Christopher Walken is one of those rare actors who defy categorization. An absolute original, unpredictably dangerous on screen, a captivating dancer – as subtle and flexible as a puma. His energy and eccentricity remain untouched. Throughout his more than 35 years in the film industry, Walken has appeared in over 100 films, rarely turning down a role. He simply believes that every film, good or bad, is worth making. That attitude shaped a career spanning six decades and left an indelible mark on film, television, and theatre, making him one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment world.
Few know that Walken’s life has been filled with unexpected detours. At 15, he worked briefly as a lion tamer in a circus – an early sign of his attraction to the unusual. Yet it was in front of the camera that he found his true home, becoming an actor the industry continually returns to when searching for something extraordinary – something slightly dangerous, slightly strange, but impossible to look away from.
Walken was born Ronald Walken on March 31, 1943, in Astoria, Queens, into a Methodist family. His mother, Rosalie, emigrated from Glasgow, and his father, Paul, from Germany in 1928. He grew up in a family already familiar with show business, and “Ronnie,” as he was then called, stepped into the spotlight early. At 15, he made his Broadway debut in Best Foot Forward. The stage gave him confidence, discipline, and the technical skill that later led to a Tony Award.
He originally trained as a musical dancer at the Washington Dance Studio. The influence is evident even today: his movements, his balance, his almost feline way of claiming a scene. Combine that with his hypnotic voice and enigmatic aura, and you get an actor filmmakers turn to when they need depth, complexity, and that special quality only Walken possesses.
Facts that make him even more Walken
– He does not use a computer or own a mobile phone – and is perfectly happy about it.
– He was on Natalie Wood’s yacht the night she drowned – a trauma he rarely discusses.
– He lives much of his life as a loner. When not working, he says the only people he regularly talks to are the garbage collectors.
– He has been married to Georgiana Walken, casting director for The Sopranos, since 1969. They chose not to have children, something Walken says allowed him to maintain an exceptionally productive career.
– He was assaulted on a New York street in 1980 after asking two men to lower their music. His nose was broken.
– He performed on Saturday Night Live, where he delivered the humorous holiday song Walken In A Winter Wonderland.
– He has heterochromia – one blue eye and one hazel eye.
– He was George Lucas' second choice for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope. He was also considered for Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.
– He lived for a period on nothing but rice and bananas while preparing for his role in The Deer Hunter (1978).
It’s a life filled with oddities, brilliance, missteps, and absolute devotion. No one is quite like Walken – nor does anyone attempt to be.
A career that never stopped evolving
Walken is known for his ability to push audiences between fear, humor, and empathy with nothing more than a subtle change in tone or posture. His legendary monologue in Pulp Fiction, where he recounts how a family watch survived war and captivity, remains one of the most memorable scenes in film history. His intensity often leaves audiences wondering – is he good? Evil? Something in between? That uncertainty has become his trademark.
He has also made his mark on Broadway, such as in Handshake in Spokane in 2010 alongside Sam Rockwell. But regardless of stage or screen, he carries the same unique mixture of fragility, menace, and humor that sets him apart from every other actor of his generation.
An icon who continues to fascinate
Rosie O'Donnell once said he was “one of the scariest people I’ve ever seen.” Walken responded by appearing on her show, bringing her flowers and a box of chocolates, and joining her in a rendition of Getting to Know You. A classic Walken moment – unpredictable, absurd, charming, yet deeply human.
Whether he plays a villain, a hero, or a character blurring the lines between the two, Walken possesses a rare ability to dominate every scene. He is, simply put, an art form in himself. A man who continues to dance through life – literally and metaphorically – and at 80 remains as captivating as when he first stepped onto Broadway as a teenager.
An icon. A mystery. A category of his own.
Christopher Walken.
Fatboy Slim ft. Bootsy Collins - Weapon Of Choice!
Arguably Fatboy Slim’s most famous music video of all time, Weapon Of Choice features Christopher Walken dancing around a deserted hotel lobby. The Spike Jonze-directed video won multiple awards at the 2001 MTV music video awards and won the 2002 Grammy award for best music video. The track features vocals by the legendary Bootsy Collins.
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