of acting in different movies, which can help them get more credit for their acting chops.

1. Marlon Wayans

Actor | White Chicks

Marlon Wayans is an American actor, writer and comedian. He is known for playing Tyrone C. Love in Requiem for a Dream, Shorty Meeks from Scary Movie, Marcus Anthony Copeland II from White Chicks and Thunder from Marmaduke. He played Drake Winston/Robin in deleted scenes of Batman Returns and ...

The Wayans are multitalented family. I like Marlon Wayans acting. Even though he is a comedian, he can do serious roles too. Check out his performances in Above the Rim and Requiem Dream. I like his facial exrpessions, especially in Above the Rim, I felt sorry for him when he was being dogged by 2pac, who is probably my favorite rapper ever. I do not know why is not in a lot of drama movies. I like if he continues to star in drama films, he can do very far.

2. Dwayne Johnson

Actor | Black Adam

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). His father, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, is black (of Black Nova ...

I think The Rock can do more than action and kid movies. I would like to see him in a strictly focused drama movie based on his life as a wrestler. I bet he can pull off Oscar buzzes if they put him in a leading role drama based movie.

3. Meagan Good

Actress | Think Like a Man

Meagan Monique Good was born on 8 August 1981 in Panorama City, California, USA, to Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, who worked as her manager, and Leondis "Leon" Good, an LAPD officer. She began appearing on commercials at the age of four. Then she started guest-starring on series like The Parent 'Hood (1995), ...

She can Oscar or Golden Globe potential written all over her. If they push her, she can make it to the top. Do not get me wrong she has a very successful career now by having her own TV series show. However, I want to see her back on the big screen.

4. Steve Zahn

Actor | War for the Planet of the Apes

Steve Zahn was born in Marshall, Minnesota, to Zelda, who worked at a YMCA, and Carleton Edward Zahn, a Lutheran pastor at Peace Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, Minnesota. His career kicked off in his native Minnesota when he crashed the audition of a local stage production of "Biloxi Blues" and won ...

This due is talented who can act in comedy and serious movies. Put him in a movie with big names he will deliver the goods. I believe he can truly become the next Woody Harrelson, Robin Williams, or Tom Hanks, if the media talks about his acting a lot more.

5. Tasha Smith

Actress | The Whole Ten Yards

Tasha Smith is a multifaceted actress and director whose work brings style and intensity to the projects she works on, whether in front of or behind the camera. From her roles as "Carol" on Fox's hit drama Empire, "Brenda" in Netflix's Running Out Of Time, to her critically-acclaimed portrayal of ...

I think she can handle the big screen by starring in a leading role. It appears she is either always playing in comedy roles or playing in minor roles in dramatic movie. I think she can handle being the center of attention in a big drama movie, which can boost her with the greats. If people really root for her, she pull in the type of acting that warrants her leading roles for years to come.

6. Duane Martin

Actor | Scream 2

Duane Martin is a triple threat in Hollywood and has proven himself as a true maverick with a career that expands beyond Hollywood. Not only do his good looks and impeccable comedic timing earn him respect in the acting arena, but he is an accomplished writer and producer.

Duane was last seen ...

I like this dude's performance in Above the Rim. He is a talented cat who can act in serious and comedy movies. I want to see him in more drama movies though because that is when stars become legends.

7. Wood Harris

Actor | Remember the Titans

Harris was born Sherwin David Harris in Chicago, Illinois, to John and Mattie Harris. However, he works under his nickname, "Wood". Attended New York University Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School. Has performed in many films and various stage productions including plays by August Wilson, ...

He did good in Paid in Full, Remember the Titans, and Above the Rim. I think he got superstar quality in him, which can win him a trip to the Oscars someday.

8. Larenz Tate

Actor | Crash

Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers ...

I always like Larenz Tate because when he is in a movie, he usually does well. However, I have not seen a lot of him in a while. Ever since Crash, it seems like Hollywood lost interest in him, which is a shame. If given another opportunity like he received in the 90s, he can do some great things on the big screen. I can see him nominated or even take home an Oscar, but that is only if Hollywood remains behind him.

9. Nia Long

Actress | The Best Man

Stunning pop culture icon, Hollywood leading lady and three-time NAACP award winner Nia Long returns to the big screen this fall in the highly anticipated Universal Pictures sequel The Best Man Holiday (in theaters November 15th) where she reunites with original castmates Taye Diggs ("Private ...

I miss Nia Long. I usually to enjoy seeing her act in serious movies. She can be funny when the situation calls for it. However, I always enjoyed her drama movies. I wish she had starred in movie big movies like she did in the 90s. After 2000, it seemed as if Hollywood given up on this gifted actress. This consistently entertaining performer has all the tools to be on the red carpet being interviewed during an important event.

10. Mekhi Phifer

Actor | ER

Mekhi Phifer was born in Harlem, Manhattan, and was raised by his mother, Rhoda, a high school teacher. Phifer's acting career began when he auditioned at an open casting call for director Spike Lee's Clockers (1995) and was selected for the leading role. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy ...

This guy brings intensity and emotional to his movies, which makes me want to sympathize with him. I seen him deliever heartfelt performances in Soul Food, Paid in Full, and O. After the mid 2000s, it appears Hollywood did not really take him seriously because he started to act in comedy, which was fine because he was getting roles. However, I missed him acting in serious serious because I think he is capable of holding his own, if he teams up with a legendary name.

11. David Alan Grier

Actor | Joe Pickett

David Alan Grier was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Aretas Ruth (Dudley), a schoolteacher, and William Henry Grier, a psychiatrist and writer. He trained in Shakespeare at Yale University, where he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Grier began his professional career on Broadway as ...

This man is mostly a comedian no doubt about it. However, I wonder he would do if he acted in a 100 percent drama movie with a famous actor or actress. I received David had a dramatic side to him when he displayed a serious side in Boomerang and even Blinkman. If he gets one more shot in a huge movie, I bet he will not blow it.

12. Chris Tucker

Actor | Rush Hour 2

At one point in time, Chris Tucker was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.

Tucker was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Mary Louise (Bryant) and Norris Tucker, who owned a janitorial service. After graduating from high school, Tucker made a change to move to Hollywood from Georgia to pursue a career in ...

Chris Tucker was always a star even at a young age in Friday. Personally, I am surprise he did not come the next big thing since I have seen him in a lot of roles throughout his career. I thought Friday would turn him into a megastar for life where he would be on the level of Murphy or Chris Rock. However, he seemed like he reamined in the same position he was in a decade ago. I do not know if it was on Hollywood or on Tucker himself. I just thought he could have been bigger than what has become today. I will mention I liked his serious acting in Dead President, which made me want to see him more serious roles.

13. Mike Epps

Actor | Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Mike Epps was born on November 18, 1970 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), Friday After Next (2002) and The Hangover (2009). He has been married to Kyra Robinson Epps since June 23, 2019. They have two children. He was previously ...

First, I thought Mike Epps calling was to entertain people by making them laugh. Not in a million years, did I seen him entertain people by being a serious actor in Sparkle. I was disappointed when he failed to receive an Oscar or Golden Globe nominated because his acting was that good to me. I guess because he was not in the movie long enough. I hope he gets another chance to act in a serious movie; if it he nails it like he did in Sparkle, he may be a serious contender for the Oscars in the near future.

14. Paul Rudd

Actor | Ant-Man

Paul Stephen Rudd was born in Passaic, New Jersey. His parents, Michael and Gloria, both from Jewish families, were born in the London area, U.K. He has one sister, who is three years younger than he is. Paul traveled with his family during his early years, because of his father's airline job at ...

I has starred in a string of comedy classics, such as Clueless and 40 Year Old Virgin. I think he is ready for the big leagues of starring in a drama film with a big name or legendary actor. If given the chance, he could make a bigger impact than he has as a comedian. I think he has potential because I saw a sign of him doing serious acting in Clueless.

15. Steve Carell

Actor | The Office

Steve Carell, one of America's most versatile comics, was born Steven John Carell on August 16, 1962, in Concord, Massachusetts. He is the son of Harriet Theresa (Koch), a psychiatric nurse, and Edwin A. Carell, an electrical engineer. His mother was of Polish descent and his father of Italian and ...

See drama acting point out of Steve Carell. He has acted in some comedy mixed drama movies. However, what if he just acted in a drama movie, I think he would turn some heads by impressing people with his performance.

16. Tina Fey

Actress | Date Night

Elizabeth Stamatina Fey was born in 1970 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia, to Xenobia "Jeanne" (Xenakes), a brokerage employee, and Donald Henry Fey, who wrote grant proposals for universities. Her mother is Greek, born in Piraeus, while her father had German, Northern Irish,...

The writer of 30 Rock. I know how she is a writer and comedian. However, I wonder how Tina would do if she was given a chance to star in a drama movie. I know some comedians cannot pull off drama, but it does not hurt to try every once in a while.

17. Zoe Saldana

Actress | Avatar

Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaña. Her father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. She was raised in Queens, New York. When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for ...

I can see Zoe give a speech about winning an Oscar someday. I am glad Hollywood gave her the ball by letting her star in her own action movie, Colombiana, in 2011. I want to see how she will do in a strictly serious movie where the spotlight will be focused on her.

18. Kerry Washington

Actress | Scandal

Kerry Washington is an African-American actress, television show producer and film director who is known for her roles in Scandal, Ray, the Tim Story Fantastic Four film series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Confirmation, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Cars 3 and The Last King of Scotland. She ...

Akin to Megan Good, I am glad she has her own TV show, but think she deserves a leading role on the big screen. Give her a real chance to spread her wings and watch how she takes off.

19. Regina King

Actress | Ray

Regina King was born in Los Angeles, California, to Gloria, a special education teacher, and Thomas King, an electrician. She began her career in the television show 227 (1985), followed by a role in Boyz n the Hood (1991). She began to be recognized by a mainstream audience after her role as Cuba ...

She has pulled in some good dramatic performances in such movies as Boyz in the Hood, Higher Learning, and Ray. I thought she deserve recognition for her acting in Ray. In my opinion, she was that close to be Oscar nominated. While I am glad she is still on TV, I would like her to return in big picture movies so she really shine and be a step closer of getting that Oscar buzz.

20. Kimberly Elise

Actress | Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Kimberly Elise was born on April 17, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She is an actress and executive, known for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), The Manchurian Candidate (2004) and John Q (2002). She was previously married to Maurice Oldham.

She has gave some memorable performances throughout the years in films, such as Set it Off, John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Gifted Hands, and etc. If she continue to star in big movies like she did in the past, she should get Oscar buzz sooner rather than later.

21. Gabrielle Union

Actress | Bring It On

Gabrielle Union was born on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Theresa (Glass), who managed a phone company, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant and business executive. When she was eight, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. There, ...

I like all the success Gabrielle Union has achieved throughout her career. However, it appears she always plays in the same comedy romance movie every year. I want to see her in an all drama movie to see if she has what it takes to be a bona fide superstar. Do not get me wrong. She done well, but I can't help to wonder if she can go even further.

22. Chris Rock

Actor | Top Five

Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of Rosalie (Tingman), a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped, and Julius Rock, a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman, whose own father was a preacher.

...

I know Chris Rock is strictly a comedian. However, some comedians can really act, e.g. Eddie Murphy. I think CR has the potential to become a good actor. I like his serious performances in New Jack City and even in I Think I Love My Wife. If he works with big name actors in a comedy drama movie, he can do somethings. Maybe, if he starred in a drama movie about a famous comedian who had his struggles, might be the ticket of making him bigger than he already is.



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