10 Great Movie Drunks
1. Ben Sanderson
Excellent portrayal of a drunken desperate man taking things to the ultimate end, I can say one thing for sure, at least he was following his dream.
Ben Sanderson – Nicolas Cage
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
2. Arthur
Dudley defines the role of Arthur, the classic rich drunk. One of those films that you can’t imagine another actor in the role.
Arthur – Dudley Moore
Arthur (1981)
3. Henry Chinaski
Mickey Rourke has had many great moments, and burnt the last bridge with Hollywood only to come back. Barfly was just one of his many brilliant performances.
Henry Chinaski – Mickey Rourke
Barfly (1987)
4. Alice Green
I like Meg Ryan, but this movie made me despise her for three years. That’s how good she is at pissing you off in this film.
Alice Green – Meg Ryan
When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
5. Tony Stark
Though not explored very far in the film, in the comic Tony Stark is quite a drinker. Who says you can’t party and be a superhero?
Tony Stark – Robert Downey Jr.
Iron Man (2008)
6. Frank Ricard
For those of you that have seen Old School, Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Frank the Tank is forever stamped in your minds. Whether it’s the scene with Snoop Dog or the naked street run it will forever live in our memory.
Frank Ricard – Will Ferrell
Old School (2003)
7. Captain Jack Sparrow
The always slightly drunk Sparrow is a brilliant piece in the compilation that is Depp’s continuing saga of incredible characters.
Captain Jack Sparrow – Johnny Depp
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)
8. Doc Holliday
“I’m your huckleberry”
Doc Holliday – Val Kilmer
Tombstone (1993)
9. Tony Montana
The ultimate a-hole, Tony Montana at a fine dinning restaurant drunk as a monkey and spewing expletives at his wife.
Tony Montana – Al Pacino
Scarface (1983)
10. John Smith
Though not really drunk, Brad’s faux drunkenness at the poker table is enough to make this list.
John Smith – Brad Pitt
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Did we miss any? Leave a comment, let us know.
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I can’t believe “The Dude” didn’t make this list.
And what about Jackie Chan in Legend of Drunken Master!
Woah. Two very good points guys.
I know it’s totally overdone but what about “Miles” played by Paul Giamati in Sideways? “Did you drink and dial?” LOL!
How about…
Clint Eastwood as William Muny in Unforgiven
Jack Nicholson in the Shining (he is a recovering alcoholic)
oh yeah one more…. Bad Santa… Billy Bob Thorton… DRUNK
I wouldn’t call the Dude a drunk. Is he ever really drunk in the movie? I think he just likes to rock a good buzz.
Raoul Duke deserves mention, I feel — after all, it wasn’t just drugs in that amazing suitcase of his.
And Cary Grant in North By Northwest gives one of my favorite drunk performances…
There is no way that I could ever get all the great performances in, so let me know what your favorites are.
[...] 10 Great Movie Drunks Author: JJ B. Date: December 9th, 2008 Why I Chose This: JJ put together a great list of characters [...]
My vote goes to Liz Taylor in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
i love this type of thought provolking topic.
Good stuff JJ!
Uh Oh I posted on the wrong space.
How about Jack Lemmon in Days of Wine and Roses! Most of you are probably too young for that one.
Or John Belushi in Animal House!
Hello? Paul Newman in The Verdict.
Seriously, it’s PAUL.
And the oscar goes to …….. Homer Simpson (multiple episodes.)
Yeah, Dudley Moore is tough to top … for me it was his performance in 10 w/ steamin hot Bo Derek.
ed norton in fight club drinks beer with his imaginary fried, ed harris in pollock when he flips the turkey day table over, cast of animal house
I just watched blades of glory at lunch and it is pretty funny when chazz michael michaels (will farrell)pukes inside that wizard outfit for that kids ice skating show cause he is so drunk.
If you are a fan of soused cinema, you should check out my site, BOOZE MOVIES: THE 100 PROOF FILM GUIDE (http://boozemovies.blogspot.com/). So far, I’ve reviewed 100 alky-centric flicks from the silent era on up. You may have also seen a few of my film-related articles in Modern Drunkard Magazine.
Of course, a list of great movies inebriates should include W.C. Fields, Nick & Nora Charles, Kid Shelleen, and Wong Fei-Hung.
Cheers,
garv