Christopher Walken Biography
Christopher Walken is a renowned American actor, producer, and dancer. He is best known for his distinctive charisma, versatile acting style, and captivating screen presence.
Christopher Walken Age / Birthday
As of 2023, Walken is 80 years old, he was born on March 3, 1943, in Astoria, New York, in the United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on March 31 every year.
Christopher Walken Height / Measurements
Walken is of average body stature and stands at an approximate height of 6 feet tall.
Christopher Walken Partner/ Wife
Walken has been married to Georgianne Walken since 1969. They met in 1963 while touring with the musical West Side Story. Georgianne was working as a casting director, and Christopher was a dancer in the show. They have been together ever since and have no children. Georgianne has been a constant source of support for Christopher throughout his career.
She has said that she is “his rock” and that he “couldn’t have done it without her.” The couple has been praised for their strong and enduring relationship. In a 2016 interview, Christopher Walken said that he and Georgianne were “very lucky” to have found each other. He said that they have “always been there for each other” and that they are “still very much in love.”
Christopher Walken Kids / Children
Walken has no biological children. He has been married to Georgianne Walken since 1969, and the couple has never had children. Walken has stated in interviews that not having children is one of the reasons he has had such a prolific career.
He has said that he can devote more time to his work because he does not have the responsibilities of parenthood. Walken has expressed his happiness with his decision not to have children, and he has said that he does not regret it. He has also said that he enjoys spending time with his cats, which he considers to be like his children.
Christopher Walken Family / Relatives
His mother, Rosalie Russell, hailed from Glasgow, Scotland, while his father, Paul Wälken, was a German immigrant from Gelsenkirchen who owned and managed Walken’s Bakery in Astoria. Christopher Walken was named after the actor Ronald Colman and was brought up in the Methodist faith. During the 1950s, Walken, along with his brothers Kenneth and Glenn, ventured into acting as children on television, inspired by their mother’s aspirations for stardom.
Christopher Walken Education
Walken attended the Professional Children’s School, a prestigious institution renowned for its nurturing environment for young performers. Established in 1941, the school has provided a platform for aspiring actors, musicians, and dancers like Walken to hone their talents and prepare for the rigors of the entertainment industry.
While at Professional Children’s School, Walken developed a passion for acting and dancing. He actively participated in school productions and extracurricular activities, immersing himself in the world of performance. This early exposure to the stage undoubtedly shaped his future career trajectory.
Following his time at Professional Children’s School, Walken continued his acting education at Hofstra University. However, he left the university after one year to pursue an off-Broadway role in the musical “Best Foot Forward.” This decision marked a turning point in his career, as it propelled him into the world of professional theater.
Christopher Walken Career
He began taking dance lessons at the age of three and later attended the Professional Children’s School, a prestigious institution for aspiring performers. His early exposure to the stage instilled in him a deep appreciation for storytelling and the power of performance.
Walken’s breakthrough role came in 1978 with Michael Cimino’s epic war drama “The Deer Hunter.” His portrayal of the troubled and volatile Nick Chevoor earned him widespread acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This initial success propelled him into the Hollywood spotlight, opening doors to a plethora of diverse and challenging roles.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Walken established himself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after actors. He seamlessly transitioned between genres, delivering memorable performances in films such as “The Rose Tattoo” (1986), “At Close Range” (1986), “Batman Returns” (1992), and “Pulp Fiction” (1994). His distinctive delivery, often characterized by a staccato rhythm and piercing gaze, became his signature style, captivating audiences worldwide.
Walken’s career expanded beyond acting in 2001 when he co-founded Plan B Entertainment, a production company responsible for critically acclaimed and commercially successful films like “The Departed” (2006), “12 Years a Slave” (2013), and “Moonlight” (2016). These ventures brought him further recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Picture for “12 Years a Slave.”
Christopher Walken Salary
Walken receives an annual income ranging between $130,000 and $150,000.
Christopher Walken Net Worth
Walken has an estimated net worth of $50 million
Christopher Walken Dance Career
Walken is not only an acclaimed actor but also a skilled dancer. He began his career as a child performer, appearing in musical theater productions and studying tap dancing.
Walken’s dancing skills have been showcased in several of his films, including:
- Pennies from Heaven (1981): Walken plays a down-and-out salesman who dreams of a better life in this musical fantasy. He demonstrates his tap dancing skills in several scenes, including a memorable number with Bernadette Peters.
- Hairspray (2007): Walken plays Wilbur Turnblad, the father of a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a dancer. He shows off his moves in a few scenes, including a hilarious duet with John Travolta.
- Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” music video (2001): Walken stars in this iconic music video, performing a series of eccentric dance moves. The video was directed by Spike Jonze and won three MTV Video Music Awards.
Walken’s dancing has also been praised in his stage work. He received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the musical “James Joyce’s The Dead” in 2000.
Christopher Walken Award Recognition
Walken’s acting career remained equally impressive throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He continued to showcase his versatility, taking on roles in diverse genres, from the action-packed “World War Z” (2013) to the comedic heist film “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and its sequels. His performances in films like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), “Moneyball” (2011), and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) earned him further critical acclaim and awards, including a second Academy Award nomination for his role in the latter.
Beyond his acting and production achievements, Walken is also a respected philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes through his foundation, the Make It Right Foundation. He remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, admired for his talent, dedication to his craft, and commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Christopher Walken in Batman
Walken played Max Shreck in Tim Burton’s 1992 film Batman Returns. Shreck is a ruthless businessman who allies himself with the Penguin to take over Gotham City. Walken’s performance was praised for its creepy and menacing intensity. Shreck is a complex and morally ambiguous character. He is driven by greed and ambition, but he is also capable of great cruelty.
Walken’s performance brings out these qualities in Shreck, making him a truly terrifying villain. Shreck’s most memorable scene in the film is his confrontation with Batman in the cathedral. Shreck is armed with a gun, but Batman can disarm him and defeat him. The scene is a thrilling and suspenseful climax to the film.
Christopher Walken Presidential Candidacy Hoax
In 2014, a hoax website and social media campaign claimed that actor Christopher Walken was running for President of the United States as an independent candidate. The website, “Christopher Walken 2016,” featured a photo of Walken with the caption “America needs a leader who’s seen it all. Vote Christopher Walken for President 2016.”
The hoax campaign also included a Facebook page and a Twitter account, both of which shared memes and other content promoting Walken’s candidacy. The campaign quickly went viral, with many people believing that Walken was running for President. However, the hoax was quickly debunked by Walken’s representatives, who confirmed that he had no plans to run for President. The website and social media accounts were also taken down.
Christopher Walken Natalie Wood
Walken and Natalie Wood appeared together in only one film: Brainstorm (1983). The film tells the story of two scientists who develop a device that can record and replay sensory experiences. However, the device also has the potential to be dangerous, as it can also record the consciousness of a dying person.
Wood plays Alex, a scientist who is working on the device with her colleague Bruce (Walken). Bruce is married to Karen (Louise Fletcher), who is also a scientist. The film explores the relationship between the three characters as they grapple with the ethical implications of their work.
Christopher Walken Movies and TV Shows
- The Deer Hunter 1978
- Catch Me If You Can 2002
- Sleepy Hollow 1999
- Pulp Fiction 1994
- Dune: Part Two 2024
- Batman Returns 1992
- A View to a Kill 1985
- Man on Fire 2004
- Joe Dirt 2001
- Wedding Crashers 2005
- King of New York 1990
- Dune 2021
- The Dead Zone 1983
- Hairspray 2007
- True Romance 1993
- Seven Psychopaths 2012
- The Jungle Book 2016
- Blast from the Past 1999
- The War with Grandpa 2020
- Kangaroo Jack 2003
- Nine Lives 2016
- Stand Up Guys 2012
Christopher Walken Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Walken is active on his social media accounts. He has about 4.5k followers on his Facebook Page, about 16.9k followers on his Twitter account, and around 17k followers on his Instagram account.