---
name: "Christopher Walken"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christopher-walken"
fi1m_id: "christopher-walken"
imdb_id: "nm0000686"
tmdb_id: 4690
wikidata_id: "Q185051"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "31 March 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 20
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 20
updated: "2026-10-05T04:43:02.944739+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christopher Walken

## Identity

Christopher Walken

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christopher-walken
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christopher-walken
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000686
- **TMDB ID:** 4690
- **Wikidata ID:** Q185051
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Walken, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000686/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4690

Actor. Born 31 March 1943 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 31 March 1943, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1977–present
- **Also known as:** Ronald Walken, Ronnie Walken
- **Frequently works with:** [Michael Cimino](https://film.one/person/michael-cimino.md), [Michelle Pfeiffer](https://film.one/person/michelle-pfeiffer.md), [Tim Burton](https://film.one/person/tim-burton.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 20 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 85 (2), 1980s 69 (3), 1990s 79 (5), 2000s 63 (5), 2010s 72 (2), 2020s 79 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 68 across 19 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 20 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Comedy 8, Crime 7, Romance 5, Thriller 5, Fantasy 4
- **Screen time:** 39 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,678m across 18 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Walken, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000686/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4690

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Severance*](https://film.one/tv/severance.md) (86), [*Catch Me If You Can*](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md) (83), [*Pulp Fiction*](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md) (82), [*Sleepy Hollow*](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*Dune: Part Two*](https://film.one/film/dune-part-two.md) (84), [*Batman Returns*](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md) (81)
- **Netflix:** [*The Deer Hunter*](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md) (84), [*True Romance*](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md) (82)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Annie Hall*](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md) (86)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Dead Zone*](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Heaven's Gate*](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md) (79)
- **Disney+:** [*The Jungle Book*](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Christopher Walken

> Christopher Walken makes us listen to words other actors might hurry through. His peculiar rhythms can turn a supporting part into the reason to watch, though we value his gentleness as much as his menace.

Christopher Walken tells a small boy about a watch in *Pulp Fiction* (1994), and a chapter that has begun to flag becomes worth attending to again. As Captain Koons, he has a speech and the time to give it his own peculiar rhythm. We enjoyed those few minutes more than anything else in the chapter, because his delivery makes the telling worth our attention. Quentin Tarantino gives him room to be odd without making oddness the whole point. We rate Walken most when a director gives those familiar vocal habits a job to do.

The rhythm has a practical source in his early dance training, which informs his physical expressiveness as well as his speech. His dramatic breakthrough came as Nick in *The Deer Hunter* (1978), before such villainous work in Tim Burton's *Batman Returns* (1992). A long career in supporting parts has made the eccentric or threatening Walken familiar. That familiarity can become a casting shortcut. A director still needs to give him something to play beyond the fact that he sounds like Christopher Walken.

The sympathetic father in *Catch Me If You Can* (2002) offers a useful correction, as does Burt Goodman in *Severance* (2022). We value that tenderness because it gives us something beyond the expected threat or joke. In *Severance*, it sits within a programme whose office is built to unsettle, making the gentler performance particularly welcome. It is worth remembering this gentler work when another part asks him to be strange on cue.

Denis Villeneuve uses him differently in *Dune: Part Two* (2024), where the Emperor seems to have wandered in from a quieter film. He plays the man as tired, and we did not mind the odd fit: another display of menace would have been less interesting. Start with the watch speech for the rhythm, then try *Severance* for the gentleness.

## Biography

Christopher Walken is an American actor. Born Ronald Walken on 31 March 1943 in Queens, New York City, he has appeared in over 100 films and television programmes.

He is known for roles including Captain Koons in *Pulp Fiction* (1994), Emperor Shaddam IV in *Dune: Part Two* (2024), and Burt Goodman in the series *Severance* (2022). Other notable credits include *The Deer Hunter* (1978), *Batman Returns* (1992), *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), *The Jungle Book* (2016) and *Click* (2006).

Walken won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in *The Deer Hunter*.

*Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com, radiotimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (20)

- *Dune: Part Two* (2024), Fi1m 84, as Emperor — [page](https://film.one/film/dune-part-two.md)
- *Severance* (2022), Fi1m 86, as Burt Goodman — [page](https://film.one/tv/severance.md)
- *The Outlaws* (2021), Fi1m 67, as Frank — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-outlaws.md)
- *The Jungle Book* (2016), Fi1m 72, as King Louie (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md)
- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), Fi1m 72, as Hans Kieslowski — [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *Hairspray* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Wilbur Turnblad — [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md)
- *Click* (2006), Fi1m 58, as Morty — [page](https://film.one/film/click.md)
- *Wedding Crashers* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Secretary Cleary — [page](https://film.one/film/wedding-crashers.md)
- *Gigli* (2003), Fi1m 32, as Det. Stanley Jacobellis — [page](https://film.one/film/gigli.md)
- *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Frank Abagnale — [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md)
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Hessian Horseman — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *Pulp Fiction* (1994), Fi1m 82, as Captain Koons — [page](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md)
- *True Romance* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Vincenzo Coccotti — [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Batman Returns* (1992), Fi1m 81, as Max Shreck — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md)
- *King of New York* (1990), Fi1m 70, as Frank White — [page](https://film.one/film/king-of-new-york.md)
- *A View to a Kill* (1985), Fi1m 46, as Max Zorin — [page](https://film.one/film/a-view-to-a-kill.md)
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), Fi1m 82, as Johnny Smith — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *Heaven's Gate* (1980), Fi1m 79, as Nathan D. Champion — [page](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md)
- *The Deer Hunter* (1978), Fi1m 84, as Nikanor "Nick" Chevotarevich — [page](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md)
- *Annie Hall* (1977), Fi1m 86, as Duane Hall — [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md)

## Complete filmography (143)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Back in Black* (2026), as Clyde
- *Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost* (2025), Thanks
- *Dune: Part Two* (2024), as Emperor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/dune-part-two.md)
- *Severance* (2022), series, as Burt Goodman — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/severance.md)
- *The Outlaws* (2021), series, as Frank — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-outlaws.md)
- *Wild Mountain Thyme* (2020), as Tony Reilly
- *Percy* (2020), as Percy Schmeiser · Executive Producer
- *The War with Grandpa* (2020), as Jerry
- *The Jesus Rolls* (2019), as Warden
- *Talking with the Vampires* (2018), Actor
- *Irreplaceable You* (2018), as Myron
- *Father Figures* (2017), as Dr. Walter Tinkler
- *Nine Lives* (2016), as Felix Perkins
- *The Family Fang* (2016), as Caleb Fang
- *One More Time* (2016), as Paul Lombard
- *The Jungle Book* (2016), as King Louie (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md)
- *Eddie the Eagle* (2016), as Warren Sharp
- *Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser* (2015), as Clem
- *An SNL Valentine* (2015), as The Continental (archive footage)
- *Peter Pan Live!* (2014), as Captain Hook
- *Jersey Boys* (2014), as Angelo 'Gyp' DeCarlo
- *Turks & Caicos* (2014), as Curtis Pelissier
- *Gods Behaving Badly* (2013), as Zeus
- *The Power of Few* (2013), as Doke
- *Stand Up Guys* (2012), as Doc
- *A Late Quartet* (2012), as Peter Mitchell
- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), as Hans Kieslowski — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *Dark Horse* (2012), as Jackie
- *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Shondor Birns
- *The Women of SNL* (2010), as Various (archive footage)
- *Life's a Beach* (2010), as Roy Callahan
- *The Maiden Heist* (2009), as Roger Barlow
- *$5 a Day* (2008), as Nat Parker
- *The Legend of Harrow Woods* (2008), as Raven (voice)
- *Under the Balls: The Life of a Ball Wrangler* (2007), Actor
- *Balls Out: The Making of 'Balls of Fury'* (2007), Actor
- *Balls of Fury* (2007), as Feng
- *Hairspray* (2007), as Wilbur Turnblad — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md)
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Christopher Walken (voice) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Man of the Year* (2006), as Jack Menken
- *Click* (2006), as Morty — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/click.md)
- *Fade to Black* (2006), as Brewster
- *Domino* (2005), as Mark Heiss
- *Romance & Cigarettes* (2005), as Cousin Bo
- *Wedding Crashers* (2005), as Secretary Cleary — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/wedding-crashers.md)
- *Around the Bend* (2004), as Turner Lair
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Christopher Walken* (2004), Actor
- *The Stepford Wives* (2004), as Mike Wellington
- *Envy* (2004), as J-Man
- *Man on Fire* (2004), as Paul Rayburn
- *The Rundown* (2003), as Hatcher
- *Gigli* (2003), as Det. Stanley Jacobellis — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/gigli.md)
- *Kangaroo Jack* (2003), as Salvatore 'Sal' Maggio
- *Julius Caesar* (2002), series, as Cato the Younger
- *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), as Frank Abagnale — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md)
- *Undertaking Betty* (2002), as Frank Featherbed
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell* (2002), as Bruce Dickinson (archive footage)
- *Engine Trouble* (2002), as Rusty (voice)
- *The Country Bears* (2002), as Reed Thimple
- *Poolhall Junkies* (2002), as Uncle Mike
- *The Affair of the Necklace* (2001), as Count Cagliostro
- *America's Sweethearts* (2001), as Hal Weidmann
- *The Continental: Anticipation* (2001), as The Continental
- *Joe Dirt* (2001), as Clem
- *Scotland, PA* (2001), as Lieutenant McDuff
- *The Opportunists* (2000), as Vic Kelly
- *The Prophecy 3: The Ascent* (2000), as Gabriel
- *Kiss Toledo Goodbye* (1999), as Max
- *Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter's End* (1999), as Jacob Witting
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), as Hessian Horseman — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99* (1999), as Guardian Angel (segment "Bad Girl") (archive footage)
- *Vendetta* (1999), as James Houston
- *New Rose Hotel* (1999), as Fox · Co-Producer
- *Blast from the Past* (1999), as Calvin
- *Antz* (1998), as Colonel Cutter (voice)
- *The Eternal* (1998), as Uncle Bill Ferriter
- *Illuminata* (1998), as Bevalaqua
- *The Prophecy II* (1998), as Gabriel
- *MouseHunt* (1997), as Caesar
- *Suicide Kings* (1997), as Carlo Bartolucci
- *Excess Baggage* (1997), as Ray
- *Touch* (1997), as Bill Hill
- *Last Man Standing* (1996), as Hickey
- *Basquiat* (1996), as The Interviewer
- *Wild Side* (1996), as Bruno Buckingham
- *The Funeral* (1996), as Ray Tempio
- *Celluloide* (1996), as Rod Geiger
- *Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead* (1995), as The Man with the Plan
- *Nick of Time* (1995), as Mr. Smith
- *The Addiction* (1995), as Peina
- *The Prophecy* (1995), as Gabriel
- *Search and Destroy* (1995), as Kim Ulander
- *Pulp Fiction* (1994), as Captain Koons — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md)
- *Storybook Cinema* (1994), series, Actor
- *A Business Affair* (1994), as Vanni Corso
- *Wayne's World 2* (1993), as Bobby Cahn
- *True Romance* (1993), as Vincenzo Coccotti — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Scam* (1993), as Jack Shanks
- *Skylark* (1993), as Jacob Witting
- *The Big Pardon 2* (1992), as Pasco Meisner
- *Mistress* (1992), as Warren Zell
- *Batman Returns* (1992), as Max Shreck — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md)
- *All-American Murder* (1991), as P.J. Decker
- *McBain* (1991), as McBain
- *Sarah, Plain and Tall* (1991), as Jacob Witting
- *The Comfort of Strangers* (1990), as Robert
- *King of New York* (1990), as Frank White — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/king-of-new-york.md)
- *Communion* (1989), as Whitley Strieber
- *Homeboy* (1988), as Wesley Pendergass
- *Puss in Boots* (1988), as Puss
- *Biloxi Blues* (1988), as Sgt. Toomey
- *The Milagro Beanfield War* (1988), as Kyril Montana
- *Deadline* (1987), as Don Stevens
- *At Close Range* (1986), as Bradford 'Brad' Whitewood Sr.
- *A View to a Kill* (1985), as Max Zorin — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/a-view-to-a-kill.md)
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), as Johnny Smith — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *Brainstorm* (1983), as Michael Brace
- *Who Am I This Time?* (1982), as Harry Nash
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Harry Nash
- *Pennies from Heaven* (1981), as Tom
- *The Dogs of War* (1980), as Jamie Shannon
- *Heaven's Gate* (1980), as Nathan D. Champion — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md)
- *Last Embrace* (1979), as Eckart
- *The Deer Hunter* (1978), as Nikanor "Nick" Chevotarevich — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md)
- *Shoot the Sun Down* (1978), as Mr. Rainbow
- *Roseland* (1977), as Russel
- *Annie Hall* (1977), as Duane Hall — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md)
- *The Sentinel* (1977), as Det. Rizzo
- *Next Stop, Greenwich Village* (1976), as Robert Fulmer
- *Valley Forge* (1975), as The Hessian
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Ben Wiley — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *The Mind Snatchers* (1972), as Pvt. James H. Reese
- *The Anderson Tapes* (1971), as The Kid
- *Cleopatra* (1970), as Boy
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Walt Kramer
- *Me and My Brother* (1969), Actor
- *Barefoot in Athens* (1966), as Lamprocles
- *Deadline* (1959), series, as Marty
- *Naked City* (1958), series, as Chris Johannis, Brain Trust (uncredited)
- *The Boy Who Saw Through* (1956), as Ernest
- *The Motorola Television Hour* (1953), series, Actor
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Lamprocles, Jacob Witting, Jacob, The Hessian
- *Tiens ferme ta couronne*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith in The Dead Zone (1983)](https://film.one/media/title/5240/still-1d322c5cbdee.jpg) Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith in *The Dead Zone* (1983) — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher Walken as Hans Kieslowski in Seven Psychopaths (2012)](https://film.one/media/title/12391/still-405408620094.jpg) Christopher Walken as Hans Kieslowski in *Seven Psychopaths* (2012) — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher Walken - tribeca film festival 2009 - vanity fair party](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-eedd6fba5ec8.jpg) Christopher Walken - tribeca film festival 2009 - vanity fair party — Rubenstein, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Christopher_Walken-1.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Walken-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Walken receiving the Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne 2018 honorary award during the closing ceremony.](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-307159eaf2d2.jpg) Christopher Walken receiving the Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne 2018 honorary award during the closing ceremony. — Pierre Vogel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Christopher_Walken_2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Christopher Walken at the Vanity Fair party to kick of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-2ba39863a404.jpg) Christopher Walken at the Vanity Fair party to kick of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Christopher_Walken_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Walken_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Walken at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-dfe2e43e7149.jpg) Christopher Walken at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012. — Tabercil, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Christopher_Walken_TIFF_2012.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Walken_TIFF_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Walken (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-39be23c20418.jpg) Christopher Walken (2007) — David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Christopher_Walken_by_David_Shankbone.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Christopher Walken receiving the Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne 2018 honorary award during the closing ceremony.](https://film.one/media/person/9164/gallery-64d7fe855540.jpg) Christopher Walken receiving the Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne 2018 honorary award during the closing ceremony. — Pierre Vogel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Christopher_Walken_receiving_r7al_2018_Honorary_Award.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Walken_receiving_r7al_2018_Honorary_Award.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2003: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Catch Me If You Can*
- 1979: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *The Deer Hunter*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2003: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (won), for *Catch Me If You Can*

### Other awards — 3 won, 2 nominated

- Sitges Grand Honorary Award 2016: Sitges Grand Honorary Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2010: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2000: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1967: Theatre World Award (won)
- Clarence Derwent Awards 1966: Clarence Derwent Awards (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christopher-walken