Jack Black’s 5 Best Performances

His accolades include two Golden Globe nominations and a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

A comedy actor who has become a staple of the genre, Jack Black has proven his funny bones can work in various ways to have audiences laughing. The question is, which of his roles should be marked as his best?

Below, we’ve put together our top performances from the comedic star.

5. Professor Sheldon Oberon/Bethany in Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

The sequel to Robin Williams’ Jumanji needed to land well to win over fans. Thankfully, Black’s inclusion helped to soften the landing. The actor stars as Jumanji avatar Professor Sheldon Oberon, who is inhabited by phone loving, self obsessed teenager Bethany Walker.

Watching Black give the performance of a teenage girl could have been very cringey and over done, but he gives a genuine and still funny enactment.

Black has said that through researching the role of Bethany, he went directly to Madison Iseman, who portrays Bethany outside of the game. He asked about her favourite music and TV shows, which he then watched and listened to. This apparently helped him to get into the headspace of the character.

4. Carl Denham in King Kong (2005)

An example of Black stepping more into the dramatic direction. Directed by Lord of the Rings‘ Peter Jackson, the film follows the same story as the traditional King Kong tale. Black portrays film director Carl Denham, a conman of sorts who comes into possession of the map to skull island and sets the events of the film in motion.

Many may feel the actor doesn’t belong in dramatic roles, but there is no question that he gave a standout performance considering he wasn’t as familiar with the genre as the main bulk of the cast.

Jackson originally wanted either Robert De Niro or George Clooney to take on the role of Denham. Obviously, Black got the role one way or the other, but had to wear a wig for filming as his natural hair wouldn’t go the way Jackson wanted.

3. Jeff Portnoy in Tropic Thunder (2008)

Probably one of the, if not the, most outrageous role Black has ever taken on. Directed by and also starring Ben Stiller, the comedy actor stars as one of a group of actors working to make a serious war movie despite the doubt of the media of film goers.

Black’s portrayal as a drug addicted star who can’t shake the unwanted fame of a comedy franchise (named The Fatties) is unnerving yet hysterical. Every time this character craves his vice, you’re in for a chuckle.

The part was written with Black in mind and is partially based on the late SNL star Chris Farley.

Related Article: Ben Stiller’s 5 Best Performances

2. Hal Larson in Shallow Hal (2001)

One of Black’s most well known roles, directed by The Farrelly Brothers. He stars as Hal Larson, a man who has become very shallow in how he pursues women. After a chance and far-fetched encounter with Tony Robbins, Hal then begins to see people for who they are on he inside, and their beauty shines through.

Black maybe isn’t as funny as he is in other performances, but he does have a really interesting part to play. His more reserved character is a really welcome addition to his filmography.

This was actually Jack Black’s 20th film role, but his first as a leading man. He had previously starred in films such as The Cable Guy alongside Jim Carrey.

1. Dewey Finn in School of Rock (2003)

Come on, you must have known this was going to nick the top spot. Directed by Richard Linklater, Black stars as washed up wannabe rock star Dewey Finn. After being thrown out of his band and being pressured to pay his rent, he finds himself impersonating his room mate as a substitute teacher. There, he finds himself in the presence of a musically talented group of youngsters, who he is determined to get into the Battle of the Bands.

Black seems most at home in this role. He gets to play with music, be energetic and play up the comedy as he does it. This is sure to be his best role for the rest of his life. That is meant as the highest of compliments.

Writer Mike White actually came up with the idea for the story after living in an apartment next door to Black himself. White would sometimes find him running through the halls naked whilst blasting music. From there, the seed for the script was planted. Some of the music Black would play even made it into the film!

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