Top 10 Times Big Actors ATE UP Small Roles
#10: Will Ferrell as Chazz Reinhold “Wedding Crashers” (2005)
Top 20 Times Big Actors ATE UP Small Roles
As the wedding-crashing guru, Chazz helps out Owen Wilson’s John in his quest for a new wingman. Will Ferrell hangs around for a short amount of time, but he arguably has the best scene in the entire movie. His gregarious character lights up the screen with an energy that isn’t soon forgotten. Chazz frequently asks his mom to cook for him and his guest, putting one hilarious saying after another into the comedic pantheon of quotes. Needless to say, we’ll never think about meatloaf the same way. The final shot of him at a funeral makes for a brilliant sight gag, and certifies Ferrell as one of the most hilarious scene-stealers ever.
#9: Gene Hackman as Harold, the Blind Man “Young Frankenstein” (1974)
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This comic masterpiece from director Mel Brooks contains multiple references to Universal Pictures’ “Frankenstein” film series of the 1930s. One specific homage follows the eponymous monster stumbling upon the house of a blind man named Harold. Award-winning actor Gene Hackman plays the kindly character who welcomes the giant into his house and offers him some food. Known mostly for his dramatic roles, Hackman proves to be a comedic natural with an instinct for physical gags and witty dialogue. He and scene partner Peter Boyle riff off each other like they’ve been a Vaudeville team for years. Although this was one of his few funny roles, the actor’s ease with the material certainly elevates the scene.
#8: Bill Murray as Himself “Zombieland” (2009)
Top 10 Bill Murray Performances
An unexpected hit of its time, this modern day classic remains one of the funniest zombie films ever made. And that’s even before we encounter Bill Murray’s outrageous cameo. While taking refuge in Murray’s mansion, the characters come to realize that he’s very much alive and well. The fictionalized portrayal, complete with the Eddie Van Halen wig and ridiculous makeup, is guaranteed to send anyone into a fit of laughter. The sequence culminates in Murray’s tragic death, making way for one of the comedian’s best lines in recent memory. His brief appearance satirizes both his personality and celebrity status, which allows this role to somehow seem perfectly natural.
#7: Sophie Turner as Erica “Do Revenge” (2022)
This high school drama brings a fresh take on the beloved genre and introduces quite a few big surprises along the way. The main plot concerns the unlikely partnership between Drea and Eleanor, who first come together after the latter overhears a diabolical plot by Erica. Played by Sophie Turner, the character immediately comes off as the stuck-up villain every teen movie needs. After Drea learns about Erica's deceit, she exacts her revenge on her in the most delectable way possible. This leads to Erica being sent off, kicking and screaming. While many may have expected Turner to be more like Sansa Stark, this cameo reveals just how versatile an actor she is.
#6: Alec Baldwin as Blake “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992)
Top 10 Alec Baldwin Moments
In the film adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Glengarry Glen Ross”, David Mamet includes an additional character to introduce the main cast’s motivations. Alec Baldwin’s Blake rallies the salesmen with bold statements and threats to their jobs. His performance is filled with so many iconic lines that it's arguably the most famous scene of the entire movie. Baldwin doesn’t suffer any fools in this speech, openly antagonizing his co-stars to no end. He even presents them with a few choice prizes for their ability to sell real estate. The actor disappears afterwards, but his initial monologue haunts the rest of the narrative in more ways than one.
#5: Margot Robbie as Herself “The Big Short” (2015)
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“The Big Short” director and co-writer Adam McKay needed an inventive way to explain the financial crisis to a general audience. Instead of traditional exposition, the filmmaker resorted to a few unexpected cameos from stars like Margot Robbie. Appearing in a bubble bath, the actress explains difficult concepts with her lively personality and natural sense of humor. Who would've thought of a better way to discuss things like subprime mortgages? This satirical look at the housing collapse of the late 2000s jumps through several hoops in a bid to explain modern history to its viewers. And with the help of Robbie’s pointed and tongue-in-cheek commentary, it delivers.
#4: Bradley Cooper as Jon Peters “Licorice Pizza” (2021)
Interview with Doug Bradley a.k.a Hellraiser's Pinhead
Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘70s mosaic “Licorice Pizza” contains a series of vignettes that highlight the characters instead of a central plot. One such story revolves around the leads showing up at the house of movie producer Jon Peters to install a water bed. Bradley Cooper plays the real-life man like a genuine maniac, bulldozing through everything and everyone in his path. Whether he’s worried about his home or the pronunciation of his girlfriend’s name, Peters always seems like he’s one tick away from a violent outburst. With just a few minutes of screentime, Cooper blazes through the ensemble film, delivering a performance that is sure to stick with you.
#3: Philip Seymour Hoffman as Young Craps Player “Hard Eight” (1996)
Top 10 Best Philip Seymour Hoffman Performances
Released in 1996, “Hard Eight” was the debut feature for acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. More importantly, it started one of the best actor-director partnerships in modern cinematic history. Philip Seymour Hoffman appears in the film as a fast-talking craps player that antagonizes the lead character played by Philip Baker Hall. Hoffman takes a small part and elevates it to award-worthy status with his one-of-a-kind style. As Hall’s character Sydney silently takes the verbal abuse, his co-star seems to up the notch every time, with one perfectly-executed moment after another. Hoffman never shows up again in the film, but his tour-de-force one-scene cameo is, frankly, more than enough.
#2: Christopher Walken as Captain Koons “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
Top 10 Christopher Walken Performances
For his Oscar-winning sophomore feature “Pulp Fiction,” Quentin Tarantino brilliantly casts a variety of Hollywood veterans in key roles. In this particular scene, Christopher Walken plays Captain Koons, a veteran tasked with passing down a gold watch to a younger version of Bruce Willis’ character, Butch. Walken delves into a lengthy monologue, outlining the colorful history behind the highly coveted watch. His sincerity guides the viewers into the detailed story, and before long, it becomes clear that this isn’t a wholesome fairytale. The actor plays both the dramatic and comedic portions of the speech with perfect timing. Even in such a tiny role, Walken’s magnetic performance is easily one of the standouts of the entire film. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. John Candy as Gus Polinski, “Home Alone” (1990) Candy Saves the Day & Brings the Funny as a Kindly Polka Musician Ben Affleck & Matt Damon as Themselves, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (2001) Both Actors Parody Their Own Film in a Hilarious Spoof Chris Farley as Bus Driver, “Billy Madison” (1995) Farley Runs Wild as a Comically Angry Bus Driver in This Sandler Classic Brian Cox as Robert McKee, “Adaptation” (2002) Cox Plays the Overbearing Screenwriting Guru Who Schools Nicolas Cage Cate Blanchett as Janine, “Hot Fuzz” (2007) The Oscar Winner Wears a Mask for an Enjoyable Cameo as Nicolas’ Ex
#1: Tom Cruise as Les Grossman “Tropic Thunder” (2008)
Top 10 Wholesome Actors Who Took Evil Roles
It’s hard to imagine Tom Cruise going this crazy in any film, let alone in a comedy like “Tropic Thunder.” He plays the part of Les Grossman, a crass and hot-tempered studio executive who clearly thinks of his actors as disposable. Wasting zero time on screen, Cruise shouts and swears his way through some of the most hilarious tirades in movie history. But that’s only half the performance. The actor also undergoes a shocking physical transformation, suiting up in heavy prosthetics to pull off the look. If all of his antics in the film aren’t enough, he reappears for a dance scene in the finale that leaves a long-lasting impression.
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