Luke
stu-kicks
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoTop 10 Funny guys in films
January 9th 2007 09:27
Funny can be very subjective, so save yourself the trouble - if you don't find one of these guys funny, I get it, I know there's no accountability for taste. These are just 10 film characters that crack me it and make me lose my shit.
Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) Wayne's World (1992), Wayne's World II (1993)
What began life as a sketch-comedy character on SNL would be immortalised in film forever with the 'Wayne's World' movies - two of the most pop-iconic films of the 1990s. Part meek-sidekick, part headbanger, and part mad scientist, Garth's interjections into the 'Wayne's World' films are awkward gems of false bravado.
QUOTE (whilst playing with his food): Hey Mr. Donut Man, who's trying to kill ya? I don't know but they better not!
Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
I realise Napoleon has been done to death and almost quoted into oblivion, but nothing will ever change the impact he had on my life the moment I first saw him. Napoleon is a mixture of all the weird kids you ever met at school... kids unaware of things like embarrassment or the difference between 'cool' and 'uncool', kids who live in their own little world and deal with almost everything in an inappropriate manner. The collision of Napoleon with the real world is all too familiar for me, and I can't help but laugh with every 'GOSH' and 'IDIOT!'
QUOTE: You know, there's like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bo staff.
Grim Reaper (William Sadler) Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
One of the greatest characters of all time! Everything the Grim Reaper says and does pretty much cracks me up. At first he seems relentless, playing game after game against Bill and Ted in order to claim their mortal souls, but after losing too many times in a row he resigns himself to be in their power. He spends the rest of the film as their sidekick... at first unwillingly so, but then he gets into the swing of 'being excellent to one another' and eventually he joins their band on bass duties and just goes around generally being a rad dude.
QUOTE (on his contribution to the building of 'good robots' Bill and Ted): Don't forget me, I made the wigs.
Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Making an unlikely debut here (he would seldom do comedy roles again) as class clown and all-round stoner Spicoli, Sean Penn steals nearly every scene he's in. He's the epitomy of the likeable stoner, and every smartarse answer he delivers seems so buzzed out and sincere that you can't help but smile. The right kind of school-days nostalgia.
QUOTE (asked the reason why he is late to class): I just couldn't make it on time.
Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell) Anchorman (2004)
Moments before he got his own successful comedy vehicle, 'The 40-Year Old Virgin', Steve Carrell was scene-stealing his way through Will Ferrell's own blockbuster, 'Anchorman'. As the borderline-retarded weatherman Brick Tamland, Carrell's various unpredictable replies to fairly straight-forward questions continue to amuse me time after time when I watch this film.
QUOTE: Where'd you get those clothes from, the toilet store?
Johnny 'Spit' Spitieri (David Wenham) Gettin' Square (2003)
David Wenham's portrayal of gentle junkie Johnny Spitieri is just about the best thing in this Australian 'Lock, Stock'-style gangster film. His memorably derro-fied delivery of lines, bewildered slack-jawed look and thongs-and-stubby combos indented the character onto the consciousness of a country - even to the extent of winning the AFI award for Best Actor. Spit's court-appearance would have to go down as one of the funniest scenes ever committed to celluloid in Australian film history.
QUOTE: Your honour, who's gonna pay for my busfare?
Rodney Farva (Kevin Heffernan) Super Troopers (2001)
In a film chock-full of hilarious characterisations, Farva would have to be the biggest standout. The film builds up to Farva's appearance at first, eventually yielding to show us one of the biggest dickheads to ever get himself a police badge. We're told that Farva is on suspension for something involving a busload of school kids, and when his state trooper duties are finally reinstated they last all of a brief few hours. Despised by his colleagues, Farva throws away every chance to be liked, always taking things too far and always ready to act like a real prick.
QUOTE: Just cleaning out the old locker, she stinks like ass but I'll sure miss her... I guess you could say that about all my girls.
Otto (Kevin Kline) A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Kline holds his own against two of the Python lads in this classic 80s comedy-crime caper. Otto is an intellectually-insecure glorified-thug amongst the Brits, an over-sensitive bully and all-round American egomaniac imbecile. Whilst it's not an entirely new feat, Kline's winning of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his inspired work here is nevertheless a vindication of great comedy-acting everywhere. Like most of the turns mentioned here, this is another scene-stealer.
QUOTE: You are the vulgarian, you fuck.
Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) Borat (2006)
No doubt there are some groans from some people reading this right now, but Cohen's comic creation is too good to pass over. I've been laughing myself silly at Borat's interactions with the public since I first saw him on an Ali G DVD a few years ago, and this film had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to hyperventilate. Borat brings out the worst in dumb rednecks everywhere, rampaging across America, poking fun at stereotypes and going where no comedian has dared go before. A-plus stuff!
QUOTE: Look, there is a woman in a car! Can we follow her and maybe make a sexy time with her?
Withnail (Richard E. Grant) Withnail and I (1986)
Richard E. Grant's breakthrough role remains one of his best. As the title suggests, Withnail drives a lot of this film and shines in every scene he is in (which is pretty much every scene). In this meloncholy comedy of displaced debauchery, Withnail is the comedy to the protagonist's (the 'I' of the title) meloncholy. A drug-addled, alcohol-fuelled, over-dramatic, cowardly force of nature... Withnail is one of the best characters to ever grace the screen, and one of my favourite things about one of my favourite films.
QUOTE: I have a heart condition. If you hit me, it's murder.
And that's 10!
Feel free to talk about your own funniest characters.
Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) Wayne's World (1992), Wayne's World II (1993)
QUOTE (whilst playing with his food): Hey Mr. Donut Man, who's trying to kill ya? I don't know but they better not!
Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
I realise Napoleon has been done to death and almost quoted into oblivion, but nothing will ever change the impact he had on my life the moment I first saw him. Napoleon is a mixture of all the weird kids you ever met at school... kids unaware of things like embarrassment or the difference between 'cool' and 'uncool', kids who live in their own little world and deal with almost everything in an inappropriate manner. The collision of Napoleon with the real world is all too familiar for me, and I can't help but laugh with every 'GOSH' and 'IDIOT!'
QUOTE: You know, there's like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bo staff.
Grim Reaper (William Sadler) Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
One of the greatest characters of all time! Everything the Grim Reaper says and does pretty much cracks me up. At first he seems relentless, playing game after game against Bill and Ted in order to claim their mortal souls, but after losing too many times in a row he resigns himself to be in their power. He spends the rest of the film as their sidekick... at first unwillingly so, but then he gets into the swing of 'being excellent to one another' and eventually he joins their band on bass duties and just goes around generally being a rad dude.
QUOTE (on his contribution to the building of 'good robots' Bill and Ted): Don't forget me, I made the wigs.
Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Making an unlikely debut here (he would seldom do comedy roles again) as class clown and all-round stoner Spicoli, Sean Penn steals nearly every scene he's in. He's the epitomy of the likeable stoner, and every smartarse answer he delivers seems so buzzed out and sincere that you can't help but smile. The right kind of school-days nostalgia.
QUOTE (asked the reason why he is late to class): I just couldn't make it on time.
Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell) Anchorman (2004)
Moments before he got his own successful comedy vehicle, 'The 40-Year Old Virgin', Steve Carrell was scene-stealing his way through Will Ferrell's own blockbuster, 'Anchorman'. As the borderline-retarded weatherman Brick Tamland, Carrell's various unpredictable replies to fairly straight-forward questions continue to amuse me time after time when I watch this film.
QUOTE: Where'd you get those clothes from, the toilet store?
Johnny 'Spit' Spitieri (David Wenham) Gettin' Square (2003)
David Wenham's portrayal of gentle junkie Johnny Spitieri is just about the best thing in this Australian 'Lock, Stock'-style gangster film. His memorably derro-fied delivery of lines, bewildered slack-jawed look and thongs-and-stubby combos indented the character onto the consciousness of a country - even to the extent of winning the AFI award for Best Actor. Spit's court-appearance would have to go down as one of the funniest scenes ever committed to celluloid in Australian film history.
QUOTE: Your honour, who's gonna pay for my busfare?
Rodney Farva (Kevin Heffernan) Super Troopers (2001)
In a film chock-full of hilarious characterisations, Farva would have to be the biggest standout. The film builds up to Farva's appearance at first, eventually yielding to show us one of the biggest dickheads to ever get himself a police badge. We're told that Farva is on suspension for something involving a busload of school kids, and when his state trooper duties are finally reinstated they last all of a brief few hours. Despised by his colleagues, Farva throws away every chance to be liked, always taking things too far and always ready to act like a real prick.
QUOTE: Just cleaning out the old locker, she stinks like ass but I'll sure miss her... I guess you could say that about all my girls.
Otto (Kevin Kline) A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Kline holds his own against two of the Python lads in this classic 80s comedy-crime caper. Otto is an intellectually-insecure glorified-thug amongst the Brits, an over-sensitive bully and all-round American egomaniac imbecile. Whilst it's not an entirely new feat, Kline's winning of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his inspired work here is nevertheless a vindication of great comedy-acting everywhere. Like most of the turns mentioned here, this is another scene-stealer.
QUOTE: You are the vulgarian, you fuck.
Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) Borat (2006)
No doubt there are some groans from some people reading this right now, but Cohen's comic creation is too good to pass over. I've been laughing myself silly at Borat's interactions with the public since I first saw him on an Ali G DVD a few years ago, and this film had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to hyperventilate. Borat brings out the worst in dumb rednecks everywhere, rampaging across America, poking fun at stereotypes and going where no comedian has dared go before. A-plus stuff!
QUOTE: Look, there is a woman in a car! Can we follow her and maybe make a sexy time with her?
Withnail (Richard E. Grant) Withnail and I (1986)
Richard E. Grant's breakthrough role remains one of his best. As the title suggests, Withnail drives a lot of this film and shines in every scene he is in (which is pretty much every scene). In this meloncholy comedy of displaced debauchery, Withnail is the comedy to the protagonist's (the 'I' of the title) meloncholy. A drug-addled, alcohol-fuelled, over-dramatic, cowardly force of nature... Withnail is one of the best characters to ever grace the screen, and one of my favourite things about one of my favourite films.
QUOTE: I have a heart condition. If you hit me, it's murder.
And that's 10!
Feel free to talk about your own funniest characters.
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Comment by Sandi
"Suit yourself, queer!"
Comment by Luke
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Did you see Almighty Bruce? It was kind of a shitty movie, but the part where Steve Carell freaks out almost made me incontinent.
How about Francois Pignon from The Dinner Game?
How about the Egyptian guy from Asterix and Obelix meet Cleopatra?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A few faves of mine off the top of my head:
Jeff Bridges (The Dude) in The Big Lebowski
Oscar (Walter Matthau) in The Odd Couple
Barry (Jack Black) in High Fidelity
Billy Bob Thornton (Bad Santa) in Bad Santa
Hrundi V Bakshi (Peter Sellers) in The Party
Jake Blues (John Belushi) in The Blues Brothers
Randle (Jeff Anderson) in Clerks
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Lilla
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An Extra Ordinary Life
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..you've nailed three of my favs. right there : Grim Reaper [excellent film dude!], Otto and Borat.
I also like(d) :
many of the guys and gals from Saturday Night Live back in the 80's; John Candy ...
John Bellushi - Blues Brothers,
Everything Bill Murray - especially GroundHogDay, Ghostbusters, The man who knew to litte, What about Bob, Lost in Translation
Everything Goldie Hawn - particularly Protocol and Overboard -
-Chevvy Chase - Fletch
- l-o-v-e-d Tim Allen and Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest
- a-d-o-r-e-d Kevin Kline as the Frenchman in French Kiss
- Mr Bean (and Johnny English)
- Rafiki (the Lion King)
- Timon and Pumba (Lion King)
- Toby Maguire - Spiderman I
- Gerard Depardeu in Green Card and Tats Toi!
- Julia Styles - 10 things I hate about you
-Donkey - Shrek
- Wil Smith - MIB
-Mr Block - Evolution
- Stalone and Russel in Tango and Cash
probably a lot more, I love comedy films...
*smiling now*
Lilla
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I totally agree with Withnail, Napoleon, The Grim Reaper, Spicoli. As JohnDoe mentioned, Randle from Clerks would have to get a guernsey in mine. And as Cibby mentioned, I think Francois Pignon from the Dinner Game would be a worthy inclusion!
Comment by Norm
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Ben Affleck, now there is a funny man.
Travis Bickle, funny funny, quite seriously....taking a flame to an adult movie....funny.
Not film, but Basil Fawlty....kills me...to this day...a hundred times....he's a real sicko.
Any actor who takes themself too seriously cuts me up either into a rage or fits of laughter(laughter=funny).
I haven't seen alot of your choices, but that Spit is a corker....tea-totally agree.....losing touch with reality, Norm
Comment by Luke
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Some other great suggestions too... Carrell was great in Bruce Almighty, and Galaxy Quest is full of hilarious characters... I loved Tony Shalhoub and Sam Rockwell in that one.
Comment by Norm
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Call me, call me now.
I'm already taken.
I'm a tease.
Carry on old salt.
Comment by Bhumika
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I forgot how perfect Tim Allen was in Galaxy Quest. I expected something a little more satirical from Sigourney Weaver, though...
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Brilliant!
Comment by Keira
Keira's Blog
and Im a big Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson fan. They work well together and apart... See that Night at the Museum movie - its not as shit as it looks!
Dodgeball quotes ae mad. "Go Balls Deep!" Dodge Duck Dip Dive and Dodge. If you can dodge a (fill in blank) you can dodge a dodgeball!
Sorry about that random quoting spree.
Comment by Luke
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