The Funniest “Serious” Actresses

Many performers are primarily associated with intense dramatic work yet also maintain substantial records in screen and stage comedy. This list highlights actresses whose résumés include measurable comedy contributions across films, television, animation, and live sketch formats.

Each entry points to specific roles and projects that document comedic range—lead roles in comedies, recurring sitcom characters, significant sketch or hosting appearances, comedic voice performances, or notable comic characters within broader-genre titles.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is known for dramatic work in biographical films, literary adaptations, and limited series, supported by formal training at the Yale School of Drama and early stage experience. Her filmography includes long-running collaborations with major directors and ensemble casts across international productions.

Her comedy track record includes ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and ‘Death Becomes Her’, as well as ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’. She also voiced Jessica Lovejoy in ‘The Simpsons’, adding animated sitcom work to her credits.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett’s dramatic output spans historical epics, contemporary character studies, and theatre leadership with the Sydney Theatre Company. She works in both studio and independent productions across multiple countries.

Her comedy work includes a cameo in ‘Hot Fuzz’ and a lead role in ‘Documentary Now!’ episode ‘Waiting for the Artist’. Additional credits include ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and appearances in ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron’s dramatic career includes biographical portrayals, thrillers, and international co-productions, alongside producing duties on film and television projects. She has led large-scale features and character-focused dramas.

Her comedy credits include ‘Long Shot’, a recurring role as Rita on ‘Arrested Development’, and participation in ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’. She has also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’, contributing original live sketches.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand’s dramatic roles feature character-driven films and stage work, with projects across independent and studio sectors. She has collaborated frequently with major American filmmakers.

Her comedic appearances include ‘Raising Arizona’, ‘Burn After Reading’, and ‘Hail, Caesar!’. She also voiced Captain Chantel DuBois in ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams built a dramatic profile through science fiction dramas, crime stories, and psychological character pieces, following early stage experience and steady film advancement. She has worked with a wide range of directors across genres.

Her comedy highlights include ‘Enchanted’, ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’, and ‘The Muppets’. She also starred in ‘Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day’, performing classic screwball-style dialogue.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman’s dramatic work includes psychological thrillers, biographical portrayals, and roles in large-scale franchises, combined with stage appearances and academic study. She has balanced major studio titles with independent films.

Her comedy résumé includes ‘No Strings Attached’ and ‘Your Highness’, along with a return to a lighter tone in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. She has also delivered musical and comedic sketches as a guest host on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman is recognized for dramatic features, international projects, and limited-series production and performance. She has taken on lead and supporting roles across a wide range of subject matter.

Her comedy projects include ‘To Die For’, ‘Bewitched’, and ‘Paddington’. She also appeared in ‘The Stepford Wives’, joining a satirical take on suburban life.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton’s dramatic career covers avant-garde collaborations, political thrillers, and international productions, with frequent work alongside auteurs. She alternates experimental projects with mainstream releases.

Her comedy credits include roles in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ and ‘Burn After Reading’, a supporting part in ‘Trainwreck’, and appearances in anthology and ensemble comedies such as ‘The French Dispatch’.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore’s dramatic résumé features period pieces, contemporary dramas, and recurring collaborations with noted directors, alongside stage and television work. She moves between independent films and studio releases.

Her comedic roles include Maude Lebowski in ‘The Big Lebowski’, a recurring arc as Nancy on ’30 Rock’, and ensemble participation in ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’. She also appeared in ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ as the primary antagonist in a stylized action-comedy setting.

Laura Linney

Laura Linney’s dramatic credits span film, television, and Broadway, including historical miniseries and crime narratives. She has combined stage accolades with screen work over multiple decades.

Her comedy work includes ‘The Truman Show’ and the series lead in ‘The Big C’. Additional television comedy includes a guest arc on ‘Frasier’ and roles in ‘Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City’.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz has built a dramatic career through international thrillers and literary adaptations, complemented by stage performances in London and New York. She has alternated independent films with studio projects.

Her comedy filmography features ‘The Lobster’, ‘The Favourite’, and ‘About a Boy’. These titles place her in deadpan, period, and contemporary comedic frameworks, respectively.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet’s dramatic work includes historical epics, contemporary dramas, and limited series, along with audio and stage projects. She has led ensembles and carried character-focused narratives.

Her comedy appearances include ‘The Holiday’ and a self-referential cameo on ‘Extras’. She also voiced Rita in the animated feature ‘Flushed Away’.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway’s dramatic roles cover musical drama, intimate family stories, and ensemble character pieces, with additional credits as a producer. She has worked in both television and film.

Her comedy credits include ‘The Princess Diaries’, ‘Get Smart’, and ‘The Intern’, plus ensemble heist comedy in ‘Ocean’s 8’. She also contributed guest voice work to ‘The Simpsons’ and has appeared in sketches while hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson’s dramatic profile includes period adaptations and contemporary dramas, and she has writing credits for feature films. Her career combines stage training with screen roles across genres.

Her comedy work includes ‘Late Night’, ‘Nanny McPhee’, and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. She has also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’, performing original sketches for live television.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman’s dramatic credits include historical films and television roles, supported by extensive stage experience. She has moved between drama and comedy throughout her career.

Her early television work is rooted in British comedy, including ‘Peep Show’ and ‘The Mitchell and Webb Look’, followed by the mock-documentary series ‘Twenty Twelve’. She also appeared in ‘Hot Fuzz’ and delivered a recurring role in ‘Fleabag’.

Regina King

Regina King’s dramatic career spans limited series, films, and directing assignments. She has combined acting with behind-the-camera work across genres.

Her comedy background includes the sitcom ‘227’, voice roles as Huey and Riley Freeman in ‘The Boondocks’, and a key supporting role in ‘Jerry Maguire’. She has also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’, performing in multiple sketches.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s dramatic roles include independent features, domestic dramas, and science fiction, alongside major franchise entries. She has alternated auteur collaborations with studio projects.

Her comedy credits include a starring role in ‘Jojo Rabbit’, multiple appearances as guest host on ‘Saturday Night Live’, and a voice role as Ash in ‘Sing’ and its sequel. Johansson also appeared in ‘Hail, Caesar!’ within a large ensemble.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson’s dramatic work includes independent films and studio dramas, in addition to directing. She has combined acting roles with behind-the-camera projects.

Her comedy credits include ’21 Jump Street’ and ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’. She also directed and starred in ‘Unicorn Store’ and appeared in a recurring role on ‘Community’.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o’s dramatic résumé features roles in thrillers, adventures, and character-focused films, with performance work across multiple formats. She has also participated in documentary and stage projects.

Her comedy appearances include the zombie-romance-comedy ‘Little Monsters’. She has provided voice performance as Maz Kanata in ‘Star Wars’, contributing comic beats within scenes across the franchise.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie’s dramatic work includes biographical films, historical projects, and producing credits through a company slate that spans genres. She has collaborated with directors in both studio and independent spaces.

Her comedy credits feature ‘Barbie’, darkly comic elements in ‘I, Tonya’, and a hosting stint on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Robbie played roles in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Focus’, and appeared in action titles with comedic beats such as ‘Birds of Prey’ and ‘The Suicide Squad’.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike’s dramatic credits range from literary adaptations to international thrillers and fantasy television. She has performed in both leading and supporting capacities across formats.

Her comedy projects include ‘I Care a Lot’, ‘The World’s End’, and ‘Johnny English Reborn’. She also co-starred in ‘What We Did on Our Holiday’, a family comedy with an ensemble cast.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams is recognized for dramatic films and limited series that emphasize detailed character work, with long-running participation in independent cinema. She has appeared in both studio and arthouse productions.

Her comedy credits include ‘The Baxter’ and ‘I Feel Pretty’, along with roles in ‘Venom’ and its sequel. Earlier in her career, she co-starred in the political satire ‘Dick’, adding a mainstream comedy feature to her filmography.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt’s dramatic roles include thrillers, historical dramas, and science fiction, along with leading parts in suspense and horror. She has balanced large-scale productions with smaller, character-driven titles.

Her comedy appearances include ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, musical work in ‘Into the Woods’, and leads in ‘The Five-Year Engagement’ and ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’. She also headlined the adventure-comedy ‘Jungle Cruise’.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close’s dramatic career spans psychological thrillers, period dramas, and long-running legal television, alongside extensive Broadway work. She has taken on complex protagonists and antagonists across mediums.

Her comedic work includes portraying Cruella de Vil in ‘101 Dalmatians’, suburban satire in ‘The Stepford Wives’, and ensemble sci-fi spoof ‘Mars Attacks!’. She has also participated in musical theatre and screen projects that integrate comedy with heightened style.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren’s dramatic legacy includes biographical portrayals, crime series, and international cinema, as well as stage work with major British theatre institutions. She has led film and television projects across multiple decades.

Her comedy credits feature action-comedy ensemble work in ‘RED’, community-focused British comedy in ‘Calendar Girls’, and recurring appearances as Queenie Shaw in ‘The Fate of the Furious’, ‘Hobbs & Shaw’, ‘F9’, and ‘Fast X’. Mirren also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’, adding live sketch performance to her portfolio.

Share your favorite examples—and who you’d add—to the comments below!