Jack Black may be mostly known for his over-the-top comedy style and talent for music, but he actually has an impressive range beyond that and has worked on projects in a variety of genres and themes. With unmatched charisma, Jack Back is easily one of the most beloved artists in Hollywood. Born in Santa Monica in 1969, he started his acting career in the 1990s with minor roles in movies like Waterworld and Mars Attack!

His breakthrough came in 2000 with his awarded supporting act in High Fidelity. Since then, Jack Black has been cast in many prominent roles in great movies. An example is his career-defining role of Dewey, the fake substitute teacher in School of Rock. Another one of the actor's great feats is brilliantly voicing Po in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

10 Margot at the Wedding Is One of Noah Baumbach’s Best Movies

Margot at the Wedding is a 2007 comedy-drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach, the filmmaker known for Marriage Story and Frances Ha. It stars Nicole Kidman as Margot, a complicated writer who makes a surprise appearance at her estranged sister's wedding. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays the sister, Pauline, and Jack Black plays Malcolm, Pauline's fiancé.

When Margot arrives at the family's beach house on Long Island unannounced, the movie's uncomfortable tension starts building up. With breathtaking dialogue between Kidman and Leigh as the two sisters unleash years of resentment in their arguments, the intense drama in Margot at the Wedding is perfectly balanced with comic relief through Jack Black's character. The dynamic between the protagonists is realistic and Malcolm represents the man-child archetype.

9 Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot Takes a Deep Look Into Alcoholism

Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot is a 2018 biopic about an alcoholic who becomes paralyzed after an unfortunate car accident, based on the memoir of the same name by John Callahan. It's written and directed by Gus Van Sant, who's known for movies like Good Will Hunting and Milk. Joaquin Phoenix stars as John, the unlikable but ultimately relatable protagonist.

Jack Black plays Dexter, a character who first meets John at a party and goes on a drinking binge with him. He's the one driving the car when they get into the accident that causes John to become quadriplegic. Before this dramatic turn, Dexter brings a funny and charismatic presence, which makes their partying sequence one of the movie's few lighthearted moments.

8 The Cable Guy Is a Comedy that Gets Scary

The Cable Guy is a 1996 absurdist comedy movie directed by Ben Stiller and co-produced by Judd Apatow. It stars Matthew Broderick as Steven Kovacs, an architect who is moving to a new apartment after a failed marriage proposal to his now ex-girlfriend. Jim Carrey plays Chip the Cable Guy, a strange man who forces a friendship with Steven after installing the cable at his apartment, a situation that escalates to stalking.

Jack Black plays the supporting role of Rick, Steven's best friend who is alienated by Chip. He brings his trademark energy and comedic timing, adding a sweet humor to balance the darker aspects of the film. And while Jack Black is often associated with over-the-top comedic characters, his performance in this film demonstrates his ability to tackle more nuanced scenes when necessary. It's a small role, but the actor has some memorable and perfectly delivered lines.

7 Be Kind Rewind Is an Uplifting Buddy Comedy

Be Kind Rewind is a 2008 comedy movie written, directed and co-produced by Michel Gondry (known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). It tells the story of two friends who accidentally erase all the tapes' content at a VHS rental store, so they set out to recreate all the movies as best as they can. With electrifying chemistry between Jack Black and Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) in the lead roles, it's a funny and lighthearted movie. It also proves Michel Gondry's versatility as his fourth feature film, with the three previous releases leaning towards drama and science fiction.

In Be Kind Rewind, Jack Black plays Jerry McLean. He's a conspiracy theorist who lives in a trailer in the junkyard that he works in. He's a close friend of Mos Def's Mike, who works at the video rental store Be Kind Rewind. Jerry receives a dangerous shock while trying to sabotage an electrical substation, which leaves his body magnetized and causes the erasure of the VHS tapes.

6 Kung Fu Panda Proves Jack Black’s Voice Acting Talents

Kung Fu Panda is an animated martial arts comedy movie that debuted in 2008. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the movie is set in a version of ancient China populated by anthropomorphic animals. Jack Black voices Po, the protagonist who's a giant panda unexpectedly chosen to be the protector of the Valley of Peace.

It's not Jack Black's only experience with voice acting, as he's also worked in popular animations like Ice Age and Shark Tale. But it's definitely the best animated project featuring Jack Black and his most memorable work in voice acting. The way Po talks is one of the reasons he's such a beloved and hilarious character.

5 The Holiday Is Jack Black's Best Romantic Comedy

The Holiday is a 2006 romantic comedy movie by one of the genre's biggest directors, Nancy Meyers. It stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as an American and a British woman who trade houses for the holiday season and each of them end up finding love during their stay. Its premise of home swapping is creative, and it definitely is among the greatest Christmas romantic comedies since 2000.

Jack Black plays Miles, Kate Winslet's character's love interest. He's a Hollywood film music composer working with Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz. Cast despite not having the type usually linked to leading men in romantic comedies, Jack Black revealed in an interview with IndieLondon in 2012 that he "felt flattered and a little bit nervous" about playing the co-lead in a rom-com and that it was difficult to tackle this new genre for him.

4 Tropic Thunder Is a Timeless Classic Comedy

Tropic Thunder is a 2008 satirical comedy movie directed by Ben Stiller and starring an ensemble cast featuring Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black. It also includes Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Hader and Tom Cruise, making it one of the most star-studded films of the 2000s. It tells the story of the making of a biopic based on a memoir titled Tropic Thunder, written by the hook-handed Vietnam veteran Staff Sergeant John "Four Leaf" Tayback. The cast of the movie within the movie is composed of unhinged actors who cause chaos and end up lost in the jungle as a result.

Jack Black plays Jeff Portnoy, a well-known and drug-addicted comedian. Jeff's role in the movie within the movie is Fats, a raspy-voiced soldier who represents a career shift for Jeff. In his exaggerated comedy style, Jack Black hilariously portrays Jeff's desperation for the drugs that he keeps losing and the sudden mood changes that come with his addiction. Tropic Thunder is a movie that likely wouldn't be made today, but it remains a timeless classic.

3 Bernie Is an Overlooked Gem

Bernie is a 2011 biographical comedy crime movie directed by Richard Linklater, the director who more recently released Boyhood. While Linklater has many popular movies in his filmography — the Before trilogy and Waking Life, to name a few — Bernie is one of his lesser-known projects. This overlooked gem stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey.

Jack Black plays the titular Bernie, an assistant mortician in his late 30s who gets involved with recently widowed Marjorie Nugent. Shirley MacLaine is brilliant as Marjorie, a widow in her 80s with anger issues who's mysteriously murdered. Black's performance in Bernie is also one of the most impressive of his career, as the style of comedy in this movie allows him to explore a more nuanced approach to his acting than usual.

2 High Fidelity Put Jack Black on the Map

High Fidelity is a 1999 romance comedy drama movie directed by Stephen Frears, starring John Cusack and Jack Black. It's co-written by Cusack and based on a 1995 novel of the same title that also served as source material for the 2020 Hulu series of the same title. The story is told through Rob's point of view. Played by Cusack, the character looks directly at the camera and narrates his self-serious tale of heartbreak.

Jack Black plays Barry, one of Rob's employees at his record store. Barry is a connoisseur who also makes music besides working at the store. His band Barry Jive and the Uptown Five plays the musical number towards the end of High Fidelity, the movie's grand finale. Jack Black is an absolute scene stealer as the most entertaining performer in this movie, which ultimately propelled his career into what it would become soon after.

1 School of Rock Is the Quintessential Jack Black Movie