Channing Tatum began his acting career in the 2005 film Coach Carter. He played high school student Jason Lyle, who was part of the basketball team. The film is a true story about Coach Ken Carter who made headlines for suspending his team from playing until they got their grades up. The film was a good debut for Tatum, as his athleticism and attitude fit the role well, but his next role in Step Up would be what he needed to break into the acting world to become the prominent actor he is today.
As a dancer off-screen, Tatum was right in his element for his role in Step Up as Tyler Gage, the low-class gentleman who had hidden dance skills that allowed him to gain a scholarship to a prestigious performing arts school. Though Tatum wouldn’t have his role reprised in all four sequels, his acting was received well by many, catching enough positive reception to set him up for his continued acting career.
Tatum has contributed to multiple genres of film including romantic, drama, action, and comedy. Some of his highest-grossing movie roles were in 21 Jump Street as well as its sequel 22 Jump Street. Romance movies like The Vow and Dear John also brought acclaim to Tatum, as his ability to transform into a tender-hearted character seemingly comes easily. Though Tatum’s acting is suitable for any film genre, some of his best work has been in the following comedies.
5 The Lost City
A comedy action film, The Lost City serves as a funny role where Tatum had to stay calm and collected, despite the comedic dialogue. His character, Alan, is a muse and model for Loretta’s novels. When Loretta, played by Sandra Bullock, gets captured for writing realistic parts of what was assumed folklore, Alan steps in to track her down and save her. Through many obstacles, he finally makes his way to free her, and they share their romantic feelings for each other. The two share plenty of comedic banter with a good amount of dry humor, making this a standout comedy role for Tatum.
4 She’s The Man
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She’s the Man is a romantic comedy starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Bynes. Tatum’s role as the athletic and charming soccer player, Duke, was fitting for his acting experience in 2006 at the time of the film’s release. He eased right into the role and played a very convincing character. His co-star Bynes plays Viola, a soccer player who sneaks onto the men’s soccer team under the disguise of her brother who never showed up for the university’s first semester.
Duke and Viola become close, as Duke helps Viola train for soccer tryouts. He thinks Viola is a guy at the time, so their romance was put on hold until the end of the film when Viola reveals her true identity in the middle of the soccer game. Duke is at first taken aback and denies his affection and likeness for Viola, but eventually comes around to embracing the relationship that grew between them.
3 Logan Lucky
Logan Lucky is a heist comedy featuring Tatum as Logan. Logan was recently injured, resulting in him losing his job. He comes up with a plan to rob the Speedway where he worked, teaming up with his family and friends. Logan even goes as far as breaking someone out of jail to get the job done. The team of thieves, led by Logan, disable the credit card machines at the Speedway so that everyone pays in cash, which is what they were after.
The story continues to unfold with one of the heist members stashing extra bags of cash in case the group was caught. Though investigators suspect the right criminals, they get away with the robbery and everyone who assisted in it ends up rich. Tatum also takes on a southern accent, making the funny parts even funnier with his twang. There may be a great deal of heist films, but Logan Lucky serves as a solid comedic take on a robbery story.
2 Magic Mike
Magic Mike is a three-film franchise that proved to be exceptionally successful for Tatum. He was perfectly in his element with its dance theme, and delivered excellence, causing those who may not have known his name, to definitely know his name after seeing the film.
Tatum’s role, Mike, is the lead stripper in a male dance group. He woos crowds with his impeccable dancing and builds a brothership with his group members. Mike finds great success as a stripper and ends up instilling his moves and knowledge of the nightlife into his girlfriend’s brother, Alex. Though his career pays well, it causes a rift between Mike and his love interest, Joanna.
Tatum delivered everything and more in the three films. Though there’s no fourth addition to the franchise yet, director Steven Soderbergh has suggested that he would like to focus on other characters, granted there be an additional film.
1 21 Jump Street
Not only is 21 Jump Street one of Tatum’s most successful films at the box office, but it is also one of his funniest. He’s joined by co-star Jonah Hill in the film and its sequel 22 Jump Street. The two have great chemistry and give momentum to the laughable moments, making both films well worth the watch.
The story follows Jenko, a good-looking but not-so-smart undercover cop, played by Tatum, and Schmidt, a level-headed undercover cop with intelligence, played by Hill. The two go undercover at a high school to find the drug dealer who is distributing lethal pills to the students. The action comedy breaks out into a gun battle, resulting in Jenko taking a bullet to the arm, but the two redeem themselves as solid officers of the law and finally get taken seriously by their boss.
Tatum has had plenty of cameos in comedy films as well. There’s the 2013 film that Seth Rogen wrote and directed, This is the End. The film serves as one of Tatum’s most hilarious and underrated cameos, as he was essentially cast as a cult member who Danny McBride controlled on a leash and calls “Channing Tat-Yum.” He also had a cameo in the romantic comedy Don Jon where he was in a fictional movie that the two lead characters went to see at the theater. The film was previewed as Scarlett Johansson’s role watched the screen in awe.
As for what’s next for Tatum, he will be starring in and producing Red Shirt, a spy thriller inspired by James Bond. There is no set release date yet, but his experience with action films like White House Down and Fighting have more than prepared him for his next big role.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
