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Christopher Walken

Academy Award-Winning Film and Theater Actor; "Seven Psychopaths"

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Christopher Walken Biography

Christopher Walken started out his career occasionally replacing his brother Glenn as Mike Bauer on the daytime soap opera, "The Guiding Light." While in his mid-teens, Walken made his Broadway debut in Archibald MacLeish's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "J.B.," a contemporary take on the Book of Job set in a modern circus. By the middle of the decade, Walken performed in several musicals, including as a member of the chorus in "Baker Street" (1965). While few chorus players managed to segue into dramatic roles, Walken was an exception when he landed the role of King Philips in the historical drama, "The Lion in Winter," a role from which he was almost fired for being too nervous to perform.

After winning a Drama Desk Award for his performance in "Lemon Sky," Walken had a more significant onscreen part as a young electronics expert opposite Sean Connery in the Sidney Lumet-helmed crime thriller, "The Anderson Tapes." The following year, Walken had his first lead role in "The Happiness Cage," a mad scientist thriller in which he played an obnoxious young man who is used in an experiment that involves removing pain through a brain operation. Returning to the New York Shakespeare Festival, he tackled the lead role in "Macbeth" while starring the following year in stagings of "Kid Champion" and "Sweet Bird of Youth."

Walken made his first memorable impression upon the movie-going public with his portrayal of Diane Keaton's comically suicidal brother in "Annie Hall." Walken then was cast as a young man ravaged by his experiences in the Vietnam War in "The Deer Hunter." Walken's brilliant portrayal of a disintegrated man earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. After a leading role opposite Tom Berenger in "The Dogs of War," Walken was perfectly cast as a man cursed with the ability to see the future in "The Dead Zone," based on the Stephen King novel. Also that year, he co-starred in "Brainstorm," the last film made by famed actress Natalie Wood.

Walken was then cast in 1986's "A Streetcar Named Desire," playing the role to comic effect to avoid comparisons to Marlon Brando's Oscar-nominated performance in the 1951 film version. Walken was then in the film adaptation of Neil Simon's play, "Biloxi Blues." Afterward, Walken began a long-running collaboration with director Abel Ferrara, playing the first of several crime lords in "The King of New York."

In 1992 Walken appeared in "Batman Returns" as the powerful and corrupt businessman Max Shreck, who joins forces with the grotesque Penguin to take on Gotham City's Caped Crusader.

By the mid-1990s, Walken was seemingly in every film that needed a dark, calculating bad guy. After playing an enforce for an Irish mobster in "Last Man Standing," he was the creepy right-hand man of a millionaire who refuses to pay the ransom for his spoiled daughter in "Excess Baggage." By the end of the 1990s, Walken was well-established as a go-to supporting and leading actor whose off-beat, deadpan delivery was invaluable in both dramatic and comedic roles. Often cited as being one of the most popular actors to play villains, he was also one of the most widely impersonated performers, with many actors - Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp, Jay Mohr - giving spot-on interpretations of the Walken persona.

Meanwhile, he gave voice to the brutal insect Cutter in the CGI-animated "Antz" and for a third time played the turn-of-the-century widower in "Sarah: Plain and Tall: Winter's End." Taking campy villains to a new level, Walken played the vicious Headless Horseman in Tim Burton's uneven "Sleepy Hollow." After a four-year absence, Walken returned to his stage roots to star opposite Blair Brown in a musical adaptation of James Joyce's short story "The Dead," before returning to the big screen for "The Opportunists." Though known for playing downright evil villains, Walken was also viciously funny, which led to producer Lorne Michaels inviting him to host "Saturday Night Live" on numerous occasions. Always a welcomed guest, Michaels gave the actor an open invitation to host whenever the urge surfaced.

In 2001, Walken was part of "Joe Dirt," "America's Sweethearts," "The Affair of the Necklace" and "Weapon of Choice." But just when it seemed that he had given up serious acting to specialize in self-parody, Walken turned in a moving and poignant performance in director Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can." Walken subsequently received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film.

Walken next played the formidable Mike Wellington, the mayor of Stepford, whose secret, singular vision surrounding subservient spouses in "The Stepford Wives." He was better utilized in the Owen Wilson-Vince Vaughn comedy "Wedding Crashers," playing the powerful politico father of leading lady Rachel McAdams. Refreshingly, Walken was allowed to play that role straight, without overdoing the quirks that had previously defined him. Walken next appeared in director Tony Scott's hyperkinetic pseudo-biopic "Domino." He then co-starred in the Adam Sandler comedy vehicle "Click."

Walken co-starred in "Man of the Year, playing the ailing talent manager of a popular talk show host whose surprise run for the presidency shocks the nation when he actually wins. His next feature, "Hairspray," was an adaptation of the 2003 musical which was itself adapted from John Waters' 1988 film. In the comedy "Balls of Fury," he was the criminal host of an annual ping-pong tournament where the losers are executed. Showing no signs of slowing down, the hard-working actor next filmed "Citizen Brando," a half documentary, half fictional take on a young man's fascination with Marlon Brandon and the American Dream.

FAQs
  • HOW TO BOOK Christopher Walken?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Christopher Walken for both live and virtual events for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Christopher Walken, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Christopher Walken or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BOOK Christopher Walken?

    Speaking fees for Christopher Walken, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Christopher Walken charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Christopher Walken, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • WHO IS THE AGENT FOR Christopher Walken?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Christopher Walken for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Christopher Walken for your next private or corporate function.
  • WHAT IS A FULL-SERVICE TALENT BOOKING AGENCY?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Christopher Walken or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Christopher Walken or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

Academy Award-Winning Film and Theater Actor; "Seven Psychopaths"

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Christopher Walken Biography

Christopher Walken started out his career occasionally replacing his brother Glenn as Mike Bauer on the daytime soap opera, "The Guiding Light." While in his mid-teens, Walken made his Broadway debut in Archibald MacLeish's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "J.B.," a contemporary take on the Book of Job set in a modern circus. By the middle of the decade, Walken performed in several musicals, including as a member of the chorus in "Baker Street" (1965). While few chorus players managed to segue into dramatic roles, Walken was an exception when he landed the role of King Philips in the historical drama, "The Lion in Winter," a role from which he was almost fired for being too nervous to perform.

After winning a Drama Desk Award for his performance in "Lemon Sky," Walken had a more significant onscreen part as a young electronics expert opposite Sean Connery in the Sidney Lumet-helmed crime thriller, "The Anderson Tapes." The following year, Walken had his first lead role in "The Happiness Cage," a mad scientist thriller in which he played an obnoxious young man who is used in an experiment that involves removing pain through a brain operation. Returning to the New York Shakespeare Festival, he tackled the lead role in "Macbeth" while starring the following year in stagings of "Kid Champion" and "Sweet Bird of Youth."

Walken made his first memorable impression upon the movie-going public with his portrayal of Diane Keaton's comically suicidal brother in "Annie Hall." Walken then was cast as a young man ravaged by his experiences in the Vietnam War in "The Deer Hunter." Walken's brilliant portrayal of a disintegrated man earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. After a leading role opposite Tom Berenger in "The Dogs of War," Walken was perfectly cast as a man cursed with the ability to see the future in "The Dead Zone," based on the Stephen King novel. Also that year, he co-starred in "Brainstorm," the last film made by famed actress Natalie Wood.

Walken was then cast in 1986's "A Streetcar Named Desire," playing the role to comic effect to avoid comparisons to Marlon Brando's Oscar-nominated performance in the 1951 film version. Walken was then in the film adaptation of Neil Simon's play, "Biloxi Blues." Afterward, Walken began a long-running collaboration with director Abel Ferrara, playing the first of several crime lords in "The King of New York."

In 1992 Walken appeared in "Batman Returns" as the powerful and corrupt businessman Max Shreck, who joins forces with the grotesque Penguin to take on Gotham City's Caped Crusader.

By the mid-1990s, Walken was seemingly in every film that needed a dark, calculating bad guy. After playing an enforce for an Irish mobster in "Last Man Standing," he was the creepy right-hand man of a millionaire who refuses to pay the ransom for his spoiled daughter in "Excess Baggage." By the end of the 1990s, Walken was well-established as a go-to supporting and leading actor whose off-beat, deadpan delivery was invaluable in both dramatic and comedic roles. Often cited as being one of the most popular actors to play villains, he was also one of the most widely impersonated performers, with many actors - Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp, Jay Mohr - giving spot-on interpretations of the Walken persona.

Meanwhile, he gave voice to the brutal insect Cutter in the CGI-animated "Antz" and for a third time played the turn-of-the-century widower in "Sarah: Plain and Tall: Winter's End." Taking campy villains to a new level, Walken played the vicious Headless Horseman in Tim Burton's uneven "Sleepy Hollow." After a four-year absence, Walken returned to his stage roots to star opposite Blair Brown in a musical adaptation of James Joyce's short story "The Dead," before returning to the big screen for "The Opportunists." Though known for playing downright evil villains, Walken was also viciously funny, which led to producer Lorne Michaels inviting him to host "Saturday Night Live" on numerous occasions. Always a welcomed guest, Michaels gave the actor an open invitation to host whenever the urge surfaced.

In 2001, Walken was part of "Joe Dirt," "America's Sweethearts," "The Affair of the Necklace" and "Weapon of Choice." But just when it seemed that he had given up serious acting to specialize in self-parody, Walken turned in a moving and poignant performance in director Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can." Walken subsequently received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film.

Walken next played the formidable Mike Wellington, the mayor of Stepford, whose secret, singular vision surrounding subservient spouses in "The Stepford Wives." He was better utilized in the Owen Wilson-Vince Vaughn comedy "Wedding Crashers," playing the powerful politico father of leading lady Rachel McAdams. Refreshingly, Walken was allowed to play that role straight, without overdoing the quirks that had previously defined him. Walken next appeared in director Tony Scott's hyperkinetic pseudo-biopic "Domino." He then co-starred in the Adam Sandler comedy vehicle "Click."

Walken co-starred in "Man of the Year, playing the ailing talent manager of a popular talk show host whose surprise run for the presidency shocks the nation when he actually wins. His next feature, "Hairspray," was an adaptation of the 2003 musical which was itself adapted from John Waters' 1988 film. In the comedy "Balls of Fury," he was the criminal host of an annual ping-pong tournament where the losers are executed. Showing no signs of slowing down, the hard-working actor next filmed "Citizen Brando," a half documentary, half fictional take on a young man's fascination with Marlon Brandon and the American Dream.

FAQs on booking Christopher Walken

  • How to book Christopher Walken?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Christopher Walken for both live and virtual events for over 20 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Christopher Walken, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Christopher Walken or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Christopher Walken?

    Speaking fees for Christopher Walken, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Christopher Walken charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Christopher Walken, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • Who is the agent for Christopher Walken?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Christopher Walken for clients worldwide for more than 20 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Christopher Walken for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service talent booking agency?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Christopher Walken or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Christopher Walken or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.

Christopher Walken is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Christopher Walken for your event is available upon request. Christopher Walken generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Robert De Niro, James Marsden, Jon Voight, Michael Fassbender and Sam Rockwell. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Christopher Walken for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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Speakers Similar to Christopher Walken

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

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