For many moviegoers, there are certain actors who tend to fit roles better than others. Not just any actor can play in a romantic comedy. A romantic comedy actor needs to have charm, looks, and appeal in order to engage the audience. There are a few Hollywood performers who seem to fit the role of romantic comedy lead better than others. These actors have all the qualities needed to get audiences to come back for more with each film they do.
–Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant has been winning the hearts of audience members for decades. With his charming accent, handsome looks and sweet demeanor, Grant was made for romantic comedy films.
Grant was born on September 9, 1960, in Hammersmith, London. Early in his career, Grant created his own comedy revue as he sought better acting roles. While Grant played parts in more serious films, his part in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” displayed his comedic qualities and had audience members intrigued. By 1995, Grant starred in many romantic comedies, including “Nine Months,” and won the hearts of many who watched his films.
Although Grant has not worked on many films recently, he still takes roles he enjoys. It was announced that he may reprise his role in the next installment of the “Bridget Jones” films.
Grant is more than just a romantic comedy actor. He can make any part believable. However, he’s particularly good at charming audience members when he is given the chance to display his comedic abilities in addition to his acting skills.
–Paul Rudd
Before being cast in a slew of Judd Apatow films, Paul Rudd was known for playing the role of Cher’s step brother in the film “Clueless.” However, after being cast in the film “Knocked Up,” Rudd became a household name. While Rudd has had a successful career playing supporting characters, he has recently had success as a romantic comedy lead. With his charming smile, offhanded sense of humor and ability to appear as a regular guy with regular problems, audience members find him alluring.
Rudd was born on April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey. By the age of ten, his family had moved to Kansas. Rudd attended the University of Kansas and also studied Jacobean drama at the British American Drama Academy.
While Rudd saw early success in career in films such as “Clueless” and “Wet Hot American Summer,” it was not until his turn in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” that Rudd found more mainstream success.
More recent films for Rudd have seen him cast in the role of romantic comedy lead. Films such as “Wanderlust” have given audience members the opportunity to see Rudd as not only funny but loving and charming, as well. As Rudd continues forming his career, audience members are ready to see more of him being cast in roles that show he is just like every other guy, but with more heart.
–Jason Segel
Until recently, Jason Segel was best known for playing Marshall Eriksen on the television show “How I Met Your Mother.” Fans of the show love his role as the charming and sweet Eriksen. However, what many fans did realize is that Segel has the ability to capture audiences in film, as well.
Segel had minor roles in films such as “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” However, it was not until “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” came out that fans of Segel really got to see what he was capable of. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” was a romantic comedy that not only starred Segel, it was also written by him. Many people who saw the film found Segel to be sweet, funny and cute.
Segel was born on January 18, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Segel’s breakout role in Hollywood was on the Apatow-produced show “Freaks and Geeks.” After the show was canceled, Segel continued acting on other shows, and eventually ended up working with Apatow once more.
With films such as “The Five Year Engagement,” Segel is showing audience members that he can act in and write romantic comedies. With his sense of humor and ability to make any serious situation seem humorous, Segel will certainly be charming audience members for years to come.
Being a lead in a romantic comedy is not always easy. For an actor, he has to be funny, sweet, attractive and have the ability to keep audience members interested. However, Hollywood has a few leading men who are taking over the genre and making it better than ever.
