Biography
Career
Walken initially trained as a dancer in musical theatre before moving on to more serious roles in theatre and then film. A select number of his movies include dance moves that he has worked in, reflecting this early background.
He has been in nearly one hundred movies and television shows since 1953, including The Dead Zone (1983), Brainstorm (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), Batman Returns (1992) True Romance (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Nick of Time (1995), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Around the Bend (2004). He was George Lucas' second choice for Han Solo after Harrison Ford. [1] [2] He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in The Deer Hunter (1978) where he played a disturbed Vietnam vet alongside Robert De Niro. He was nominated again in 2002 for Catch Me if You Can.
He also has a considerable body of work in theatre, with over 100 plays to his credit. He won the Clarence Derwent award for his performance in The Lion in Winter in 1966 and an Obie for his 1975 performance in Kid Champion. He has played the main role in a number of Shakespeare plays — notably Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Coriolanus. He tried his hand at writing and directing with the short five minute film Popcorn Shrimp in 2001.
In November 1981, Walken was on a yacht docked off of Catalina Island with Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood (as well as the skipper of the boat), when Wood drowned.
He has also starred in three music videos. His first video role was as the angel of death in Madonna's 1993 "Bad Girl" video, the second appearance was in Skid Row's Breakin' Down video, and the third one in Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video in 2001.
Appearances on Saturday Night Live
Walken has hosted the New York comedy sketch and satire TV series Saturday Night Live on more than five occasions. His recurring sketch "The Continental" has been a favourite with audiences. However, his most popular SNL performance was a spoof of "Behind the Music" featuring a recording session of Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." In the guise of record producer Bruce Dickinson, Walken makes passionate and slightly unhinged speeches to the band. More importantly, contrary to the opinions of most of the band, he is obsessed with getting "more cowbell" into the song. This sketch has proven immensely popular and has garnered a large cult following. Walken also spoofed his role from The Dead Zone in a sketch titled "Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic". Another notable performance was his song and dance rendition of the Irving Berlin standard "Let's Face the Music and Dance." Finally, the "Col. Angus" sketch - in which Walken played a dishonored Confederate officer named Col. Angus - was a tour de force of ribald double entendre.
Presidential candidacy hoax
As of August 2005, he was the subject of a hoax Presidential campaign. A website, Walken2008.com, presented numerous politically-charged quotes from Walken, which his publicist dismissed as "100% not true." The Urban Legends Reference Pages list the site as a fake [3]. This hoax was perpetrated by the Internet message board General Mayhem.
Notable performances
Listed in chronological order. More general information about each of these films can be found on the individual pages for the films
The Anderson Tapes (1971)
In the opening credits Walken is listed under the tag 'introducing', although he had already appeared on television, in an experimental film Me and My Brother (1969) and extensively in the theatre. Here he plays a small role opposite Sean Connery in what is essentially a heist movie with a nod towards seventies preoccupations with social surveillance. The film was directed by Sidney Lumet.
Walken in The Mind Snatchers (1972)
The Mind Snatchers (1972)
Aka The Happiness Cage or The Demon Within. This is the first film in which Walken played the starring role. He playes a borderline sociopathic American soldier, Private James Reese, stationed in Germany, in a science fiction film which deals with mind control (through cerebral stimulus implants) and normalisation - themes very much in the air at the time the film was made. One can see echoes of these ideas in later films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Walken puts in a solid and watcheable performance, producing some of his characteristic trademarks of menace and stillness. His youthful appearance is quite striking for those used to seeing him as an older actor.
Annie Hall (1977)
This Oscar winning film directed by Woody Allen is often cited by Walken and others as the first film that brought the actor and his unusual qualities to the attention of the mainstream viewing public. In a lightning appearance, he plays the strange and suicidally fixated brother of Annie Hall (Diane Keaton) providing the opportunity for a couple of fine comic reactions from Woody Allen.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Walken won an Oscar for best supporting actor with his performance in this controversial film. He plays Nick Chevotarevich, a young Pittsburgh steelworker with a poetic bent who is emotionally and spiritually destroyed by his combat experience of war in Vietnam. Walken's performance is notable for his transformation from a sensitive, gentle character to a self-destructive, zoned out automaton, high on heroin and gambling with his life at Russian roulette. To get the hollowed-out look for his character, Walken ate nothing but bananas and rice.
Heaven's Gate (1980)
This film is worth mentioning for the immense scandal it caused both during its production and after its release. It led to the financial ruin of United Artists, hastened the end of directorial control of films in Hollywood and offended many in a climate marked by a return to political conservatism with the election of Ronald Reagan. The film received extremely negative reviews in the USA, but was seen in a more favourable light by European critics and a 2004 re-release in selected cinemas in the USA and Australia has attracted a more positive reevaluation of the artistic merits of the film. Although Walken's role does not provide him with the opportunities offered by Michael Cimino's previous film The Deer Hunter, his cold and alien menace as a highly efficient hired gun is unexpectedly offset by a romantic vulnerability and a subtly amusing take on his character, Nat Champion's aspirations to social betterment.
Dogs of War (1981)
Walken gives a restrained performance as a mercenary hired by a mining company to help destabilize a tottering African strongman's government. The plot is more about the mechanics of being a mercenary, not action.The film is very minimalist and Walken's straightforward take on the character, including his complicated real-estate ambitions, declining health and visits to an ex-girlfriend prevent this story from being about a superman soldier.
The Dead Zone (1983)
Walken plays schoolteacher Johnny Smith who, after lying in a coma for five years, awakes to find he has psychic powers. The role is currently being reprised by Anthony Michael Hall in a TV series of the same name. Walken later spoofed his role in a sketch in Saturday Night Live titled "Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic". Walken's otherworldly looks and his ability to play vulnerable damaged characters are put to good effect here.
A View to a Kill (1985)
Walken stars with Roger Moore in the James Bond classic as Max Zorin, the psychotic villain, who runs a horse stable which suspiciously always produces winning horses. Walken dyed his hair an interesting blond for this film (as befitting his origins as a Nazi experiment) and plays opposite the singer Grace Jones.
At Close Range (1986)
Walken stars as Brad Whitewood, a psychotic rural Pennsylvania family crime boss, who tries to bring his two estranged sons, played by real-life brothers Sean Penn and Chris Penn, into his criminal world. Based on a true story about the Bruce Johnston crime family which operated in eastern Pennsylvania during the late 1970s.
Biloxi Blues (1988)
Unlike his most recent roles at the time by playing villains, Walken added a small shred of sympathy as the megalomanical Drill Sgt. Toomey in the movie version of Neil Simon's World War II play. Much of the film requires Walken to utilize his unique comic timing skills as an officer who has no problem wielding authority and punishing his soldiers to even the meanest of extremes. There is a genuine dose of humanity in Walken's character, particularly with his rivalry with the lead character, Eugene (Matthew Broderick).
The Comfort of Strangers (1990)
This art house film directed by Paul Schrader, who scripted Taxi Driver, has the notable distinction of providing a role for Walken that disturbed even him. He plays a decadent Italian aristocrat, Robert, who lives with his wife (Helen Mirren) in Venice. Robert has extreme sexual tastes and murderous tendencies. Walken, sporting Armani suits, provides an understated performance that combines charm, evil and sudden and shocking violence.
King of New York (1990)
This film by noted independent New York film maker Abel Ferrara has attracted both a cult following and the attention of serious film theorists (for example Nicole Brenez [4]). Walken stars as mysterious but ruthless New York City drug dealer Frank White, recently released from prison and set on reclaiming his criminal territory by any means necessary. White also has moral pretensions, acting as a kind of a Robin Hood figure. In this film Walken has the opportunity and screen time to demonstrate his range and his experimental abilities as an actor.
True Romance (1993)
Walken plays a scene opposite Dennis Hopper in this film. This so-called 'Sicilian scene' has become a cult favourite and is frequently hailed by critics — professional and amateur alike — as the best scene in the film. This scene alone is the subject of four commentaries on the DVD attesting to its cult status. After an exchange of dialogue (penned by Quentin Tarantino) Walken's character, Sicilian gangster Vincenzo Coccotti, summarily executes Hopper's character after deliberate provocation by the latter.
Of this scene, Walken said: "First of all, he made me laugh, and that was very important in the scene. The fact that I was really enjoying this guy, and then I shoot him anyway. And the same is true of him - he really enjoyed telling me that story. And you could see it was delightful, don't you think? It happens to end with me shooting him in the head. But up until then, wasn't it delightful?" -- Christopher Walken, Neon Magazine, 1997.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
This film, which has received many accolades, contains another frequently quoted cult scene with Walken scripted by Tarantino. Here Walken offers a slightly disturbing, but nonetheless amusing turn as a Vietnam veteran, Captain Koons, who in a long speech delivers a watch to a small boy from his dead father. Koons explains just how the watch had been hidden during his long years in a prisoner of war camp.
A Business Affair (1994)
Although this is a fairly average film, it is worth mentioning as one of Walken's few outings in a principal role in a romantic comedy. He plays Vanni Corso, an American publisher living in London who falls for one of his authors, Kate Swallow, played by French actress Carole Bouquet. He also dances a tango, although it is difficult to see much detail due to the way it is filmed.
Wild Side (1995)
This film was made by Donald Cammell who directed the experimental landmark film of sixties counter-culture Performance with Mick Jagger. Cammell removed his name from the 1995 studio cut of Wild Side and a far superior 'director's cut' was only released posthumously in 2000. The film boasts one of Walken's most extreme performance. In one notable and lengthy scene his character, international money launderer Bruno Buckingham, high on drugs, graphically threatens to rape his chauffeur, an undercover cop.
The Prophecy (1995)
In this horror film directed by Gregory Widen, also featuring Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen and Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer, Walken takes on the role of the evil Archangel Gabriel. In this account, Gabriel has rebelled against God because God favors humans over the angels. The film and its two sequels (1998, 2000) has attracted a cult following amongst Walken's fans. Two further sequels without Walken have been made - one was released on DVD in 2005. Walken's over the top but nuanced performance in these films is a favourite with many fans.
The Addiction (1995)
Another horror film, this one directed by Abel Ferrara and written by Nicholas St. John, deals with modern vampires in New York City. The writer and director use vampirism as a metaphor for the Christian doctrine of original sin, and Walken plays an ancient vampire who has learned to control his addiction for blood - an outward manifestation of the inward hunger - to the degree that he is able to function fairly normally in society.
Blast From the Past (1999)
In this sci-fi comedy, Walken plays a brilliant nuclear physicist who fears an attack by the Russians on the US during the Cold War. He builds a full scale model of his house underground in preperation for the attack. Prior to moving into the bunker, Walken's character hosts a dinner party in which he tells terrible jokes. There is a warning of attack on the television, and he kicks his guests out. Walken promptly heads himself and his wife into the bunker. Upon closing the door to the bunker, a, Air Force jet crashes above the entrance, making Walken believe that the Russians did in fact attack the US. In the bunker, Walken and his wife live normally, and his wife gives birth to a son (Brendan Frasier). The son is let out after 30 years to explore the world, which Walken believes will be wiped out. In fact, the son finds the modern world, which eventually surprises his father.
Weapon of Choice (2001)
Weapon of Choice is a three minute video clip directed by Spike Jonze with music by Fatboy Slim. Spike Jonze has directed numerous other video clips and films such as Being John Malkovich and Adaptation.. It won six MTV awards in 2001 and also won best video of all time in April 2002, in a list of the top 100 videos of all time, compiled from a survey of musicians, directors and music industry figures conducted by a UK music TV channel VH1. In this video, Walken performs a tap dance around the lobby of the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles. Walken also helped choreograph the dance.
Scotland, Pa. (2001)
Scotland, Pa. is a 2001 film by Billy Morrissette based on Shakespeare's play Macbeth, set in a small town in 1970's Pennsylvania, within the world of a fast food franchise. Walken plays Lieutenant McDuff, the vegan policeman who vanquishes McBeth and takes over the franchise. Walken's performance here is classically idiosyncratic, and although he has a lesser role when compared to James LeGros and Maura Tierney as Joe "Mac" and Pat McBeth, he does have more screen time than in most of his roles and shines.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 film by Steven Spielberg is inspired by the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), the legendary con artist who managed to pass himself off as several identities and forge millions of dollars worth of checks, with an FBI agent (Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks) hot on his trail. Christopher Walken plays Frank Abagnale, Sr., Frank Jr.'s father, in a difficult and emotionally charged role. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Man on Fire (2004)
Man on Fire is a 2004 film by Tony Scott, which tells the story of John Creasy (Denzel Washington), an ex-CIA agent who is hired to serve as a bodyguard to the daughter of a wealthy Mexican industrialist. Walken plays Paul Rayburn, a former "spook" who has found a new, more benevolent purpose in life. Here Walken plays against his popular quirky image to portray a wise mentor who reaches out to a friend who has nearly given up on life. The bond Rayburn has with Creasy is very strong, but much of the film, Rayburn understands Creasy's violent plight and can only stand aside and let his friend do what he must.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Wedding Crashers is a 2005 box office hit by David Dobkin which follows two men who "crash weddings" to meet women. Owen Wilson's character, John falls for the daughter of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (Walken) and all hell breaks loose as Vince Vaughn's character falls for her sister. Walken plays perhaps one of the most likeable characters in the movie but as in many other of his recent films, he is underutilised and effectively plays a minor straight man role.
