The 411 Top 5 06.20.08: Week 118

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 06.20.2008

The Top 5 Comedic Movie Characters

It's a battle of old school vs. new school comedy at the box office today, as Mike Myers comes out of a lengthy live-action hiatus with The Love Guru to do battle with Steve Carrell, who wasn't even close to being a household name when Myers last graced screens with the third Austin Powers film. Of course, Carrell is now one of the biggest comedy stars around, whereas Myers is waiting to see if audiences still find him relevant.

And, in a nice ironic touch, the old school vs. new school metaphor is also slightly flip-flopped here, as Myers' The Love Guru brings us a brand-new comic creation, whereas Carrell is simply breathing new life into a character first portrayed by Don Adams on the classic original Get Smart TV series.

So, who will come out on top? Damned if I know. What I do know, however, is this gives us a perfect excuse to take a look at a topic I've been wanting to do for awhile now. So join us as we present our take on:


THE TOP 5 COMEDIC MOVIE CHARACTERS



Trevor Snyder

5. Corky St. Clair (Christopher Guest) in Waiting for Guffman

Some of the best comedy comes out of sadness, and as far as characters go, they don't really get much sadder than Corky St. Clair. A washed-up theater director, the flamboyant and mostly clueless St. Clair is actually naïve enough to believe that directing a community theater project in the small town of Blaine, Missouri (the "stool capital" of the United States) could potentially be his ticket to the big time. It's pretty ridiculous, and Guest plays the part in a broad, over-the-top manner, but the character's heart still shines through, not to mention his hilarity. I defy you not to laugh when Corky practices the dance moves he is creating for the big show. Fred Willard and Eugene Levy would end up stealing the show in Guest's future mockumentaries (and they're both pretty damn good in this one, as well), but as far as characters go, none of those films have provided one as hilarious as Corky.

4. Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Pee-Wee was not a cinematic creation…Reubens had already created and honed the character in a fairly popular one-man stage show. Still, it wasn't until Reuben's brilliant creation was matched with the genius of Tim Burton that all the pieces came together, and one of the strangest – and funniest – comedy icons was truly born. Pee-Wee is that rare character that is just sweet and innocent enough to appeal to kids, but also subversive enough for adults to get the joke as well. Although the character would falter in the disappointing follow-up film Big Top Pee-Wee, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure will always remain a comedy classic, and people will always love that character.

3. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) in the Austin Powers series

By now, most of us have heard the story…Mike Myers came up with the character of Austin Powers one night when he heard Burt Bacarach's "The Look of Love" while driving. It's a good thing this happened, but let's face it, the series didn't really come together until that moment when he created Powers' nemesis, Dr. Evil. On the surface, Evil is a fairly obvious parody of James Bond's Blofeld, and yet as you watch the first Austin Powers film, you start to realize that this is the character you really like. Powers himself has his moments, but all the best scenes and lines in the entire trilogy belong to Evil, and it's no accident that Evil would become a good guy himself by the end of the series. He was just too damn likable, because he's just too damn funny.

2. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) in Duck Soup

It could be argued that Groucho played essentially the same character in every single one of the Marx Brothers, but hey, if it ain't broke it, don't fix it. His madcap, anarchic sense of humor definitely reached its peak in this, the film that is today considered the Marx Brothers' definitive masterpiece (not bad for a film that bombed at the time). As I said, this character is really just Groucho…he never particularly created a new persona for any of these movies. But this story, which sees Firefly appointed the leader of the small nation of Freedonia just in time to become involved in a war, gave Groucho his best opportunity to bring his comedy style to the big-screen. While many "classic" comedies have not aged well, the Marx Brothers films are still hilarious today, and Groucho's one-liners are just as funny as ever.

1. Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in the Pink Panther series

With this topic, you know Sellers will end up on the list in one way or another, whether it be his turn as the clueless Indian actor Hrundi V. Bakshi in The Party or his performance as the former Nazi, Dr. Strangelove (the performance most of my fellow writers have decided to honor). But, really, Seller's had no greater comic creation than Clouseau, the greatest "inept policeman" character of all time. This archetype has become somewhat of a cliché since, and that's primarily because Sellers was so good at it that comedians have been trying to replicate it for years. They should probably give up, though, as no one will ever touch Sellers as Clouseau, a character who took madcap physical comedy to new heights. And if pratfalls aren't your thing, then sit back and enjoy the laughter provided from Seller's ridiculously overdone French accent. Sellers was comedy's ultimate chameleon – we'll never have another one like him (no matter how hard Mike Myers tries), and these films were his finest moments.



Steve Gustafson

First, let me say that I appreciate everyone's list. Comedy is a strange thing. What I find hilarious, others scratch their head. Likewise, when someone demands I watch "the funniest thing ever...", I sometimes walk away thinking, "How is that funny?" My list is my opinion and I know people will strongly disagree or questions my sanity. That's the beautiful part of 411mania.com. Everyone has a seat!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Jesus Quintana (John Turturro) in The Big Lebowski - The only reason I own this movie is because of the 5 minutes of glory that is Jesus Quintana. Never before (or after) has a minor role been owned like Mr. Turturro owns Jesus. Oohh...that came out wrong. Anyways, from the clothes, the walk, and facial expressions, I can't find one flaw in his character. Ok, maybe the fact that he was a convicted sex offender, but if you haven't seen this movie, I implore you, rent, borrow, search on youtube for Jesus Quintana. Thank me later.

Frank Ricard (Will Ferrell) in Old School - Before Will Ferrell became overexposed, this blasted him onto the scene as Frank "the TANK"! He was the heart of this movie and a great glue to keep Vince Vaughan in check, and play off of Luke Wilson. His acting was so spot on, I truly believe he and Patrick Cranshaw (Joseph 'Blue' Palasky, for those who don't know) hung out out after shooting stopped. "Your my boy blue...your my boy..."

Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey) in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - Juvenile? Yes. Over-the-top? Yes. Entertaining? Yes. Jim Carrey played to his strengths and made Ace Ventura a funny movie. Not just for kids, but parents too. I know now that Carrey's "cartoon-ish" bit is a old hat, but when this movie hit, everyone took notice.

THE TOP 5

5. Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) in Caddyshack

I just watched this the other week and he still makes me laugh out loud. Bill Murray made this movie. When he's on the screen, I laugh. When he's not on the screen, I wonder what he's up to. This movie was stacked with comedic talent, so it says something that Murray stands out in the crowd of Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight.

4. Dignan (Owen Wilson) in Bottle Rocket

Most of you are scratching your head and saying, "What's Bottle Rocket?" Check it out and enjoy what's to me Owen Wilson's best acting. Yes, I know I'm opening myself up to massive criticism, but I stand by it. A well written, character driven movie that allows Wilson to open up and balance his talent. He plays a pathetic loser, who has high ambitions (Who has a 75-year plan, anyways?), but is loyal...to a fault. Great movie, great cast, and Owen Wilson portrays a great comedic, uncomfortably so, character in Dignan.

3. Pee Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) in Pee Wee's Big Adventure

No one else could do Pee Wee Herman. Only the talent of Paul Reubens could we believe in character. He brought Pee Wee to the masses, first as a stand up vehicle, mainly for adults, then as a Saturday morning staple. Forget about his downfall, before that, Pee Wee was head and shoulders above what was one, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure is still hilarious today. I even enjoy Big Top Pee Wee! Let the barbs flow!

2. Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) in Fast Times in Ridgemont High

Spicoli is an instant classic. I can't even do justice trying to debate why. Just watch the movie. Watch Sean Penn rule. If you don't get it...there's no hope for you.

1. John "Bluto" Blutarsky (John Belushi) in Animal House

A stand out in an already outstanding cast. Belushi is a great name to use in the "What could have been?" game. On first watching this movie you can easily dismiss his character as one note. But after repeated viewings you get to see little nuances that Belushi does that make you appreciate him more.



Jeremy Thomas

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), Zoolander (2001) - When you talk about actors who completely threw themselves into their comedic creations, Ben Stiller and Derek Zoolander have to be on the list. Zoolander is one of the funniest films in the early part of this decade, and that has a lot to do with Stiller's hilarious performance as the brainless model who created "Blue Steel." While Stiller is sometimes hit-or-miss with his comedies, you have to give it up for this one, which was his from start to finish.

Rainbow Randolph & Sheldon Mopes (Robin Williams & Edward Norton), Death to Smoochy (2002) - I never understood the hatred for this film some critics had. It's a brilliantly subversive movie, and legitimately, roll on the floor funny. While a lot of that has to do with the writing, you can't deny the amazingly good performances of Robin Williams and Ed Norton as Randolph and Sheldon, the corrupt and jaded monster of a kiddie host versus his naive, sappy, innocent replacement. This film truly would be the failure everyone believed it to be upon release if not for those to characterizations; as it is, it's one of my favorite films when I want a laugh.

Igor (Marty Feldman), Young Frankenstein (1974) - Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks's funniest film, is a film that the modern trend of crap parody films could learn a lot from. But most specifically, they could learn from Marty Feldman's portrayal of Igor, which is a highlight of a film that is full of great characters. It's spot-on hilarious, and there's not a person I know who doesn't hear the word "abnormal" without thinking of "Abby Normal," thanks to this character.

THE TOP 5

5. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx), Duck Soup (1933)

I'm imagining half of the people reading this saying to themselves "Rufus T. Firefly? But House of a Thousand Corpses and The Devil's Rejects aren't comedies!" Wrong Rufus, folks. The original Rufus T. Firefly was brilliantly played by none other then Groucho Marx in Duck Soup an anarchic comedy that is truly the Marx Brothers' best film. Groucho was never, ever as good as when he was playing Firefly, the leader of Freedonia. Considered a disappointment at the time of its release, it's one of those films that was ahead of its time and now is truly a classic comedy. Firefly provided inspiration for scores of characters after him, not the least of which was Bugs Bunny. You simply can't ignore this character.

4. Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

The first of two Strangelove entries on this list—can you guess that I absolutely love this film?—is its namesake. Peter Sellers played three roles in this film as part of the studio's condition for financing it, as they believed that much of the success of Lolita was because Sellers played multiple characters. President Merkin and Captain Mandrake are both very funny in their own right, but they're more straight man roles; it's in the role of Strangelove that Sellers gets the best comedy. A truly bizarre character, Strangelove's wheelchair-bound ex-Nazi nuclear physicist is a joy to watch in the most subversively funny movie of all time. When he calls the President "Mein Fuhrer," does Nazi salutes with his uncontrollable right hand, or suggests the post-apocalyptic world of 10 women to one men (with the women selected on the basis of "their sexual characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature"), you can't help but watch in amazement. It's an inspired portrayal by one of the best comedians cinema has ever known.

3. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

All right, let's give it up for Clark Griswold, folks. Here is the greatest father and husband of all-time. All he wants—the only, single thing he wants—is to take his family on the greatest vacation they can possibly have. It's not his fault everything goes wrong, from a visit with Cousin Eddie and Aunt Catherine, to a dead Aunt Edna, vicious dogs and car wrecks. All he wants is Wally World, and it's that singular dedication that makes him so lovable. Chevy Chase made Clark a character that, even when he makes the stupidest mistakes ever, you have to love, because he makes you understand why he's doing this—for the love of his family. Chase has created a lot of memorable comedic roles, from Fletch to Ty Webb to Dusty Bottoms; Clark Griswold is by far his most memorable, and his funniest. If you can't laugh at Clark, you have no soul.

2. John "Bluto" Blutarsky (John Belushi), National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

I don't know if there's any comedy character as iconic as Bluto. John Belushi's first film role was his best, and Bluto is one of the most memorable characters ever, comedy or not. What can be said about this character that hasn't been said a million times before? Watch Animal House. All of Bluto's scenes, from the impersonation of a zit to forcing a pledge to shoot a horse in the Dean's office, are just comic gold. He's the party animal that we all knew at one point or another in our lives, who we admired for his balls-to-the-wall attitude even while we feared becoming the focus of his pranks. There is no better life of the party then Bluto, and it's a credit to Belushi's tragically short career that a character with as little screen time as he had became the most memorable thing out of it.

1. Air Force General Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Ironically, if George C. Scott had played the gung-ho and opportunistic Air Force General the way he wanted to, this character wouldn't have been nearly as funny. Kubrick tricked Scott by talking him into over-the-top takes as practice, to warm up for the supposedly real takes. It was the over the top performances that Kubrick used in the film. Other disagreements between the two were settled by games of chess, which Kubrick beat Scott at every time. The end result was Scott swearing never to work with Kubrick again, and the best movie comedic character of all time. Dr. Strangelove is an absurd film, and Turgidson is one of the most absurd parts. The satire in this one character alone easily out-trumps any other full film. When Merkin calls Ripper a psychotic for the…well, obviously psychotic letter he leaves, and Turgidson comes back with "I think I'd like to hold off judgment on a thing like that, sir, until all the facts are in," he says it with such belief that you can't help but laugh. Brilliantly played (even if against his will), and the hilarious highlight of the greatest black comedy ever made. That's more then enough to earn him #1 in my book.



Bryan Kristopowitz

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Arlo Pear (Richard Pryor) in Moving (1988) - The great thing about Arlo Pear is his constant state of simmering anger. From dealing with his neighbor Frank Crawford (the great Randy Quaid in one of his best roles) to having to move his family to Idaho for a new job only to get fired from that job after sharpening his pencil, meeting Frank's brother Cornell Crawford in Idaho, having to deal with the movers (one of them is pro wrestling legend King Kong Bundy!), his family, Moris Day, and perhaps worst of all, Dana Carvey's MPD afflicted Brad Williams, the young man he hired to drive his brand new Saab to Boise, Arlo somehow keeps it all relatively together until the movers decide not to show up with his furniture. Arlo then lets loose, becoming an action hero, donning face paint and machine guns and doling out karate kicks to Winslow, Perry, and Gorgo (Bundy). It's all about waiting for that explosion. Easily Pryor's best solo comedic performance.

Ron Burgandy (Will Ferrell) in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy (2004): This is probably the role Ferrell will be most remembered for, much in the same way Mike Myers will probably be remembered for Austin Powers. Burgandy is a fully realized jackass of the highest order, a ultra macho, bragging douchebag that you can't help but laugh at. It helps that he's got great characters surrounding him to riff off (Brian Fantana, Champ Kind, Brick Tamland, Ed Harken, Veronica Corningstone, Wes Mantooth), but, really, they all take their cues from "Papa Burgandy." Hilarious from start to finish.

Captain Yellowbeard (Graham Chapman) in Yellowbeard (1983): Captain Yellowbeard is one of the most foul, disgusting, and downright mean characters ever to grace the movie world, which is why he's so dang funny. He's just so over the top, so "out there," that when he tells his wife that he doesn't have time to "rape" her, instead of being appalled you're rolling on the floor laughing hysterically. Captain Yellowbeard is just so ridiculous. This, I believe, was Chapman's last major role before dying from throat cancer, and while he's always going to be remembered for his work as part of Monty Python, people should give Yellowbeard a look. You'll be happy that you did. "They'll have to kill me before I die!"- Captain Yellowbeard. One of the greatest lines of all time.

THE TOP 5

5. Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) in Trading Places (1983)

The one thing that always used to bother me about Billy Ray Valentine was his relative naivete. This fast talking, street smart guy couldn't see that something really very odd was up with the Duke brothers just whisking him off the street and into the penthouse with a great job as a commodities trader. But then I realized it was a story quirk you had to just get over. You just had to accept it. It was part and parcel of the flick's overriding idea: that you just can't trust rich people, and that's what both Murphy's Valentine and Dan Aykroyd's Louis Withorp had to find out the hard way. Well, at least that's what the movie said to me. It's that naivete combined with that kind of macho bluster that used to be Murphy's trademark back in the 1980's that still makes Valentine funny. "Get the fuck out!" Also one of the greatest lines of all time.

4. John "Bluto" Blutarsky (John Belushi) in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

The first time we see Mr. Blutarsky, he's drunk off his ass and urinating in public. And that pretty much sums up the Bluto character right there. He just doesn't care. And he can get away with it because he's, well, Bluto. He's somehow above the rules of society. But I don't think anyone really wants to be Bluto. I think we all just want to watch. That's what ultimately gives the Bluto character its power, that and director John Landis' decision to limit the amount of time we get to see Bluto in action. If it was just Bluto, Bluto, Bluto, the audience would be worn out in twenty minutes. Belushi's best role hands down. "Mr. Blutarsky, zero point zero."

3. (tied) Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) & Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) in Caddyshack (1980)

Carl Spackler is a goofy, whacked out assistant greenskeeper at Bushwood Country Club, spending his days watching old women in short skirts bend over and gofer hunting. Al Czervik is a fast talking, loud mouthed rich guy who is the life of the party, the guy everyone wants to hang out with because he's so full of life and energy and charisma. So why are they tied? Because they both exist fully in the same movie and yet they're very different characters. Carl is slow and subtle, while Al is loud and in your face. One's poor, the other is incredibly well off. They provide a great balance to the movie and are examples of who our hero Danny Noonan could end up as as he tries to figure out his own life and what he "wants to be when he grows up." This is likely Murray's most quoted character, and this was Dangerfield's first major role in a major movie and he just knocked it out of the park. Caddyshack is twenty-eight years old, and we'll still be watching and quoting from it in another twenty-eight years. Carl will still be hunting that gofer, and Al will still be farting in the dining room and asking the wife of the judge if she'd like "to make fourteen dollars the hard way." Great stuff.

2. Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielson) in The Naked Gun Trilogy (1988, 1991, 1994)

Yeah, I know Sgt. Frank Drebin, Detective Liuetenant Police Squad got his start on television, but Drebin didn't really hit it big and become a comic icon until 1988 and The Naked Gun. And, really, the Frank Drebin of Police Squad! is not exactly the same Frank Drebin of The Naked Gun. NG Drebin isn't so straight laced, so matter of fact (there's no self aware irony in the TV version), which is what makes the NG Drebin so appealing. He flows better, if you will. And it also helps that Leslie Nielson is much older in the movies, doing that pseudo bow legged walk thing. When you see a guy doing that and shooting at people you can't help but laugh.

1. The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard, Joe Besser, Curley Joe DeRita) in various (1934-1975)

The Stooges don't get as much critical respect as the Marx Brothers or even Abbott and Costello, probably because of the whole "violence" thing. Hitting people over the head with hammers, poking people in the eyes, pushing a man's face into a pot on boiling water: how the heck can you laugh at that stuff? It's horrible. But people are still laughing some seventy years later, and, as we all know, as long as the audience is laughing, it's funny. Hitting people with hammers and metal pipes, punching people in the gut, smacking them across the face, all of that stuff is hilarious. But the Stooges were actually more than just hitting and smacking. They did funny wordplay, they were usually sympathetic (the Stooges were always the heroes, even if they didn't win in the end, which was often the case), and they embodied the working class, the poor. And, again, they were always the heroes, even when they didn't win. And while Moe, Larry, and Curly are the most popular grouping, Shemp did some great stuff, Besser had his moments, and Curley Joe allowed the team to eventually make the jump to feature length movies in 1959. But, how can the Three Stooges be one character? Simple. None of the Stooges can exist on his own. They're not funny by themselves.



Shawn S. Lealos

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Milton Waddams (Stephen Root) in Office Space - The best comic actor is the person who can take a small role and become the most quoted person in the movie. Gary Cole came close with Lumbergh but I really think Stephen Root really became Milton and is still my favorite character in the movie. "...they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire..."

Jeffrey Lebowski / The Dude (Jeff Bridges) in The Big Lebowski - There is a lot to love about this Coen brother's movie, but Jeff Bridges completely loses himself in the role of The Dude. John Goodman and Steve Buscemi deliver great performances as well but it is Bridges who just seems to fit into his character like a (bowling) glove.

Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) in The General - A lot of people consider Charlie Chaplin the king of silent era comedy, but honestly Buster Keaton was just as good and, in my opinion, better than The Tramp. This is his masterpiece and a movie any fan of physical comedy needs to see.

THE TOP 5

5. Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) in Caddyshack

One of Bill Murray's most memorable comedic roles is his portrayal of the groundskeeper hunting the gopher in this classic comedy. With all the funny men from Caddyshack, it is Bill Murray that stands tall above the rest.

4. The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) in various movies
What makes this character so endearing is the fact that he turned his character of The Tramp from the 1914 silent film The Pest and made it an iconic figure. The highlights of the life of The Tramp were the 1921 film The Kid and the 1931 film City Lights. In The Kid, The Tramp takes in a young baby he finds and raises it as his own. In City Lights, The Tramp falls in love with a blind girl who sells flowers on the street. It's one of the most iconic characters to ever come out of comedy cinema.

3. Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) in Blues Brothers

The duo began performing as The Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live and then hit pay dirt with the theatrical version of their act. The two would also release an album and become an overnight sensation. Great music was mixed with Belushi and Aykroyd's comic timing to create two of the most beloved Saturday Night Live characters to ever hit the big screen.

2. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) in Austin Powers

Many great characters came out of the Austin Powers franchise, from Mini Me to Fat Bastard, but the best character created by Mike Myers was not the protagonist Austin Powers, but the antagonist Dr. Evil. Dr. Evil was also the character that enjoyed the greatest character development on any character in the entire series. Whether it is his scenes with Mini Me, Austin, or Scott Evil, he was entertaining throughout all three movies.

1. Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers) in Dr. Strangelove

Peter Sellers could be nominated for any of a number of characters but it is one of the three characters he portrayed in Dr. Strangelove, or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb that made the number one spot on my list. Dr. Strangelove was the eclectic character that earned laughter throughout the entire movie, whether it was his over-the-top dialect or his involuntary Nazi Salute, Sellers created a perfect character that has not been matched since.



Owain J. Brimfield

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Mitch Cohen (Eugene Levy) in A Mighty Wind - why on earth does Levy waste his time with American Pie derivatives when he can nail characters like this eccentric musician? Howlingly deadpan and utterly sublime, and the "kiss at the end of the rainbow" scene is completely touching.

Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) in The Princess Bride - I'll avoid the obvious joke. Although Vizzini doesn't feature in too much of the movie, his final showdown with Westley is just comic genius and a great bit of characterization.

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) in Groundhog Day - I was tempted to include Bob Harris from Lost in Translation here, but ultimately decided he wasn't quite a fully fledged "comedic character", so another Murray creation gets the nod. Connors has that brilliant mix of deadpan comedy and slow-burning panic that really makes this film a classic.

THE TOP 5

5. Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole) in Office Space

The ultimate personification of middle management, Lumbergh is a creation of minor genius due almost entirely to the fact that Gary Cole doesn't have to indulge in very much characterization - everyone knows a Lumbergh, everyone has worked under a Lumbergh, and everyone hates a Lumbergh. Although the character is founded on a collective stereotype though, the nuances Cole adds to his performance, even down to the littlest things such as the way Bill takes a sip of coffee or takes a slimy, almost perverse delight in moving Milton down to the storage rooms, combine to make Lumbergh one of the great comic bad-guys in cinema.

4. Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers) in, yes, Dr. Strangelove

I'll man up and admit I'm not a huge fan of Kubrick's blackest-of-the-black comedies, but Peter Sellers does turn in one (well, arguably several) of the great comic performances of his career in the shape of the titular Nazi scientist. Harking back to the silent era of villains with his wheelchair and strangely sinister black glove that keeps breaking into an inadvertent Nazi salute even when addressing the American president, Strangelove is a comic monster who can't be argued with, and who somehow manages to become synonymous with the end of the world - no mean feat, really.

3. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) in the Austin Powers movies

Few contemporary movies have had an instant affect on pop culture in quite the same way as the Austin Powers series (funnily enough, the previous candidate for that role was Wayne's World, another Mike Myers effort - when did he stop being funny?), and although Austin himself was a camp riot, it was still obviously Myers in fancy dress with a crap accent. Not so Dr. Evil, who Myers managed to fashion into a character at once superbly parodic and entirely believable, and who provided by far the most entertaining scenes in any of the movies. Oh, and not to mention the legion of catchphrases he unleashed on the world.

2. The tramp (Charlie Chaplin) in City Lights

Chaplin, of course, portrayed the tramp in a number of his other movies, but City Lights is by far and away his best movie (perhaps, in fact, the best pre-WWII movie ever made) so I'm using that as the example here. The character himself, rendered all the more iconic for his presence on screen during the silent era and thus incapable of communicating via any means other than mannerisms and body language, is one of the few comedy creations that has legitimately transcended all pop-culture boundaries, and I'd argue that Chaplin in his tramp get-up is instantly recognizable to the vast, vast majority of the moviegoing public. Perhaps worth watching Robert Downey Jr. in 1992's Chaplin to get further insight into a character, and indeed an actor, who managed to worm his way into a nation's consciousness and heart.

1. Nigel Tufnell (Christopher Guest) in This Is Spinal Tap

Has one character ever come out with such an endless parade of quotable gags, stupid comments and deadpan brilliance? Personally I really don't think there's any need to justify this character's inclusion at number one in my list - all you have to do is watch the movie and see. Go on, it'll make your life better. Despite the supporting cast around him causing consistent fits of laughter due to the comic dexterity, it's Guest's performance that really stands out. Nigel Tufnell is essentially the epitome of memorable comedic characters - I could spend time going through all the wonderful lines he comes out with, but I don't think the word count would allow me. Pure, unadulterated genius.

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