Be yourself: 5 actors of the '80s who are stuck playing themselves ... forever

There are worse things in life than being typecast, right? Right?!? So what if Jason Bateman always plays some version of Arrested Development's Michael Bluth these days. (His on-TV son Michael Cera always channels George Michael Bluth as well.)

And don't even get started on Jeremy Piven, who seems destined to have "Ari Gold" written on his tombstone rather than his own name.

The '80s were no different. For every Anthony Michael Hall (who went from geek to quarterback hero in light speed), there's a Clint Howard, who will find and play the geekiest role in any movie directed by his brother Ron Howard. Today's list is for all the Clint Howards in the world, who are no doubt at home, crying themselves to sleep in their giant Beverly Hills mansions.

TOP 5 TYPECAST ACTORS OF THE '80s:

5. SAMUEL L. JACKSON: Little did we know during School Daze and Coming To America that we'd be seeing the same Jackson over and over again. At least Spike Lee cut him loose -- a little -- to play Mister Senor Love Daddy in Do The Right Thing.

5a. JAMES SPADER (reader suggestion): Pretty creepy, right? People might say he's always playing a different version of Steff from Pretty in Pink. And why not? Well, I love think his best work is 1991's True Colors, where he plays the rare good guy role. The bad guy? See No. 4 on the list.

4. JOAN AND JOHN CUSACK: The protective but jaded sister. The melancholy and soft-hearted lovesick brother. The formula works in ... yeah, every movie they appear in together. (Though it's especially heartwarming in Say Anything.)

3. JULIA ROBERTS: We kinda like her in Mystic Pizza. Not so much in Steel Magnolias. You know how you can tell Julia Roberts is typecast as herself? Her best movie role to date: 1999's Notting Hill, where she just has to play an actress.

2. MOLLY RINGWALD: She may be rich (Breakfast Club) or poor (Pretty in Pink) or unappreciated (Sixteen Candles) or fashion-challenged (all of the above), but she's always the shy, quiet redhead next door. Her one big departure: 1988's Fresh Horses. And there's a reason it's never mentioned here.

1. WILLIAM SHATNER: "Kirk, you're still alive, my old friend." 

Who are we missing?

Comments

[Bob H]

His career spans far more than just the 80s, but what about Clint Eastwood?

[Jimbo]

I would agree with the Michael J Fox pick, but how about Billy Crystal or Sly Stallone?

[Miguel]

Isn`t Tom Cruise playing himself most of the time?

[Nancy]

How about Eric Estrada? Seems Ponch is hard to kill

[CHAD]

i'd agree with costner to a certain extent, but not all the way. he has tried to do different stuff, but it seems the public doesn't want him to venture far from his everyguy roles. he has done some great stuff not in this type, however. films like a perfect world, mr. brooks, the upside of anger, and 2000 miles to graceland, he has turned his type on it's nose. as much as love his body of work, i much rather costner in comedic roles. films such as bull durham, swing vote, fandango and tin cup, kevin is great in.

[Marissa]

Just Drew, I completely agree with you on Costner. Monotone line delivering Costner. Same guy. Every movie.

[Annastacia]

Michael J. Fox - basically played versions of himself in Back to the Future, The Secret to my Success, Light of day, and Teen Wolf. Not to mention Family Ties.

[Snake Plissken]

Jim Varney

[Miguel]

What a coincidence.I just watched War,Inc. with John and Joan.Joan Cusack is incredibly annoying on this specific movie,reprising a bit the role she had in the brilliant Grosse Pointe Blank.This time,though..neh,it didn´t work.For her and him,actually.

[Jeff in Mpls]

As for Leslie Nielsen, I don't know, I've never seen his dramatic roles. All I've heard is he was a leading man type. I sort of picture a discount Cary Grant.

[Bassnote]

Keanu Reeves, he is always going to be Ted "Theodore" Logan in every movie he is in; even when he's in the Matrix.

[Spears]

Wasn't Leslie Nielsen basically satirizing his earlier movie roles? So he was intentionally typecasting himself.

But Mr. Fox is an inspired pick.

[Jeff in Mpls]

As for typecast, you can't get more typecast than Leslie Nielsen. Airplane! and then the Naked Gun trilogy. And that for a guy who had not been a comic actor previously.

I'd throw in Michael J. Fox, though I never understood all the BTTF hoopla. Saw one of them once, was OK, can barely remember it now.

[Spears]

James Spader is an EXCELLENT pick. And worthy of the top 5 list for sure.

Hence I've changed the list.

[Bill from Hanford, CA]

Yeeeesss, Mark in East TX, I just picture James Spader as Steff in every role he plays. Hey look, Steff just opened the Stargate. Wow, Steff knows Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza. Cool, Steff is a lawyer in Boston.

[just drew]

Kevin Costner. In every movie he is just himself.

[Mark in East Texas]

James Spader?

And you can add the rest of the Brat Pack, too (particularly Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy)

[DerekT]

Mr. T

[Lissy]

Steve, Molly was SO not fashion-challenged! She was IT in terms of fashion to this teenaged girl of the 80s. She had a style of her own and yet was of her time. She led the way and I loved that about her. I'd have killed for her wardrobe, except that for that admittedly fugly pink prom dress she made for herself to wear.

[Spears]

Broderick is sorta typecast to some extent, I guess. Having that boyish face hurts.

Still, I'll watch about anything he does.

[chase]

Hell, I watched Matthew Broderick in remakes of The Music Man and The Producers and the same thought kept running through my head: "Geez, Ferris Beuler is putting on some weight"