You are unlikely to meet anyone who doesn't have some kind of love for Christopher Walken. The actor appeals to nearly all audiences - whether appearing in a heavyweight dramatic role or a throwaway comic turn - chances are he's the only thing you are talking about after seeing one of his films. He's an old fashioned eccentric, something that can be seen from his distinct vocal character, quirky demeanor and unparalleled acting charisma. With countless awards to his name (including an Academy Award and a BAFTA), Walken remains a force adored by critics and audiences alike. Even sixty years after his screen debut, Walken's career is still going strong with the actor dabbling in mainstream roles as well as a variety of independent features. As his latest feature, A Late Quartet gets its UK release on the 5th April, we look back at the best and worst of Walken's career...
5 Awesome Performances
5. True Romance - Don Vincenzo Coccotti
Walken's appearance in the late Tony Scott's True Romance is a minor one, but it's also an integral one. The charismatic star plays vicious mob boss Don Vincenzo Coccotti, who sets out to reclaim narcotics stolen from him by naive Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) and his call girl lover, Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette). Walken's sequence sees him interrogate Clarence's father (Dennis Hopper) and is one of the standout scenes of the film. Seeing these two heavyweight stars verbally jousting in what is dubbed 'The Sicilian scene' is gripping and has now become somewhat iconic. As Hopper's character comes to terms with the fact Don Vincenzo is going to kill him regardless of whatever he tells them, he begins to test the mob boss's patience by criticizing his Sicilian background. When Walken breaks into a manic laugh, things become truly unsettling as we see he's been pushed over the limit. The scene is a testament to stellar directing talent of Scott, Tarantino's sharp screenplay and the unparalleled acting talents of Walken and Hopper.