Chris Rock to Jim Carrey: When Comedians Become Actors

For some, open-mic night is the path to heckling and misery. For others, it becomes the path to Hollywood fame and fortune. As Chris Rock's new film, 'Top Five,' proves the above, here are some of the rarified few who took it to the next level.

The former 'Daily Show' correspondent became a box office sensation after starring in Judd Apatow's 'The 40-Year Old Virgin,' which lead to several hit films after. But his most buzzworthy work stems from his recent dramatic turn in the Oscar hopeful, 'Foxcatcher,' which finds an unrecognizable Carell playing real-life billionaire -- and murderer -- John Du Pont. 

He started as a regular at 'The Comedy Store,' then became everyone’s favorite Tool Man in TV’s 'Home Improvement.'  But it wasn’t until 'Toy Story' that he really took off “to infinity and beyond.”

The late actor started in stand-up and went on to win an Oscar, Emmys, Golden Globes and even Grammy Awards. His last film, 'Night at the Musuem: Secret of the Tomb,' opens later this year. 

The Academy Award-winning actor started his career doing stand-up, after being dared by a girlfriend to do it. This lead to a key role on FOX's 'In Living Color' sketch show, which put Foxx on the path to win the Oscar for 'Ray.'

Starting in stand-up and moving on to such memorable roles as “Pizza Guy,” “Pathetic Guy,” and “Homeless Man” in various sitcoms and films, Zach broke out in 'The Hangover' films, becoming an instant star. Even if no one can get his name right. He recently went the dramatic route, with 2014's much-acclaimed 'Birdman.'

This stand-up comedian lit up the small screen -- and the stage --  before breaking into movies with 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World' and 'Price Check.' She's currently headlining Judd Apatow's next film. 

Getting his start in the Boston comedy club scene, C.K. went on to write for Letterman, Conan, and Chris Rock -- all before landing his popular FX series, which lead to notable roles in such Oscar-nominated dramas as 'Blue Jasmine' and 'American Hustle.' 

This stand-up-turned-actor went on to star in the hit comedies, 'Paul Blart, Mall Cop,' 'Here Comes the Boom' and 'Grown Ups.'  But maybe the funniest thing about him is his real name: Kevin Knipfing.

The 'Grown Ups' actor went from 'Saturday Night Live' to become the king of goofball comedies, but he also showed his serious side in movies like 'Punch-Drunk Love' and 'Funny People.'

After starting in stand-up, comedian Sarah Silverman has gone on to star in nearly 30 movies, including 'A Million Ways To Die in the West' and voicing a key character in the Disney hit, 'Wreck-It Ralph.'

The 80s greaser comic all but disappeared after the 1990s.  But the Diceman cometh back – showing off some impressive acting chops in Woody Allen's 'Blue Jasmine.'

The hirsute Brit made a name for himself with his honest brand of stand-up comedy. He then went on to star in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and the 'Despicable Me' series.

Everyone's favorite rubber-faced jokester has certainly showed his silly side in movies like 'Dumb & Dumber' and its 2014 sequel, but he has also shown a surprising range with more dramatic roles in 'The Truman Show,' 'Man on the Moon' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.'

You could make a strong argument that Murphy's stand-up specials, 'Raw' and 'Delirious,' are two of the funniest things ever made -- right up there with the actor's impressive work on 'SNL.' He found even bigger success on the big screen in several comedies, but scored his first Oscar nom for his stirring performance in the musical 'Dreamgirls.'