Jason Segel is a highly successful actor, writer, producer, and comedian. Throughout the years, he has delivered several comedic performances, including years on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. At the same time, Segel has proved his capabilities as a screenwriter. He was, as outlined by Rolling Stone, the genius behind the musical reboot of The Muppets in 2011, in which he also starred opposite Amy Adams. He also wrote and starred in the hilarious comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Although he is known for his comedic films, there is no question that Segel is also a talented dramatic actor. He has delivered terrific dramatic performances on both film and television.

Segal was born in Los Angeles and landed his first big role as Nick Andopolis on the television series Freaks and Geeks. From there, he continued to appear in television shows including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Undeclared. In 2007, Segel reunited with Judd Apatow in the acclaimed comedy Knocked Up and eventually received wider recognition when he wrote and starred in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Since then, Segel has become an A-list actor and has delivered several memorable performances. Let’s dive into Segel’s best dramatic performances, ranked.

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5 Dispatches From Elsewhere

     AMC Networks

Segel was both the creator and star of the AMC series, Dispatches From Elsewhere. The series follows four ordinary people whose lives are changed after funding a mysterious puzzle. They are then introduced to a world of magic and wonder. Segel carries the series as a man who is desperate to find more out of life. He gave it his all in each episode, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast members was excellent. Segel’s character expresses the happiness, curiosity, and wonder from his new discovery. Segel ultimately turns in a layered performance, and the series was extremely entertaining and thought-provoking.

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4 Come Sunday

     Netflix

In the Netflix film, Come Sunday, Segel plays Henry, the business partner of preacher Carlton Pearson (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor). After Pearson announces his belief that there is no Hell to his audience, Henry is there to deal with the controversy that follows. Segel gives a very solid dramatic performance, and even though it is a supporting character, he is an absolute scene-stealer. His chemistry with Ejiofor was fantastic and Segel gives an extremely honest performance of a man struggling to keep his church community together. His character is very conflicted between his friendship with Pearson and the success of their church. Segel gives a very subtle, yet effective performance.

3 The Discovery

     Netlfix 

The Discovery is a very thought-provoking science fiction film that takes place in a world where the afterlife is scientifically proven by Thomas Harbor (Robert Redford). Segel plays his son, Will Harbor, who reconnects with his father at his suspicious research facility. Segel plays a man who is very conflicted about life as well as his father’s discovery. At the same time, he forms an unconventional relationship with Isla (Rooney Mara), and their chemistry is top-notch. Segel creates a character with many layers who is filled with suspicion about the unpredictable world that he is living in. At the same time, he depicts a man who lives almost in a numb existence. There is definitely depression in his character, as well as many other layers.

2 Our Friend

     Gravitas Ventures

In the acclaimed film Our Friend, Segel gives a performance filled with raw emotion. He plays the character of Dane, who decides to put his life on hold to support his friend Matthew (Casey Affleck) and his dying wife Nicole (played by Dakota Johnson), as well as their children. At the same time, Segel brilliantly plays a character who is suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. In his performance, he creates a lovable character who is extremely selfless and supportive. He really steals the show in this fantastic movie. Segel also creates a character who is going through a very significant journey. He shows the struggles of navigating life, loss, and friendship. At the same time, his character shows the power that true friendship can have on your life.

1 The End of the Tour

     Anonymous Content

Segel delivers the best performance of his career in The End of the Tour, which is based on a true story as outlined by TIME. Segel brilliantly plays writer David Foster Wallace, and he is an unstoppable force from beginning to end. Segel completely transforms into Wallace through his emotion and physicality. He perfectly showcases the brilliance of Wallace, as well as his many quirks and insecurities. Wallace was an inspirational, yet heartbreaking, icon, and Segel certainly did him justice with his performance. At the same time, his chemistry with Jesse Eisenberg was top-notch. Segel proved, with this film, that he is a major contender in Hollywood.