10 Memorable Movie Scenes Starring Christopher Walken
Eccentric. Intimidating. Hilarious. Scary. Emotional. All these words describe Christopher Walken’s work on the big screen. His fearless ability to adapt to different genres and mediums has transformed the veteran actor into a favorite among movie watchers of all ages.
He’s won an Oscar, danced in an award-winning music video and lent his talents to some of Saturday Night Live‘s funniest sketches throughout his fifty-plus years in show business. He’s also delivered a host of excellent performances playing everything from tortured soldiers to sleazy record producers.
Walken will celebrate his 67th birthday tomorrow. To help commemorate this special occasion, I thought it appropriate to take a look at a few of his best scenes. With apologies to The Deer Hunter and King of New York, which don’t allow embeddable clips, here are ten memorable moments from Walken’s illustrious filmography.
10. Nick of Time (1995)
Walken plays the ruthless kidnapper known only as Mr. Smith who gives Johnny Depp’s character an unsettling ultimatum: either kill the Governor of California, or his daughter dies. Walken oozes creepy villainy in this underrated thriller.
9. Homeboy (1988)
Walken again dons a black hat portraying a corrupt fight promoter who wants to use brain damaged boxer Mickey Rourke to help him commit a robbery. The scenes between the two are simply amazing.
8. Annie Hall (1977)
Walken’s signature weirdness made its debut in Woody Allen’s comedy classic. He plays Annie’s disturbed brother Duane, who seems a little too preoccupied with thoughts of suicide.
7. The Prophecy (1995)
Walken goes biblical as the menacing angel Gabriel and travels to Earth to find a human soul that will end a war in Heaven. No one puts the fun in torturing angels quite like Christopher Walken.
6. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Walken earned a second Oscar nomination playing the con man father of legendary forger Frank Abagnale, Jr. It’s one of his more understated roles, but he still manages to unleash an acting clinic. (He comes in at about the 3:00 mark.)
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Too many to name but i will add the little “he’s about to paint his masterpiece” scene from Man on Fire.
Umm…Pool hall Junkies – the scene at the end with him and Chaz Palminteri. “I’m a Millionaire, THAT’S the difference. I lose 80, I go get another 80.” Epic.
What about Scotland PA?
Virtually everything he did in that film was brilliant
What, no King of New York? Really?!
No Deer Hunter? List is now invalid.
where’s King of New York??!!??? Fail.
Really? no Joe Dirt? your tone, its all wrong, you do it again, ill stab you in the face,with a saudering iron. Does your mother sew. BOOM.
Did you not read the first page, wow, talk about fail.
WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!1!!!!eleven?!?!
No “Wild Side”? Regard the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl3ClKe7aTo
…and tell me that’s not memorable.
True Romance is one of the Best examples of Walken’s awesomeness.
[...] 10 most memorable scenes starring the every creepy Christopher [...]
Does his appearance on the small screen count? I remember a skit on SNL where he was a psychic who would glom onto people on the street and predict disasters happening to them. So funny. He introduces himself by saying, “I’m Christopher Walken and I KNOW!”, in his best Brooklyn accent. Then he would place his hands on the victim and start shaking like he was really afraid for them.
What about Communion?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szwvjXo_sHQ
[...] discussion especially the characters he has played, I felt this was the appropriate place. Enjoy. http://flicksided.com/2010/03/10-mem…topher-walken/ P.I.C. No F.S. NYY NYR I'm Still With Coco! RSS Feeds:Bamboo I'm the player to be named [...]
Ditto on the “Deer Hunter”
Oh, I forgot. MORE COWBELL!!
It pas a marginal movie, but think the “piss drunk sergeant” scene between Walken and Matthew Broderick in Biloxi Blues was easily one of Walken’s best. #4 on this list IMHO.
pennies from heaven, anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrpyh_yr-eM
What about Suicide Kings?
I like the picture when he was in a coma for years and when he came to, he could see the future. He killed the future president of the US
My two favorite Walken roles…King of New York and The Deer Hunter.
I thought it was coincidental that the first season of 24 completely ripped off “Nick of Time,” (evil guy kidnaps good guy’s daughter to blackmail him into killing a politician that is up for election in California, good guys rebels, there are moles in the politician’s camp, the movie and show happen in real time, etc.) and the main antagonist of the first season of 24 ended up being played by Dennis Hopper. At any rate. Walken kicks ass.
No one ever lists this on Walken lists, but I have always been partial to the buckwheats scene in Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead. Underrated movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzekDivpK3M
another from PHJ. Defo should have made the list. someone didn’t do their research
No mention of the face to face between Walken and Dennis Hopper in True Romance?
Who made up this list???????
True Romance was No. 1 on the list Harold!!!
[...] 10 Memorable Movie Scenes Starring Christopher Walken [...]
“10 Memorable Christopher Walken Scenes That Still Don’t Hold a Candle to the Russian Roulette Scene in Deer Hunter”.
fixed guys, i hope you…LIKE… all of my… SCENES
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