Spotlight On: Steve Carell

Steve Carell’s gripping performance as John Du Pont in ‘Foxcatcher’ is poised for Oscar gold, with Carell recently nominated for Best Actor. Let’s look back at his other notable works.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (1999-2005)

Although he had already guest starred on many sitcoms, it was his 6 Emmy-nominated seasons as a 'Daily Show' correspondent that gained Carell the attention of audiences everywhere.

Michael Scott in ‘The Office’ (2005-2013)

Carell’s Michael Scott insists everyone in the office think of him as a friend first, a boss second, and "probably an entertainer third." For eight seasons as the head of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, he definitely had the “entertainer” part down.

Evan Baxter in ‘Bruce Almighty’ (2003)

As early film roles go, one can do much worse than co-starring opposite a then-hot Jim Carrey in this very successful hit comedy about Carrey’s character being cursed with God-like powers. Carell’s best scene? When his newsman character starts speaking in tongues.

Brick Tamland in ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ (2004)

More movies need a weatherman with an IQ of 47 wielding a trident. But only if Carell can play the role. In a cast that includes funny men Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, Carell managed to steal the show with his portrayal of the very dim weatherman, Brick Tamland. One of the best things 2013’s ‘Anchorman 2' got right was giving Brick more screentime.

Andy in ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ (2005)

This Judd Apatow comedy put Carell on the path to being a big-screen leading man – his hilarious performance didn’t hurt, either. During the film’s infamous chest wax scene, Carell did his own stunt work -- that’s his real hair being painfully removed for your viewing pleasure.

Frank Ginsberg in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)

As the suicidal uncle of a young girl obsessed with being the star of a beauty pageant, Carell turns in a delightfully understated performance in this Oscar-winning dramedy. 

Evan Baxter in ‘Evan Almighty’ (2007)

This big-budget comedy sequel to ‘Bruce Almighty’ didn’t find ‘Bruce’-level success at the box office. But it did manage to give Carell yet another opportunity to showcase how likable he is as a leading man, especially in his scenes opposite God himself – Morgan Freeman.

Maxwell Smart in ‘Get Smart’ (2008)

In this big-screen adaptation of the classic 1960’s TV series, Carell dons the shoe phone to play Agent 86 opposite Anne Hathway and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Phil Foster in ‘Date Night’ (2010)

Carell joined his fellow NBC sitcom star Tina Fey for this 2010 comedy, where the two comedic talents play a married couple trying to bring the spark back to their relationship. After taking a dinner reservation that didn’t belong to them, the couple soon find themselves suffering from a serious case of mistaken identity when men with guns start chasing them.

Gru in ‘Despicable Me’ (2011) and ‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)

After lending his voice talents to animated films like ‘Over the Hedge’ and ‘Horton Hears a Who,’ Carell finally found box office gold in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, playing the lovable evildoer – and keeper of the Minions -- Gru.

Dodge in ‘Seeking a Friend for the End of the World’ (2012)

The actor’s dramatic chops are on full display in this well-written comedy-drama about a man who finds himself alone at Doomsday. He soon finds a friend in Keira Knightley’s character, and the two go on a road trip full of laughs and tears. This underrated movie is definitely worth seeing.

Trent in ‘The Way, Way Back’ (2013)

The Oscar-winning writers of ‘The Descendents,’ Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, enlisted Carell for their directorial debut in this solid 2013 film. Carell puts his likable comedic chops on hold to play a very unlikable divorcee, who drags Toni Collette and her misfit son to a beach town for a summer full of uncomfortable -- but necessary -- life lessons. 

Ben Cooper in ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’ (2014)

Ever have one of those days? If so, it can only get better by bringing Steve Carell in for some comedic relief. The actor is joined by Jennifer Garner to help bring the popular children’s book to life, which had previously been in development for at least a decade.

John Du Pont in 'Foxcatcher' (2014)

With the help of a proesthetic nose, Carell is almost unrecognizable in the role of the real-life billionaire and murderer. Obsessed with victory and undercut by his inner demons, Du Pont comes off as a very complex and tragic character thanks to Carell's work in this slow-burn drama -- one of 2014's most lauded films.