Jack Reacher: Never Go Back – In Cinemas TODAY – Cobie Smulders to Melissa McCarthy: Sitcom Stars to Movie Stars

In the acting world, there are super iconic film stars in one realm and television stars in another. Actors in long running sitcoms bring to life a character and there is an attachment to the familiarity of certain roles that expands even after a show ends. I’ll volunteer an example. Personally, I will always look at Sarah Jessica Parker and see Carrie Bradshaw. She is my spirit animal and although SJP has since moved onto other roles, to me (and most others), Carrie Bradshaw was her defining role. While the breakout sitcoms can often be a hindrance since its title can be a critical crutch to actors, it can also be a springboard for big screen projects.

The major reoccurring talent which all of the member of this list have in common is their adaptability. These sitcom stars understand the canter necessary in a television show, but they also know how to change up their act in order to work for the big screen. They have used their success on different comedic sitcoms and tried to change their image drastically so they could individualise themselves from their beloved characters...

Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother)

How I Met Your Mother alumni, Cobie Smulders has experienced exponential film recognition after concluding her role as Robin Scherbatsky, the upcoming film Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is a prime example of this. If anyone was previously overlooking Smulder’s blockbuster success with her role as Maria Hill, I would say starring alongside Tom Cruise establishes her name firmly as a film star! Since wrapping up HIMYM, Smulder’s has been really busy on the Big screen. She has lent her voice to the Lego franchise in The Lego Man, been in a Sundance film, Unexpected, and crossed into the action industry with Maria Hill in The Avengers, Captain America, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. While I for one will always hold out hope to see Cobie Smulders play Robin Sparkles again, I do recognize that she is in a whole different acting realm now.

Mila Kunis (That 70’s Show)

Mila Kunis famously got her major television debut through the role of Jackie Burkhart on That 70’s Show. Although she lied about her age to audition for the character, getting the role at fourteen rather than eighteen, the audience watched as Jackie grew up and leave the small screen for her breakout role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). Although this film discovered Kunis’ still for comedic timing—noting that she was both a comedic television and film star—it was not until Black Swan (2010) that Kunis proved her versatility as a dark, dramatic actress. Kunis’ training for the twisted ballerina role took the actress to a new level within the business as she shed the persona as ‘cute but childish’ Jackie Burkhart. Mila has moved onto more big success blockbusters from Friends with Benefits (2011) to Ted (2012) and most recently, Bad Moms (2016). However, our love of Jackie will never die—especially since she is married to Michael Kelso with two children!

Jennifer Aniston (F•r•i•e•n•d•s)

Rachel Green and the rest of the Friends characters are arguably the most famous gang in television history. From her iconic look, to her own named hair style, Rachel took the world by storm as the beloved character. As she gained her independence and fell in and out of love with Ross, her quick humour and wit continues to make fans adore her even after the show’s conclusion in 2004. Post Friends era, Aniston is a huge box office name and draws in a majorly dedicated fan base. She quickly gained recognition through roles in Bruce Almighty (2003), We’re The Millers (2013), Cake (2014). Yes, I have left out about one hundred other Aniston films, mainly because she is in almost every great romantic comedy since she left Friends in 2004! While Jennifer Aniston is regarded as an A list film star today, we cannot forget and thank her enough for bringing us everything that is Rachel Green.

Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)

It’s difficult to remember that the powerhouse that is Will Smith started his career in a West Philadelphia playground and was constantly up to no good in The Fresh Prince. When the show ended back in 1996, Smith moved on quickly to become a huge movie name success. He began his transition to the big screen during his sitcom run in Six Degrees of Separation (1993), then to Bad Boys (1995). Smith’s range in roles display is theatrical ability by playing an action packed, government alien-regulating agent in Men in Black (1997) to a serious struggling father in Pursuit of Happiness (2006). The list of Will Smith’s roles in the twenty years post Fresh Prince is endless; he most recently played Deadshot in 2016’s Suicide Squad. However, if you have a free afternoon, checking out his old days as goofy Will from Philly will give you just as big of a smile now as it did when you first watched it.

Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls)

Ms. Sooki St. James has come quite a long way from her initial breakout role in Stars Hollow in 2000. For those unfamiliar with Melissa McCarthy’s portrayal of the eccentric chef Sooki, she played Lorelai’s best friend and business partner throughout the seven seasons of Gilmore Girl. Since the series conclusion in 2007, McCarthy has transitioned into the Queen of Comedy as she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress as Megan in Bridesmaids (2011). From her Oscar nominated performance, McCarthy moved on to starring in Identity Thief and The Heat (2013) then The Boss and Ghostbusters (2016), proving her versatility and creative adaptability within her comedic roles. Melissa McCarthy has been able to earn great success on long running sitcoms, Gilmore Girls and Mike & Molly (2010-2016) as well as blockbuster films because of her ability to create niche personas for every individual. It seems as though McCarthy can play just about any role and I would not be surprised if we continue to see her hop from project to project in the future.

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JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK IS IN UK CINEMAS TODAY!