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.)
5. The Dead Zone (1983)
Johnny Smith awakens from a five-year coma with psychic abilities. He can see the most terrifying events in people’s lives just by touching them. Like for instance a house burning down. Freaky shit.
4. The Funeral (1996)
Ray Tempio is a brutal gangster seeking vengeance for his murdered brother. He has resigned himself to the fact that he will burn in hell for his evil deeds, which makes him all the more frightening.
3. At Close Range (1986)
Don’t let the 1970s pornstache fool you. Walken’s turn as rural Pennsylvania crime boss Brad Whitewood, Sr. is one of his scariest. Killing your own son to keep him quiet makes you one demented sicko.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Captain Koons’ tale about the journey of the gold watch is my favorite scene in Pulp Fiction. Why? Every line Walken delivers is more hilarious than the next. He absolutely nails some of Tarantino’s best writing.
1. True Romance (1993)
Nobody crushes single scenes like Walken. He and Dennis Hopper’s exchange is verbal warfare at its finest. Hopper gets the better of him, but Walken’s mob underboss is the one with the gun. Don’t fuck with a Sicilian.
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