5 Hilarious Sitcom Stars Who Also Played Absolutely Frightening Villains

Many talented comedy actors have also proven their ability to play terrifying villains, as evidenced by the following five individuals who have charmed audiences on sitcoms but also played sinister roles on screen.

Robin Williams, the late great actor, showcased his versatility by playing an eccentric alien on ABC's Mork & Mindy and then going on to portray two terrifying villains in 2002. In Insomnia, he played a crime writer who kills a girl, while in One Hour Photo, he portrayed a creepy photo technician obsessed with developing pictures of a family.

John Goodman, known for his roles in family-friendly films such as Monsters Inc. and The Emperor's New Groove, has also demonstrated his capacity for villainy. In the Coen Brothers' Barton Fink, he played the notorious serial killer Karl "Madman" Mundt, while in the sci-fi thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane, he portrayed the volatile and unsteady Howard, whose intentions are far from innocent.

Michael Bluth, the lovable main character of Arrested Development, provided a stark contrast to the villainous John E. du Pont, played by Carey in the biopic Foxcatcher. Du Pont's intense jealousy and manipulation ultimately led to the tragic murder of wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz.

Jason Bateman, who has played the normal Bluth family member Michael in Arrested Development, has also ventured into the realm of villainy. In the Netflix series Ozark, he portrayed Marty Byrde, a man whose ambition and intensity lead to chilling and violent consequences. Bateman also played the role of Terry Maitland in HBO's The Outsider, where the character is framed as a psychopathic terrorist, adding to the sinister atmosphere of the story.