Top 10 Moments That We Found Out An Actor Was a Great Dancer
#10: Jenna Ortega “Wednesday” (2022)
Jenna Ortega’s unusual and intense dance as Wednesday Addams brilliantly showed the many facets of her creepy character. Although not formally trained, Ortega came up with all of the moves herself. She based her research on actors, singers and dancers from the past, including Siouxsie Sioux, Bob Fosse, goth kids in the ‘80s, and the first Wednesday, Lisa Loring. Her character’s blank face and laser intense focus really put the emphasis on the clean, graceful moves. The creepy, kooky routine is so much fun that it has since inspired many TikTok recreations, including one from Lady Gaga.
#9: Hugh Jackman “The Greatest Showman” (2017)
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For many years, Hugh Jackman was best known as the tough, mutant fighter, Wolverine. Nobody expected the blade-handed hero to also have dancing feet. Before “X-Men” launched him into stardom, Jackman spent much of his early career singing and dancing on stage. He showed off his skills at the occasional awards show, including a number from his starring role in Broadway’s “The Boy from Oz”. Despite that, many of his fans were stunned when he sashayed onto the screen as P.T. Barnum in the dazzling film musical, “The Greatest Showman.” His leading man moves in this romantic musical are truly the greatest show.
#8: Kate Hudson “Nine” (2009)
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Few people knew that Kate Hudson was a spectacular dancer, until she took to the runway in the film musical, “Nine”. As the Vogue fashion journalist Stephanie, Hudson performs the stylish number "Cinema Italiano". The dazzling black-and-white sequence has a music video vibe and Hudson is the star. She makes the high energy moves look stylishly simple as she takes over the screen. Just a few years later, Hudson would continue to show off her dance skills in the hit TV series, “Glee”. As dance instructor Cassandra July, her choreography continued to exude confidence and glamor.
#7: Christian Bale “Newsies” (1992)
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Christian Bale is an actor usually associated with grim characters and dramatic performances. However, this former Batman has a film history sprinkled with serious shuffling skills. Bale first donned his dancing shoes for the silver screen while playing a teenage newsboy in the Disney musical, “Newsies.” Next, his nimble feet were spotlighted in the 1993 drama, “Swing Kids”. In later years, Bale would sneak the occasional dance move into roles like serial killer Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho”. Taika Waititi even seriously considered giving Gorr the God Butcher a celebratory dance sequence in “Thor: Love and Thunder”. Sadly, the Butcher boogie bops didn’t make it into the film schedule.
#6: Amy Adams “Enchanted” (2007)
Top 20 Moments We Found Out an Actor Was a Great Dancer
Although Amy Adams' started her arts career as a dancer, she didn’t get to really showcase her skills on screen until she became a princess. As Giselle in “Enchanted”, Adams’ dance background can be seen in each graceful arm gesture. She fully embraces musical theater as she frolics about in “Happy Working Song" and twirls through Central Park in "That's How You Know". It’s in the final ballroom dance, however, where Adams’ grace gets to shine. As she and Patrick Dempsey float across the ballroom, her inner ballerina truly comes to life.
#5: Sam Rockwell “Charlie's Angels” (2000)
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Throughout his film career, Sam Rockwell’s never been shy about cutting a rug. He loves to throw in a few well-placed dance moves to enhance his characters. It’s a frequent enough occurrence that fans look forward to his little spectacle in whatever film he’s in. One of the first of these delightful moments is his smooth villain routine in the spy comedy, “Charlie’s Angels”. As Eric Knox, he displays his full joy in being the bad guy with some clever footwork. It’s also easy to remember his quick-footed expo entrance as Justin Hammer in “Iron Man 2”. As you rewatch some of those earlier films, be sure to notice his less obvious character boogies.
#4: Catherine Zeta-Jones “The Mask of Zorro” (1998)
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ character, Elena, in “The Mask of Zorro” is well remembered for a very vigorous sword fight. However, in that same role she and co-star Antonio Banderas showed off their on-screen chemistry with a sizzling Paso Doble. Before she started making films, Zeta-Jones performed as a child in the West End and studied musical theater. After her turn as Zorro’s romantic interest, her dancing skills continued to serve her well. Her fierce numbers as the merry murderess Velma Kelly in “Chicago” earner her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. A spirited dancer indeed.
#3: Zoe Saldaña “Center Stage” (2000)
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Although Zoe Saldaña trained in her early years as a dancer, she chose not to pursue her ballet dreams. Luckily, she was able to live them out in her debut feature, “Center Stage”. Saldaña showed off her talent playing an aspiring ballerina in this teen drama. Although she hasn’t taken on another dancer role, the actress managed some pretty impressive hip hop moves while dancing to “Scrubs” on “Lip Sync Battle”. Gamora’s graceful and fierce fighting in “Guardians of the Galaxy” also clearly reflects the dancer within.
#2: Tom Holland “Lip Sync Battle” (2015-19)
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Not everyone knows that Tom Holland started his career on a West End stage in “Billy Elliot: The Musical”. As a pre-teen, he fully embraced the ballet and gymnastics training for his acting and singing debut. These spins and flips eventually helped him score the role of everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood superhero. Once the world knew him as Spider-Man, he stunned audiences with his “Lip Sync Battle” against co-star Zendaya. Holland began by demonstrating his best Gene Kelly moves to “Singin’ in the Rain”. Soon enough, he traded suit for corset and channeled his inner Rihanna in order to make the biggest splash of them all! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Richard Gere, “Chicago” (2002) Anyone Else Know Richard Gere Could Tap Dance? We Didn’t! Paul Rudd, “I Could Never Be Your Woman” (2008) Selling a Mish-Mash of Styles with Charismatic Enthusiasm Mads Mikkelsen, “Another Round” (2020) A Drunken Dance of Pure Delight Daniel Craig, Belvedere Vodka Commercial Thank You, Taika Waititi for This Dancing Daniel Craig
#1: Christopher Walken “Weapon of Choice” (2001)
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Christopher Walken has always been an instantly recognizable actor. His distinctive speech pattern and intense characters always steal the show. So, it’s no wonder Fatboy Slim decided to feature him as a solo act in the 2001 music video “Weapon of Choice.” Walken wasn’t known for his dancing skills, but he blew everyone away with his smooth grooving. It’s three minutes of non-stop talent delivered with Walken’s nonchalant intensity. At first it’s hard to believe that this is the same actor who played drug lord Frank White in “King of New York”. Then, again, it really shouldn’t be all that surprising. It’s Christopher Walken!
