Here's a thought/ Tangent: No actor is forced to perform once s/he has made it "big".

Follow me on this one, folks. Okay, what I mean is, that once an actor is established, they often find or are called to do roles that fit their image more so than their ability. Seriously, most actors are guilty of this...even some of the legends. Think about it, an actor could take a role that challenges them, but most don't do it on a regular basis. Most only do so when it is an opportunity for a coeback or a chance to establish higher rates per movie.
Dig it:
Kevin Spacey often plays the asshole with the magnetic personality, i.e. Swimming with Sharks, Usual Suspects, The Negotiator, Pay it Forward, and The Ref just to name a few...
Samuel L. Jackson often plays the cool yet agressive asshole role, i.e. Pulp Fiction, Jungle Fever, Shaft, Caveman Velentine, Changing Lanes, School Daze, etc. And Sam is one of my favorites, man. But damn, man, Sam made a crackhead cool when he was in Jungle Fever...
Gene Hackman often plays the tough as nails self righteous asshole, i.e. Enemy of the State, Crimson Tide, Behind Enemy Lines, etc.
Tom Cruise is an arrogant asshole in every role he's ever played, i.e. Risky Business, Interview with a Vampire, Jerry Maguire, Days of Thunder, Far and Away, The Firm, Mission Impossible ! & II.
George Clooney is always the leader...Perfect Storm, Ocean's Eleven, Dusk Til Dawn, Solaris, etc.
Jada Pinkett- Smith is always the stern exterior/ soft interior Jiminy Crickett "Let your conscience be your guide" mama, i.e. Low Down Dirty Shame, Jason's Lyric, Set it Off, Menace II Society, Bamboozled, etc.

Getting my point now? Many folks seem to type caste them self. Morris Chestnutt has been an athlete in like half of his roles: Like Mike, Best Man, Boyz in the Hood, etc... Okay, you got some people like Larenz Tate that go from gangbanger to vitnam vet, to teenager, to poet, to Frankie Lymon, but not everybody does that. Shit, Harrison Ford did them three Tom Clancy movies back to back, but I don't think they were the same charcter like Indian Jones and what not. Never really sat and watched those. Not saying that the actors that I previously mentioned aren't talented in their own rights, just saying that few people make forget that they are watching somebody act. I'm always aware that I'm watching Tom Cruise act, but Tom Hanks becomes motherfuckas he portrays like, Forrest Gump and the gay dude in Philladelphia. Gary Oldman can make you forget you're looking at an actor. I don't know...just wanted to write, ya'll. Feel free to respond to this on the message/bored.
Uno.