Jeremy Irons: 5 Awesome Performances & 5 That Sucked

2. Scar - The Lion King (1994)

Despite the fact that it's a voice role, to dismiss what is probably Jeremy Irons' most famous role to date, not to mention one of his greatest ever performances, would be a discredit to his man's career on the whole. Who else could have made Scar so memorable? Irons turned down the part at first: Disney phoned him, asked if he wanted to record a few lines for an upcoming animated film about a lion and - coming off the back of Reversal of Fortune - he said no. They later convinced, and even went as far as to model Scar on various aspects of Irons' Oscar-winning performance as Claus von Bülow. Scar is one of Disney's great villains, and in providing his voice Jeremy Irons makes him a truly delicious tyrant. Irons' defining moment here, perhaps, comes during Scar's song, "Be Prepared," which - powered by actor's dulcet tones - is made a classic. Robin Williams' peerless performance as the Genie in Aladdin aside, this could very well be the most ingenious piece of animated movie voice casting ever.