Typecasting

[Moon]

I went to a little event with Liz Fraser a couple of years ago and chatted to her about typecasting. She was explaining how she lost out on 'serious' roles because she'd done so much comedy. Ironically, one of her best (that I've seen) was in an episode of the BBC Miss Marple series, playing a grieving mother.

Any thoughts on typecasting that shouldn't have happened?

I can think of a few:

Hattie Jacques - would have been fantastic in drama.

Yootha Joyce - ditto; too much comedy.

Peter Cushing - a very accomplished actor who should have been seen more outside of fantasy roles.

Doris Day - became known for lightweight roles but great in Midnight Lace (1960).

Dame Shirley Bassey - really? Hmm. Played her younger self in La Passione (1996) - would have been interesting to see what she'd made of Nancy in Oliver! (1968)

:)

[Mr Sloane]

I went to a little event with Liz Fraser a couple of years ago and chatted to her about typecasting. She was explaining how she lost out on 'serious' roles because she'd done so much comedy. Ironically, one of her best (that I've seen) was in an episode of the BBC Miss Marple series, playing a grieving mother.

Any thoughts on typecasting that shouldn't have happened?

I can think of a few:

Hattie Jacques - would have been fantastic in drama.

Yootha Joyce - ditto; too much comedy.

Peter Cushing - a very accomplished actor who should have been seen more outside of fantasy roles.

Doris Day - became known for lightweight roles but great in Midnight Lace (1960).

Dame Shirley Bassey - really? Hmm. Played her younger self in La Passione (1996) - would have been interesting to see what she'd made of Nancy in Oliver! (1968)

:)

Doris Day ( or her svengali of a husband Martin Melcher depending which version you read) were worried about spoiling her image so she stayed with the light comedies ( some of which are very good) but her performances in Storm Warning and especially Young Man with a Horn and Love Me Or Leave shows she was a superb dramatic actress.

Yootha had a very varied career and only really became typecast after the Mildred role in the two sit coms.

[jimw1]

I remember reading Timothy West was Envious of his wife Prunella Scales as she often got offered Comedy roles where as he rarely received any' He felt he was/is typecast as an Actor for more somber serious roles .

[Moor Larkin]

Tom Cruise, around the time of his vampire flick was being quoted a lot about wanting to expand his range and do as many different sorts of film and role that he could. Then Mission Impossible came along and he seemed to get swept up by the momentum, which seems to show even the biggest star can struggle to be accepted doing anything other than what the cowd wants to see. It could also of course mean that some actors simply do not have the range they like to think they have, although I was very impressed with Tom's Hitman portrayal in Collateral, although it has to be said he was still playing some kind of ubermensch.

Sean Connery must be one of the bravest anti-typecasting actors - walking away from the Bond franchise at its height and seemingly resenting it even at the time. I have to say that I think that actors who become "typecast" and then complain about it, perhaps only have themselves to blame - or at least must accept part of the blame.

[wadsy]

There have been quite a few actors & actresses who have won Oscars playing against type.

Ray Milland & Shirley Jones to name two!

[alan french]

Hi,
This is a difficult one. In some cases, typecasting can keep someone in employment. On the other hand, it can backfire.

Both Harry H. Corbett and Wilfred Bramble were good actors. But once STEPTOE AND SON became popular, it was sometimes difficult to accept them in other roles, unless there was something about the character that was portrayed, had some Steptoe aura about them.

Anita Dobson, I can accept in different roles. But I will always remember her as Angie Watts. Davis Jason, will always be noted for his comedy acting. But he has also scored success as Inspector Frost.

Peter Cushing, who was mentioned earlier, I saw in different parts on television. It was not until later, I noted him for horror. In fact I was surprised when I saw him in CHUMPS AT OXFORD with Laurel and Hardy. Yes he was a versatile actor.

Alan French.

[Mr Sloane]

I remember reading Timothy West was Envious of his wife Prunella Scales as she often got offered Comedy roles where as he rarely received any' He felt he was/is typecast as an Actor for more somber serious roles .

The shame being he is very good at comedy as he showed in Brass and When We Are Married.

[Mr Sloane]

The Richard Briers thread reminded me of his performance as a sleazy don in Death Is Now My Neighbour showing he is just as good in drama.

[Gerald Lovell]

The Richard Briers thread reminded me of his performance as a sleazy don in Death Is Now My Neighbour showing he is just as good in drama.

Agreed, although I found it difficult to accept his straight performance in PQ17.

[Steve Crook]

The Richard Briers thread reminded me of his performance as a sleazy don in Death Is Now My Neighbour showing he is just as good in drama.

Richard Briers can be very good in drama. Check him out in "Screen Two: Skallagrigg (#10.2)" (1994)

Steve

[Brief Encounter]

John Inman wanted to play non-camp roles, which would have been interesting.

[Ray]

Doris Day ( or her svengali of a husband Martin Melcher depending which version you read) were worried about spoiling her image so she stayed with the light comedies ( some of which are very good) but her performances in Storm Warning and especially Young Man with a Horn and Love Me Or Leave shows she was a superb dramatic actress.

Yootha had a very varied career and only really became typecast after the Mildred role in the two sit coms.

It was Melcher who persuaded Doris to turn down the role of Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. who knows how her acting career could have taken off if she had accepted it?