10 Remarkable Comedic Talents Squandered by Hollywood

      Simon Thompson examines ten remarkable comedic talents overlooked by Hollywood.

      Finding the right showcasing platform for a distinct comic talent is, arguably, as challenging as being funny itself. While some individuals on this list have thrived in small-screen roles, they have struggled to translate their television or stand-up success into film. This is often due to unimaginative executives relegating them to inferior material that doesn't match their abilities.

      **Peter Cook**

      Peter Cook is a pivotal figure in British comedy history. If one were to prevent his birth, the landscape of British humor would be drastically altered. Cook's contributions in the UK include writing for Kenneth Williams while still at Cambridge, driving the post-war British satire movement (with collaborators Alan Bennett, Dudley Moore, and Jonathon Miller) through the play *Beyond The Fringe*, establishing the Establishment Club in Soho—which was critical for the existence of comedy clubs in Britain today—funding the legal fees for *Private Eye*, and creating the intelligent and inventive comedy series *Not Only But Also* with Dudley Moore. Without Cook, we might not have had the diverse array of shows such as *The Last 1948 Show*, *Monty Python’s Flying Circus*, *The Young Ones*, and many other modern British comedy classics. His work demonstrated that sophisticated, eccentric comedy had a substantial audience. However, Cook's failure to secure a leading man career in the US is lamentable, with *Bedazzled* being the closest he came, a humorous retelling of Faust where he played the devil. Unfortunately, his film career was marred by alcoholism and poor decisions, leading to unremarkable projects. His Hollywood appearances were mostly limited to minor roles in films like *The Princess Bride* and *Great Balls of Fire*, failing to represent the caliber he deserved. While Cook shares responsibility for his missteps, it's also the lack of creative vision from Hollywood producers in casting him in appropriate roles that hindered his career.

      **Julia Louis-Dreyfus**

      Julia Louis-Dreyfus exemplifies the successful television comedian, holding numerous Emmy and SAG awards. Nevertheless, even after leading roles in *Seinfeld*—considered one of the greatest American sitcoms—and *Veep*, film success has eluded her for reasons unclear. Although she hasn't starred in many films, her notable work has been mainly in voice roles, such as in *A Bug’s Life*, or supporting roles like in *Deconstructing Harry*. This is unfortunate, as Louis-Dreyfus possesses exceptional physical comedic talent and isn't shy about looking foolish for a laugh. Her charisma makes even the most unpleasant characters she portrays oddly lovable, and she has the looks for leading roles typically offered to actresses like Julia Roberts and Andie McDowell. The combination of casting directors struggling to classify her and her apparent satisfaction with sitcom work—due to past film duds like *North*—has limited her film opportunities. With her upcoming projects, including a recurring role in the stagnant Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is clear that Hollywood does not know how to maximize the potential of a talented comedienne like Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

      **Will Arnett & Portia de Rossi**

      I’ve paired these two together because they are both hilariously talented but have not had the right opportunities beyond their brilliant yet unjustly canceled *Arrested Development*. Will Arnett is widely recognized as a successful voice actor, particularly for his portrayal of LEGO Batman, but his major animated series, *BoJack Horseman*, highlights the pitfalls of millennial humor. Despite his physical comedy skills and unique voice, Arnett remains often typecast, which is unfortunate given his comedic prowess exemplified in roles like Gob Bluth. He certainly deserves better live-action roles than *Show Dogs*, *When In Rome*, and *Jonah Hex*. Similarly, Portia de Rossi’s career has fallen short of expectations relative to her comedic talent. While she achieved success on TV with *Ally McBeal* and *Arrested Development*, de Rossi's film career has not showcased her abilities well, leading to a string of disappointing films. It’s a shame there hasn’t been a visionary like Carl or Rob Reiner who could match her talent with the right roles.

      **Nathan Lane**

      Nathan Lane is a versatile performer renowned for his skills in dance, singing, dramatic acting, and, notably, comedy. While his stage work has garnered tremendous respect, his film career presents a mixed picture. Lane has had memorable cameo roles in films like *Austin Powers In Goldmember* and *Addams Family Values*, but he has often found himself in children’s movies or roles that don’t adequately highlight his capabilities. Although he has had standout performances in *The Birdcage* and *The People Vs OJ Simpson*, he has largely been relegated to family-friendly fare such as *Stuart Little* and the poorly received *Nutcracker 3D*. This discrepancy may stem from