Steve Carell is arguably one of the funniest people in film and television. His portrayal of Michael Scott, the regional manager of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, is evidence of that. The role gained him widespread recognition and praise, including several award nominations and one Golden Globe win for Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy. Most recently, we saw Carell portray therapist Alan Strauss in the Hulu limited series, The Patient.

5 Vice

     Plan B Entertainment 

Vice is an in-depth story of the political and professional life of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), the 46th Vice President of the United States. The movie touches on every revealing detail of Cheney’s life, including his struggle with alcoholism, the unique and questionable power he was given as Vice President, and the tension he caused between his two daughters, Mary and Liz. Alongside Bale, Carell portrays U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. In doing so, he definitely brings his comedic talent to rescue moments that could have been simply boring at the very best. Adam McKay directed this historical drama that received multiple Oscar nominations. Although the film was nominated in eight categories, including Best Picture and Best Director, it was awarded only one for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

4 Despicable Me 2

     Universal Pictures

Carell reprised his voice acting role for the character, Felonious Gru, in this Oscar-nominated sequel to 2010’s Despicable Me. Gru, now a reformed criminal and devoted father, must re-enter the world he left behind in order to track down the person who stole PX-41. Working with Lucy, Gru sets up an operation disguised as a cupcake store in order to catch his prime suspect, Eduardo Pérez, aka the supervillain “El Macho.” Despicable Me 2 nabbed two Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Interestingly, this film is the only one in the Despicable Me franchise to be nominated for an Oscar. That said, this awards season might change that: per EW, Oscars CEO Bill Kramer dubbed the Minions movies as “essential cinema.” Perhaps, in time, Minions: The Rise of Gru might join Despicable Me 2 in becoming an Oscar-nominated flick.

3 The Big Short

     Paramount Pictures

The Big Short tells the story of the greedy people who profited from an impending economic collapse in America. Carell plays Mark Baum, the leader of the hedge fund, FrontPoint Partners. FrontPoint Partners, an independent trading firm, becomes deeply entangled in the behind the scenes of the 2008 housing collapse. The Big Short received five Oscar nominations and won for Best Adapted Screenplay. Also directed by McKay, this film reunited Carell with Crazy, Stupid, Love co-star Ryan Gosling and Vice co-star Christian Bale.

2 Little Miss Sunshine

     Searchlight Pictures

Little Miss Sunshine follows the eccentric Hoover family on a dysfunctional road trip to California so that the youngest of the group, Olive, can compete in a beauty pageant. The trip is complicated by serious family dynamics such as money trouble, heroin addiction, a vow of silence, and the fact the one of the members, Uncle Frank (Carell) recently attempted suicide and must be under constant surveillance. The film was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Motion Picture of the Year. It won the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alan Arkin) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Michael Arndt).

1 Foxcatcher

     Sony Pictures Classics

Carell was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of the wealthy John du Pont in Foxcatcher. Foxcatcher is based on the true story of how John du Pont recruited Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) to help him build and train a team for the 1988 Olympic Games (via TIME). The relationship between John and Mark grows increasingly dark and toxic and eventually ends in a terrible tragedy involving Mark’s older brother David (Mark Ruffalo). Foxcatcher was arguably Carell’s first foray into full-on dramatic movies, effectively proving to critics and audiences alike that he had the mettle to disappear into darker, more complex characters. Needless to say, his Best Actor Oscar nomination was much deserved.