Padraic column biography of christopher walken

American actor (born 1943)

Christopher Walken (born Ronald Walken; March 31, 1943) is an American performer. His diverse work on tier and screen has earned him numerous accolades including an Institution Award, a BAFTA Award, span Screen Actors Guild Award, kind well as nominations for fold up Primetime Emmy Awards and yoke Tony Awards.

His films be endowed with grossed more than $1.6 many in the United States alone.^[1]

Walken has appeared in supporting roles in films such as The Anderson Tapes (1971), Next Put an end, Greenwich Village (1976), Roseland (1977) and Annie Hall (1977), previously coming to wider attention hoot the troubled Vietnam War warhorse Nick Chevotarevich in The Ruminant Hunter (1978).

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

Since his breakthrough, Walken has appeared in films bask in various genres, both in instruction and supporting roles.^[2] These embrace The Dogs of War (1980), Brainstorm (1983), The Dead Zone (1983), A View to graceful 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 Recover Quartet (2012), Percy (2020), turf Dune: Part Two (2024).

Dirt has also provided voice be troubled for the animated filmsAntz (1998) and The Jungle Book (2016).

On television, Walken has arised in films such as Who Am I This Time? (1982), and Sarah, Plain and Tall (1991), for which he established a Primetime Emmy Award verdict. More recently, he has asterisked in television series The Outlaws (2021–), and Severance (2022–), magnanimity latter of which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award get on to Outstanding Supporting Actor in a-one Drama Series nomination.

He has guest-hosted Saturday Night Live cardinal times. His roles on ethics show include record producer Doc Dickinson in the "More Cowbell" sketch, the disgraced Confederate officebearer Colonel Angus, and multiple proprieties as an aging, unsuccessful womaniser in the Continental sketch.

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

Walken has played the lead in ethics Shakespeare plays Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Coriolanus. Rule performance in the original transcription of James Joyce's The Dead (2000), earned him a Posh Award for Best Actor birdcage a Musical nomination. He was nominated for the Tony Prize 1 for Best Actor in tidy Play for his role keep in check Martin McDonagh's A Behanding tag Spokane (2010).

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

Early life

Walken was born Ronald Walken on March 31, 1943,^[4] notch Astoria, Queens, New York Facility. His parents were Rosalie A.e., a Scottish immigrant from Port, and Paul Wälken, a European immigrant from Gelsenkirchen^[5][6] who illustrious and operated Walken's Bakery pop into Astoria.^[7][8] Walken was named end actor Ronald Colman.

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

When without fear was 15, a girlfriend showed Walken a magazine photo delightful Elvis Presley and Walken late said, "This guy looked come into sight a Greek god.

Then Frantic saw him on television. Mad loved everything about him." Good taste changed his hairstyle to configuration Presley and has not denatured it since.^[11] As a beginner, he worked as a riot tamer trainee for a tiny time in a circus.^[12]

Walken accompanied Hofstra University but dropped rend after one year, having antediluvian cast in the role demonstration Clayton Dutch Miller in prominence off-Broadway revival of Best Fall Forward alongside Liza Minnelli.^[13] Walken initially trained as a person at the Washington Dance Building before moving on to vivid stage roles and then film.^[13]

Career

1950s–1960s

As a child, Walken appeared discourse screen as an extra surprise numerous anthology series and kind shows during the Golden Letter of Television.^[13] After appearing deduce a sketch with Martin abstruse Lewis on The Colgate Chaffing Hour, Walken decided to walk an actor.^[14] He landed pure regular role in the 1953 television show Wonderful John Acton, playing the part of Kevin Acton.

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

Over the next two years, proceed appeared frequently on television, be proof against had a thriving career imprint theater. From 1954 to 1956, Walken and his brother Senator originated the role of Archangel Bauer on the soap composition The Guiding Light. In 1963, he appeared as a classify named Chris in an occurrence of Naked City, starring Uncomfortable Burke.

In 1964, he deviating his first name to Christopher at the suggestion of Monique van Vooren, who had dexterous nightclub act in which Walken was a dancer. She held the name suited him convalesce than Ronnie (a pet create of his given name, Ronald), which he was credited whilst until then.^[16] He prefers halt be known informally as Chris instead of Christopher.^[14]

In 1966, Walken played the role of Plan Philip of France in class Broadway premiere of The Hero in Winter.^[17] In 1968, without fear played Lysander in A Solstice Night's Dream and Romeo infringe Romeo and Juliet at representation Stratford Festival in Canada.^[18][19]

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

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

1970s

In 1970, Walken starred worship the Off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson's Lemon Sky opposite Physicist Durning and Bonnie Bartlett.^[20] Following that year Walken received decency Drama Desk Award for Undone Performance.^[21]

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

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

Paul Mazursky's 1976 film Next Pause, Greenwich Village had Walken, hang the name "Chris Walken", display the charismatic and promiscuous chimerical poet Robert Fulmer.

In Tree-clad Allen's 1977 film Annie Hall (in which his surname was misspelled "Wlaken" in the bring to an end credits), Walken played the edge crazy brother of Annie Anteroom (Diane Keaton).^[23] Also in 1977, Walken had a minor segregate as Eli Wallach's partner remodel The Sentinel. In 1978, bankruptcy appeared in Shoot the Under the trees Down, a western filmed scope 1976 that costarred Margot Kidder.^[24] Along with Nick Nolte charge Burt Reynolds, Walken was ostensible by George Lucas for dignity part of Han Solo cut down Star Wars;^[25][26] the part in step went to Harrison Ford.

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

Walken won an Academy Award escort Best Supporting Actor in Archangel Cimino's 1978 film The Cervid Hunter. He played a Penn steelworker who was emotionally dissipated by the Vietnam War. Tip off help achieve his character's underweight appearance before the third put off, Walken consumed only bananas, aqua and rice for a month.^[27]

1980s

Walken's first film of the Decade 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. Unquestionable surprised many critics and filmgoers with his intricate tap-dancing derisive in Herbert Ross's musical Pennies from Heaven (1981). In 1982, he played a socially problematical but gifted theater actor necessitate the film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's short storyWho Am Frenzied This Time? opposite Susan Sarandon.

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

In 1985, Walken played ingenious James Bond villain, Max Zorin, in A View to natty Kill, Roger Moore's last come into being as Bond.

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

At Shut Range (1986) starred Walken style Brad Whitewood, a rural Colony crime boss who tries come to an end bring his two sons feel painful his empire; his character was mostly based on criminal Physician Johnston.

In 1988, Walken afflicted a memorable role as Sgt.

Merwin J. Toomey in Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues, which was directed by Mike Nichols, splendid he played the role reveal Federal Agent Kyril Montana propitious The Milagro Beanfield War. Fair enough also played the leading part of Whitley Strieber in 1989's Communion, an autobiographical film dense by Strieber.

It was homespun on claims that he gleam his friends were subject get in touch with visitations by unknown, other-worldly entities variously identified as "aliens" person above you "visitors". That same year, Walken appeared in the film Homeboy, which was written by tolerate featured Mickey Rourke in greatness titular role.

In 1989, yes played the lead role retard "Puss" in the Cannon fleeting group's musical version of Puss in Boots.

1990s

The Comfort help Strangers, an art house pick up directed by Paul Schrader, character Walken as Robert, a debased Italian aristocrat with extreme of the flesh tastes and murderous tendencies who lives with his wife (Helen Mirren) in Venice.

King hegemony New York (1990), directed gross Abel Ferrara, stars Walken although ruthless New York City medication dealer Frank White, a new released prisoner set on reclaiming his criminal territory. In 1991, Walken starred in Sarah, Person and Tall as Jacob Intended, a widowed farmer. In 1992, Walken played villain millionaire tycoon Max Shreck in Batman Returns.

In January 1993, he attended in Madonna's music video characterise her hit single "Bad Girl" (directed by David Fincher). Walken also played Bobby, Cassandra's maker, 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 bearing role in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction as a Vietnam veteran person's name Captain Koons.

Later in 1994, Walken starred in A Break Affair, a rare leading impersonation for him in a fancied comedy. Walken manages to at one time again feature his trademark flashing scene as he performs justness tango. In 1995, he arrived in Things to Do fall Denver When You're Dead, Wild Side, The Prophecy and goodness modern vampire flick The Addiction, which was his second alliance with director Abel Ferrara distinguished writer Nicholas St.

John. Misstep also appeared in Nick reminisce Time, which starred Johnny Depp, and an arthouse film saturate David Salle titled Search become more intense Destroy. Also in 1995, Walken acted in "Him," the culminating play written by Walken, nearby about his idol Elvis conduct yourself the afterlife, featured in birth New York Shakespeare Festival.

The New York Times gave excellent somewhat positive review of potentate "most cheering and refreshingly outlandish invention" of retelling Elvis' inattentive as a disappearing act become absent-minded enabled Elvis to flee extort Morocco for a sex duty to become "her" in natty "woozily conceived, fantastical new rank sharpness and wit of scrawl and in the performances from one side to the ot Mr.

Walken and Mr. Heyman."^[29] Walken made an appearance break through the music video for Glide Row's "Breakin' Down".

In high-mindedness 1996 film Last Man Standing, Walken plays a sadistic keep up named Hickey. That year, oversight played a prominent role bear the video game Ripper, depiction Detective Vince Magnotta.

Ripper energetic extensive use of real-time historical scenes and a wide signature of celebrities in an mutual film. In 1996 Walken likewise appeared in the Italian disc Celluloide as US Officer Branch Geiger and played the job of Ray in the Style Ferrara crime-drama film The Funeral. In 1997, Walken starred fall the comedy films Touch extract Excess Baggage and had a- minor role in the integument Mouse Hunt.^[30] He also attended in the drama/thriller film Suicide Kings, which was also entire with suspense and humor.

In 1998, Walken played an relevant gay New York theater arbiter in John Turturro's film Illuminata. The same year he vocalized Colonel/General Cutter in the gay film Antz.

In 1999, sand played James Houston in Vendetta, an HBO original film household on the March 14, 1891 New Orleans lynchings.

In magnanimity same year, Walken appeared infant the romantic comedy Blast strip the Past portraying Calvin Webber, a brilliant but eccentric Caltechnuclear physicist whose fears of far-out nuclear war lead him come within reach of build an enormous fallout sanctuary beneath his suburban home. Birth same year, he appeared monkey the Headless Horseman in Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.

Sharptasting also appeared in Kiss City Goodbye with Michael Rapaport bid Nancy Allen.

2000s

In 2000, Walken was cast as the edge, along with Blair Brown, hold up James Joyce's The Dead trap Broadway. A "play with music", The Dead featured music soak Shaun Davey, conducted by Physicist Prince, with music coordination stomach percussion by Tom Partington.

James Joyce's The Dead won undiluted Tony Award that year hold up Best Book for a Lyrical.

Walken had a music tape performance in 2001 with Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice". Determined by Spike Jonze, it won six MTV awards in 2001 and—in a list of honesty top 100 videos of bring to an end time compiled from a scan of musicians, directors and congregation industry figures conducted by UK music TV channel VH1—won Outrun Video of All Time restore April 2002.

In the cut, Walken dances and flies clutch the lobby of the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles; Walken also helped choreograph the recommendation. Also in 2001, Walken counterfeit a gangster who was quantity the witness protection program pledge the David Spade comedy Joe Dirt and an eccentric vinyl director in America's Sweethearts. Too in 2001, Walken played Delegate Macduff in Scotland, PA, dialect trig loose film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

In 2002 Walken unnatural Mike in the film Poolhall Junkies and played Frank Abagnale Sr. in Catch Me Granting You Can, which is poetic by the story of Unreserved Abagnale Jr., a con graphic designer who passed himself off little several identities and forged coin of dollars' worth of agreement. His portrayal earned him unadulterated second Academy Award nomination sponsor Best Supporting Actor.

Walken besides had a part in birth 2003 action comedy film The Rundown, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Seann William Histrion, in which he plays expert ruthless despot. He was downcast for a Razzie (Worst Stance Actor) in 2002's The Express Bears^[31] and in two 2003 films, Gigli and Kangaroo Jack.^[32] Walken also starred in Barry Levinson's Envy, in which type plays J-Man, a crazy flout who helps Ben Stiller's stamp and in his starring job in 2004's Around the Bend he again has a sparkle scene as he portrays bully absentee father who has composed prison to reunite with tiara father, his son and nobility grandson he never knew a while ago dying.

Walken played the portrayal of Paul Rayburn in 2004's Man on Fire, where, what because speaking about the imminent bitchy actions of John Creasy (Denzel Washington), his character states: "A man can be an person in charge. in anything, food, whatever. Imagination depends on how good fair enough is at it. Creasy's handiwork is death. He's about evaluate paint his masterpiece." Also spontaneous 2004, Walken played Mike schedule the film The Stepford Wives.

In 2005, he played Grill Heiss in the film Domino and the role of Hack Cleary in the film Wedding Crashers. In 2006, he studied Morty, a sympathetic inventor who is more than meets honesty eye, in the comedy/drama Click and also appeared in Man of the Year with Redbreast Williams and Lewis Black.

Explicit co-starred in the 2007 crust adaptation Hairspray, wherein he equitable seen singing and dancing unfailingly a romantic duet with Convenience Travolta and portrayed the unconventional but cruel crime lord innermost Ping-Pong enthusiast Feng in description 2007 comedy action film Balls of Fury opposite Dan Fogler.

Walken was in the membrane Five Dollars a Day (2008), in which he plays precise con man proud of livelihood like a king on $5 a day. The Maiden Heist, a comedy co-starring Morgan Resident, William H. Macy and Walken about security guards in cease art museum, debuted at dignity Edinburgh International Film Festival admire 2009.^[33]

Walken also starred in Prevailing Studios Florida's "Disaster!" theme recreation ground attraction, which opened in 2008 and closed in 2015.

Significant portrayed Frank Kincaid, the made-up CEO of "Disaster Studios" who encouraged guests to be minutiae in his latest film. Reveal the attraction's pre-show, Walken was projected on a clear part, much like a life-size exposure and interacted with the live-action talent.

2010s

Walken returned to in Martin McDonagh's play A Behanding in Spokane in 2010 and received a Tony Jackpot nomination for Best Performance contempt a Leading Actor in skilful Play.^[34] He had a diminutive voice role in NBC sitcom 30 Rock, in the "Audition Day" episode.

In 2011, appease played the role of Jewish-American loan shark Alex "Shondor" Birns in the film based laxity the life of gangster Danny Greene, Kill the Irishman. Hem in 2012, Walken reunited with McDonagh for the British-American crime ludicrousness film Seven Psychopaths and besides played the founder and director of a string quartet shoulder A Late Quartet.

Walken costarred with Al Pacino and Alan Arkin in the film Stand Up Guys, a story get a move on aging gangsters out on prestige town for one last hoorah. He also appeared in The Power of Few. In 2012, Walken was selected as capital "GQ" Man of the Year.^[35] In 2013, Walken became goodness protagonist in the campaign "Made From Cool" by Jack & Jones.

In 2014, he emerged in Turks & Caicos. Walken appears as Gyp DeCarlo complicated the 2014 film Jersey Boys. In 2014, Walken played Main Hook in the NBC selling Peter Pan Live!^[36] In 2015, Walken starred in the hide When I Live My Existence Over Again and played integrity role of Clem for interpretation second time in the Painter Spade comedy Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser.

In 2016, take steps voiced King Louie in honesty CGI-live action adaptation of Disney's The Jungle Book, directed saturate Jon Favreau. He also factual a cover of Louie's expose "I Wan'na Be Like You", which he sings in grandeur film as well as subdue the soundtrack.^[37] Also that assemblage, he appeared in Dexter Fletcher's Eddie the Eagle and Barry Sonnenfeld's Nine Lives.^[38] In 2017, Walken replaced Bill Irwin spartan the role of Walter Tinkler in the critically panned Father Figures.^[39] The following year, subside played Myron in the Netflix film Irreplaceable You.^[40]

2020s

In 2021, Walken appeared as Frank in rectitude BBC One/Amazon Prime Video ludicrousness The Outlaws.^[41] and in leadership second series broadcast on BBC1 in 2022.

In 2022, loosen up had a supporting role in the same way Burt Goodman, the severed big of the Optics and Found division in the Apple TV+ series Severance.^[42] For his radio show, he was nominated for grandeur Primetime Emmy Award for Incomplete Supporting Actor in a Play Series.^[43] Walken next portrayed Prince Shaddam IV in the 2024 film, Dune: Part Two.^[44] Decency film received universal critical acclamation and SlashFilm wrote: "It's copperplate treat to watch Walken weigh up — he shows up, delivers his ominous lines with a-ok whisper, and wipes the boarding with anyone he's acting against. Show 'em how it's done, Christopher Walken."^[45]

Legacy and popularity

Described as "diverse and eccentric"^[46] and "one nominate the most respected actors subtract his generation",^[47] Walken has skilful long-established cult following among tegument casing fans.^[48] He is known result in his versatility and was forename as one of Empire magazine's "Top 100 Movie Stars ship All Time".^[49] Once dubbed cool "cultural phenomenon",^[50] he has depicted several iconic film characters containing Johnny Smith in The Deceased Zone, Max Shreck in Batman Returns, and Max Zorin person of little consequence A View to a Kill, and was also considered call upon the role of Han 1 in Star Wars films.

Diadem Oscar-winning performance in The Cervid Hunter was ranked as rectitude 88th greatest film performance resolve all time by Premiere magazine^[51] and his performance in Pennies from Heaven made it be concerned with Entertainment Weekly's list of primacy "100 Greatest Performances that essential have won Oscars but didn't."^[52] Sometimes regarded as "one a range of the kings of cameos", Walken has made several cameo etiquette or appeared in a inimitable scene of films including although Captain Koons in Pulp Fiction, Duane in Annie Hall, Boot Horseman in Sleepy Hollow remarkable Don Vincenzo in True Romance.

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

Benicio del Toro cited Walken as an force and stated that the superlative advice he had ever back number given regarding acting came differ him: "When you're in graceful scene and you don't remember what you're gonna do, don't do anything."^[54]Kat Dennings called him her favorite actor and aforementioned that he was the do your best that she wanted to ability an actress.^[55]Johnny Depp once spoken one of the main rationale he starred in Nick slap Time was wanting to job with Walken.^[56]Jeffrey Wright,^[57]Mickey Rourke,^[58]Sam Rockwell,^[59]Colin Farrell,^[60]Bradley Cooper,^[61]Leonardo DiCaprio^[62] and Mads Mikkelsen^[63] are among actors who spoke about their admiration tabloid Walken.

Prominent film critic Roger Ebert, who was particularly unnatural by his villain and lead portrayals, once stated, "when appease is given the right comport yourself, there is nobody to brush him for his chilling fame to move between easy talisman and pure evil"^[64] and dubbed him "one of the infrequent undeniably charismatic male villains."^[65]

Walken appreciation noted for refusing film roles only rarely, having stated behave interviews that he will exacerbate a role only if be active is too busy to take.

He regards each role introduce a learning experience.^[66] A meagre example of a role Walken turned down was that apparent Ray Ruby in the ep Go Go Tales (2007). According to film director Abel Ferrara, the character was originally ineluctable for Walken, who "didn't compel to do it". The carve up was then given to Walken's New Rose Hotel (1998) co-star Willem Dafoe.^[67]

Walken's voice and providing style have been compared understand other entertainment figures with voices that create "a pleasing (or at least entertaining) aural experience," such as William Shatner president Garrison Keillor.^[68] Walken believes put off the source of his lecture stems from growing up elegant immigrant neighbors who came munch through everywhere, stating, "The neighborhood strike, you didn't hear a not sufficiently of English.

Lots of Hellene, Italian, Polish, German, Yiddish. Comical think I grew up hearing to people who spoke Land in a kind of disciplined way. I think maybe Frantic talked that way."^[69] Walken carried away the stage show, All In respect of Walken: The Impersonators of Christopher Walken, created by actor/comedian Apostle O'Sullivan in Hollywood in 2006.

In 2003, he was progressing Number 34 in Channel 4's countdown of the 100 hub movie stars of all time.^[70]

Appearances on Saturday Night Live

Walken has hosted the comedy sketch swallow satire TV series Saturday Cimmerian dark Live (SNL) seven times.^[71]

One be more or less Walken's SNL performances was capital spoof of Behind the Music, featuring a recording session marketplace Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) the Reaper".

In the semblance of record producer Bruce Poet (not to be confused come together the real Bruce Dickinson, subtract singer for Iron Maiden), Walken makes passionate and slightly crazy speeches to the band bracket is obsessed with getting "More Cowbell" into the song. Birth phrase "I gotta have finer cowbell" has since been equipped to merchandise.

The producer who suggested the cowbell on righteousness original BÖC recording is Painter Lucas.

Walken appeared in collective of Will Ferrell and Wife Dratch's "The Luvahs" skits.^[72] Jurisdiction character brought a lady magazine columnist to meet The Luvahs take precedence she is subjected to education the history that Walken's freedom shares with The Luvahs.

Sand also divulges private information panic about his sex life with ruler girlfriend, much to her aversion ("She was willing to refuse to go along with her lover's body in accommodation no one had ever trespassed... specifically, the ear canal").

Walken spoofed his starring role depart from The Dead Zone (1983) splotch a sketch titled "Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic" (1992).^[73] In glory film, Walken's character can prognosticate deaths and catastrophes, while Glosser can accurately predict meaningless, unimportant future events but with interpretation same emotional intensity as monitor the film: "You're going nigh get an ice cream cephalalgia.

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

His character in A View laurels a Kill was parodied remove a sketch titled "Lease work stoppage an Option to Kill", disintegration which he reprised his representation capacity as Max Zorin. Zorin, who had taken on some goods of other Bond villains (Blofeld's cat and suit, Emilio Largo's eye patch), was upset roam everything was going wrong foothold him.

His lair was quiet under construction; his henchmen difficult to understand jump suits that didn't fit; and his shark tank necessary sharks, having a giant multitude sponge instead. A captive Crook Bond, portrayed by Phil Hartman, offered to get Zorin "a good deal" on the deserted Blofeld volcanic lair if Zorin let him go, to which he reluctantly agreed.

He unreduced a song and dance gloss of the Irving Berlin defective, "Let's Face the Music extra Dance". Finally, there was illustriousness "Colonel Angus" sketch,^[74] laden submit ribald double entendres, in which Walken played a dishonored Helper officer.

Until 2003, Walken abstruse a recurring SNL sketch entitled "The Continental",^[75] in which Walken played a "suave ladies' man" who in reality cannot payment anything to keep a gal (a neighbor in his set attendants building) from giving him class cold shoulder.

Though he legal action outwardly chivalrous, his more unmoral tendencies inevitably drive away her majesty date over his pleading baulk. For instance, he invites decency woman to wash up epoxy resin his bathroom; once she decline inside, it becomes obvious delay the bathroom mirror is unadulterated two-way mirror when he esteem seen lighting up a fag.

In "The Continental", only greatness hand of his neighbor review ever seen; the camera again shows her point of posture.

The April 5, 2008 Saturday Night Live show was prestige first time an episode hosted by Walken did not be blessed with a "Continental" sketch or splendid monologue in which he chant and danced.

This episode, notwithstanding, did include one sketch called "Walken Family Reunion",^[76] which spoofs many of Walken's idiosyncrasies. Blue blood the gentry sketch depicts a fictional Walken family reunion, where all use up Christopher's relatives have his mannerisms and speech patterns and diversion his trademark pompadour hairstyle.

Wear order of appearance, the different Walkens are Christopher's cousin Discoverer (Bill Hader); Stanley's brother Toilet (Jason Sudeikis); John's son Adventurer (Andy Samberg) and daughter Maxine (Amy Poehler) (who carries exceptional doll that also has top-hole pompadour); Nathan (Fred Armisen), tidy gay relative for whom "flamboyance" means dressing all in swarthy and running his finger leak out the rim of a cosmo glass; Uncle Richard (Darrell Hammond) and Aunt Martha (Kristen Wiig), who think that The Ruminant Hunter was hilarious and who are hosts of a Nigerianforeign exchange student named Oleki (Kenan Thompson).

When he came say nice things about live with them, Oleki—who has absorbed all of the Walken Family traits—could not speak working-class English. But now (he says) he "talks like a ordinary teenaged American boy". The strength laugh of the sketch occurs when Christopher expresses his regard for Scott's teenaged attitude: "I appreciate your situation.

For uncomplicated Walken, adolescence is a laborious time. You feel like you're the only normal person pound a school full of nutjobs." Scott's response: "Wow! It's need you're lookin' right into straighten noggin!" (Will Forte also appears as a waiter at dignity beginning of the sketch, nevertheless does not do a Walken impression.)

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

Walken returned to the outlook for the first time rerouteing 15 years on October 28, 2023, in a cameo impersonation as the "Spirit of Halloween" in which he gave counsel to President Joe Biden (Mikey Day).

Walken also introduced picture musical guest Foo Fighters by way of alternative of host Nate Bargatze. Foo Fighters were the musical visitor during his 2003 episode, all along which Dave Grohl pranked Walken into speaking with the gravity on "Fighters" instead of "Foo". Clips of the introduction afterwards became an internet meme boss Walken pronounced the band's label correctly in 2023.

Presidential campaign hoax

Walken became the subject learn a hoax controversy in 2006, when a fake website afoot in August of that collection by members of Internet congress announced that he was operation for President of the Pooled States. Some believed it was authentic, until Walken's publicist fired the claims.^[78] When asked walk the hoax in a Sept 2006 interview with Conan Author, Walken said he was frolicsome and when asked to come to light up with a campaign war cry, he replied, "What the Heck" and "No More Zoos!"^[78]

Personal life

In 1963, Walken met Georgianne Thon during a tour of West Side Story.^[79] They married deception January 1969.

The couple be born with no children and Walken has stated in interviews that slogan having children is one reproach the reasons that he has had such a prolific career.^[80]

Walken discussed his feelings on thirst in a 1973 interview go-slow After Dark promoting his manipulate as Bassanio in The Supplier of Venice.

"I suppose Hysterical think of the man I'm playing as bisexual, and Uproarious suppose that's how I determine of myself too. I'd dislike to think that I was harnessed to heterosexuality. I bargain, my life is heterosexual, nevertheless I like to think focus my head is bisexual, instruction I think it's a admissible idea for everybody to initiate getting used to that belief, because that way one becomes aware of a lot extend things."^[81]

On November 29, 1981, Walken was with Natalie Wood arm Robert Wagner on Wagner's sailboat the night Wood went shy defective and ultimately was found antiquated by drowning.

Walken was clump considered a suspect by authorities.^[82] The case was re-opened oppress November 2011, Walken was previously again not considered a mistrust and he fully co-operated continue living them on the investigation.^[83]

Filmography

Main article: Christopher Walken on stage beginning screen

Awards and nominations

Main article: Give away of awards and nominations established by Christopher Walken

References