'Bruno' Star Sacha Baron Cohen Is Just One Of Hollywood's Top Cinematic Chameleons

How weird is it that, out of Sacha Baron Cohen’s three trademark characters, Ali G is now the least famous of them all? With this past weekend’s strong “Brüno” opening, the UK-born and raised funnyman has once again fooled the world into believing that he is someone else. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess, but as we play Monday-morning quarterback there is an even more pressing question: is Cohen the greatest cinematic "chameleon" of all time?

There are few things I love more in a movie than when an actor fully immerses himself in another persona. Sometimes it’s for comedy, sometimes it’s for drama... but whatever the performance is in the name of, when done right it can make that performer a legend. Below are my favorite "chameleon" actors of all time. Post your thoughts in the comments section and tell us where SBC ranks among these greats or any others.

Peter Sellers

The man who wrote the blueprint for today’s comedic chameleons, Peter Sellers was never the same man twice. Unless it was for a “Pink Panther” sequel of course. He could play klutzy (as "Panther"'s Inspector Clouseau) or cool (“The World of Henry Orient”); timid (“Being There”), trippy (“I Love You, Alice B. Toklas!”) or titillating (“Lolita”). For the ultimate proof of Sellers’ ability to submerge himself in a false persona, look no further than “Dr. Strangelove.” The actor's work in the roles of Captain Mandrake, President Muffley and the demented Nazi genius of the film’s title is so wildly different, it's hard to tell that the same human is at the heart of all three.

Mike Myers

An enormous fan of Sellers, Mike Myers found tremendous popularity after he left “Saturday Night Live,” always maintaining that sketch performer’s mentality. His Austin Powers character couldn’t be any further away from Wayne Campbell ("Wayne's World"). He has also stolen scenes with small-but-transformative roles in films like “54” and “View From the Top.” Even the critically panned “The Love Guru” offered us a unique -– if ultimately unloved -– new Myers creation. When this guy hits, he hits hard.

Gary Oldman

Quick: name one actor who could pull off Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald, Ludwig van Beethoven and Dracula. That's right, Gary Oldman. Constantly reinventing himself for roles, this London-born actor’s crowning achievement may have been Drexl Spivey, the scarred, jive-talking Detroit pimp in “True Romance” who could run whiteboy laps around Ali G. Over the last few years, Oldman has brought his considerable talents to the massively popular “Batman” and “Harry Potter” franchises. These gigs have led to his reinvention as another unlikely character: mainstream movie star.

Jon Voight

For someone who started in Hollywood as a traditionally handsome leading man, Voight has launched an impressive second (and third and fourth) act in Hollywood by transforming himself in the decades after all of that “Midnight Cowboy,” “Coming Home” and “Runaway Train” attention. In the past few years, Voight has played FDR and Howard Cosell, Pope John Paul II and George Washington. He’s stolen scenes in blockbusters like “Transformers” and “National Treasure,” and he's messed around with prosthetics, facial hair and toupees in everything from “Heat” to “Bratz” to “Holes.” He even managed to pull off a wink after being eaten and regurgitated by a giant snake in "Anaconda"! Will any of today’s heartthrobs be able to do the same thing at age 70? Don’t bet on it.

Which of these actors is the most impressive "chameleon" in your opinion? Give us your rankings and volunteer others below!

Tags ali g, batman, borat, bruno, gary oldman, Harry Potter, jon voight, mike myers, Peter Sellers, Pink Panther, the dark knight, transformers