Walken was born Ronald Walken on March 31, 1943,[4] inAstoria, Queens, New York City. His parents were Rosalie Russell, a Scottish immigrant fromGreenock, and Paul Wälken, a German immigrant fromGelsenkirchen[5][6] who owned and operated Walken's Bakery in Astoria.[7][8] Walken was named after actorRonald Colman. He was raisedMethodist.[9] He and his brothers, Kenneth and Glenn, were child actors on television in the 1950s, influenced by their mother's dreams of stardom.[8][10]
When he was 15, a girlfriend showed Walken a magazine photo ofElvis Presley and Walken later said, "This guy looked like a Greek god. Then I saw him on television. I loved everything about him." He changed his hairstyle to imitate Presley and has not changed it since.[11] As a teenager, he worked as alion tamer trainee for a short time in a circus.[12]
Walken attendedHofstra University but dropped out after one year, having been cast in the role of Clayton Dutch Miller in anoff-Broadway revival ofBest Foot Forward alongsideLiza Minnelli.[13] Walken initially trained as a dancer at the Washington Dance Studio before moving on to dramatic stage roles and then film.[13]
Over the next two years, he appeared frequently on television, and had a thriving career in theater. From 1954 to 1956, Walken and his brother Glenn originated the role of Michael Bauer on the soap operaThe Guiding Light. In 1963, he appeared as a character named Chris in an episode ofNaked City, starringPaul Burke.
In 1964, he changed his first name to Christopher at the suggestion ofMonique van Vooren, who had a nightclub act in which Walken was a dancer. She believed the name suited him better than nickname Ronnie, which he was credited as until then.[16] He prefers to be known as Chris instead of Christopher.[14]
In 1977, Walken also guest-starred in an episode ofKojak as Ben Wiley, a robber.
Walken won anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor inMichael Cimino's 1978 filmThe Deer Hunter. He played a Pennsylvania steelworker who was emotionally destroyed by theVietnam War. To help achieve his character's gaunt appearance before the third act, Walken consumed only bananas, water and rice for a month.[27]
At Close Range (1986) starred Walken as Brad Whitewood, a rural Pennsylvaniacrime boss who tries to bring his two sons into his empire; his character was mostly based on criminalBruce Johnston.
In 1988, Walken played a memorable role as Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey inNeil Simon'sBiloxi Blues, which was directed byMike Nichols, and he played the role of Federal Agent Kyril Montana inThe Milagro Beanfield War. He also played the leading role ofWhitley Strieber in 1989'sCommunion, an autobiographical film written by Strieber. It was based on claims that he and his friends were subject to visitations by unknown, other-worldly entities variously identified as "aliens" or "visitors". That same year, Walken appeared in the filmHomeboy, which was written by and featured Mickey Rourke in the titular role. In 1989, he played the lead role of "Puss" in the Cannon theater group's musical version ofPuss in Boots.
King of New York (1990), directed byAbel Ferrara, stars Walken as ruthless New York Citydrug dealer Frank White, a recently released prisoner set on reclaiming his criminal territory. In 1991, Walken starred inSarah, Plain and Tall as Jacob Witting, a widowed farmer. In 1992, Walken played villain millionaire industrialist Max Shreck inBatman Returns. In January 1993, he appeared inMadonna's music video for her hit single "Bad Girl" (directed byDavid Fincher). Walken also played Bobby, Cassandra's producer, inWayne's World 2.
Later in 1994, Walken starred inA Business Affair, a rare leading role for him in a romantic comedy. Walken manages to once again feature his trademark dancing scene as he performs thetango. In 1995, he appeared inThings to Do in Denver When You're Dead,Wild Side,The Prophecy and the modern vampire flickThe Addiction, which was his second collaboration with directorAbel Ferrara and writer Nicholas St. John. He also appeared inNick of Time, which starredJohnny Depp, and an arthouse film byDavid Salle titledSearch and Destroy. Also in 1995, Walken acted inHim, the first play written by Walken, and about his idol Elvis in the afterlife, featured in the New York Shakespeare Festival.The New York Times gave a somewhat positive review of his "most cheering and refreshingly absurd invention" of retelling Elvis' death as a disappearing act that enabled Elvis to flee to Morocco for a sex change to become "her" in a "woozily conceived, fantastical new play...in the sharpness and wit of writing and in the performances by Mr. Walken and Mr. Heyman."[29] Walken made an appearance in the music video forSkid Row's "Breakin' Down".
In the 1996 filmLast Man Standing, Walken plays asadistic gangster named Hickey. That year, he played a prominent role in the video gameRipper, portraying Detective Vince Magnotta.Ripper made extensive use of real-time recorded scenes and a wide cast of celebrities in aninteractive film. In 1996 Walken also appeared in the Italian filmCelluloide as US Officer Rod Geiger and played the role of Ray in theAbel Ferrara crime-drama filmThe Funeral. In 1997, Walken starred in the comedy filmsTouch andExcess Baggage and had a minor role in the filmMouse Hunt.[30] He also appeared in the drama/thriller filmSuicide Kings, which was also filled with suspense and humor.
In 1998, Walken played an influential gay New York theater critic inJohn Turturro's filmIlluminata. The same year he voiced Colonel/General Cutter in the animated filmAntz.
In 2000, Walken was cast as the lead, along withBlair Brown, inJames Joyce's The Dead onBroadway. A "play with music",The Dead featured music byShaun Davey, conducted byCharles Prince, with music coordination and percussion by Tom Partington.James Joyce's The Dead won aTony Award that year for Best Book for a Musical.
Walken had a music video performance in 2001 withFatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice". Directed bySpike Jonze, it won six MTV awards in 2001 and—in a list of the top 100 videos of all time compiled from a survey of musicians, directors and music industry figures conducted by UK music TV channelVH1—won Best Video of All Time in April 2002. In the video, Walken dances and flies around the lobby of theMarriott Hotel in Los Angeles; Walken also helped choreograph the dance. Also in 2001, Walken played a gangster who was in thewitness protection program in theDavid Spade comedyJoe Dirt and an eccentric film director inAmerica's Sweethearts. Also in 2001, Walken played LieutenantMacduff inScotland, PA, a loose film adaptation ofShakespeare'sMacbeth.
In 2002 Walken played Mike in the filmPoolhall Junkies and played Frank Abagnale Sr. inCatch Me If You Can, which is inspired by the story ofFrank Abagnale Jr., a con artist who passed himself off as several identities and forged millions of dollars' worth of checks. His portrayal earned him a second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Walken also had a part in the 2003 action comedy filmThe Rundown, starringDwayne "The Rock" Johnson andSeann William Scott, in which he plays a ruthlessdespot. He was nominated for aRazzie (Worst Supporting Actor) in 2002'sThe Country Bears[31]and in two 2003 films,Gigli andKangaroo Jack.[32]Walken also starred inBarry Levinson'sEnvy, in which he plays J-Man, a crazy guy who helpsBen Stiller's character and in his starring role in 2004'sAround the Bend he again has a dancing scene as he portrays an absentee father who has fled prison to reunite with his father, his son and the grandson he never knew before dying. Walken played the role of Paul Rayburn in 2004'sMan on Fire, where, when speaking about the imminent destructive actions of John Creasy (Denzel Washington), his character states: "A man can be an artist... in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasy's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece." Also in 2004, Walken played Mike in the filmThe Stepford Wives.
Walken also starred inUniversal Studios Florida's "Disaster!" theme park attraction, which opened in 2008 and closed in 2015. He portrayed Frank Kincaid, the fictional CEO of "Disaster Studios" who encouraged guests to be extras in his latest film. In the attraction's pre-show, Walken was projected on a clear screen, much like a life-size hologram and interacted with the live-action talent.
In 2022, he had a supporting role as Burt Goodman, the severed chief of the Optics and Design division in theApple TV+ seriesSeverance.[42] For his performance, he was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.[43] Walken next portrayedEmperor Shaddam IV in the 2024 filmDune: Part Two.[44] The film received critical acclaim andSlashFilm wrote: "It's a treat to watch Walken work — he shows up, delivers his ominous lines with a whisper, and wipes the floor with anyone he's acting against. Show 'em how it's done, Christopher Walken."[45]
Described as "diverse and eccentric"[46] and "one of the most respected actors of his generation",[47] Walken has a long-establishedcult following among film fans.[48] He is known for his versatility and was named as one ofEmpire magazine's "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time".[49] Once dubbed a "cultural phenomenon",[50] he has portrayed several iconic film characters includingJohnny Smith inThe Dead Zone,Max Shreck inBatman Returns, andMax Zorin inA View to a Kill, and was also considered for the role ofHan Solo inStar Wars films. His Oscar-winning performance inThe Deer Hunter was ranked as the 88th greatest film performance of all time byPremiere magazine[51] and his performance inPennies from Heaven made it intoEntertainment Weekly's list of the "100 Greatest Performances that should have won Oscars but didn't."[52] Sometimes regarded as "one of the kings ofcameos", Walken has made severalcameo appearances or appeared in single scenes in films, including as Captain Koons inPulp Fiction, Duane inAnnie Hall, Hessian Horseman inSleepy Hollow and Don Vincenzo inTrue Romance. Writer and directorQuentin Tarantino declared that Walken's involvement inTrue Romance's "Sicilian scene" was one of the proudest moments in his career.[53]
Benicio del Toro cited Walken as an influence and stated that the best advice he had ever been given regarding acting came from him: "When you're in a scene and you don't know what you're gonna do, don't do anything."[54]Kat Dennings called him her favorite actor and said that he was the reason that she wanted to be an actress.[55]Johnny Depp once said one of the main reasons he starred inNick of Time was wanting to work with Walken.[56]Jeffrey Wright,[57]Mickey Rourke,[58]Sam Rockwell,[59]Colin Farrell,[60]Bradley Cooper,[61]Leonardo DiCaprio[62] andMads Mikkelsen[63] are among actors who spoke about their admiration for Walken. Prominent film criticRoger Ebert, who was particularly impressed by his villain and anti-hero portrayals, once stated, "when he is given the right role, there is nobody to touch him for his chilling ability to move between easy charm and pure evil"[64] and called him "one of the few undeniably charismatic male villains."[65]
Walken is noted for refusing film roles only rarely, having stated in interviews that he will decline a role only if he is too busy to accept. He regards each role as a learning experience.[66] A rare example of a role Walken turned down was that of Ray Ruby in the filmGo Go Tales (2007). According to film directorAbel Ferrara, the character was originally written for Walken, who "didn't want to do it". The role was then given to Walken'sNew Rose Hotel (1998) co-starWillem Dafoe.[67]
Walken's voice and speaking style have been compared to other entertainment figures with voices that create "a pleasing (or at least entertaining) aural experience," such asWilliam Shatner andGarrison Keillor.[68] Walken believes that the source of his speech stems from growing up with immigrant neighbors who came from everywhere, stating, "The neighborhood itself, you didn't hear a lot of English. Lots of Greek, Italian, Polish, German, Yiddish. I think I grew up listening to people who spoke English in a kind of broken way. I think maybe I talked that way."[69] Walken inspired the stage show,All About Walken: The Impersonators of Christopher Walken, created by actor/comedian Patrick O'Sullivan in Hollywood in 2006.
In 2003, he was voted Number 34 inChannel 4's countdown of the 100 greatest movie stars of all time.[70]
Walken has hosted the comedy sketch and satire TV seriesSaturday Night Live (SNL) seven times.[71]
One of Walken'sSNL performances was a spoof ofBehind the Music, featuring a recording session ofBlue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) the Reaper". In the guise of record producer Bruce Dickinson (not to be confused with the realBruce Dickinson, lead singer forIron Maiden), Walken makes passionate and slightly unhinged speeches to the band and is obsessed with getting "More Cowbell" into the song. The phrase "I gotta have more cowbell" has since been adapted to merchandise. The producer who suggested the cowbell on the original BÖC recording isDavid Lucas.
Walken appeared in one ofWill Ferrell andRachel Dratch's "The Luvahs" skits.[72] His character brought a lady friend to meet The Luvahs and she is subjected to learning the history that Walken's character shares with The Luvahs. He also divulges private information about his sex life with his girlfriend, much to her horror ("She was willing to accept her lover's body in places no one had ever trespassed... specifically, the ear canal").
Walken spoofed his starring role fromThe Dead Zone (1983) in a sketch titled "Ed Glosser: TrivialPsychic" (1992).[73] In the film, Walken's character can predict deaths and catastrophes, while Glosser can accurately predict meaningless, trivial future events but with the same emotional intensity as in the film: "You're going to get anice cream headache. It's going to hurt real bad, right here, [touches forehead] for eight, nine seconds.").
His character inA View to a Kill was parodied in a sketch titled "Lease with an Option to Kill", in which he reprised his role asMax Zorin. Zorin, who had taken on some qualities of other Bond villains (Blofeld's cat and suit,Emilio Largo's eye patch), was upset that everything was going wrong for him. His lair was still under construction; his henchmen had jump suits that didn't fit; and his shark tank lacked sharks, having a giantsea sponge instead. A captiveJames Bond, portrayed byPhil Hartman, offered to get Zorin "a good deal" on the abandoned Blofeld volcanic lair if Zorin let him go, to which he reluctantly agreed.
Until 2003, Walken had a recurringSNL sketch called "The Continental",[75] in which Walken played a "suave ladies' man" who in reality cannot do anything to keep a woman (a neighbor in his apartment building) from giving him the cold shoulder. Though he is outwardly chivalrous, his more perverted tendencies inevitably drive away his date over his pleading objections. For instance, he invites the woman to wash up in his bathroom; once she is inside, it becomes obvious that the bathroom mirror is atwo-way mirror when he is seen lighting up a cigarette. In "The Continental", only the hand of his neighbor is ever seen; the camera always shows her point of view.
Walken in 2012
The April 5, 2008Saturday Night Live show was the first time an episode hosted by Walken did not have a "Continental" sketch or a monologue in which he sang and danced. This episode, however, did include one sketch titled "Walken Family Reunion",[76] which spoofs many of Walken'sidiosyncrasies. The sketch depicts a fictional Walkenfamily reunion, where all of Christopher's relatives have his mannerisms and speech patterns and sport his trademarkpompadour hairstyle. In order of appearance, the other Walkens are Christopher's cousin Stanley (Bill Hader); Stanley's brother John (Jason Sudeikis); John's son Scott (Andy Samberg) and daughter Maxine (Amy Poehler) (who carries adoll that also has a pompadour); Nathan (Fred Armisen), a gay relative for whom "flamboyance" means dressing all in black and running his finger around the rim of acosmo glass; Uncle Richard (Darrell Hammond) and Aunt Martha (Kristen Wiig), who think thatThe Deer Hunter was hilarious and who are hosts of aNigerianforeign exchange student named Oleki (Kenan Thompson). When he came to live with them, Oleki—who has absorbed all of the Walken Family traits—could not speak any English. But now (he says) he "talks like a normal teenaged American boy". The biggest laugh of the sketch occurs when Christopher expresses his sympathies for Scott's teenaged attitude: "I appreciate your situation. For a Walken, adolescence is a difficult time. You feel like you're the only normal person in a school full of nutjobs." Scott's response: "Wow! It's like you're lookin' right into my noggin!" (Will Forte also appears as a waiter at the beginning of the sketch, but does not do a Walken impression.)
In September 2004,SNL released a DVD titledThe Best of Christopher Walken throughLionsgate.[77]
Walken returned to the show for the first time in 15 years on October 28, 2023, in a cameo role as the "Spirit of Halloween" in which he gave advice toPresident Joe Biden (Mikey Day). Walken also introduced the musical guestFoo Fighters instead of hostNate Bargatze. Foo Fighters were the musical guest during his 2003 episode, during whichDave Grohl pranked Walken into speaking with the emphasis on "Fighters" instead of "Foo". Clips of the introduction later became aninternet meme and Walken pronounced the band's name correctly in 2023.
Walken became the subject of a hoax controversy in 2006, when a fake website started in August of that year by members of Internet forum Genmay.com announced that he was running for President of the United States. Some believed it was authentic, until Walken's publicist dismissed the claims.[78] When asked about the hoax in a September 2006 interview withConan O'Brien, Walken said he was amused and when asked to come up with a campaign slogan, he replied, "What the Heck" and "No More Zoos!"[78]
In 1963, Walken metGeorgianne Thon during a tour ofWest Side Story in Chicago.[79] He played Riff and she played Graziella, Riff's girlfriend.[80][81] In January 1969, they were married in New York City.[82] The couple have no children, and Walken has stated in interviews that not having children is one of the reasons he has had such a prolific career.[83]
Walken discussed his feelings on sexuality in a 1973 interview withAfter Dark while promoting his appearance asBassanio inThe Merchant of Venice. "I suppose I think of the man I'm playing asbisexual, and I suppose that's how I think of myself too. I'd hate to think that I was harnessed to heterosexuality. I mean, my life is heterosexual, but I like to think that my head is bisexual, and I think it's a good idea for everybody to start getting used to that notion, because that way one becomes aware of a lot more things."[84]
On November 29, 1981, Walken was withNatalie Wood andRobert Wagner on Wagner's yacht the night Wood went missing and ultimately was found dead by drowning. Walken was not considered a suspect by authorities.[85] Walken's wife Georgianne was not present on the trip. According to the boat's skipper Dennis Davern, Walken "struck me as a single guy," and Davern has said that he did not even know Walken was married until reading about it in a magazine article afterward.[86] The case was re-opened in November 2011; Walken was once again not considered a suspect and he fully co-operated with authorities conducting the investigation.[85]
^Salon.ComArchived January 21, 2008, at theWayback Machine "Both of his parents were immigrants – his father, Paul, from Germany; and his mother, Rosalie, from Glasgow, Scotland."
^"The Master of Menace". Cbsnews.com. December 4, 2002.Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. RetrievedMay 19, 2017.
^Barnes, Clive (May 18, 1970)."Stage: Immediacy Illuminates Wilson's 'Lemon Sky'".The New York Times. RetrievedNovember 22, 2020.Christopher Walken as the nonhero, flip, baffled, charm ing, daring the audience with the author's semi‐off‐stage asides, amused and yet con cerned, is most convincing, moving from narration to ac tion with east and keeping the right distance between himself, audience and play.
^"Christopher Walken".Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. RetrievedNovember 22, 2020.
^The Mind Snatchers is also known asThe Happiness Cage andThe Demon Within.
^He is incorrectly credited as "Christopher Wlaken" in the film's credits.
