Amazingly versatile stage & screen actor with sandy colored hair, pale complexion and a somewhat nervous disposition. Has a reputation for playing mentally unbalanced characters on-screen, however that generalisation would not do justice to Walken's depth and breadth of performances. He learnt his stage craft, including dancing, at Hofstra University & ANTA, and picked up a Theatre World award for his performance in the revival of the Tennessee Williams play "The Rose Tattoo".

Walken then first broke through into cinema in 1969 appearing in Me and My Brother, before appearing alongside Sean Connery in the sleeper heist movie The Anderson Tapes. His eclectic work really came to the attention of critics in 1977 with his intense portrayal of Diane Keaton suicidal younger brother in Annie Hall, and then he scooped the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1977 for his role as Nick in the electrifying The Deer Hunter. Walken was lured back by The Deer Hunter director Michael Cimino for a role in the financially disastrous western Heaven's Gate, before moving onto surprise audiences with his wonderful dance skills in Pennies from Heaven, taking the lead as a school teacher with telepathic abilities in the Stephen King inspired The Dead Zone and then as billionaire industrialist Max Zorin trying to blow up Silicon Valley in the 007 adventure A View to a Kill.

Looking at many of Walken's other captivating screen roles, it is easy to see the diversity of his range and even his droll comedic talents with humorous appearances in Biloxi Blues, Wayne's World 2, Joe Dirt, Mousehunt and America's Sweethearts. Most recently, he continued to surprise audiences again with his work as a heart broken and apologetic father to Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can. Christopher Walken's talents continue to remain in high demand and movie audiences relish watching how capably he re-invents himself for each new challenging role.


Jerry Lewis influenced Walken to make show business his career. At age 10, he met Lewis on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (1950), where Lewis and Dean Martin were guest hosts. Walken was an extra on the show and was in a skit with Lewis. Ranked #96 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997] Was George Lucas' second choice for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars (1977). Attended the Professional Children's School. Was assaulted in a street in New York in 1980 when he asked two men to turn down their music. His nose was broken in the incident. Was on Natalie Wood's yacht the night she drowned. He and Nick Nolte were both considered for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars (1977). Won an MTV Video Music Award for choreographing his own moves in Fatboy Slim's 2001 music video "Weapon Of Choice." At the beginning of The Dead Zone (1983) he tells his class to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Sixteen years later he plays The Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow (1999). Has an intense dislike of handguns. When hosting "Saturday Night Live" (1975), he likes to sing during his monologues (which has become a crowd pleasing favorite). So naturally, when co-hosting SNL specials, his introduction song "I'm Walkin, Im 'Talkin" (for the rhyme of his last name) is played. Danced with Judy Garland at Liza Minnelli's 16th birthday party. In his 35 years in film, he has acted in well over 90 films. He rarely turns down a part, under the belief that making movies (whether they turn out good or bad) is always a rewarding experience. At the time of filming The Rundown (2003), he had never seen the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), and was therefore reluctant to use the phrase "Oompah Loompah" in his final scene. When learning of this, director Peter Berg gave him a copy of the film, and he finally decided to use the phrase. Has different-colored eyes (one blue and one hazel). This is a condition known as heterochromia. One of the few hosts of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) who has hosted enough times to have his own recurring skit ("The Continental"). Was nominated for Broadway's 2000 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "James Joyce's The Dead." Alternated with his brother Glenn Walken in the role of Mike Bauer on the soap opera "The Guiding Light" (1952) (1954-1956). Said in an interview (July 2005) with the German magazine "Der Spiegel" that his father was a German baker from Essen, Germany. He said in an interview that he has never turned down a role. Was considered for the role of Capt. Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). His performance as Nick Chevotarevich in The Deer Hunter (1978) is ranked #88 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006). Received the Shakespeare Theater's Will Award in 1994 for his contributions to classical theater. Was considered for the part of Andy in Dead of Night (1974). Was the first to play King Philip of France on stage for "The Lion in Winter" in 1966, at the Ambassador Theatre, New York City. Is a very skilled chef. His wife, Georgianne Walken, and his brothers, Ken Walken & Glenn Walken, still call him "Ronnie". Received Harvard's "Hasty Pudding Man of the Year" award on February 15, 2008. A frequent host of "Saturday Night Live" (1975), he has also been parodied on the show by Jay Mohr. The youngest ever regular cast member was Anthony Michael Hall, who succeeded him in the television series based on The Dead Zone (1983), and who, like Walken, has appeared in the Batman film series. He appeared on "Saturday Night Live" (1975) doing a Christmas medley called "Walken In A Winter Wonderland" which he dedicated to his mother who hated that he played so many villains. He has been a huge fan of Elvis Presley since his mid-teens. Rosie O'Donell said he was one of the scariest people alive. Later, he appeared on her show and gave her a box of chocolates, flowers and they sang 'Getting to Know You.'. Both of his parents were immigrants - his mother, Rosalie, from Scotland, and his father, Paul, from Germany - making him a first-generation American. Lives in Wilton, Connecticut.