Multiple role
A multiple role is the representation of several characters by the same actor. If only two figures are shown, one speaks of a double role .
Explanation
This form of representation occurs mostly in comedies. In many cases, several family members are embodied by the same actor. Multiple roles are possible on the stage, but the simultaneous representation of different characters is best realized in the film and on television, since one can work with the camera setting and the film editing .
Film actors with multiple roles (selection)
- 1939: Frank Morgan (5 roles) in The Magical Land
- 1943: Deborah Kerr (3 roles) in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
- 1949: Alec Guinness (8 roles) committed to nobility
- 1950: Red Skelton (3 roles) in half-length portrait, please!
- 1954: Fernandel (6 roles) in The Mutton with Five Legs
- 1955: Moira Shearer (4 roles) in The Man Who Loved Redheads
- 1957: Alec Guinness (7 roles) in Captain Seasick
- 1959: Heinz Erhardt (3 roles) in triplets on board
- 1959: Peter Sellers (3 roles) in The Mouse That Roared
- 1963: Jerry Lewis (3 roles) in The Mad Professor
- 1964: Tony Randall (8 roles) in The Mysterious Dr. Lao
- 1964: Peter Sellers (3 roles) in Dr. Strange - Or how I learned to love the bomb
- 1965: Jerry Lewis (7 roles) in The Family Gem
- 1965: Jean Marais (3 roles) in Fantomas against Interpol
- 1974: Peter Sellers (6 roles) in Soft Beds, Hard Battles
- 1977: Richard Pryor (3 roles) in How are things going?
- 1978: David Carradine (4 roles) in The Secret of the Blind Master
- 1979: Peter Sellers (3 roles) in The Prisoner of Zenda
- 1980: Jackie Gleason (3 roles) in Das Auskochte Schlitzohr is on the move again
- 1985: Dieter Hallervorden (7 roles) in Didi and the revenge of the disinherited
- 1988: Arsenio Hall (4 roles) in The Prince of Zamunda
- 1988: Eddie Murphy (4 roles) in The Prince of Zamunda
- 1989: Michael J. Fox (3 roles) in Back to the Future II
- 1989: Michel Côté (4 roles) in Sweet Machos
- 1990: Meg Ryan (3 roles) in Joe against the Volcano
- 1991: Loriot (4 roles) in Pappa ante portas
- 1995: Eddie Murphy (3 roles) in Vampires in Brooklyn
- 1996: Eddie Murphy (7 roles) in The Mad Professor
- 1999: Ralph Fiennes (3 roles) in Sunshine - A touch of sunshine
- 1999: Mike Myers (3 roles) in Austin Powers - Spy in a secret missionary position
- 2000: Eddie Murphy (8 roles) in Klumps Family and the Mad Professor
- 2002: Mike Myers (4 roles) in Austin Powers in gold stand
- 2007: Eddie Murphy (3 roles) in Norbit
Multiple roles in series
- Nina Dobrev (2 leading roles + 1 supporting role) in Vampire Diaries
- Tatiana Maslany (4 leading roles, 4 supporting roles + 3 roles that can only be seen in photos) in Orphan Black