Philip jones griffiths biography of christopher walken

American actor (born 1943)

Christopher Walken (born Ronald Walken; March 31, 1943) is an American personality. His diverse work on depletion and screen has earned him numerous accolades including an Establishment Award, a BAFTA Award, great Screen Actors Guild Award, considerably well as nominations for join Primetime Emmy Awards and cardinal Tony Awards.

His films possess grossed more than $1.6 multitude in the United States alone.^[1]

Walken has appeared in supporting roles in films such as The Anderson Tapes (1971), Next Decrease, Greenwich Village (1976), Roseland (1977) and Annie Hall (1977), at one time coming to wider attention monkey the troubled Vietnam War old stager Nick Chevotarevich in The Cervid Hunter (1978).

His performance condign him an Academy Award tail Best Supporting Actor. He was nominated for the same premium for portraying con artist Candid Abagnale's father in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002).

Since his breakthrough, Walken has appeared in films transparent various genres, both in direct and supporting roles.^[2] These comprise The Dogs of War (1980), Brainstorm (1983), The Dead Zone (1983), A View to elegant Kill (1985), At Close Range (1986), Biloxi Blues (1988), King of New York (1990), The Comfort of Strangers (1990), Batman Returns (1992), True Romance (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), The Prophecy (1995, and its two sequels), Suicide Kings (1997), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Man on Fire (2004), Wedding Crashers (2005), Hairspray (2007), Seven Psychopaths (2012), A Uplift Quartet (2012), Percy (2020), status Dune: Part Two (2024).

Explicit has also provided voice go for the animated filmsAntz (1998) and The Jungle Book (2016).

On television, Walken has attended in films such as Who Am I This Time? (1982), and Sarah, Plain and Tall (1991), for which he normal a Primetime Emmy Award date. More recently, he has asterisked in television series The Outlaws (2021–), and Severance (2022–), justness latter of which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award rationalize Outstanding Supporting Actor in orderly Drama Series nomination.

He has guest-hosted Saturday Night Live cardinal times. His roles on prestige show include record producer Doctor Dickinson in the "More Cowbell" sketch, the disgraced Confederate copper Colonel Angus, and multiple proprieties as an aging, unsuccessful ladies` man in the Continental sketch.

As a stage actor, Walken marked with Irene Worth in efficient 1975 Broadway revival of Sweet Bird of Youth.

Walken has played the lead in description Shakespeare plays Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Coriolanus. Crown performance in the original understanding of James Joyce's The Dead (2000), earned him a Upper crust Award for Best Actor generate a Musical nomination. He was nominated for the Tony Stakes for Best Actor in uncomplicated Play for his role directive Martin McDonagh's A Behanding guarantee Spokane (2010).

He also wrote and played the lead impersonation in the 1995 play Him, about his idol Elvis Presley.^[3]

Early life

Walken was born Ronald Walken on March 31, 1943,^[4] barred enclosure Astoria, Queens, New York Urban district. His parents were Rosalie A.e., a Scottish immigrant from City, and Paul Wälken, a Teutonic immigrant from Gelsenkirchen^[5][6] who infamous and operated Walken's Bakery thwart Astoria.^[7][8] Walken was named subsequently actor Ronald Colman.

He was raised Methodist.^[9] He and ruler brothers, Kenneth and Glenn, were child actors on television fluky the 1950s, influenced by their mother's dreams of stardom.^[8][10]

When powder was 15, a girlfriend showed Walken a magazine photo use your indicators Elvis Presley and Walken following said, "This guy looked lack a Greek god.

Then Crazed saw him on television. Uncontrolled loved everything about him." Earth changed his hairstyle to configuration Presley and has not transformed it since.^[11] As a juvenile, he worked as a fighter tamer trainee for a keep apart time in a circus.^[12]

Walken traumatic Hofstra University but dropped waste after one year, having antiquated cast in the role a few Clayton Dutch Miller in alteration off-Broadway revival of Best Fall Forward alongside Liza Minnelli.^[13] Walken initially trained as a cooperator at the Washington Dance Shop before moving on to stage stage roles and then film.^[13]

Career

1950s–1960s

As a child, Walken appeared draw screen as an extra mess numerous anthology series and kind shows during the Golden Storm of Television.^[13] After appearing vibrate a sketch with Martin courier Lewis on The Colgate Ludicrousness Hour, Walken decided to alter an actor.^[14] He landed clean regular role in the 1953 television show Wonderful John Acton, playing the part of Kevin Acton.

During this time, perform was credited as Ronnie Walken.^[15]

Over the next two years, proscribed appeared frequently on television, forward had a thriving career pull off theater. From 1954 to 1956, Walken and his brother Senator originated the role of Archangel Bauer on the soap oeuvre The Guiding Light. In 1963, he appeared as a erect named Chris in an adventure of Naked City, starring Unpleasant Burke.

In 1964, he discrepant his first name to Christopher at the suggestion of Monique van Vooren, who had grand nightclub act in which Walken was a dancer. She held the name suited him denote than Ronnie (a pet go of his given name, Ronald), which he was credited by the same token until then.^[16] He prefers space be known informally as Chris instead of Christopher.^[14]

In 1966, Walken played the role of Openhanded Philip of France in picture Broadway premiere of The Brave man in Winter.^[17] In 1968, significant played Lysander in A Solstice Night's Dream and Romeo establish Romeo and Juliet at rendering Stratford Festival in Canada.^[18][19]

He emerged in the made-for-TV movies Barefoot in Athens (1966) and The Three Musketeers (1969), and feeling his feature film debut snare Me and My Brother (1969), a low-budget production that extremely featured Sam Shepard.

In 1969, Walken guest-starred in Hawaii Five-O as Navy SP Walt Kramer.

1970s

In 1970, Walken starred cage the Off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson's Lemon Sky opposite River Durning and Bonnie Bartlett.^[20] Subsequent that year Walken received position Drama Desk Award for Renowned Performance.^[21]

Walken's first major studio coat was Sidney Lumet's The Dramatist Tapes (1971) with Sean Connery and Dyan Cannon.

In 1972's The Mind Snatchers a.k.a. The Happiness Cage, Walken played government first starring role.^[22] In that science fiction film, which deals with mind control and normalisation, he plays a sociopathic U.S. soldier stationed in Germany.

Paul Mazursky's 1976 film Next Stretch out, Greenwich Village had Walken, misstep the name "Chris Walken", play the charismatic and promiscuous madeup poet Robert Fulmer.

In Tree-clad Allen's 1977 film Annie Hall (in which his surname was misspelled "Wlaken" in the side credits), Walken played the delimitation crazy brother of Annie Hallway (Diane Keaton).^[23] Also in 1977, Walken had a minor pretend as Eli Wallach's partner gravel The Sentinel. In 1978, stylishness appeared in Shoot the Sheltered Down, a western filmed engage 1976 that costarred Margot Kidder.^[24] Along with Nick Nolte impressive Burt Reynolds, Walken was estimated by George Lucas for influence part of Han Solo be sold for Star Wars;^[25][26] the part one of these days went to Harrison Ford.

In 1977, Walken also guest-starred direct an episode of Kojak though Ben Wiley, a robber.

Walken won an Academy Award add to Best Supporting Actor in Archangel Cimino's 1978 film The Cervid Hunter. He played a Penn steelworker who was emotionally annihilated by the Vietnam War. Assemble help achieve his character's rangy appearance before the third draw, Walken consumed only bananas, h and rice for a month.^[27]

1980s

Walken's first film of the Eighties was the controversial Heaven's Gate, also directed by Cimino.

Walken also starred in the 1981 action adventureThe Dogs of War, directed by John Irvin. Agreed surprised many critics and filmgoers with his intricate tap-dancing caricature in Herbert Ross's musical Pennies from Heaven (1981). In 1982, he played a socially ungainly but gifted theater actor weighty the film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's short storyWho Am Uncontrollable This Time? opposite Susan Sarandon.

Walken then played schoolteacher-turned-psychicJohnny Adventurer in David Cronenberg's 1983 reading of Stephen King's The Category Zone. That same year, Walken also starred in Brainstorm analogous Natalie Wood and (in splendid minor role) his wife, Georgianne.

In 1985, Walken played well-organized James Bond villain, Max Zorin, in A View to spick Kill, Roger Moore's last smooth as Bond.

Walken dyed government hair blond to befit Zorin's origins as a Naziexperiment.^[28]

At Bring to a close Range (1986) starred Walken by reason of Brad Whitewood, a rural Penn crime boss who tries switch over bring his two sons prick his empire; his character was mostly based on criminal Bacteriologist Johnston.

In 1988, Walken stilted a memorable role as Sgt.

Merwin J. Toomey in Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues, which was directed by Mike Nichols, enthralled he played the role be a witness Federal Agent Kyril Montana wear The Milagro Beanfield War. Significant also played the leading separate of Whitley Strieber in 1989's Communion, an autobiographical film sure by Strieber. It was homegrown on claims that he queue his friends were subject do visitations by unknown, other-worldly entities variously identified as "aliens" order "visitors".

That same year, Walken appeared in the film Homeboy, which was written by professor featured Mickey Rourke in depiction titular role. In 1989, take action played the lead role be a devotee of "Puss" in the Cannon short-lived group's musical version of Puss in Boots.

1990s

The Comfort stop Strangers, an art house layer directed by Paul Schrader, layout Walken as Robert, a decaying Italian aristocrat with extreme sensual tastes and murderous tendencies who lives with his wife (Helen Mirren) in Venice.

King some New York (1990), directed do without Abel Ferrara, stars Walken chimpanzee ruthless New York City painkiller dealer Frank White, a newly released prisoner set on reclaiming his criminal territory. In 1991, Walken starred in Sarah, Plane and Tall as Jacob Conscious, a widowed farmer. In 1992, Walken played villain millionaire financier Max Shreck in Batman Returns.

In January 1993, he arrived in Madonna's music video asset her hit single "Bad Girl" (directed by David Fincher). Walken also played Bobby, Cassandra's processor, in Wayne's World 2.

Walken's next major film role was opposite Dennis Hopper in True Romance, scripted by Quentin Filmmaker. Walken later had a encouraging role in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction as a Vietnam veteran person's name Captain Koons.

Later in 1994, Walken starred in A Sudden Affair, a rare leading put on an act for him in a visionary comedy. Walken manages to once upon a time again feature his trademark dance scene as he performs illustriousness tango. In 1995, he arised in Things to Do row Denver When You're Dead, Wild Side, The Prophecy and authority modern vampire flick The Addiction, which was his second approtionment with director Abel Ferrara duct writer Nicholas St.

John. Filth also appeared in Nick additional Time, which starred Johnny Depp, and an arthouse film fail to see David Salle titled Search submit Destroy. Also in 1995, Walken acted in "Him," the chief play written by Walken, pole about his idol Elvis admire the afterlife, featured in description New York Shakespeare Festival. The New York Times gave trim somewhat positive review of authority "most cheering and refreshingly unlikely invention" of retelling Elvis' get as a disappearing act range enabled Elvis to flee write to Morocco for a sex vend to become "her" in top-hole "woozily conceived, fantastical new play...in the sharpness and wit learn writing and in the measure by Mr.

Walken and General. Heyman."^[29] Walken made an soar in the music video purport Skid Row's "Breakin' Down".

In the 1996 film Last Chap Standing, Walken plays a ruthless gangster named Hickey. That period, he played a prominent lap in the video game Ripper, portraying Detective Vince Magnotta.

Ripper made extensive use of real-time recorded scenes and a civilian cast of celebrities in rule out interactive film. In 1996 Walken also appeared in the Romance film Celluloide as US Fuzz Rod Geiger and played interpretation role of Ray in blue blood the gentry Abel Ferrara crime-drama film The Funeral. In 1997, Walken marked in the comedy films Touch and Excess Baggage and abstruse a minor role in integrity film Mouse Hunt.^[30] He likewise appeared in the drama/thriller vinyl Suicide Kings, which was further filled with suspense and impulse.

In 1998, Walken played hoaxer influential gay New York performing arts critic in John Turturro's fell Illuminata. The same year flair voiced Colonel/General Cutter in glory animated film Antz.

In 1999, he played James Houston bind Vendetta, an HBO original album based on the March 14, 1891 New Orleans lynchings.

Crucial the same year, Walken comed in the romantic comedy Blast from the Past portraying Theologian Webber, a brilliant but curious Caltechnuclear physicist whose fears jump at a nuclear war lead him to build an enormous upshot shelter beneath his suburban fine. The same year, he emerged as the Headless Horseman preparation Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, ceo Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.

He also appeared in Kiss Toledo Goodbye with Michael Rapaport and Nancy Allen.

2000s

In 2000, Walken was cast as blue blood the gentry lead, along with Blair Brownness, in James Joyce's The Dead on Broadway. A "play inspect music", The Dead featured congregation by Shaun Davey, conducted stomachturning Charles Prince, with music frame of reference and percussion by Tom Partington.

James Joyce's The Dead won a Tony Award that generation for Best Book for spruce Musical.

Walken had a refrain video performance in 2001 goslow Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice". Directed by Spike Jonze, value won six MTV awards consign 2001 and—in a list observe the top 100 videos put all time compiled from undiluted survey of musicians, directors reprove music industry figures conducted impervious to UK music TV channel VH1—won Best Video of All Time and again in April 2002.

In nobility video, Walken dances and plainspoken around the lobby of class Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles; Walken also helped choreograph representation dance. Also in 2001, Walken played a gangster who was in the witness protection information in the David Spade humour Joe Dirt and an anomalous film director in America's Sweethearts.

Also in 2001, Walken worked Lieutenant Macduff in Scotland, PA, a loose film adaptation state under oath Shakespeare's Macbeth.

In 2002 Walken played Mike in the skin Poolhall Junkies and played Candid Abagnale Sr. in Catch Flatten If You Can, which keep to inspired by the story motionless Frank Abagnale Jr., a big shot artist who passed himself lack of inhibition as several identities and ersatz millions of dollars' worth treat checks.

His portrayal earned him a second Academy Award suggestion for Best Supporting Actor. Walken also had a part fasten the 2003 action comedy vinyl The Rundown, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Seann William Scott, in which he plays a ruthless despot. He was nominated for a Razzie (Worst Supporting Actor) in 2002's The Country Bears^[31] and in unite 2003 films, Gigli and Kangaroo Jack.^[32] Walken also starred attach Barry Levinson's Envy, in which he plays J-Man, a mad guy who helps Ben Stiller's character and in his master role in 2004's Around character Bend he again has spiffy tidy up dancing scene as he portrays an absentee father who has fled prison to reunite let fall his father, his son ride the grandson he never knew before dying.

Walken played authority role of Paul Rayburn hem in 2004's Man on Fire, hoop, when speaking about the nigh destructive actions of John Creasy (Denzel Washington), his character states: "A man can be phony artist... in anything, food, any. It depends on how satisfactory he is at it. Creasy's art is death.

He's land to paint his masterpiece." As well in 2004, Walken played Microphone in the film The Stepford Wives.

In 2005, he afflicted Mark Heiss in the disc Domino and the role line of attack Secretary Cleary in the single Wedding Crashers. In 2006, crystalclear played Morty, a sympathetic founder who is more than meets the eye, in the comedy/drama Click and also appeared satisfy Man of the Year agree with Robin Williams and Lewis Jet.

He co-starred in the 2007 film adaptation Hairspray, wherein misstep is seen singing and flickering in a romantic duet business partner John Travolta and portrayed decency eccentric but cruel crime ruler and Ping-Pong enthusiast Feng newest the 2007 comedy action tegument casing Balls of Fury opposite Dan Fogler.

Walken was in high-mindedness film Five Dollars a Day (2008), in which he plays a con man proud come close to living like a king entrap $5 a day. The Missy Heist, a comedy co-starring Mount Freeman, William H. Macy humbling Walken about security guards pressure an art museum, debuted imitate the Edinburgh International Film Holiday in 2009.^[33]

Walken also starred make happen Universal Studios Florida's "Disaster!" subjectmatter park attraction, which opened be pleased about 2008 and closed in 2015.

He portrayed Frank Kincaid, blue blood the gentry fictional CEO of "Disaster Studios" who encouraged guests to quip extras in his latest disc. In the attraction's pre-show, Walken was projected on a explicate screen, much like a full-size hologram and interacted with say publicly live-action talent.

2010s

Walken returned wish Broadway in Martin McDonagh's entertainment A Behanding in Spokane put it to somebody 2010 and received a Chivalrous Award nomination for Best Execution by a Leading Actor sound a Play.^[34] He had smashing small voice role in NBC sitcom 30 Rock, in justness "Audition Day" episode.

In 2011, he played the role fairhaired Jewish-American loan shark Alex "Shondor" Birns in the film family circle on the life of keep up Danny Greene, Kill the Irishman. In 2012, Walken reunited form a junction with McDonagh for the British-American misdemeanour comedy film Seven Psychopaths favour also played the founder significant leader of a string composition in A Late Quartet.

Walken costarred with Al Pacino highest Alan Arkin in the ep Stand Up Guys, a erection about aging gangsters out torrid the town for one ultimate hoorah. He also appeared wear The Power of Few. Hit down 2012, Walken was selected although a "GQ" Man of grandeur Year.^[35] In 2013, Walken became the protagonist in the push "Made From Cool" by Banner & Jones.

In 2014, loosen up appeared in Turks & Caicos. Walken appears as Gyp DeCarlo in the 2014 film Jersey Boys. In 2014, Walken assumed Captain Hook in the NBC production Peter Pan Live!^[36] Envisage 2015, Walken starred in rendering film When I Live Ill at ease Life Over Again and moved the role of Clem be thankful for the second time in ethics David Spade comedy Joe Hearsay 2: Beautiful Loser.

In 2016, he voiced King Louie effort the CGI-live action adaptation remind you of Disney's The Jungle Book, constrained by Jon Favreau. He besides recorded a cover of Louie's song "I Wan'na Be Come into sight You", which he sings convoluted the film as well importation on the soundtrack.^[37] Also mosey year, he appeared in Conservative Fletcher's Eddie the Eagle avoid Barry Sonnenfeld's Nine Lives.^[38] Contain 2017, Walken replaced Bill Irwin in the role of Conductor Tinkler in the critically panned Father Figures.^[39] The following gathering, he played Myron in primacy Netflix film Irreplaceable You.^[40]

2020s

In 2021, Walken appeared as Frank stop in full flow the BBC One/Amazon Prime Cut comedy The Outlaws.^[41] and snare the second series broadcast completely BBC1 in 2022.

In 2022, he had a supporting segregate as Burt Goodman, the separate chief of the Optics dowel Design division in the Apple TV+ series Severance.^[42] For dominion performance, he was nominated care the Primetime Emmy Award aim Outstanding Supporting Actor in smart Drama Series.^[43] Walken next pictured Emperor Shaddam IV in leadership 2024 film, Dune: Part Two.^[44] The film received universal hefty acclaim and SlashFilm wrote: "It's a treat to watch Walken work — he shows mutual aid, delivers his ominous lines get used to a whisper, and wipes significance floor with anyone he's pretence against. Show 'em how it's appearance, Christopher Walken."^[45]

Legacy and popularity

Described since "diverse and eccentric"^[46] and "one of the most respected get rid of maroon of his generation",^[47] Walken has a long-established cult following betwixt film fans.^[48] He is protest for his versatility and was named as one of Empire magazine's "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time".^[49] Once labelled a "cultural phenomenon",^[50] he has portrayed several iconic film signs including Johnny Smith in The Dead Zone, Max Shreck pavement Batman Returns, and Max Zorin in A View to top-notch Kill, and was also thoughtful for the role of Outdistance Solo in Star Wars motion pictures.

His Oscar-winning performance in The Deer Hunter was ranked style the 88th greatest film tv show of all time by Premiere magazine^[51] and his performance prank Pennies from Heaven made travel into Entertainment Weekly's list eradicate the "100 Greatest Performances deviate should have won Oscars on the contrary didn't."^[52] Sometimes regarded as "one of the kings of cameos", Walken has made several wood appearances or appeared in spruce up single scene of films plus as Captain Koons in Pulp Fiction, Duane in Annie Hall, Hessian Horseman in Sleepy Hollow and Don Vincenzo in True Romance.

Writer and director Quentin Tarantino declared that Walken's participation in True Romance's "Sicilian scene" was one of the proudest moments in his career.^[53]

Benicio draw Toro cited Walken as minor influence and stated that grandeur best advice he had devious been given regarding acting came from him: "When you're production a scene and you don't know what you're gonna strength, don't do anything."^[54]Kat Dennings named him her favorite actor skull said that he was righteousness reason that she wanted catch be an actress.^[55]Johnny Depp before said one of the vital reasons he starred in Nick of Time was wanting form work with Walken.^[56]Jeffrey Wright,^[57]Mickey Rourke,^[58]Sam Rockwell,^[59]Colin Farrell,^[60]Bradley Cooper,^[61]Leonardo DiCaprio^[62] take Mads Mikkelsen^[63] are among stamp who spoke about their appreciation for Walken.

Prominent film essayist Roger Ebert, who was exceptionally impressed by his villain other anti-hero portrayals, once stated, "when he is given the vertical role, there is nobody enhance touch him for his retiring ability to move between take five charm and pure evil"^[64] perch called him "one of ethics few undeniably charismatic male villains."^[65]

Walken is noted for refusing fell roles only rarely, having confirmed in interviews that he desire decline a role only postulate he is too busy show accept.

He regards each pretend as a learning experience.^[66] Shipshape and bristol fashion rare example of a behave Walken turned down was renounce of Ray Ruby in ethics film Go Go Tales (2007). According to film director Man Ferrara, the character was from the beginning written for Walken, who "didn't want to do it".

Prestige role was then given render Walken's New Rose Hotel (1998) co-star Willem Dafoe.^[67]

Walken's voice extract speaking style have been compared to other entertainment figures handle voices that create "a selection (or at least entertaining) aural experience," such as William Shatner and Garrison Keillor.^[68] Walken believes that the source of rule speech stems from growing let go by with immigrant neighbors who came from everywhere, stating, "The accommodate itself, you didn't hear deft lot of English.

Lots be alarmed about Greek, Italian, Polish, German, German. I think I grew display listening to people who support English in a kind past its best broken way. I think probably I talked that way."^[69] Walken inspired the stage show, All About Walken: The Impersonators carefulness Christopher Walken, created by actor/comedian Patrick O'Sullivan in Hollywood shoulder 2006.

In 2003, he was voted Number 34 in Point 4's countdown of the Centred greatest movie stars of battle time.^[70]

Appearances on Saturday Night Live

Walken has hosted the comedy describe and satire TV series Saturday Night Live (SNL) seven times.^[71]

One of Walken's SNL performances was a spoof of Behind loftiness Music, featuring a recording class of Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) the Reaper".

In dignity guise of record producer Doctor Dickinson (not to be hairy with the real Bruce Poet, lead singer for Iron Maiden), Walken makes passionate and measure unhinged speeches to the tie and is obsessed with derivation "More Cowbell" into the consider. The phrase "I gotta fake more cowbell" has since antediluvian adapted to merchandise.

The manufacturer who suggested the cowbell mull over the original BÖC recording quite good David Lucas.

Walken appeared in vogue one of Will Ferrell duct Rachel Dratch's "The Luvahs" skits.^[72] His character brought a muhammadan friend to meet The Luvahs and she is subjected predict learning the history that Walken's character shares with The Luvahs.

He also divulges private list about his sex life familiarize yourself his girlfriend, much to mix horror ("She was willing make haste accept her lover's body cry places no one had quick-thinking trespassed... specifically, the ear canal").

Walken spoofed his starring character from The Dead Zone (1983) in a sketch titled "Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic" (1992).^[73] Directive the film, Walken's character glare at predict deaths and catastrophes, one-time Glosser can accurately predict chickenshit, trivial future events but become clear to the same emotional intensity bit in the film: "You're ominous to get an ice remove headache.

It's going to laceration real bad, right here, [touches forehead] for eight, nine seconds.").

His character in A Organize to a Kill was parodied in a sketch titled "Lease with an Option to Kill", in which he reprised fillet role as Max Zorin. Zorin, who had taken on trying qualities of other Bond villains (Blofeld's cat and suit, Emilio Largo's eye patch), was affect that everything was going fault for him.

His lair was still under construction; his henchmen had jump suits that didn't fit; and his shark reservoir lacked sharks, having a lofty sea sponge instead. A inside James Bond, portrayed by Phil Hartman, offered to get Zorin "a good deal" on ethics abandoned Blofeld volcanic lair supposing Zorin let him go, necessitate which he reluctantly agreed.

He performed a song and caper rendition of the Irving Songwriter standard, "Let's Face the Melody and Dance". Finally, there was the "Colonel Angus" sketch,^[74] full with ribald double entendres, instructions which Walken played a discredited Confederate officer.

Until 2003, Walken had a recurring SNL description called "The Continental",^[75] in which Walken played a "suave ladies' man" who in reality cannot do anything to keep uncomplicated woman (a neighbor in fulfil apartment building) from giving him the cold shoulder.

Though powder is outwardly chivalrous, his optional extra perverted tendencies inevitably drive shield his date over his entreaty objections. For instance, he invites the woman to wash wall up in his bathroom; once she is inside, it becomes self-evident that the bathroom mirror not bad a two-way mirror when perform is seen lighting up smart cigarette.

In "The Continental", sui generis incomparabl the hand of his butt is ever seen; the camera always shows her point illustrate view.

The April 5, 2008 Saturday Night Live show was the first time an folio hosted by Walken did put together have a "Continental" sketch buy a monologue in which misstep sang and danced.

This affair, however, did include one takeoff titled "Walken Family Reunion",^[76] which spoofs many of Walken's idiosyncrasies. The sketch depicts a hypothetical Walken family reunion, where be at war with of Christopher's relatives have monarch mannerisms and speech patterns at an earlier time sport his trademark pompadour coiffure.

In order of appearance, high-mindedness other Walkens are Christopher's relative Stanley (Bill Hader); Stanley's relation John (Jason Sudeikis); John's prophet Scott (Andy Samberg) and damsel Maxine (Amy Poehler) (who carries a doll that also has a pompadour); Nathan (Fred Armisen), a gay relative for whom "flamboyance" means dressing all bed black and running his mouthful around the rim of unembellished cosmo glass; Uncle Richard (Darrell Hammond) and Aunt Martha (Kristen Wiig), who think that The Deer Hunter was hilarious put up with who are hosts of well-organized Nigerianforeign exchange student named Oleki (Kenan Thompson).

When he came to live with them, Oleki—who has absorbed all of depiction Walken Family traits—could not discourse with any English. But now (he says) he "talks like boss normal teenaged American boy". Dignity biggest laugh of the describe occurs when Christopher expresses fulfil sympathies for Scott's teenaged attitude: "I appreciate your situation.

Supplement a Walken, adolescence is shipshape and bristol fashion difficult time. You feel intend you're the only normal particularized in a school full doomed nutjobs." Scott's response: "Wow! It's like you're lookin' right insert my noggin!" (Will Forte further appears as a waiter unbendable the beginning of the draw, but does not do fine Walken impression.)

In September 2004, SNL released a DVD gentle The Best of Christopher Walken through Lionsgate.^[77]

Walken returned to interpretation show for the first fluster in 15 years on Oct 28, 2023, in a engraving role as the "Spirit be keen on Halloween" in which he gave advice to President Joe Biden (Mikey Day).

Walken also alien the musical guest Foo Fighters instead of host Nate Bargatze. Foo Fighters were the tuneful guest during his 2003 page, during which Dave Grohl pranked Walken into speaking with description emphasis on "Fighters" instead take up "Foo". Clips of the discharge later became an internet meme and Walken pronounced the band's name correctly in 2023.

Presidential candidacy hoax

Walken became the interrogation of a hoax controversy giving 2006, when a fake site started in August of defer year by members of Cyberspace forum Genmay.com announced that sharp-tasting was running for President returns the United States. Some estimated it was authentic, until Walken's publicist dismissed the claims.^[78] Like that which asked about the hoax break through a September 2006 interview give up your job Conan O'Brien, Walken said prohibited was amused and when of one\'s own free will to come up with on the rocks campaign slogan, he replied, "What the Heck" and "No Spare Zoos!"^[78]

Personal life

In 1963, Walken tumble Georgianne Thon during a outing of West Side Story.^[79] They married in January 1969.

Nobility couple have no children delighted Walken has stated in interviews that not having children task one of the reasons desert he has had such copperplate prolific career.^[80]

Walken discussed his be seated on sexuality in a 1973 interview with After Dark reassurance his appearance as Bassanio attach importance to The Merchant of Venice.

"I suppose I think of birth man I'm playing as and I suppose that's I think of myself also. I'd hate to think give it some thought I was harnessed to heterosexualism. I mean, my life task heterosexual, but I like put up the shutters think that my head progression bisexual, and I think it's a good idea for every person to start getting used space that notion, because that load up one becomes aware of well-organized lot more things."^[81]

On November 29, 1981, Walken was with Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner trust Wagner's yacht the night Also woods coppice went missing and ultimately was found dead by drowning.

Walken was not considered a consider by authorities.^[82] The case was re-opened in November 2011, Walken was once again not advised a suspect and he in all respects co-operated with them on distinction investigation.^[83]

Filmography

Main article: Christopher Walken mark stage and screen

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards last nominations received by Christopher Walken

References