The Hot Streaks of Steve Carell

Hot Streaks is a look at the times when comedians at the height of their power. Comedy comes in waves, and with it comedians ride the success of public adoration and creativeness. During these times (usually around 5 years), comedians are putting out some of their most successful projects. So with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the hot streaks some of the best comedians have out there.

Up this week, Steve Carell

Hot Streak: 2003-2010
Key Projects: The Office, The Daily Show, Bruce Almighty, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine, Get Smart, Horton Hears a Who, and Despicable Me

Power Ranking: 8.5

Steve Carell is one of those guys who does it all. The star of a critically acclaimed sitcom and many many hilarious movies. Though Evan Baxter’s character wasn’t exactly the funny type, but he did have one of the funniest scenes in Bruce Almighty during his first day as news anchor. That really kickstarted his movie career. He then became Brick Tamland, also part of a news team, but with a much lower IQ. His wacky comedy style is wildly unique and his lines are still quoted to this day. The 40-Year-Old Virgin is by far his most successful movie and if anyone didn’t know who Steve Carell was before 2005, he would quickly become a household name right in the middle of his prime.

Unfortunately, right off his critical praise for his work in the indie comedy Little Miss Sunshine, his big follow-ups Evan Almighty was a total bust. But Carell ended up making up for with the remake of Get Smart and his voice over work caught fire over the year after. Though his live action roles since then haven’t been as big (Date Night, Dinner for Schmucks, Crazy Stupid Love, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World, and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone) the thing about Steve Carell that makes him so influential is that he appeals to all audiences. His animated turns in Horton Hears A Who and Despicable Me exposed him to a much broader audience. His legacy will continue to grow and we hope the Anchorman sequel will be much more successful than the Bruce Almighty sequel.