Flavorwire

Whenever we find out that one of our favorite film actors has taken a role on TV, we’re intrigued. Why trade Hollywood’s red carpets and big paydays for the weekly grind of a regular television schedule? While some thespians can’t resist a juicy role on premium cable, others embrace the small screen as a way to regain the cred they’ve lost after years of disappointing parts in terrible movies. In honor of Don Cheadle’s surprising — and delightful — decision to helm Showtime’s House of Lies, which premiered last night, we look at ten great film actors who became great TV actors.

Don Cheadle, House of Lies

When we think of Don Cheadle, we think of serious movies like Hotel Rwanda and Crash. On House of Lies, Cheadle is not only crossing over from film to TV, but trying out a relatively new genre: comedy. And guess what? He’s absolutely excellent as Marty Kaan, a powerful management consultant who uses the actor’s signature style and charisma to bend CEOs to his will.