13 Great Andy Serkis Performances (That Aren't Mo-Cap)
Here are the best and precious performances of the English actor, director and motion-capture king Andy Serkis.
Marvel Studios
Before he became the motion-capture king behind King Kong, Gollum and Caesar the ape, Andy Serkis was an Emmy and BAFTA-nominated character actor. Here's some of his best non-digital work.
Smeagol - 'Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003)
New Line
Serkis's performance as Gollum is so impressive, it's easy to forget he briefly appears as the rather Hobbit-like Sméagol before the Ring gave him "unnatural long life." As Sméagol he goes in an instant from a fairly amiable fisherman (although the way he baits that worm is a bit off) to a murderer when his cousin finds the Ring while fishing.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Mr. Alley - 'The Prestige' (2006)
Warner Bros./Disney
Serkis unveils a flawless American accent (and a wink of mischief) as Nikola Tesla (David Bowie)'s assistant in Christopher Nolan's grim drama about rival magicians.
Lumpy - 'King Kong' (2005)
Universal Pictures
Not only did Serkis perform the part of Kong in Peter Jackson's epic, he also played doomed cook Lumpy, who is attacked and eaten by giant worms. Would have been smarter if he hadn't wasted all his ammo on harmless (but giant) insects.
William Hare - 'Burke & Hare' (2010)
IFC Films
If anyone can make grave-robbing and trading in corpses funny, it's Serkis, Simon Pegg and John Landis.
Richard Kneeland - '13 Going on 30' (2004)
Columbia Pictures
When Jenna (Jennifer Garner) busts out with "Thriller," everyone is reluctant to join in. But soon, even her too-cool boss (Serkis) is on the dance floor. And who's the only one moonwalking? That's right, Andy Serkis.
13 Going on 30
John D'Auban - 'Topsy-Turvy' (1999)
Pathé Distribution
Serkis steals the show as the disapproving choreographer of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, "The Mikado." He takes issue with all of Gilbert (Jim Broadbent)'s directions to the cast, muttering. "I haven't laughed so much since my tights caught fire in 'Harlequin Meets Itchity Witch and the Snitch.’”
Colleoni - 'Brighton Rock' (2010)
Optimum Releasing
Serkis is a smooth, well-connected gangster facing off with a teenage upstart (Sam Riley) in this adaptation of the Graham Greene novel.
Capricorn - 'Inkheart' (2008)
New Line Cinema
If you're a British character actor, you're going to play more than your share of villains, including this heartless, rather campy bad guy who just loves duct tape.
Inkheart
Martin Hannett - '24 Hour Party People' (2002)
United Artists
In this look back at the Manchester music scene that gave rise to bands like Joy Division, Serkis is the world's most demanding sound engineer. He demands that the band's drummer play "faster, but slower." He's not satisfied until the drum kit is rebuilt ... on the roof of the studio.
Bill Sikes - 'Oliver Twist' (1999)
ITV
Taking on one of literature's most notorious villains, Serkis steps into the nefarious character's shoes with visible delight.
Ulysses Klaue - 'Black Panther' (2018)
Marvel
He first appeared in the Marvel movie "Age of Ultron," but this one-armed South African mercenary is one of the highlights of "Black Panther." Whether gleefully spilling all the tea about Wakanda or shooting up a casino, he's having the time of his rotten life.
Rigaud - 'Little Dorrit' (2008)
BBC/WGBH
Serkis received an Emmy nomination for his role as a Dickensian murderer with a multitude of aliases.
Ian Dury - 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' (2010)
Lipsync Productions
In his first lead role, Serkis earned Best Actor nominations from BAFTA and the British Independent Film Awards for his audacious portrayal of the British punk/new wave musician. He even did his own vocals!
Sex Drugs Rock Roll
Watch Andy Serkis' latest movie as director 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' in theaters on Oct 1st, 2021.
