Tattoos have long served as visual narratives, offering a glimpse into an individual’s psyche, values, and personal experiences. For the former boy band member of NSYNC, each tattoo etched into his skin seems to carry a profound significance, weaving a tapestry of emotions and memories that span his evolution from Mickey Mouse Club member and teen idol to seasoned entertainer who has starred in movies such as Alpha Dog, The Social Network, Friends With Benefits, and Palmer.

From the crisp lines of his intricate sleeve to the more discreet markings that grace his body, every tattoo reveals a unique chapter of Timberlake’s life journey. These indelible imprints spark curiosity and intrigue, prompting us to explore the intricate stories woven into their designs and placements.

Join us as we embark on a guided tour through the captivating world of Justin Timberlake’s tattoos, deciphering their hidden meanings and unraveling the rich tapestry of his life, one inked masterpiece at a time.

A Guide To 8 Justin Timberlake Tattoos and What They Mean

1. Guardian Angel Tattoo

The largest ink on Justin Timberlake’s body is found on his back. It’s also his most personal. The tattoo is of a baby angel surrounded by a feather wing design with the word “Guardian” above the baby angel and in a scroll in cursive below the words “Of the Wicked.”

The baby angel bears the initials of Timberlake’s mother, Lynn Bomar Harness, who is his biggest supporter, while the “Guardian” script is a tribute to his twin sister who died at birth.

2. Cross Tattoo

On Justin Timberlake’s upper left should is an impressive cross tattoo. While he hasn’t spoken about the Celtic cross tattoo design, Timberlake grew up in the American Bible Belt in the southern city of Memphis.

His father, Charles Randall Timberlake, was a Baptist church choir director who raised the “Cry Me a River” singer in the Christian faith. Although he grew up in and around the church, Hollowverse reports that these days Timberlake is “more spiritual than religious.” Despite his lack of Christian faith, that didn’t stop him from getting married to his wife, Jessica Biel, in an Italian church.

3. Astral Band Tattoo

Justin Timberlake is an astrology fan, so he got his astral sign of the Zodiac, Aquarius, inked around his left leg between his ankle and knee. It’s not the most attractive tattoo, but the red shading does give it a unique look.

4. NSYNC Logo Tattoo

It should come as no surprise that Justin Timberlake has a tattoo referencing his time in the boy band NSYNC. All members of the group got the tattoo, which is of flames colored red, with Timberlake getting his ink on his lower right leg.

5. Velvet Rope Tattoo

Below the flaming NSYNC logo tattoo is a velvet rope tattoo (very similar to the red carpet seen at movie premiers and award shows) that stands for the popularity the band experienced.

6. “JRT” Tattoo

At the front of the tattoo design are the letters “JRT,” which are Timberlake’s initials. Why people feel the need to tattoo their initials on their bodies is a mystery, but we are sure JT is a big fan of the artwork.

7. Marionette Tattoo

On the back of his lower right leg is another tattoo, this one is the image of a marionette. It’s another reference to his time in NSYNC, as fans will remember the band acting as puppets in the music videos for hit songs “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.”

While the NSYNC logo, velvet rope, marionette, and “JRT” tattoos have much meaning for Timberlake, they aren’t of the highest quality, which is why he may be happy they are not often in plain view.

8. Chinese Symbol Tattoo

This small tattoo is on Justin Timberlake’s left leg and is the Chinese symbol for “music.” It’s obvious he got this tattoo to show his love for music.

In exploring the Die Hard franchise’s best quotes, we delve into the enduring power of these lines, which have transcended the films to become part of the lexicon of action movie enthusiasts. We’ll revisit the gripping intensity of Bruce Willis’ portrayal of the wisecracking NYPD detective McClane and the moments when his heroic exploits are accentuated by clever quips that perfectly capture the essence of the character.

The original movie is a stone-cold classic that pits Willis’ McClane against Alan Rickman’s incredible movie villain Hans Gruber, a German criminal who takes control of Nakatomi Plaza. An action-packed thrill ride that changed the action movie genre for the better, Die Hard was a massive hit that took home around $140 million and turned Willis into a star.

As is often the case with this type of movie, a sequel was inevitable. Die Hard 2: Die Harder, came out two years later and is set in an airport and features McClane coming up against a group of mercenaries trying to free a Latin American dictator. Although not as well received as the original, it was still a box-office smash that led to a third film five years later; Die Hard With a Vengeance.

Arguably on par with the original, Die Hard With a Vengence finds McClane teaming up with shopowner Zeus Carver (Samuel L Jackson) as the two try and stop a terrorist known as Simon (Jeremy Irons) who makes the pair dash across New York solving various riddles to prevent hidden bombs from going off. One of the most successful films in the franchise making a whopping $366 million, Die Hard With a Vengence is one of the great 90s action flicks that helped Jackson gain more recognition as an actor.

12 years later Willis decided to return as McClane in Live Free or Die Hard, facing off against Timothy Olyphant’s cyber-terrorist. Willis’ final turn as McClane came in 2013s A Good Day To Die Hard, where McClane travels to Russia to bail his son (Jai Courtney) out of jail, only to find himself mixed up in a terrorist plot. The weakest film in the franchise is not great and was hated by critics, and rightly so. While talks of a sixth film have continued for years, since Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and retired from acting, any future Die Hard films have been put on the back burner.

As well as the incredible action set pieces, well-written characters, and devilish bad guys, it’s the writing that makes the Die Hard franchise so good. As we embark on this journey to celebrate the best quotes from the Die Hard franchise, it becomes evident that these lines have played a significant role in shaping the series’ identity. Whether they make us laugh, cheer, or contemplate, they have become a testament to the enduring appeal of a franchise that has solidified its place in the pantheon of action cinema.

Yippee-Ki-Yay: Unveiling the 60 Best Die Hard Quotes of All Time

1. Die Hard (1988)

1. “Yippee-ki-yay motherfucker!” – John McClane

2. “If this is your idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year’s.” – Argyle

3. “Do you really think you have a chance against us Mr. Cowboy?” – Hans Gruber

4. “Welcome to the party pal.” – John McClane

5. “Now I have a machine gun. Ho, ho, ho.” – Hans Gruber

6. “Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs…” – John McClane

7. “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except… the four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.” – Theo 

8. “Hans, bubby, I’m your white knight.” – Harry Ellis

9. “Yeah. I got invited to a Christmas party by mistake. Who knew?” – John McClane

10. “You asked for miracles, I give you… the FBI.” – Hans Gruber

11. “We’re gonna need some more FBI guys, I guess.” – Dwayne T Robinson

12. “I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way… so he won’t be joining us for the rest of his life. We can go any way you want it. You can walk out of here or be carried out. But have no illusions. We are in charge.” – Hans Gruber

13. “I’m Agent Johnson, this is Special Agent Johnson. No relation.” – Special Agent Johnson

14. “Just a fly in the ointment, Hans. The monkey in the wrench. The pain in the ass.” – John McClane

15. “I am an exceptional thief, Mrs. McClane. And since I’m moving up to kidnapping, you should be more polite.” – Hans Gruber 

16. “Does it sound like I’m ordering a pizza!” – John McClane

17. “Nice suit. John Philips, London. I have two myself.” – Hans Gruber

18. “Only John can drive someone that crazy.” – Holly Gennaro McClane

19. “From up here it doesn’t look like you’re in charge of jack shit!” – John McClane

20. “Mr. Takagi, I could talk about industrialization and men’s fashion all day. However, I am far more interested in the 100 million dollars in negotiable bearer bonds hidden in your vault… and the computer controls the vault.” – Hans Gruber

21. “Now I know what a TV dinner feels like.” – John McClane

22. “That’s a nice suit. It’d be a shame to ruin it.” – Hans Gruber

23. “Thanks for the advice.” – John McLane

24. “You Americans are all alike. Well, this time John Wayne does not walk off into the sunset with Grace Kelly.” – Hans Gruber

25. “Sorry, Hans. Wrong guess. Would you like to go for double jeopardy where the scores can really change?” – John McClane 

26. “You are most troublesome for a security guard.” – Hans Gruber

27. “Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister.” – John McClane 

28. “But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he’s John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?” – Hans Gruber

29. “I was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.” – John McClane 

2. Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)

30. “Oh man, I can’t fucking believe this. Another basement, another elevator. How can the same shit happen to the same guy twice?” – John McClane

31. “You are in my little pond now, and I am the big fish that runs it.” – Carmine Lorenzo

32. “Just once, I’d like a regular, normal Christmas. Eggnog, a fuckin’ Christmas tree, a little turkey. But, no. I gotta crawl around in this motherfuckin’ tin can.” – John McClane

33. Sergeant Al Powell: “You’re not pissing in somebody’s pool, are you?”

John McLane: “Yeah, and I’m fresh outta chlorine.”

34. “Holly! Here’s your fucking landing light. Whoo!” – John McClane

35. Samantha Coleman: “You give me this story and I’ll have your baby.”

John McClane: “That’s not the kind of ride I’m looking for.”

36. Major Grant: “You’re the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

John McClane: “Story of my life.”

37. “Hey, Carmine, let me ask you something. What sets off the metal detectors first? The lead in your ass or the shit in your brains?” – John McClane

38. Marvin – “You like it, huh? How ’bout you give me twenty bucks for it?”

John McClane – “How ’bout I let you live?”

Marvin – “Man knows how to bargain.”

39. “You’re supposed to stay in your seat until the plane reaches the terminal. No frequent flier mileage for you.” – John McClane

40. “As far as I’m concerned, progress peaked with frozen pizza.” – John McClane

41. John McClane – “That punk pulled a Glock 7 on me. You know what that is? It’s a porcelain gun made in Germany. Doesn’t show up on your airport X-ray machines, here, and it cost more than you make in a month.”

Carmine Lorenzo – “You’d be a surprised what I make in a month.”

John McClane – If it’s more than a dollar ninety-eight I’d be very surprised.”

42. John McClane – “Guess I was wrong about you. You’re not such an asshole after all.”

Major Grant – “Oh, you were right. I’m just your kind of asshole.”

3. Die Hard With a Vengence (1995)

43. “You having a nice day, sir? You feeling all right? Not to get too personal, but a white man standing in the middle of Harlem wearing a sign that says “I hate niggers” has either got some serious personal issues, or not all his dogs are barking. Hey! I’m talking to you! Now you’ve got about ten seconds before those guys see you, and when they do they will kill you, you understand? You are about to have a very bad day.” – Zeus Carver

44. “The only thing better than blowing up 100 billion dollars worth of gold is making people think you did.” – John McClane

45.  Zeus Carver: “You know this guy Simon we’re talking to?”

John McClane: “Yeah. I threw his little brother off the thirty-second floor of Nakatomi Towers out in LA I guess he’s a little pissed off about it.”

Zeus Carver: “Wait a minute. You mean to tell me I’m in this shit ’cause some white cop threw some white asshole’s brother off a roof?”

46. Zeus Carver: “Why you keep calling me Jésus? I look Puerto Rican to you?”

John McClane: “Guy back there called you Jésus.”

Zeus Carver: “He didn’t say Jésus. He said, ‘Hey, Zeus!’ My name is Zeus.

John McClane: “Zeus?”

Zeus Carver: “Yeah, Zeus! As in, father of Apollo? Mt. Olympus? Don’t fuck with me or I’ll shove a lightning bolt up your ass? Zeus! You got a problem with that?”

47. “No guts. No glory.” – Charlie Weiss

48. Simon Gruber: “John… in the back of the truck you’re driving, there’s 13 billion dollars worth in gold bullion. I wonder would a deal be out of the question?”

John McClane: “Yeah, I got a deal for you. Crawl out from that rock you’re hiding under, and I’ll drive this truck up your ass.”

Simon Gruber: “How colorful.”

49. Inspector Walter Cobb: “We’ll be back to pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

John McClane: “Take your time. I expect to be dead in four.”

50. “Hi, fellas. Mickey O’Brien, aqueduct security. Hey, listen, we got a report of a guy coming through here with, uh, eight reindeer. Yeah, they said he was a jolly, old, fat guy with a snowy, white beard. Cute little red and white suit. I’m surprised you didn’t see him.” – John McClane

51. “Said Simple Simon to the pieman going to the fair, “Give me your pies…or I’ll cave your head in.” – Simon Gruber

52. “Attention! Attention! Nils is dead! I repeat, Nils is dead, fuck-head. So is his pal, and those four guys from the East German All-Stars, your boys down at the bank? They’re gonna be a little late.” – John McClane

53. “If killing you was all I wanted, you’d be dead by now.” – Simon Gruber

4. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

54. “You know what you get for being a hero? Nothin’. You get shot at. You get a little pat on the back. You get divorced. Your wife can’t remember your last name. Your kids don’t want to talk to you. You get to eat a lot of meals by yourself.” – John McClane

55. “The news is completely manipulated. Everything you hear, every single day is designed by corporate media to do one thing only. To keep you living in fear.” – Matthew Farrell

56. “Hundreds of thousands of people get killed by cars every year. That’s just like four more.” – John McClane

57. “You’re a Timex watch in a digital age.” – Thomas Gabriel

58. “I know I’m not as smart as you guys with all this computer shit. But, hey… I’m still alive, ain’t I? I mean, you’ve got to be running out of bad guys by now, right? Huh? Gabriel? Honestly, you can tell me. I mean, how does that work? Got some kind of service or something? Some kind of 800 number? 1-800-HENCHMEN? Oh, you know what? I bet you’re still on hold with, “Can I get another dead Asian hooker bitch over here right away?” – John McClane

59. Matt Farrell: “You just killed a helicopter with a car!”

John McClane: “I was out of bullets.”

60. “Mai? Oh, yeah. Little Asian chick, likes to kick people? I don’t think she’s gonna be talkin’ to anybody for a really long time. Last time I saw her she was at the bottom of a elevator shaft with an SUV rammed up her ass.” – John McClane

5. A Good Day To Die Hard (2012)

61. “The shit we do for our kids. Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.” – John McClane

62. John McClane: “What’s with the ‘John’ shit? What happened to ‘dad?'”

Jack McClane: “That’s a good question.”

63. “I’m on fucking vacation.” – John McClane

64. John McClane: “You got a plan?”

Jack McClane:  Not really. I kinda thought we would just wing it, you know. Running in, guns blazing! Make it up as we go.”

65. “Me and my boy here, we’re gonna put a whuppin’ on ya!” – John McClane

66. Jack McClane: “Hey, lemme ask you something. Do you go looking for trouble, or does it always find you?”

John McClane: “You know, after all these years, I’m still asking myself the same question.”

As well as acting, Gomez has released six albums—three with her band Scene as a teen and three solo records in her 20s—and toured the world. However, beyond her vocal range and on-screen charisma, she also uses her body as a canvas to express herself artistically. With a collection of Selena Gomez tattoos that have sparked intrigue and fascination among her fans, Gomez’s body art reflects her personal growth, struggles, and triumphs.

In this captivating exploration of Selena Gomez’s tattoos, we delve into the stories behind each design, revealing the hidden meanings and inspirations that have shaped her inked identity. From dainty symbols etched on her wrists to larger, more intricate pieces adorning her body, each tattoo holds a unique significance that resonates with her experiences and emotions.

Moreover, we’ll explore the influence of her tattoos on her advocacy for mental health awareness and her commitment to self-expression. As Gomez continues to be a role model for her fans, her tattoos serve as a powerful symbol of embracing one’s individuality and staying true to oneself. Some tattoos serve as poignant reminders of life lessons learned, while others pay tribute to cherished relationships and moments in her life.

Join us as we immerse ourselves in the world of Selena Gomez’s tattoos, celebrating the beauty and artistry behind each piece while gaining insight into the profound impact these intricate designs have had on her life and artistic journey.

17 Selena Gomez Tattoos: Unveiling the Artistic Story Behind Each Ink

1. Music Note Tattoo

The first tattoo Selena Gomez ever got was a small musical note on her right-hand way back in 2012. As the tattoo is tiny and nobody was quite sure what it was, Gomez revealed all when she chatted with Access Hollywood at a pre-Oscars party.

“It’s a music note,” she explained. “Everybody thought that it was a heart for some reason, but music is a big influence in my life.”

“I was named after a singer (Selena Quintanilla-Perez), I’m a singer, and a lot of other personal reasons,” Gomez continued. “So, that’s what I got.” Makes perfect sense.

2. “LXXVI” Tattoo

Not long after getting her first ink, Selena Gomez got her second tattoo. On the back of her neck, she has the Roman numeral “LXXVI,” which stands for 1976. Gomez has never come out directly and talked about the tattoo, but 1976 is the year her mother, Mandy Teefey, was born, so most fans believe it is a tribute to her.

Gomez visited New York tattooist Keith Scott “Bang Bang” McCurdy, who was more than happy to ink the Only Murders in the Building star.

3. “G” Tattoo

While she does have several large tattoos, the majority of Selena Gomez’s ink is small designs or phrases. One of these is the letter “G” which you can see on the left side of her neck, just under her ear. The tattoo is the first letter of her younger sister Grace and a tribute to her, something Gomez revealed in an interview with Refinery29.

In that same conversation, she also talked about her first tattoo, the musical note, explaining that she “wanted something small to test the waters” and is “now (I’m) addicted.”

4. “X31” Tattoo

Another tiny tattoo, this design is of the letter “X” alongside the numbers “3” and “1.” Located on her upper left thigh, an article by Refinery29 pointed out that the tattoo is meant to signify a friend who she meet eight years before getting the ink.

5. Prayer Hands Tattoo

Made famous by Drake, the image of praying hands has been around for centuries. Selena Gomez is obviously a fan of the image as she got the praying hands with a rosary tattooed on her left thigh.

Celebrity tattooist Bang Bang was once again responsible for the tattoo that Gomez first revealed on Instagram on November 24, 2019.

6. “God Who Strengthens Me” Tattoo

Down her right thigh, Selena Gomez has the phrase “God Who Strengthens Me.” This is another tattoo she got in 2012 but kept hidden for almost a year, something she told Ryan Seacrest during a 2013 radio interview. She explained that the sentence is inspired by her favorite Bible passage, Philippians 4:13, which is, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

7. “Sunshine” Tattoo

Selena Gomez got the word “Sunshine” tattooed on the right side of her foot in 2016. She has never spoken about the ink work, but it was included as part of a temporary sticker pack fans could buy during her “Revival” tour. The sticker pack included all seven of her tattoos and allowed fans to see what they would look like with Gomez’s ink.

8. “Love Yourself First” Tattoo

Another tattoo inked at the famed Bang Bang Tattoo studio by its owner Bang Bang McCurdy, the words “Love Yourself First” are tattooed in Arabic on the upper right side of Selena Gomez’s back. While she hasn’t talked about the tattoo, Bang Bang did in an interview with E! News and revealed all.

“Its meaning translates to ‘Love Yourself,'” he told the news outlet. “Selena already had it written out how she wanted. The tattoo is about 4 inches and didn’t take too long, probably about 30-45 minutes. The longest part is laying it out. We played with it a bit laying it out, until we found the perfect spot.”

As for Gomez’s thoughts on the final piece? “She loved it; she flipped out!” Bang Bang said.

9. Semicolon Tattoo

There’s nothing funnier than going to your local tattoo parlor and getting matching tattoos with your mates. This is exactly what Selena Gomez did in 2017 when she and the stars of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, Alisha Boe and Tommy Dorfman, got semicolon tattoos on their wrists.

Gomez was a producer on the show and while the tattoo bonds the three together, it’s also the logo of the Semicolon Movement, an organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of mental health and suicide prevention around the world. All three are known to be advocates of this organization and have spoken about their own mental health battles.

10. “6/19/17” Tattoo

Selena Gomez fans are undoubtedly aware of the significance of the date “6/19/17.” That was the date Gomez had her kidney transplant. Diagnosed with Lupus during her early 20s, Gomez suffered kidney failure in 2017 and was rushed to hospital. Thankfully actress and friend Francia Raisa (although the two aren’t as close anymore) donated one of her kidneys to help Gomez. She got the tattoo to mark the day she had the operation.

11. “1” Tattoo

Another matching tattoo, both Selena Gomez and her friend Courtney Lopez have the number “1” tattooed on the right side of their torsos. The first glimpse fans had of the tattoo was when Gomez posted a photo of her and Lopez on Instagram showing off their ink.

12. “4”

Selena Gomez and her three closest friends—Courtney Lopez, Ashley Cook, and Raquelle Stevens—got the number “4” tattooed on different parts of their bodies back in 2018. Taking to Instagram to show off the ink, Gomez also provided a caption explaining the meaning of the number “4.”

“#4 because these women have stayed by my side for 7 years,” she wrote in the caption. “4, because you are my 4 for the rest of my life. I love you ladies. You all inspire me to be better, stronger, closer to god and we have lived the most INSANE story together already. Can’t wait for 50 more!!”

13. “Rare” Tattoo

On the left side of her neck, Selena Gomez has the word “Rare” tattooed. This is the name of her third solo album released in 2020. She got the tattoo in the lead-up to the album release, with tattooist Bang Bang once again responsible for the ink.

14. Arrow Tattoo

Selena Gomez and Julia Michaels, another close friend of Gomez, got matching arrow tattoos on their wrists in 2019. If you aren’t aware of who Michaels is, she’s a fellow singer and songwriter who has collaborated with Gomez on several songs, including “Lose You to Love Me” and “Bad Liar.”

The two got tattoos after Gomez performed with Michaels at a concert in Los Angeles, with the two dueting on the track “Anxiety.” They got the ink backstage, with tattooists London Reese and Brad Reis tattooing the duo.

While the arrows appear to be pointing in different directions, when the two are holding hands, the arrows point at each other. How cute.

15. Cross Tattoo

On her left collarbone, Selena Gomez has a tiny cross inked. The tattoo was once again done by Bang Bang who revealed the ink on his Instagram with a video. It’s a rather simple and unintrusive tattoo and one that fits in well with the other designs on her body.

16. “Angel” Tattoo

Selena Gomez and good friend Nicola Peltz, who is married to Brooklyn Beckham, the son of footballing great David, got the word “Angel” tattooed in cursive font on their arms.

17. Rose Tattoo

The largest of all Selena Gomez’s tattoos is the pink rose at the top of her back. Inked by her favorite tattooist, Bang Bang, the rose is under the Roman numerals on her neck. The watercolor rose appears to be dripping down her back and is apparently inspired by actress and model Cara Delevigine.

“It means a couple of different things,” Gomez said on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” “Me and Cara, one of my best friends—I was maybe 16 when I met her—she calls me Rosebud. So it’s a nickname. And I’ve always wanted a rose and now I got one. And I love it.”

In a world where massive movie franchises like Fast & Furious have well and truly jumped the shark, the Mission: Impossible series continues to churn out incredible action movies with death-defying stunts, intricate plots, exhilarating characters, and Tom Cruise risking life and limb to keep Hollywood alive.

While the first four films were helmed by different directors and find Cruise’s near indestructible Hunt tackling separate missions with a crew of returning characters, the last three films have contained plot threads that weave through each film and include callbacks to moments and characters from earlier movies. The reason for this is director Christopher McQuarrie, who along with Cruise and stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood, has helped turn Mission: Impossible into arguably the biggest action franchise of the past two decades.

The recent release of Mission: Impossible–Dead Reckoning Part One has seen the stakes raised to another level, with Cruise going all out for a motorcycle stunt that proves he might not be human after all. With a colorful cast of new and returning characters and a plot focused on AI, something that has been in the news of late, the movie is another incredible chapter in the long-running franchise that is on track to be one of the highest-grossing movies of this year.

With the seventh movie now out and the eighth currently in production, there is no time like the present to dive deep into the adrenaline-pumping franchise and rank the Mission: Impossible movies from worst to best. So buckle up and prepare to relive the most unforgettable moments, revisit iconic characters, and celebrate the franchise that has proven time and again that the impossible is just a stepping stone to greatness.

Mission: Impossible Movies: The Definitive Ranking of Tom Cruise’s Iconic Missions

7. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Having recently rewatched Mission: Impossible 2 in anticipation of the Dead Reckoning Part One, I have to say it’s not as bad as I remember. That doesn’t mean it’s good. This is a movie full of wild ideas and over-the-top stunts that lacks the charm of director John Woo’s previous American movies, particularly the box office smash Face/Off.

After the success of the first film, Cruise and co wanted to make each successive movie an action blockbuster helmed by a famous director that introduced a host of new characters to the franchise. Hong Kong legend Woo, responsible for the classic action movies The Killer, A Better Tomorrow, and Hard Boiled, was picked to take the director’s chair for Mission: Impossible 2.

What should have been a winning formula, with Woo’s spectacularly choreographed action set pieces and Cruise’s willingness to try anything (free climbing a mountain anyone?) is a messy movie about a genetically modified disease with less than impressive stunts.

While Cruise is decent and Thandie Newton as the love interest is serviceable, the action doesn’t live up to the hype. Dougray Scot’s villain, ex-MIF agent Sean Ambrose, is not as menacing as he would like you to believe, with Mission: Impossible 2 an underwhelming action movie that is easily the worst in the franchise. Good soundtrack though, with Metallica’s “I Disappear” and Limp Bizkit’s “Take a Look Around” the highlights.

6. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

This used to be my favorite Mission: Impossible film for quite a while. The plot concerns something called the Rabbits Foot, which is just a handy MacGuffin for Ethan Hunt to find and deliver to arms dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who is holding Hunt’s fiancee Julia Meade hostage. None of that really matters though, as Mission: Impossible III is a showcase for Hoffman who eats up every scene he is in as the evil Davian.

J. J. Abrams takes the director’s chair for this third installment, which at times feels like a big-budget version of his successful TV series Alias. While the action is great, this is the film in the franchise with the most character development. Shining a light on Hunt’s personal life and involving his partner is a step in a different direction but one that helped flesh out who Hunt really is. For the most part Mission: Impossible III works thanks to the visually arresting action, fast-cut editing, and Hoffman’s dynamic performance. But when compared to the more recent entries in the series, it lacks something.

5. Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)

The fourth and fifth movies in the series are almost interchangeable and where they sit on your ranking of the movies will be a personal choice. For mine, Ghost Protocol is the lesser of the two. The film finds the MIF framed for bombing the Kremlin, with Hunt’s team on the run and disavowed by the American government as they race across the world to track down those really responsible.

Jeremy Renner makes his franchise debut (it was rumored he was set to take over from Cruise as the lead in the next film, but things didn’t turn out that way) alongside Paula Patton and the returning Simon Pegg’s computer expert Benji Dunn. The cast also includes great cameos from Michael Nyqvist, Léa Seydoux, and Anil Kapoor. along with the uncredited return of Ving Rhames as hacker Luthor Stickell.

The movie is best remembered for the Burj Khalifa stunt, with Cruise actually scaling the world-famous building in a stunt that really raises the action stakes. It’s probably still the most memorable moment of the entire franchise and signaled Crusie’s intent to risk his own life for the good of the movie.

4. Mission: Impossibe — Rouge Nation (2015)

Ghost Protocol might have the most jaw-dropping stunt in the franchise, but Rogue Nation is the movie where Mission: Impossible truly found its groove as a modern action series masterpiece. Always envisaged as separate stories with neatly wrapped endings, Rouge Nation is the first movie with a story that continues in the next flick. Much of this can be attributed to director Christopher McQuarrie, who has become Tom Cruise’s modern-day muse.

The movie revolves around Ethan Hunt as he finds himself up against The Syndicate, an international terrorist group led by Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), an ex-MI6 agent intent on bringing down the world’s governments. When a list of all The Syndicate’s operatives goes missing, Hunt assembles his team to find the ledger and bring down Lane and his cronies.

Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames are all fantastic, but it’s the introduction of Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust, an MI6 agent working undercover in The Syndicate, that breathes new life into the franchise. Ferguson is mesmerizing and gives the series a strong female lead whose Hunt’s equal while her real motivations are murky at the best of times.

It lacks the big stunt of Ghost Protocol (although Cruise does hang on to the side of a jet as it takes off, which is pretty impressive) but the introduction of The Syndicate and Ferguson gives Rogue Nation the edge over Ghost Protocol in the rankings.

3. Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One

This one might get some people’s panties in a knot, but the seventh film in the franchise is everything you want in a Mission: Impossible movie. The action is relentless, the stunts breathtaking, and the newcomers, most notably Hayley Attwell, Esai Morales, and Pom Klementieff, all have scene-stealing movements.

Having honed the Mission: Impossible formula, the movie centers around an AI that has become self-aware and determined to bring mankind to its end. James Cameron might have come up with this idea some three decades ago but it’s never been more relevant.

While not everyone will buy the plot, it’s hard not to enjoy everything that happens on-screen during the movie’s 163-minute runtime. From the well-staged airport pickpocket scene and edge-of-your-seat car chase through the streets of Rome to the final train sequence that includes Cruise riding a motorcycle off a cliff and landing on said moving train, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One delivers action in spades and is another welcome addition to the franchise.

2. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

The second longest-running movie in the franchise is also the second best. Mission: Impossible — Fallout is an action showcase featuring a destructive bathroom brawl, a wild HALO jump during a lightning strike, a frantic car chase through the streets of Paris, and a helicopter set finale that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Despite capturing Soloman Lane, The Syndicate has reformed as the Apostles, another terrorist group who plan to set off three nuclear bombs to plunge the world into chaos. Once again Hunt and his team are blamed when they fail to retrieve three stolen plutonium cores and must overcome unassailable odds (and another mole inside the CIA) to prove their innocence and save the world. All in a day’s work for Ethan Hunt.

Universally praised by both critics and moviegoers, Mission Impossible — Fallout has some of the series’ best action scenes and introduced two fantastic new characters; Henry Cavill as August Walker, a CIA assassin sent to babysit Hunt, and Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis, a sultry arms dealer with some of the best dialogue in the film.

This is all killer and no filler and proves how dedicated Cruise is to the franchise, with the actor breaking his ankle while filming one stunt. As he explained on The Graham Norton Show; “I was chasing Henry [Cavill] and was meant to hit the side of the wall and pull myself over but the mistake was my foot hitting the wall,” he explained. “I knew instantly my ankle was broken and I really didn’t want to do it again so just got up and carried on with the take. I said, ‘It’s broken. That’s a wrap. Take me to hospital’ and then everyone got on the phone and made their vacation arrangements.” What a guy.

1. Mission: Impossible (1996)

The original and still the best, Mission: Impossible is a brilliant thriller with an exceptional cast that adapts the successful 60s television series into a captivating action flick directed by the great Brian De Palma. It might not have the crazy stunts like recent releases but Mission: Impossible set the template for the series, especially the use of face masks that appear in all seven movies.

After a botched mission sees his team killed and the NOC list—a record of all the undercover operatives working for the CIA—stolen, Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is suspected of being a mole by IMF boss Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny). Once again on the run (a familiar theme), Hunt recruits several disavowed agents to help him recover the NOC list and prove his innocence.

Sure, Mission: Impossible isn’t as flashy as Fallout or Dead Reckoning, but it does give us the famous CIA break-and-enter scene and the Channel Tunnel train chase, along with an ensemble cast that includes Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Emilio Estevez. It also helps to have De Palam behind the camera, with his tight directing only enhancing the film and turning it from a good thriller into a great thriller with plenty of twists and turns.

While his talent is undeniable, it is his enigmatic persona that sets him apart from his peers. Despite being one of the most sought-after actors of his generation thanks to roles in movies such as Blue Valentine, The Gray Man, La La Land, Drive, The Nice Guys, and The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling manages to maintain an air of mystery that keeps the public intrigued. His private life remains shielded from the prying eyes of the media, allowing him to navigate the spotlight on his own terms.

One aspect of Gosling’s allure that has piqued curiosity is his collection of Ryan Gosling tattoos. Adorning his lean and chiseled physique, these inked designs add a touch of rebellion to his polished appearance. Each tattoo appears to hold a personal significance, offering a glimpse into the depths of his character without divulging explicit details.

Though the specifics of his tattoos remain closely guarded, they are a testament to Gosling’s authenticity and individuality. These intricate artworks etched onto his skin are a reflection of his journey and experiences, subtly hinting at the man behind the mesmerizing performances on the silver screen.

Although he only has five known tattoos, Gosing has sported ink in several movie roles, most notably The Gray Man and Place Beyond the Pines, where his torso was covered in ink.

Beyond the world of cinema and tattoos, Ryan Gosling is also known for his philanthropic endeavors and advocacy for various causes close to his heart. His compassion and dedication to making a positive impact on society add another layer of complexity to his multifaceted persona, endearing him to fans and admirers far beyond his on-screen portrayals.

As the world continues to be enthralled by Ryan Gosling’s enigmatic allure, it is his artistry, charisma, and the subtle mysteries hinted at by his tattoos that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. Whether he’s captivating audiences with his on-screen brilliance or subtly expressing himself through his inked art, Gosling’s presence in both the entertainment and philanthropic spheres is a testament to the enduring fascination he evokes in the hearts of many.

A Guide To 5 Ryan Gosling Tattoos and What They Mean

1. The Giving Tree Tattoo

If you’ve ever seen images of Ryan Gosling topless, you’ve no doubt noticed the ink on his left shoulder. The tattoo is an image taken from the cover of the children’s book The Giving Tree. Written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein, the book was first released in 1964 and caused quite a stir, with the School Library Journal calling it “one of the most divisive books in children’s literature.”

It depicts the relationship between a young boy and an apple tree, which sounds fine, but when looked at closely, can be interpreted in a negative way. Whatever your thoughts on the book are, it played a special part in Gosling’s childhood, as it was a book his mom often read to him.

Although his parents divorced when he was just 11, the memory of his mom reading him The Giving Tree remains a positive one, so Gosling decided to get the book’s cover art tattooed on his arm. While he enjoyed the book as a youngster, he might have different thoughts these days. When asked about the tattoo by Vulture in 2010, Gosling said, “That story’s the worst… I don’t want to be the tree.”

2. Cactus Tattoo

If you’ve ever thought about giving yourself a tattoo, this design on Ryan Gosling’s left forearm should do enough to sway you from trying. What looks like a tattoo of a cactus is actually meant to be a monster’s arm ripping out a bleeding heart. As he explained in an interview with The Guardian, “A lot of people think it’s a cactus. It’s become a bit of an inkblot: you see what you want to.”

To be fair to Gosling, the tattoo isn’t half bad for a home job. Next to the image are the initials “W.H.R.” which stands for Werewolf Hearts Records. Gosling obsessives will know that Werewolf Hearts Records was the label that released the debut album by Dead Man’s Bones, Gosling’s band.

3. Ghostly Lady With a Skeleton Tattoo

The majority of Ryan Gosling’s ink is located on his left arm, with this tattoo hidden on the inside of the upper part of his left forearm. Seen best in Place Beyond the Pines, the tattoo is of a ghostly lady lying down with a skeleton. It’s a crudely drawn tattoo and one that Gosling hasn’t spoken about, although that hasn’t stopped the internet from guessing what it depicts.

Several online publications believe the tattoo is of famous actress, Theda Bara, who was a star in the early days of cinema. Between 1908 and 1926 Bara starred in over 40 films and was known for wearing revealing clothing, making her one of the first on-screen sex symbols.

4. Barcode Tattoo

Ryan Gosling’s barcode tattoo is, you guessed it, found on his left arm. Located on his left wrist, to be precise, this is another homemade tattoo Gosling gave himself. It is also another of his tattoos that doesn’t seem to have any meaning.

When asked about it during another interview with The Guardian in 2007, Gosling laughed and admitted it was a home job. “A tattoo should never be meaningful, because at a certain point you’re going to hate it, and it might as well make you laugh.” 

5. “Esme” Tattoo

Throughout his time in the spotlight, Ryan Gosling has dated some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. Sandra Bullock and Rachel McAdams are two of the high-profile women to have entered Gosling’s life, but the Canadian actor is now happily loved up with Eva Mendes. The two met on the set of Place Beyond the Pines in 2011 and have been together ever since. Although they aren’t married, they have two daughters together, Esmeralda and Amada.

In recognition of Esmerelda, his firstborn, Gosling got “Esme” tattooed on the knuckles of his left hand. It’s believed he got the tattoo sometime in 2015, a year after Esmeralda’s birth.

Scarlett Johansson’s tattoos are an artful display that offers a glimpse into her personal journey and beliefs. Each tattoo holds a special meaning for the actress, reflecting her experiences, passions, and relationships. With their strategic placement on her body, they become part of her overall aesthetic, adding an element of intrigue to her public image.

While the specific details of Johansson’s tattoos may not be discussed individually here, it is evident that they contribute to her unique persona. They serve as an extension of her personality, showcasing her individuality and free spirit. Like any form of body art, Johansson’s tattoos have the power to convey emotions and tell stories, allowing her to connect with her fans on a deeper level.

Johansson’s tattoos have often sparked discussions and debates within the media and among her fans. Some see them as bold statements of self-expression, while others may view them as purely aesthetic choices. Nevertheless, what remains undeniable is their ability to enhance Johansson’s already charismatic presence, further solidifying her status as an influential figure in popular culture.

As a public figure, Scarlett Johansson’s tattoos have become an integral part of her overall image and have undoubtedly inspired many individuals to embrace body art as a form of self-expression. Whether she chooses to showcase them openly or keeps them hidden, her tattoos serve as a personal reminder of her journey, experiences, and the values she holds dear.

In conclusion, Scarlett Johansson’s tattoos are a meaningful and artistic expression of her individuality and personal experiences. As with any form of body art, they evoke intrigue and add depth to her public image. While the specific details of her tattoos may remain a topic of speculation, their presence highlights her unique style and serves as a testament to her dedication to self-expression and individuality.

Scarlett Johansson Tattoos: A Guide To the Actor’s 8 Tattoos and What They Mean

1. Lamb and Flowers Tattoos

While these appear to be two different tattoos, Scarlett Johansson got them at the same time. Running up the length of the right side of her back is a tattoo of climbing roses alongside a small lamb.

All completed using smooth black and gray shading and taking a realistic approach to the design, this is by far Johansson’s largest and most elaborate piece. 

Applied by her go-to artist, Josh Lord, Scarlett has never spoken openly about the significance behind this large piece, although many speculate that it is dedicated to her daughter, Rose Dorothy Dauriac.

2. Sunrise Tattoo

Located on her left forearm, Scarlett Johansson has a full-color depiction of the sun rising over the sea. Using a rudimentary approach that eschews bold outlines in favor of an approach more akin to watercolor paintings, the piece is childlike in its simplicity. 

This is the most vibrant of ScarJo’s tattoos, and she has been reported saying that the simple piece and soft colors lift her mood and give her a feeling of optimism. “I’ve had the tattoo of a sunrise on my arm for a while,” she said, according to Zimbo. “It makes me happy when I look at it, but the reason I had it done is very personal. Some things have to remain private.”

3. Bracelet Tattoo

Another of ScarJo’s tattoos that elicited speculation is the small bracelet located on her right wrist. In this piece, the artist took a subdued approach that utilizes clean black ink to create the links of the chain and the single, dangling pendant. The significance behind some of the elements in this piece is straightforward: the charm says “I NY”, an ode to the city she was born in.

Others have speculated that the shape of the pendant is a reference to Thor’s Hammer in the Marvel franchise Johansson has starred in. Johansson hasn’t specifically confirmed this, although the time frame for when she got the tattoo inked does line up with this hypothesis.

4. “Lucky You” Horseshoe Tattoo

Located on her right rib cage, Johansson unveiled this piece in 2012 and it is reported that French tattooist Fuzi Uvtpk is the artist responsible. In this piece, the artist took a loose approach that gives the piece a rough, amateur feel that fits well with the playful nature of the design. 

Horseshoes are classic elements in American traditional tattooing and their association with good luck is well known. While Johansson hasn’t spoken directly about the deeper significance of the piece, anyone that gets close enough to see this tattoo certainly would count themselves lucky.

5. Flying Owl Tattoo

Located on her right ribcage and continuing onto her stomach, near her horseshoe tattoo, Scarlett Johansson has a tattoo of an owl, mid-flight. This is one of her more mysterious pieces, thanks to its location and the limited glimpses that the Black Widow actor has provided during a variety of red carpets and in more candid settings.

Applied in clean black and gray and using a realistic approach this tattoo further cements Johansson’s preference for the understated appeal of black and gray work. Once again, Johansson plays it close to the vest and hasn’t spoken publicly about the significance behind this interesting tattoo.

6. Rose Tattoo

On her left side opposite her other designs, Scarlett Johansson has a single, black and gray rose. Once again, this piece is not as commonly seen as her other designs, though that doesn’t mean that fans aren’t interested in this cleanly etched piece of ink.

Like the roses on her much larger back tattoo, most of the speculation revolving around this piece suggests that is another reference to her daughter. According to Certified Tattoo Studio, the “rose has been a symbol of love and beauty” for centuries, so Johansson may have got the tattoo as a way to show her love for her daughter or husband, Colin Jost.

7. Avengers Insignia Tattoo

Located on the inside of her right, upper arm, Scarlett has a stylized version of the Avengers insignia from the billion-dollar superhero franchise that brought her back to the forefront of Hollywood.

Applied in 2018 by Josh Lord of Eastside Ink, this is Johansson’s most recent tattoo and a piece she shares with four of the six Avengers; Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Jeremy Renner. Unfortunately, Mark Ruffalo chickened out and didn’t get the tattoo.

While the others in the team agreed to the ink, according to Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr., the idea was tattoo lover Scarlett’s.

“Five of the original six Avengers got a tattoo. And the sixth was the tattoo artist, who gave it to five of us, the one who opted out being Mark Ruffalo,” Robert Downey Jr. told Entertainment Weekly. “It was Johansson’s idea, and she and Evans did it in New York. Then, their New York guy, Josh Lord, who is amazing, flew out to Los Angeles, he did me, did Renner, and then we just bullied Hemsworth into doing it, and he got it.”

8. Interlocked Circles With the Letter “A” Tattoo

The smallest tattoo Scarlett Johansson has is of two interlocking circles accompanied by the letter “A” in the foremost circle. Applied in simple black ink, this tattoo design is reminiscent of the ancient symbol known as vesica pisces which holds deep significance, both in mathematics as well as in the mystical discipline of Sacred Geometry.

There has been much speculation about the meaning of this tattoo, although Johansson has never spoken directly about the significance of this tiny design. Some conjecture suggests that “A” may be a former flame or some other significant person’s initial, but until Johansson lets us in on the secret we will have to wait for a definitive answer.

But those days are long behind Hardy, whose first acting credit came in the hit HBO war series Band of Brothers in 2001. That same year Hardy had a small part in another war movie, Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down. Since then Hardy has played the notorious prisoner Charles Bronson in Bronson, an MMA fighter in Warrior, UK gangsters Ronald & Reginald Kray in Legend, Chicago mob boss Al Capone in Capone, and Marvel anti-hero Venom in two movies based on the famous character. He’s even appeared in a Star Trek film!

Then there is his work on the small screen which includes scene-stealing roles in TV shows Peaky Blinders and The Take, as well as mesmerizing performance as the lead in Taboo, a show created by Hardy, his father, and Peaky Blinders showrunner Steven Knight.

But enough about his television work; this article focuses on Hardy’s best movie roles. Whether it’s via physical transformations, weird voices, or pure acting prowess, the movies listed below are all the much better for Hardy’s involvement and showcase the actor’s incredible talent in front of the camera. So in no particular order, here are the best Tom Hardy movies worth checking out.

12 Best Tom Hardy Movies of All Time

1. Locke (2013)

Unlike many of Hardy’s recent movies that rely on the actor’s physique, over-the-top voices, or strange ticks, Locke is all about the understated nuances of Hardy’s acting ability. Similar to Ryan Reynold’s Buried, this movie is shot in one location, the car Hardy’s construction manager Ivan Locke is driving on his way back to London.

He is meant to be overseeing the pouring of a concrete foundation in Birmingham but is racing to London for the premature birth of his child, the result of a one-night stand. To complicate matters further, his wife and sons are waiting at home for him and his job depends on him being present.

As he races south to London, Locke’s life unravels through a series of phone calls he has with family, friends, and colleagues. With the camera firmly planted on Hardy the entire film, he manages to draw you in with his incredible acting with a story that will have you on edge until the final minutes.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road

When George Miller announced Tom Hardy was to take over the role of Mad Max Rockatansky in the fourth entry in the much-loved franchise, movie fans jumped with joy. But Hardy’s take on the character first played by Mel Gibson is a twitchy, violent, near-silent construction of a man still suffering from the death of his family and trying to find meaning in a post-apocalyptic wasteland ruled by cartoon villains driving pimped-out vehicles.

Although titled Mad Mad: Fury Road, you could argue the main character is in fact Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa, a one-armed lieutenant of warlord Immortan Joe who finds a conscious and tries to flee Joe’s citadel with his Five Wives.

What follows is an awe-inspiring 120-minute chase across the desert as Max, Furiousa, and the Five Wives are hunted by Joe and his cohorts. Hardy’s performance is the icing on the cake in one of the best action movies of the 00s.

3. The Revenant (2015)

Hardy received his first Oscar nod for his performance as John S. Fitzgerald in director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s beautifully shot historical drama The Revenant. Starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, who would finally win a Best Actor Award for his performance (Hardy himself got a Best Supporting Actor nod), the movie received universal critical acclaim and made a tidy $533 million at the box office.

After a bear attack leaves DiCaprio’s trapper Hugh Glass near death, Fitzgerald is tasked with looking after him and his son as the rest of their party escape for fear of an attack by the Arikara. Taking matters into his own hands, Fitzgerald kills Glass’ son and leaves him for dead. Turns out to be the wrong move, as Glass recovers and sets out on a mission of revenge.

While Hardy is great as a good guy, he seems to relish playing evil characters, with Fitzgerald a devious and duplicitous individual who will do anything to stay alive, including murdering the innocent. Not only are Hardy and DiCaprio both outstanding, but the bleak depiction of the Dakota territories and the adverse conditions only highlight the stunning cinematography of this brilliant film.

4. Legend (2015)

Two Tom Hardy’s for the price of one! Legend is based on John Pearson’s book, The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins, a biography of the infamous London gangsters who ruled the underworld from the late 1950s to 1967.

While the movie itself didn’t fare that well critically, nobody can fault Hardy’s dedication to playing both twins, career criminal Reggie and loose cannon Ronnie. He manages to make both of the characters feel unique and the scene where the two get into a fist fight is as close as you’ll get to seeing Hardy on Hardy action.

This one has a pretty great supporting cast too, with the likes of Emily Browning, Taron Egerton, Paul Bettany, Chazz Palminteri, David Thewlis, Colin Morgan, Paul Anderson, and Christopher Eccleston all featuring in this gangster tale.

5. Bronson (2008)

Bronson is the movie that put Tom Hardy on the map. In the sixth flick from acclaimed director Nicolas Winding Refn, Hardy stars as Charles Bronson, aka Michael Gordon Peterson, a violent criminal considered by the British penal system as the most dangerous man in the country.

This is a tour de force as Hardy dominates the screen as the mustache-twirling, violent psychopath who has spent more years behind bars than walking the streets. The film neither explains the reasons for Bronson’s thinking nor tries to justify his malicious actions, instead painting a graphic picture of a troubled and complicated man with multiple personalities trying to find some sort of peace in an otherwise violent world.

6. The Drop (2014)

Another understated performance from Hardy, The Drop is a crime thriller that also stars Noomi Rapace, John Ortiz, Matthias Schoenaerts, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and James Gandolfini in his final role.

Hardy plays the somber barman Bob Saginowski who finds himself in trouble when the mafia-owned bar he works at with his cousin, Marvin Stipler (Gandolfini), gets robbed. As the Chechen gangsters demand Bob and Marvin find the money, a subplot involving Bob adopting a mistreated dog and falling for a woman named Nadia who’s being stalked by her abusive former boyfriend adds another layer to this tense thriller.

Hardy is also playing against type as the nice guy Bob, showing that he can play a sympathetic hero without needing to flex his muscles.

7. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Doing his best to rival Christian Bale’s Batman voice, Tom Hardy puts on a Darth Vader-esque voice as the bulked-up villain Bane. Wearing a Hannibal-like leather respirator that helps him breeze, Bane is the big baddie who breaks Batman’s back and leaves him to rot in a Middle Eastern prison.

Hardy gained 30 pounds for the role to add more size to his frame and is said to have based the character’s vocal tones on bare-knuckle boxer Bartley Gorman. He’s menacing as Bane, torturing Batman both mentally and physically as he vows to wipe out Gotham City like his master Ra’s al Ghul.

8. Inception (2010)

In his first film for director Christopher Nolan, Hardy takes a small but scene-stealing role as Eames in the mind-bending Inception. A film about people who infiltrate others’ dreams to steal information, this movie is a real mind fuck with a cast of incredible actors that also includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard.

While his role is minor, Hardy brightens up the screen every time he appears. Eames is a charming, posh English gent who specializes in identity theft and plays a pivotal role in the film. Hardy is magnetic and his wordplay with Gordon-Levitt’s Arthur is a highlight.

9. Black Hawk Down (2001)

Tom Hardy’s first feature film role came in Ridley Scott’s 2001 war flick Black Hawk Down. Based on true events, the movie follows the US military’s 1993 raid in Mogadishu where a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in enemy territory and the attempts made to save those who survived the crash.

While there has been much controversy surrounding the factual nature of the movie (Ridley does like to take liberties here and there), there is no denying Black Hawk Down is an edge-of-your-seat war drama with an absolutely stacked cast that includes Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, William Fichtner, Sam Shepherd, Orlando Bloom, Kim Coates, and Josh Hartnett.

Hardy’s role as SPC Lance Twombly is part of a subplot involving his character and Ewen Bremmer’s SPC Shawn Nelson being separated from their squad and left to fend for themselves behind enemy lines. The two must rely on each other as they try and rejoin their comrades without being killed as the enemy closes in on them.

10. Warrior (2011)

Before the UFC became the monster that it is today, Hollywood predicted the rise of combat sports with the underappreciated Warrior. The film stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as estranged brothers who enter a mixed martial arts tournament. Unsurprisingly the two progress to the final where they are matched against each other.

Warrior is a gripping and emotional roller coaster that also stars Nick Nolte as the brother’s alcoholic father trying to make things right and Frank Grillo as Edgerton’s trainer. The fight scenes are well shot with several real-life combat fighters cameoing, including figures like Kurt Angle, Nate Marquardt, Anthony Johnson, Yves Edwards, and Amir Perets.

Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the man responsible for another epic sports movie—Miracle starring Kurt Russell—Warrior is like a modern-day Rocky with great performances, engaging dialogue, and a fantastic soundtrack.

11. Lawless (2012)

With a script adapted by Australian musician Nick Cave from Matt Bondurant’s historical novel, The Wettest County in the World, and directed by fellow Aussie John Hillcoat (The Proposition), Lawless is a Prohibition-era drama with an all-star cast led by another understand Tom Hardy performance.

Hardy is the middle of three brothers (the other two being Jason Clarke and Shia LaBeouf) who run a successful moonshine business in Virginia. Things take a turn when a new US Marshall arrives (Guy Pearce) and demands a cut of their business, something Hardy is not willing to do. Things get violent as the flamboyant Pearce vows to take down the stoic Hardy and his brothers.

This is another wonderful performance from Hardy, who excels at playing silent, brooding characters with a dark undercurrent. Throw in an extended cast that includes Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Noah Taylor and you have yourself an entertaining period drama with plenty of action.

12. Dunkirk (2017)

Another small but stand-out role comes from Hardy in Christopher Nolan’s World War II drama Dunkirk. As the fighter pilot Farrier, we never actually see his face until the very end as he does his best to keep the retreating soldiers safe from German attack.

It’s believed Nolan specifically sort out Hardy for the role as he believed he was the only actor who could bring such a presence to the character without many lines of dialogue. Whatever his reasons it works, with Hardy’s near-suicidal mission giving the movie another layer of tension.

13. Layer Cake (2004)

Hardy doesn’t have much to do in Matthew Vaughn’s directorial debut but this film is worth mentioning due to how fucking good it is. A crime thriller in the mold of Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Layer Cake has a darker edge, swapping the comedy of Ritchie’s flicks for a serious tone where crime never pays.

Based on J. J. Connolly’s book of the same name, Daniel Craig stars as XXXX, a professional drug dealer who is ready to leave it all behind when he finds himself caught up looking for the missing daughter of a big-time gangster while being hunted by Serbian war criminals.

Layer Cake is a classic British crime caper that deserves to rank up there alongside The Long Good Friday, Sexy Beast, The Limey, and Get Carter. The cast also includes a who’s who of British character actors, such as Michael Gambon, Colm Meaney, Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, and George Harris, with Craig apparently winning the role of Bond thanks to his performance.

So who are the most famous celebrities who reside in his prestigious area? That all depends on your view of celebrity, but the likes of Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Demi Moore, and Eddie Murphy all call the postcode 90210 home. Most of these famous faces live in million-dollar homes behind gated communities where they can’t be bothered by the paparazzi or fans.

While the list of celebrities who live in Beverly Hills is long, this article highlights some of the most well-known who have made the area home. So read on and discover if your favorite celebrity makes the list.

1. Jack Nicholson

85-year-old actor Jack Nicholson hasn’t been seen much of late. While he did appear at the Los Angeles Lakers playoff games this season, The Shining actor is rarely out in public, preferring to spend his retirement out of the spotlight at his Beverly Hills home.

While he has lived on Mulholland Drive since 1969, he first bought his current abode in 2005 for $5 million. It was once the home of Nicholson’s good friend Marlon Brando, who spent most of his final years there.

Built on a hilltop in 1954, the compound has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and an outdoor pool and covers just over 3,000 square feet. It is one of several Beverly Hills homes Nicholson owns.

2. Taylor Swift

One of the most successful singers of the modern era, Taylor Swift doesn’t just own one house. The “Bad Blood,” “Karma,” and “Shake It Off,” songstress owns eight different homes across the United States, including four in New York, two in Nashville, and one in Beverly Hills.

Purchased in 2015 for $25 million, Swift’s 1934 Beverly Hills mansion was first owned by film producer Samuel Goldwyn. The lavish 10,982-square-foot estate has been revamped by Swift, who only stays in the mansion when she is passing through Los Angeles, which isn’t all that often these days.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio

While he owns several homes throughout Los Angeles, it’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s most recent purchase that is getting people talking. As Dirt reports, DiCaprio has turned his $9.9 million Beverly Hills mansion into a rental. For the low sum of $32,500 per week, you can live like royalty in this fully furnished four-bedroom, six-bathroom home.

First built in the 1930s, the property has several impressive features, including a large gourmet kitchen, a separate guesthouse, and a statement staircase. While DiCaprio currently resides in the equally prestigious suburb of Bird Streets, we thought it worth mentioning his Beverly Hills home.

4. Jennifer Aniston

Although she now resides in Bel Air just outside of Santa Monica, Jennifer Aniston has previously owned two Beverly Hills mansions. The first was a French Normandy–style home she and her then-husband Brad Pitt purchased for $13.1 million in 2001. The duo spent three years renovating the Edwin Wallace Neff-designed mansion before selling it for $28 million after their divorce in 2006.

The second home was a hillside retreat designed by Harold W. Levitt the Freinds star moved into in 2006. Aniston forked out $13.5 million for the home, telling Architectural Digest in 2010, “I never doubted the house would be mine one day,” after first laying eyes on it. She eventually sold the home in 2011 for $38 million before moving in with her boyfriend at the time, Justin Theroux.

5. Jeff Bezos

It’s only right one of the richest men in the world also owns one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Beverly Hills. Jeff Bezos splashed a casual $165 million on the 10-acre property in 2020, which at that time was the most ever spent on a property in Los Angeles.

The sprawling complex was once owned by former Warner Bros. Entertainment president Jack Warner and is often called the Jack Warner Estate. Movie tycoon David Geffen sold the house to Bezos, who is currently in the process of expanding the love nest he shares with his fiance Lauren Sánchez.

The three-story house features eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a large dining room, a movie room, tennis courts, and two guesthouses.

6. Adele

30 Beverly Park Terrace is the address of British singer-songwriter Adele’s Beverly Hills home. Formerly owned by Sylvester Stallone, Adele splashed a whopping $56 million on the home. It might sound like a considerable sum, but considering the initial asking price was $110 million, Adele got herself a bargain.

Architect Richard Landry is the man responsible for the Mediterranean-style home that was built in 1994. The 21,000-square-foot home includes eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a formal dining room, a home theatre, an infinity pool, and a putting green, but who knows if any of these features will remain.

Adele is currently in the process of revamping the entire home, although she has kept the iconic Rocky statue near the pool. This property is one of three that Adele owns in Beverly Hills, with her two-story Hamptons-style home in Hidden Valley currently on the market.

7. Jessica Alba

Having recently sold one of her Beverly Hills homes, the star of Dark Angel is very happy with her Oak Pass Estate in the affluent neighborhood. Jessica Alba and her family–husband Cash Warren and their three children–have been residing in the rustic home for many years.

With seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and an open plan kitchen, living room, and dining room, the country-style double-story abode has more than enough room for Alba and her brood. As Rethinking the Future reports, Alba’s aim for the interior was “a mix of old French country house meets French city apartment, though it looks more like a natural material-conscious American home.” 

8. Samuel L. Jackson 

Here is someone who needs no introduction. Samuel L. Jackson is Hollywood royalty these days, so it’s no surprise he lives a life of luxury in the trendy suburb of Beverly Hills. Jackson and his wife live on an 11,738-square-foot estate that was purchased back in 2000 from comedian Rosanne Barr.

The home has six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a detached guest abode, and a large outdoor pool. Like many other celebrities, Jackson also owns several properties in New York, although he has recently put them on the market.

9. Jennifer Lawrence

Actor Jennifer Lawrence resides in a luxurious $7 million Hampton-style mansion she acquired back in 2013. The home’s previous owners include the likes of Jessica Simpson and Ellen DeGeneres. The 5,550 square foot home comes with five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a fitness room, and a lap pool.

The gated property is surrounded by trees, keeping prying eyes out and giving Lawrence plenty of privacy. Several other high-profile celebrities live near Lawrence, including Cameron Diza, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, and Adele.

10. John Legend

Crooner John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen are raising their two children in a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills. They recently purchased a $23.9 million estate, having spent the pandemic years living in Rihanna’s old three-story home a few blocks away.

The house comes with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a home theater, a gym, and an outdoor pool. This is one of several homes the couple owns, with the duo having an extensive real estate portfolio that includes two penthouses in New York.

11. Lizzo

Only built in 2019, Lizzo’s Beverly Hills home cost the singer and flute player a cool $15 million. Previously owned by Harry Styles, the modern mansion is relatively small compared to some of the homes on this list, with just three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and two powder rooms.

It’s a minimalist’s dream, with large open spaces and lots of ceiling-to-floor windows creating a light and airy feel. The two-story l-shaped home has all the amenities you expect from such a luxurious home, with the 58-foot infinity swimming pool one of the home’s best features.

12. Nicole Kidman

Imagine being so rich that you spend your time living in both the United States and Australia. Well, folks, that’s the life of actor Nicole Kidman and her country-singing husband Keith Urban. The duo and their four children live in both countries throughout the year, riding the wave of the endless summer.

While their Australian properties are impressive, their Beverly Hills home is not to be disparaged. The $4.7 million property boasts five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a jungle gym, a pool slide, and a chic cabana.

Released in 1984, the original is about a T-800 cyborg assassin (Schwarzenegger) sent from the future to the present to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the future mother of Resistance leader John Conner. Helping her out is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a soldier sent back in time to protect Sarah.

A surprise hit, the dystopian sci-fi racked in a massive $78.3 million off a budget of just $6.4 million and turned both Cameron and Schwarzenegger into major Hollywood players. The success of The Terminator meant a sequel was inevitable, and in 1991 audiences were blown away by the release of Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Affectionately known as T2, the movie flipped the script and cast Schwarzenegger as a good Terminator, this time sent back in time to protect Sarah’s son John. The movie also introduced a new type of Terminator, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), made from liquid metal with the ability to shapeshift into anyone it kills.

The movie was an even bigger success than the first, making between $519–520.9 million and containing some of the most advanced special effects of that time. What’s even more surprising is they still hold up today, with T2 arguably the best movie in the franchise.

Four more films followed–Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation (the only one not to feature Schwarzenegger), Terminator Genisys, and Terminator: Dark Fate–as well as a short-lived TV series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, focusing on Sarah after the events of T2.

The Terminator franchise is known for its big action setpieces and mind-bending plot lines, but it’s also gifted us some of the greatest movie quotes of all time. From Arnie’s iconic “I’ll be back” to “We are humanity’s last hope,” we’ve collected the best one-liners, monologues, and dialogue exchanges from the five movies as proof The Terminator is a part of the modern pop culture zeitgeist.

40 Greatest Terminator Quotes From the Iconic Franchise

The Terminator (1984)

1. “The machines rose from the ashes of the nuclear fire. Their war to exterminate mankind had raged for decades, but the final battle would not be fought in the future. It would be fought here, in our present. Tonight…” – Title Card

2. “I’ll be back.” – The Terminator

3. “Come with me if you want to live.” – Kyle Reese

4. “You’re terminated, fucker!” – Sara Connor

5. “Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear, and it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!” – Kyle Reese

6. Cleaning man: “Hey, buddy. You got a dead cat in there, or what?” The Terminator: “Fuck you, asshole!”

7. “Cyborgs don’t feel pain. I do. Don’t do that again.” – Kyle Reese

8. Punk leader: “Nice night for a walk, eh?”

The Terminator: “Nice night for a walk.”

Punk: “Wash day tomorrow? Nothing clean, right?”

The Terminator: “Nothing clean. Right.”

Punk Leader: “Hey, I think this guy’s a couple cans short of a six-pack.”

The Terminator: “Your clothes… give them to me, now.”

Punk Leader: [pulls out a knife] “Fuck you, asshole!”

9. “This is burned in by laser scan. Some of us were kept alive… to work… loading bodies. The disposal units ran night and day. We were that close to going out forever. But there was one man who taught us to fight, to storm the wire of the camps, to smash those metal motherfuckers into junk. He turned it around. He brought us back from the brink. His name is Connor. John Connor. Your son, Sarah… your unborn son.” – Kyle Reese

10. Pawn Shop Clerk: [Sees the Terminator load the shotgun] “You can’t do that.”

The Terminator: “Wrong!” [shoots the clerk]

11. “I’m here to help you. I’m Reese. Sergeant Tech-Com, DN38416. Assigned to protect you. You’ve been targeted for termination.” – Kyle Reese

12. “Machines need love too!” – Ginger Ventura

13. “That son-of-a-bitch took my pants.” – Homeless Man

14. Kyle Reese: “Pain can be controlled–you just disconnect it.”

Sarah Connor: “So you feel nothing?”

15. “The Terminator’s an infiltration unit: part man, part machine. Underneath, it’s a hyper alloy combat chassis, microprocessor-controlled. Fully armored; very tough. But outside, it’s living human tissue: flesh, skin, hair, blood–grown for the cyborgs.” – Kyle Reese

16. “The hardest thing is deciding what I should tell you and what not to. But I guess I’ve got a while yet before you’re old enough to even understand the tapes. They’re more for me at this point just so I can get it straight. Should I tell you about your father? Boy, that’s a tough one. Will it affect your decision to send him here, knowing that he is you father? If you don’t send Kyle, you can never be. God, a person can go crazy thinking about all this… I suppose I will tell you… I owe him that. Maybe it’ll be enough if you know that, in the few hours we had together, we loved a lifetime’s worth.” – Sarah Connor

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

17. “Hasta la vista, baby” – The Terminator

18. “The whole thing goes: The future’s not set. There’s no fate but what we make for ourselves.” – John Connor

19. “The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it for the first time with a sense of hope.” – Sarah Connor

20. John Connor: “Jesus! You were going to kill that guy!”

The Terminator: “Of course. I’m a Terminator.”

21. “If a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can, too.” – Sarah Connor

22. “Your foster parents are dead.” – The Terminator

23. John Connor: “We’ve got company! Police!”

Sarah Connor: “How many?”

John Connor: “Uh… all of ’em, I think.”

24. “Watching John with the machine, it was suddenly so clear. The Terminator would never stop. It would never leave him, and it would never hurt him, never shout at him, or get drunk and hit him, or say it was too busy to spend time with him. It would always be there, and it would die to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers who came and went over the years, this thing, this machine, was the only one who measured up. In an insane world, it was the sanest choice.” – Sarah Connor

25. “I know now why you cry, but it’s something I can never do.” – The Terminator

26. “Fucking men like you built the hydrogen bomb. Men like you thought it up. You think you’re so creative. You don’t know what it’s like to really create something; to create a life; to feel it growing inside you. All you know how to create is death and destruction.” – Sarah Connor

27. Dr. Silberman: “You broke my arm!”

Sarah Connor: “There are 215 bones in the human body. That’s one.”

28. “No, no, no. You got to listen to the way people talk. You don’t say ‘affirmative’ or some shit like that. You say, No problemo.’ And if someone comes up to you with an attitude, you say, ‘Eat me.’ And if you want to shine them on, it’s, ‘Hasta la vista, baby.'” – John Connor

29. “I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle.” – The Terminator

30. John Connor: “What happens to her?”

The Terminator: “Typically, the subject being copied is terminated.”

John Connor: “Shit! Why didn’t you tell me? We gotta go right now!”

The Terminator: “Negative. She’s not a mission priority.”

John Connor: “Fuck you! She’s a priority to me!”

31. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold this.” – Miles Dyson

32. The Terminator: “My mission is to protect you.”

John Connor: “Yeah? Who sent you?”

The Terminator: “You did. Thirty-five years from now, you reprogrammed me to be your protector here, in this time.”

John Connor: “This is deep…”

33. “My CPU is a neural-net processor; a learning computer. The more contact I have with humans, the more I learn.” – The Terminator

34. John Connor: “You just can’t go around killing people.”

The Terminator: “Why?”

John Connor: “What do you mean why? ‘Cause you can’t.”

The Terminator: “Why?”

John Connor: “Because you just can’t, okay? Trust me on this.”

35. “August 29, 1997, came and went. Nothing much happened. Michael Jackson turned 40. There was no Judgment Day. People went to work as they always do. Laughed, complained, watched TV, made love. I wanted to run to through the street yelling to grab them all and say, “Every day from this day on is a gift. Use it well”. Instead, I got drunk.” – Sara Connor

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

36. “The future has not been written. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. I wish I could believe that. My name is John Connor. They tried to murder me before I was born. When I was 13, they tried again. Machines from the future. Terminators. All my life my mother told me the storm was coming – Judgment Day, the beginning of a war between man and machines. Three billion lives were vanished in an instant. And I would lead what was left of the human race to ultimate victory. It hasn’t happened, no bombs fell, computers didn’t take control. We stopped Judgment Day. I should feel safe. But I don’t. So I live off the grid, no phone, no address. No one and nothing can find me. I’ve erased all connections to the past. But as hard as I try, I can’t erase my dreams. My nightmares.” – John Connor

37. “I’m back.” – The Terminator

38. John Conner: “No, you shouldn’t exist. We took out Cyberdyne over ten years ago. We stopped Judgment Day.”

The Terminator: “You only postponed it. Judgment Day is inevitable.”

39. “Drop dead, you asshole!” – Kate Brewster

40. “You are terminated.” – The Terminator

41. “I like this car.” – T-X

42. The Terminator: “John Conner. It is time.”

John Connor: “You here to kill me?”

The Terminator: “No. You must live.”

43. “Based on your pupil dilation, skin temperature, and motor functions, I calculate an 83% probability that you will not pull the trigger.” – The Terminator

44. “Maybe the future has been written. I don’t know; all I know is what the Terminator taught me; never stop fighting. And I never will. The battle has just begun.” – John Connor

Terminator Salvation (2009)

45.  “This is John Connor. If you’re listening to this, you are the resistance. Listen carefully, if we attack tonight, our humanity is lost. Command wants us to fight like machines. They want us to make cold, calculated decisions. But we are not machines! And if we behave like them, then WHAT IS THE *POINT* IN WINNING? Command is going to ask you to attack Skynet. I am asking you not to. If even one bomb drops on Skynet before sunrise, our future will be lost. So please stand down. Give me time to protect the future that all of us are fighting for. This is John Connor.” – John Conner

46. “What is it that makes us human? It’s not something you can program. You can’t put it into a chip. It’s the strength of the human heart. The difference between us and machines.” – Marcus Wright

47. “You and me, we’ve been at war since before either of us even existed. You tried killing my mother, Sarah Connor. You killed my father, Kyle Reese. You will not kill me.” – John Connor

48. Kate Connor: “What should I tell your men when they find out you’re gone?”

John Conner: “I’ll be back.”

49. John Connor: “What are you?

Marcus Wright: “I don’t know.”

50. “Win or lose, this war ends tonight.” – John Connor

51. “You want to know the difference between us and the machines? We bury our dead. But no one is coming to bury you!” – Kyle Reese

52. “There is a storm on the horizon. A time of hardship and pain. This battle has been won, but the war against the machines rages on. Skynet’s global network remains strong, but we will not quit until all of it is destroyed. This is John Connor. There is no fate, but what we make.” – John Connor

Terminator Genisys (2015)

53. “This is the world now. Logged on, plugged in, all the time.” – John Connor

54. “Come with me if you want to live! Now, soldier!” – Sarah Conner

55. Guardian: “Did you mate?”

Sarah Connor: “Oh! Can you just not say the word ‘mate’ to be again, like ever?

56. “And it was over. Skynet was gone. And now one road has become many. Though questions remain, we’ll search for the answers together. But one thing we know for sure. The future is not set.” – Kyle Reese

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

57. Sara Connor: “When this is all over, I am going to kill you.”

The Terminator: “I understand.”

58. “Expect a big ping, brother. My whole body’s a weapon.” – Rev-9

59. “There’s just more to it than picking the right color. It’s the texture, the weight of the material. One wrong choice, it can destroy the look of the entire room. There was this one customer that came to me, he wanted solid-colored drapes in a little girl’s room. I said ‘DON’T DO IT.’ You need butterflies, polka dots, balloons.” – The Terminator

60. Grace: “Why do you care what happens to her?”

Sarah Connor: “Because I was her. And it sucks.”

61. “Once, I saved three billion lives… but I couldn’t save my son. A machine took him from me. And I am terminated.” – Sarah Connor

62. Rev-9: “Why not just let me have her?

Sarah Connor: “Because we’re not machines, you metal motherfucker!”

63. Dani Ramos: “So, you’re Carl?”

The Terminator: “That’s what everyone calls me, yes.”

Sarah Connor: “I’m never going to fucking call you Carl.”

64. “You look terrible.” – The Terminator

65. Sarah Connor: “So you’re here to protect her. What are you? Never seen one like you before. Almost human.”

Grace: “I am human. Just enhanced. You know, increased speed and strength, thorium micro-reactor. Which means I can rip your throat out if you piss me off, so don’t.”

66. “Do you believe in fate, Sarah? Or do you believe we can all change the future every second by every choice that we make? You chose to change the future. You chose to destroy Skynet. You set me free. Now, I’m going to help you protect the girl, because I chose to.” – The Terminator

Along with being one of the greats thanks to his exceptional skills on the court, LeBron is also known for his eye-catching tattoos. Each tattoo adorning his body tells a unique story, reflecting his personal journey and the values that have shaped him into the athlete and philanthropist he is today. That’s why we’ve decided to dive into 17 LeBron James tattoos and discover what they mean to the basketball legend.

James’ tattoos serve as a visual narrative, offering a glimpse into his life and the people who have influenced him. Many of the tattoos on his body are dedicated to important people who have helped shape him during his life, including his mother, Gloria James, wife Savannah James, and three children Bronny James, Bryce James, and Zhuri James.

In addition to personal tributes, LeBron’s tattoos also reflect his passions, beliefs, and commitment to social justice and advocacy. LeBron is both a leader on the court and off it and has used his unique position in the spotlight to support those less fortunate, starting the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004.

LeBron James’ tattoos not only make a bold statement but also provide a glimpse into his personal and professional life. From tributes to his loved ones to symbols of strength and social activism, each tattoo represents a chapter in his life story. As LeBron continues to make his mark on and off the basketball court, his tattoos serve as a constant reminder of the values and experiences that have shaped him into the legendary figure he is today.

1. “Chosen 1” Tattoo

Across the top of his back, LeBron James has “Chosen 1” inked in large letters. This tattoo references LeBron’s first cover story in the 2002 February 18 issue of the famed sports magazine Sports Illustrated. As part of the article, LeBron was hailed as “The Chosen One,” a nickname he fully embraced. So much so that he decided to get it tattooed on his back.

2. “Beast” Tattoo

On his upper left arm, LeBron James has the word “Beast” tattooed. While there isn’t much information floating around about why he has this tattoo or when he got it, considering how much of a beast he is on the court, it’s probably got to do with his prowess with the ball.

The Los Angeles Laker also has the phrase “Hold My Own” tattooed below the word “Beast.”

3. “Witness” Tattoo

You may have noticed LeBron James has tattoos all over his body, including his legs. On his right calf is the word “Witness.” Why you ask? He got the tattoo after a successful run during the NBA playoffs in 2006, the first time the Cavs had made the finals since 1998.

Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, shoemaker Nike used the word as part of a marketing campaign that included several successful commercials that no doubt help sold a few shoes.

4. “What We Do In Life Echos In Eternity” Tattoo

While he has admitted to being a big fan of The Godfather movies, it’s safe to say LeBron James also enjoys watching Russell Crowe’s Gladiator. On his right arm he has the words “What we do in life,” and on his left arm “Echos in eternity,” which is a famous quote from the historical epic.

Crowe’s Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius prepares his troops for battle against the Germanic tribes with a spine-tingling speech that ends with him saying the line, “Brothers, what we do in life… echoes in eternity.” This obviously had an impact on LeBron, who decided to get the phrase tattooed on his body.

5. Lion With Crown Tattoo

Much like a lion, LeBron James is an apex predator who dominates all those he comes across. To reflect this, the four-time NBA Finals MVP has the head of a lion inked on his right bicep. This was the first arm tattoo LeBron got and one that he has added to over the years, getting the word “King” tattooed above the lion and the word “James” below, with King James also being one of the basketballer’s nicknames.

6. “303” Tattoo

Getting the area code of your hometown has become a thing these days. LeBron is one of many famous people to get this type of tattoo. His reads “303,” which is the area code of his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Located on his right forearm, James got the tattoo sometime before his fourth season in the NBA.

7. “Gloria” Tattoo

LeBron credits his mom for much of his success, so it’s no surprise he has her name inked on his body. The tattoo is located just above the lion tattoo on his right arm.

8. Bronny James Portrait Tattoo

To celebrate the first birthday of his son Bronny James, the King got a portrait of his firstborn on the inside of his left forearm.

9. Bryce Maximus Tattoo

This is the name of LeBron’s second child who the NBA superstar has tattooed on his right forearm. Unlike his older brother Bronny, who LeBron got a portrait of, only Bryce’s name appears on his father’s body. Obviously not the favorite son then…

10. Initials Tattoo

The Lakers great has his own initials tattooed on his body. The letter “L” can be found on his left tricep and the letter “J” on his right tricep. It’s always a ballsy move to get your own initials inked on your body, but if you can live up to expectations like LeBron has, then it’s such a power move.

11. “Family” and “Loyalty” Tattoos

In what must have been a painful session at the tattoo parlor, LeBron James has the word “Family” running down the right side of his torso. On the left side, he has the word “Loyalty,” with both tatts written in the same font style.

It’s assumed these tattoos represent how much LeBron’s family means to him and the loyalty they have to each other.

12. “Est 1984” Tattoo

Getting a tattoo that celebrates your birthday is something LeBron shares with many ink loves. Mac Miller and Shia LaBeouf are two other well-known celebrities who also have their date of birth or the year they were born inked on them. LeBron’s is located on his left shoulder and reads “Est 1984.”

13. Lion Tattoo

Not content with having just the head of a lion, LeBron went all out and got an entire lion tattooed across his chest. But this isn’t any ordinary lion, as it has wings. In Christianity, Saint Mark is symbolized as a winged lion, with the image also a symbol of the city of Venice.

LeBron, a known Christian, most likely got this tattoo due to his faith, although there is a small section of conspiracy theorists who believe the tattoo is the symbol for the Boule Group, a secretive society of elite black men

14. “Akron” Tattoo

As well as having the area code of his city, James has his hometown, “Akron,” tattooed on his right shoulder. It’s a bold tattoo paying homage to the town where he grew up and became a star.

15. “History” Tattoo

Although he got this tattoo in 2010, four years after his “Witness” tattoo, it is inked in the same font and makes for a companion piece. It can be found on his left calf and is another tattoo referencing his greatness in the sport of basketball.

16. Kobe Bryant Tribute Tattoo

Kobe Bryant is another legendary basketballer whose life was tragically cut short on January 26, 2020, when he, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, six family friends, and the pilot died in a helicopter crash. Bryant’s death shocked the world and the outpouring of grief from those that played with and against him was immense.

LeBron was one of many who admired Bryant and was lucky enough to be able to call him a friend. Just days after his passing he paid tribute to the Lakers legend with a tattoo of a black mamba, also the nickname of Bryant. The tattoo also includes the number 24, Braynt’s jersey number, along with the phrase “Mamba 4 Life.”

17. Birds Tattoo

There isn’t much known about this tattoo of a couple of birds LeBron has on his right bicep. It’s not one of his most widely known pieces of ink but is still an interesting addition to his collection of tattoos. He also has a tattoo of flames running up his right arm that has never been explained.