If that's true that says a lot. A lot of bad, actually. Actors with integrity are artists. They choose roles that move them; they choose directors and writers that make great and passionate artwork. Bale picks roles because there are greatnesses there. Smith will never be as good as Bale, and if they both keep on for their lives Bale will probably be known as the greatest actor of all time.

Audiences want actors to be what they were from the beginning. We want Pacino to be a badass criminal and Eastwood to be a badass vigilante, and they will never be anything else to us. Actors who've merged their ranges (so to speak) are able to succeed in a wider number of roles. Way to pigeon-hole yourself, Smith. Even your 'unconventional' roles have a strong likeness to how you're remembered when we first knew you. Maybe when you're old like Bill Murray, but probably not. Nobody, even now, wants to see Murray be anything other than hilarious. Osmosis Jones ftw.

Tom Hanks and Kevin Spacey are probably good examples of actors who have not pigeon-holed themselves. PSH and obv DDL are probably the best examples though. Jamie Foxx is looking to be going about it the right way.