Just because a movie isn’t serious doesn’t mean it lacks a good villain.
In fact, some of the best movie villains come from comedies. There’s something about their ability to play off the protagonist, joke around, and have a good time without having to be serious that resonates with me.
In honor of those iconic antagonists, here are some of our favorite movie villains featured in a comedy.
Dean Wormer – Animal House
“Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
Wise words from Dean Wormer, though I’m not sure if it got through to Flounder.
John Vernon’s Dean Wormer is an excellent foil for the members of Delta House as the straight-laced, no-nonsense Dean of Faber College.
Judge Smails – Caddyshack
“Well? We’re waiting!”
While not as straight-laced as Dean Wormer, Ted Knight’s Judge Smails is the perfect foil for the antics of Caddyshack‘s All-Star cast.
One thing that elevates him is Knight’s ability to keep up with his co-stars Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield.
Judge Doom – Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Let’s take a brief detour. Christopher Lloyd’s Judge Doom isn’t an incredible comedy villain because of his ability to sling jokes. Instead, it’s the fact that he’s a terrifying, legitimate threat and, in the case of me as a child, pure nightmare fuel.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Lloyd’s over-the-top performance works so well, given his talent as an actor.
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Hedley Lamarr – Blazing Saddles
Okay, back to some non-serious comedic villains.
Hedy Lamarr, oh, sorry, Hedley Lamarr may be the constant butt of a running gag that always makes me chuckle, but he has some of the film’s best lines.
Now go do that voodoo that you do so well!
Biff Tannen – Back to the Future
While Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd get all the praise for their performances in the Back to the Future trilogy, Thomas F. Wilson’s performance as Biff Tannen/Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen is the glue that holds the movies together.
Whether it’s the 1950s Tannen bully, the 1980s era villain, or the 1885 outlaw, Tannen is an iconic adversary.
White Goodman – Dodgeball
“Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.”
There are several examples I can use for Ben Stiller, but his performance as White Goodman takes the cake. Where there are so many cases of a comedy’s villain being the straight man, Goodman is the over-the-top character compared to the more straight-laced Peter LaFleur (Vince Vaughn).
Shooter McGavin – Happy Gilmore
In my opinion, the list should start and end here.
The number of times I’ve quoted Shooter McGavin on the golf course is higher than the final stroke tally on my scorecard. He’s the jerk you love to hate, but can’t help but love, even if he has us headed to the 9th green at 9 o’clock.
Ernie McCraken – Kingpin
Kingpin may not be as beloved as other sports comedies, but it has developed a cult following over the years.
One big reason is Bill Murray’s performance as Ernie McCracken. It may not be at the top of the list of the most well-known Murray roles, but it’s absolutely one of his best.
Walter Peck – Ghostbusters
Unlike Kingpin, Ghostbusters is a far more mainstream selection from Murray’s filmography. Here, though, he’s one of the heroes, even if he’s a little sleezy at times.
His banter with Walter Peck is what helps make the movie, establishing Peck as a hated comedy villain, but one that’s well deserving to be the butt of several jokes.
Otto – A Fish Called Wanda
A performance so good that it won Kevin Kline an Academy Award.
Kline not only goes toe-to-toe with two comedic legends in Monty Python alums Michael Palin and John Cleese, but he also steals every single scene he’s in.
Simon Skinner – Hot Fuzz
Rogue Pictures.
Am I including Timothy Dalton’s Simon Skinner just so I can look at this beautiful image? Yes. Is he worthy of inclusion regardless? Also yes.
Hot Fuzz is a perfect movie thanks to Edgar Wright’s incredible script, which allows Dalton, alongside the rest of Sanford, to play the perfect villain.
For the greater good.
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