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Christopher Walken Biography

Birth Name:Ronald Walken

Birth Place:Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Awarded Harvard's "Hasty Pudding Man of the Year" in 2008
Received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in "Sweet Bird of Youth" in 1975
As a child actor, he decided that he ultimately wanted a career in showbusiness after appearing in a sketch with the legendary comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Quote: "I think that a good movie creates its own world, and that world needn't refer to anything that's real․ If it's consistent, if it's entertaining, if it's interesting, it justifies its being there․"
Known for improvising long, haunting monologues in his roles
Frequently portrays criminals or crime bosses in his films
Was the first choice of George Lucas to play Han Solo in "Star Wars․"
Has a standing invitation to host "Saturday Night Live" every year if his schedule permits
Intended to originally study dance, and works a small dance number into virtually all of his roles
Worked as a lion tamer in a circus for a short period as a teenager

Awards

1978LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1978NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1978NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1979Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1979Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: nominated
1980BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1984Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
1988Magnolia Award-Best Actor: winner
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1993American Television Award-Best Actor in a Made for TV Movie: nominated
1996Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1996Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: winner
1997Special Mention-: winner
2000Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2000MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
2002ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2002LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2002Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2002UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003Movies for Grownups Award-Best Breakaway Performance: nominated
2003Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2003BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2003DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2003INOCA-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
2003NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2003OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2003VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Best Actor-: winner
2004Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2005Prism Award-Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: winner
2007Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
2007IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2008Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2012BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2012SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2012SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2012WFCC Award-Best Line in a Movie: winner
2017Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama: nominated
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2023Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2025Pride Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Series/Mini Series: nominated
2025Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2026Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated