15 Movie Actors That Successfully Transitioned To TV

TV has been the launchpad for most Hollywood actors. However, in this golden age of television, actors who earlier earned names for themselves in theaters are returning to the small screen. It’s not easy for every celebrity can do it. Here are 15 movie actors that successfully transitioned to TV:

 

WINONA RYDER – STRANGER THINGS

She was America’s Goth Pixie Dreamgirl on the big screen for decades before she transitioned to a TV career with Stranger Things.

 

ALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK

The suited man in movies, Alec Baldwin has had a long career in film, with hits like The Departed and The Hunt For Red October. He kickstarted his career on TV with 30 Rock

 

DREW BARRYMORE – SANTA CLARITA DIET

She was only 5 years old when she stepped in the film industry. After over three decades of experience, Barrymore joined a little Netflix show where she played an undead real estate agent that craves human flesh.

 

HENRY CAVILL– THE WITCHER

Cavill has been a part of Hollywood for over 20 years. He returned to the small screen in Netflix’s The Witcher.

 

ANTHONY HOPKINS – WESTWORLD

Multi-Academy Award winner, Anthony Hopkins was a pillar to the first two seasons of Westworld where he played the park’s enigmatic architect, Robert Ford.

 

MARTIN SHEEN – THE WEST WING

Sheen has a past associated with TV. He stole the show in movies like Wall Street and Apocalypse Now and returned to TV with the role of President Josiah Bartlet in 1999.

 

CILLIAN MURPHY – PEAKY BLINDERS

He earned his name after the success of 28 Days Later and since then continued to work for the big screen. In 2013, landed a prominent role in the gangster period piece, Peaky Blinders.

 

JANE FONDA – GRACE AND FRANKIE

Jane Fonda was at the peak of her career in the ’70s and ’80s when she starred in films like Fun with Dick and Jane and 9 to 5. She turned to the small screen in the early 2000s with Grace and Frankie.

 

DANNY DEVITO – IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA

DeVito had a career arc when he joined It’s Always Sunny in its second season. He moved back to TV after working with the likes of Tim Burton and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

GEENA DAVIS – GLOW

Best known for her roles in movies like A League of Their Own and The Fly, Davis successfully transitioned to TV in 2019’s Glow where she was able to showcase her talents.

 

JAMES SPADER – BOSTON LEGAL

Known for bringing his magnetic energy to roles in Stargate and Secretary, James Spader joined TV with Boston Legal. He has also made an appearance in The Office and The Blacklist.

 

ANDREW LINCOLN – THE WALKING DEAD

You might recognize Lincoln from his hit, Love Actually. He earned more recognition for playing the apocalyptic zombie sheriff in The Walking Dead.

 

PAUL GIAMATTI – BILLIONS

He started his TV career with the TV drama Billions opposite Damian Lewis. He’s best known for playing Marty Wolf in the 2002 hit, Big Liar.

 

JUDE LAW – THE YOUNG POPE

Jude Law got popular after making appearances in several romcoms. In 2016, he switched to TV with a rather bold role as he played Pius XIlI, the first American to sit on the golden throne.

 

CHRISTIAN SLATER – MR. ROBOT

He peaked in the 80s and 90s with movies like Heathers, True Romance and Very Bad Things. Slater returned to TV to grace the reality-bending Mr. Robot as (spoiler) Rami Malek’s “Ghost Dad” hallucination.

 

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