These actors make me laugh, they could make me cry

Was re-watching Uncut Gems this afternoon -- which gets better every time I see it. It honestly has a case to make alongside The Social Network and There Will Be Blood, that it's one of the greatest statement films of the past 20 years. I am consistently taken aback by its Exorcist-esque opening sequence in Africa, which is disarming and immediately shows us we're in for something special. But I digress

Adam Sandler's lead performance was not just a reminder of his unique talent, but also further evidence that sometimes actors with comic backgrounds make the most dynamic dramatic acting stars. Time and again, whether it be Bill Murray or more recently, Bob Odenkirk in Nobody, some of the most inspired and exciting work is enhanced by the unpredictable edge that comics bring.

That got me thinking -- what actors predominately known for the comedic work would be good in a drama or in some cases should do more drama. Here a few people who have come to mind:

Kate McKinnon - One of SNL's most beloved recent stars has not fully had her moment on the big screen. She was wasted in Bombshell, was the best part of the otherwise forgettable reboot of Ghostbusters and flopped in the spy comedy whose name I can't remember. She clearly can play a myriad of characters, but the sad undercurrent to her Hillary Clinton impression tells me she can go deep too.

Danny McBride - Much of McBride's work -- especially his many glorious HBO series -- already goes pretty far into the dark side, although he's usually playing the clueless buffoon. But I believe McBride would slay in a more straight dramatic role. He is one of these actors who can't be unfunny, but he also is a fearless, committed actor who gives every role, no matter how silly, his all.

Ben Stiller - An underrated director and I think an underrated actor too. I always think back on his vulnerable, moving work in The Royal Tenenbaums 20 years ago -- he had the most compelling arc of all the Tenenbaum kids and he's largely fallen back on slapstick broad comedy ever since. I missed his Walter Mitty film which I here was a failure, but I still think movies like Greenburg suggest he has more range than we usually see.

Aubrey Plaza - The Parks and Recreation alumnus has already started playing more dramatic roles -- her performance in Ingrid Goes West was woefully under appreciated -- so this is more of a keep up the good work sentiment. I was sad to see her pidgeonholed into roles that largely used her as sex object when she first transitioned to film, but with movies like Black Bear she's showing she's a lot more than her established persona suggests.

Donald Glover - When he was on Community I  never could have anticipated that Donald Glover would not just become one of most interesting actors -- but also musicians -- working in America. His show Atlanta is a wonderful melange of drama and comedy that is easily one of the best shows on TV. He's also made some interesting movie choices but other than his turn as Lando Calrissian in Solo nothing too high profile. I feel like he could be a great movie star -- if he wanted.

Will Forte - This ex-SNL actor gave one of the best bananas comic performances ever in MacGruber but he also gave an effective lowkey dramatic performance in the acclaimed film Nebraska. He has a lot of colors that he can play -- the wonderful, unsung sitcom The Last Man on Earth demonstrated that -- and I could see him having the same late career resurgence Odenkirk experienced.

Mike Myers - During the peak of his Austin Powers run, Myers made an ill-fated stab at the drama appearing as doomed disco impresario Steve Rubell in the flop 54 and then he never went back (unless you count his small turns in Bohemian Rhapsody and Inglorious Basterds).  But here's the thing -- look at any of his broad comic movies, dude can act. He can actually be credible even when he's playing the silliest of characters. He just needs to push himself more.

Jordan Peele - He's become a legend for his work behind the camera, and rightly so but he's a really great on-screen performer too and I think he could have the sort of acting career someone like Sydney Pollack did, who seamlessly kept up his directing while delivering consistently smart and funny character turns in other auteur's movies. Just a thought.