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Tell Us The Movies That Totally Shifted Your Entire Perspective On An Actor And You’ve Never Looked At Them The Same Way Since

I know you probably have several.

Chelsea Stewart
by Chelsea StewartBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Staff

I'm Chelsea, the Weekend Editor at BuzzFeed, where I cover everything from pop culture and politics to TV and celebrity news.

We can all name a movie in which an actor played their role so brilliantly — or so horrifically — that it permanently changed how we view them.

Rachel McAdams relaxing on a beach, wearing a hat made of woven leaves, with a thoughtful expression in a scene from Send Help
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

For me, one of them is Michael Ealy in For Colored Girls. No matter how hot he is, I can't not think of his traumatizing turn as Beau Willie whenever I see him. And whenever I watch The Dark Knight, I'm always reminded of just how shocking and incredible Heath Ledger's performance was — it completely changed how I viewed his talent.

Michael Ealy in tank top gestures while speaking to Kerry Washington in dress in a living room setting in a scene from For Colored Girls vs Heath Ledger as the Joker in a jail cell
©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

Now, I want to know yours. Maybe there's one actor you totally underestimated until one unforgettable performance changed your mind. Maybe there's a role so disturbing, disappointing, or emotionally intense that you still can't look at the actor the same way afterward.

Tell us the actor and the movie in the comments, or use this Google form if you prefer to be anonymous. Your response could be featured in a future BuzzFeed post!

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