Nearly 6 months ago, I graced the world with a wonderful and in-depth look at my favorite Jeffrey Combs performances, which can be found
HERE. And now, upon the suggestion of my lovely wife, I will be doing a top 10 on another wonderful and underrated actor: Kurt Russell.
Very much a classic movie star type actor, Kurt Russell embodies the Hollywood tough guy, but is never afraid to take on more challenging dramatic roles. Starting his career at a very young age working primarily for Disney, Russell made the leap from TV to movies and never looked back; he quite literally hasn't made a single TV appearance outside of interviews for over 40 years now. A charming actor with tons of roles in wonderful cult movies and blockbusters alike. I'm excited to get into this, so here are my top 10 favorite Kurt Russell performances.
| 10. | Jimmy Harrell
in Deepwater Horizon |
Any movie starring Mark Wahlberg is going to rely on someone else to carry the emotional weight, and that's exactly what Russell does here. It's a pretty solid thriller with good visuals and overall production, but it's Russell's performance that's the film's biggest appeal. Not quite as meaty of a role as I'd like, but he did what he could with the material.
| 9. | Herb Brooks
in Miracle |
When you walk into a Disney sports movie, you know you're about to see something generically uplifting and uninspired, but Russell still manages to bring this character to life. With an unusual accent and sideburns, it's not hard to see the character instead of just the actor in this performance, which is impressive in its own rite. Simple, but effective.
| 8. | Snake Plissken
in Escape From New York |
Your stereotypical action anti-hero, Snake is the kind of cartoonishly bad-ass character that most actors would approach in a more comedic way, but Russell plays it pretty straight, which somehow makes it even more entertaining. This is a silly and over-the-top character and nobody else could make it work the way he does.
| 7. | Ego
in Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol. 2 |
The first GOTG movie suffered from a weak villain, but this time since the main characters were already established, the movie was able to focus more on the antagonist. And Ego is the kind of bad guy that elevates a movie, especially when played in such a wickedly charming and disarming way. Russell may make a great hero, but he is just as great when playing a villain.
| 6. | Eldon Perry
in Dark Blue |
Crooked cop movies aren't always the best, but the performance (like with many other crooked cop movies) is pretty fantastic. He's an immoral ass, but he isn't totally beyond redemption. To avoid spoilers, the scene at the end is a wonderful cap off to this character, and the conviction in which Russell plays this part sells it.
| 5. | Wyatt Earp
in Tombstone |
Tombstone is a wonderfully over-the-top movie, and while Kilmer tends to steal pretty much every scene he's in, Russell's slightly less showy lead is nearly as good. He's got the slow-motion "NO!", the blood-soaked assassination scene, and some wonderful lines. There's a lot to love here, and that's not even to mention his glorious mustache.
| 4. | Jack Burton
in Big Trouble In Little China |
It's always funny to see a character who just doesn't belong in a movie, but it's even funnier when that character is the lead of said movie. This is one of his sillier performances, blending comedy and action wonderfully. In a lot of ways, this doesn't even feel like a performance, as Russell is so effortlessly enjoyable, but the tone the movie strikes adds even more charm to it.
| 3. | Sheriff Franklin Hunt
in Bone Tomahawk |
Not only is Bone Tomahawk one of the best westerns of the past decade, but Russell gives one of the finest western performances of the past decade in it. This is a very stripped down performance built on subtleties and excellent line delivery. He has a true presence that few other actors could come close to in a part like this, and his reaction to the horrific death he's witness to is genuinely terrific. Great stuff.
| 2. | R.J. MacReady
in The Thing |
My favorite Russell/Carpenter collaboration, and I could spend this whole time praising the movie itself, but Russell is the star here and he deserves the spotlight. A role equal parts paranoid and badass, MacReady is a take-charge guy who takes all the right precautions to save both himself and everyone else from a genuinely terrifying threat. It's not flashy, but it's pretty much the definitive Kurt Russell performance.
| 1. | Stuntman Mike
in Death Proof |
The movie that revived Russell's career, as Tarantino has done with many actors before, and boy did he pick the perfect way to reintroduce us to this wonderful actor. I said before how much I enjoy Russell as a villain, and this is one of the most entertaining villains of the '00s. Intimidating, deranged, and (by the end of the movie) absolutely pathetic, Kurt Russell carries this movie over his shoulder and makes the whole thing endlessly rewatchable. When I think of his best performances, this is the one that instantly comes to mind. He's hilarious, twisted, and cries like a little girl. It's glorious.
Any movie starring Mark Wahlberg is going to rely on someone else to carry the emotional weight, and that's exactly what Russell does here. It's a pretty solid thriller with good visuals and overall production, but it's Russell's performance that's the film's biggest appeal. Not quite as meaty of a role as I'd like, but he did what he could with the material.
When you walk into a Disney sports movie, you know you're about to see something generically uplifting and uninspired, but Russell still manages to bring this character to life. With an unusual accent and sideburns, it's not hard to see the character instead of just the actor in this performance, which is impressive in its own rite. Simple, but effective.
Your stereotypical action anti-hero, Snake is the kind of cartoonishly bad-ass character that most actors would approach in a more comedic way, but Russell plays it pretty straight, which somehow makes it even more entertaining. This is a silly and over-the-top character and nobody else could make it work the way he does. 
The first GOTG movie suffered from a weak villain, but this time since the main characters were already established, the movie was able to focus more on the antagonist. And Ego is the kind of bad guy that elevates a movie, especially when played in such a wickedly charming and disarming way. Russell may make a great hero, but he is just as great when playing a villain. 
Crooked cop movies aren't always the best, but the performance (like with many other crooked cop movies) is pretty fantastic. He's an immoral ass, but he isn't totally beyond redemption. To avoid spoilers, the scene at the end is a wonderful cap off to this character, and the conviction in which Russell plays this part sells it. 
Tombstone is a wonderfully over-the-top movie, and while Kilmer tends to steal pretty much every scene he's in, Russell's slightly less showy lead is nearly as good. He's got the slow-motion "NO!", the blood-soaked assassination scene, and some wonderful lines. There's a lot to love here, and that's not even to mention his glorious mustache. 
It's always funny to see a character who just doesn't belong in a movie, but it's even funnier when that character is the lead of said movie. This is one of his sillier performances, blending comedy and action wonderfully. In a lot of ways, this doesn't even feel like a performance, as Russell is so effortlessly enjoyable, but the tone the movie strikes adds even more charm to it. 
Not only is Bone Tomahawk one of the best westerns of the past decade, but Russell gives one of the finest western performances of the past decade in it. This is a very stripped down performance built on subtleties and excellent line delivery. He has a true presence that few other actors could come close to in a part like this, and his reaction to the horrific death he's witness to is genuinely terrific. Great stuff. 
My favorite Russell/Carpenter collaboration, and I could spend this whole time praising the movie itself, but Russell is the star here and he deserves the spotlight. A role equal parts paranoid and badass, MacReady is a take-charge guy who takes all the right precautions to save both himself and everyone else from a genuinely terrifying threat. It's not flashy, but it's pretty much the definitive Kurt Russell performance. 
The movie that revived Russell's career, as Tarantino has done with many actors before, and boy did he pick the perfect way to reintroduce us to this wonderful actor. I said before how much I enjoy Russell as a villain, and this is one of the most entertaining villains of the '00s. Intimidating, deranged, and (by the end of the movie) absolutely pathetic, Kurt Russell carries this movie over his shoulder and makes the whole thing endlessly rewatchable. When I think of his best performances, this is the one that instantly comes to mind. He's hilarious, twisted, and cries like a little girl. It's glorious. 
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