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.

One cannot help but be drawn to Styles’ extensive collection of tattoos, which adorn various parts of his body. They range from small and subtle pieces to larger, more eye-catching designs. Each tattoo holds a unique story and meaning, serving as a form of self-expression for the artist. Styles’ body art is a reflection of his personal journey, his experiences, and the things that hold significance in his life.

One aspect that sets the “Watermelon Sugar” singer’s tattoos apart is their artistic beauty. From intricate patterns to finely detailed images, the craftsmanship behind each tattoo is evident. Styles has collaborated with some of the most talented tattoo artists in the industry, resulting in stunning pieces of art that showcase both his individuality and his appreciation for the art form.

Moreover, Styles’ tattoos often become a topic of speculation and conversation among fans. They dissect every new addition, searching for hidden meanings or connections to his music and personal life. Each tattoo seems to provide a glimpse into Styles’ mind, allowing fans to connect with him on a deeper level.

Styles is just one of many celebrities obsessed with tattoos. His ink is a visual representation of his journey, his artistry, and his personality. They invite us as fans to delve deeper into his world and explore the stories behind each design. With over 50 tattoos on his body, we’ve decided to focus on those that are often visible or have some meaning behind them.

Styles’ body art has undoubtedly become an iconic part of his image and in an attempt to shine a light on his incredible ink, this article looks at his most recognized tattoos and the meaning behind them, as well as highlighting some of his most obscure ink.

1. Two Swallows Tattoos

Harry Styles enjoys wearing his shirt open and showing off his chest. But it’s not just his body the former One Direction is revealing, with his torso covered in tatts. The most prominent is two swallows on his upper chest. While they might seem like decoration, there is a reason Styles got the ink.

“I got two swallows on my chest,” Styles told Us Weekly. “I like that kind of style of tattoos, like the old sailor kind of tattoos. They symbolize traveling, and we travel a lot!”

2. Handshake Tattoo

On his left arm is a tattoo of two hands shaking. This is a common tattoo design that has many different meanings but usually represents friendship, equality, and positivity. Underneath this tattoo are the words “Silver Spoon,” a tattoo meant to reference the success of One Direction.

3. Letter “A” Tattoo

In the crook of his left arm, Styles has a small letter “A” inked. One of the more non-descript tattoos on his body, it’s believed to be a tribute to his mother, Anne Twist. The boy loves his mommy.

4. Skeleton in a Suit Tattoo

On his upper lift arm, Styles has the image of a skeleton wearing a suit. He got the tattoo sometime in 2013, with the skeleton dressed in a black suit and top hat with a red bowtie and ribbon in his hat. It’s actually a pretty cool tattoo that he revealed during One Direction’s tour of Australia and New Zealand.

5. “Late Late” Tattoo

While in One Direction, Styles and the other members appeared on The Late Late Show With James Corden. They played a game where they picked random boxes and had to take part in an activity, with Styles picking the box that required him to get a tattoo live on television. He was forced to get the logo of the show, “Late Late,” inked on his body, choosing to get the small tattoo on the inside of his left arm.

6. Rose Tattoo

A large rose can be seen on the left forearm of Styles. Rumors persist that he got the tattoo as a tribute to former flame Taylor Swift after they broke up, but it could just be that Styles likes roses.

7. Naked Mermaid Tattoo

Another tattoo found on Styles’ left arm, the naked mermaid was inked by world famous UK tattoo artist Liam Sparkles. According to HollywoodLife, when asked about the tattoo, Styles said, “I am a mermaid.” Enough said really.

8. Green Bay Packers Logo Tattoo

Although he might be English, Harry Styles is a big fan of American football. Especially the Green Bay Packers. The story behind the small tattoo of the team’s logo Styles has on his left arm concerns the singer making a bet with his friend one night.

Styles agreed to get the tattoo if Green Bay won a game they were planning on watching together. When they met the next day, Styles’ friend ask if he was still happy with the bet. Not one to back down, Styles said he was so confident they would win that he would get the tatt before the game, which he proceeded to do. The bad news was the Packers ended up losing the game.

This tatt is just one of many small designs on Harry’s left arm, with the others including a black star, three nails, and a coat hanger.

9. Giant Heart Tattoo

No, this isn’t a cute love heart but a large anatomical heart tattoo on Styles’ left arm. It’s said Styles got the tattoo after being inspired by his girlfriend at the time, who had a similar tattoo.

10. Eagle Tattoo

Styles has a tattoo of an eagle on the inside of his right arm. This piece is actually a cover-up tattoo. The heartthrob got the design to replace the words “Thing’s I Can” that he had originally got. Styles hasn’t revealed why he covered up the original tattoo, but there is no denying the eagle tattoo looks much better.

11. Butterfly Tattoo

Along with the two swallows on his chest, Styles also has a large butterfly on his torso. This is one of the singer’s more impressive tattoos.

12. Anchor Tattoo

This is another cover-up tattoo. Found on his left wrist, Styles got the anchor to cover the words “I Can’t Change.” There’s nothing remarkable about the tattoo, but it does look better than the previous ink. He also has a small padlock tattoo in the vicinity of the anchor.

13. Bottle of Booze Tattoo

Another left arm tattoo, this one is of a bottle of booze surrounded by the phrase “You booze, you lose.” This is another design inked by tattooist Liam Sparkles. It’s not known why Styles got the ink, as he is a known boozer.

14. Ship Tattoo

This tattoo on Styles’ left shoulder is often associated with Taylor Swift, as many people believe he got the tattoo while the two were dating. Fans drew this conclusion after an actor resembling Styles with a similar tattoo appeared in Swift’s music video for the song “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

But Style has insisted the tattoo has nothing to do with Swift and is meant as a reminder of his home when he’s traveling the world.

15. Holy Bible Tattoo

Just below his tattoo of a bottle of booze is one of the Bible. This is another tattoo without any explanation, but as Style was brought up in a Catholic household, it could be his way of showing his faith through his tattoos.

16. Iced Gem Cookie Tattoo

This small tattoo is on Styles’ left arm and is of a popular British biscuit known as, you guessed it, an Iced Gem. The reason for this abstract tattoo is Styles’ sister Gemma, who is often called by her nickname, Gem.

17. “NY, LA, and Lon” Tattoos

It’s probably obvious but this series of tattoos stand for the cities New York, Los Angeles, and London, which are said to be Styles’ three favorite places in the world. Near these tattoos, he also has his sister Gemma’s name inked in Hebrew, a black heart, and the words “Can I stay?”

18. Birdcage Tattoo

On the left side of Styles’ torso is a tattoo of a birdcage along with a tattoo of the Comedy and Tragedy Masks, a tattoo Tom Hardy also sports. The letters “SMCL” are also tattooed here, with many speculating they stand for Simon Cowell, the man responsible for the creation of One Direction.

19. Triangle Refracting Light

If this design looks familiar it’s because it’s inspired by the cover art of Pink Floyd’s A Dark Side of the Moon. It’s basically a black-and-white copy of the album cover artwork.

20. “Jackson” Tattoo

This tattoo is named after Jackson Aurand, the son of former One Direction official photographer Calvin Aurand. It turns out Styles and Aurand got along well, with Jackson Style’s godson, hence the tattoo.

21. Letter “R” Tattoo

Opposite Styles’ mermaid tattoo is a small cursive capital “R.” Similar to his letter “A” tattoo, this is another tribute to a family member, this time his stepfather, Robin Twist.

22. Shamrock Tattoo

On his left wrist Styles has a collection of small tattoos that includes a Shamrock. It’s believed this tattoo is a tribute to LA’s Shamrock Social Club Tatto Parlor, a place where Styles has got the majority of his tattoos. Other small tattoos he has on his writs include a key, padlock, 99p design, and his zodiac birth sign; Aquarius.

23. “17Black” Tattoo

Just above the swallow on his left chest is the number-word combination “17Black.” A big James Bond fan, Styles got this tattoo to show his fandom. For those not in the know, “17 black” is the number and color Bond puts a winning bet on in the movie Diamonds Are Forever.

24. “Never Gonna Dance Again” Tattoo

This tattoo is across the upper part of Harry’s feet, with “Never Gonna” on his right foot and “Dance Again” on his left. If the words sound familiar, it’s because they are part of the chorus to the classic George Micahel song “Careless Whisper.” Styles, a big Michael fan, got the tattoo as a tribute to the recently deceased legend.

25. Parents’ Birthdates Tattoos

He might be a jet-setting pop star but Styles is very much a family guy. Along with tattoos in honor of his sister, mother, and stepfather, he also has the year his parents were born inked on either side of his collarbone. On the left-hand side is his dad’s year of birth, 1957, and on his right-hand side is his mother’s, 1967.

26. Cross With the Letter “B” Tattoo

This tattoo is another tribute to a family member. It’s a small cross with the letter “B” which apparently represents his grandfather, Brian Selley, and his paternal grandmother, Beryl German. He also has the name “Mary” inked on his right arm which is a tribute to his other grandmother, Mary Smith, along with a cross with the letter “K” and a cross with the letter “M” underneath his “17Black” tattoo, with the initials representing his grandfather Keith Fredrick Styles and grandmother, Mary Smith.

27. “Brasil!” Tattoo

While touring Rio de Janeiro with One Direction, Styles was inspired to get this tattoo. It’s one of the few tattoos fans rarely see due to the fact that it’s located on his bum. Why he got it there is not known, but it’s another interesting tattoo.

28. Tiger Tattoo

On his left thigh, Styles has a tattoo of a tiger head. As Body Art Guru explains, “Harry had revealed the real identity of this tattoo during a BBC Radio show when he was asked a question about his new ink. He said, ‘Roaaar!'”

29. “PINGU” Tattoo

Styles is a big fan of the stop-motion penguin Pingu, and to show his fandom, got the word “PINGU” inked on his left inner bicep. This tattoo is part of a collection of small designs that include his Green Bay Packers logo tattoo, black star tattoo, iced gem tattoo, and “Hi” tattoo.

30. “Yes” and “No” Tattoos

Above and below his left and right knees Styles has the word “Yes” and “No” tattooed. On his right leg, he has “Yes” written in French above the knee and in Spanish below the knee, and on his left leg, he has “No” written in French above the knee and in Spanish below the knee.

31. Fern Leaf Tattoo

Styles has two fern leaves on either side of his waist that are usually covered by his pants. This tattoo is another cover-up, with Styles not happy with the “Might as well” tattoo he previously got inked.

Yet, it is his love for tattoos that has further established him as a true individual, unafraid to wear his passions and experiences proudly on his body. This article aims to shine a light on the best Tom Hardy tattoos and what they mean to the accomplished actor.

Hardy’s extensive collection of tattoos not only tells a story but also reflects his complex personality and deep connection to the art form. Each piece serves as a visual testament to his journey, revealing fragments of his past, present, and aspirations for the future. From intricate designs to meaningful symbols, his body serves as a canvas, portraying a visual autobiography that is as captivating as the characters he brings to life on screen.

In a world where conformity often reigns, Hardy stands apart, embracing his tattoos as a form of self-expression and celebration of his unique identity. It is through these artistic markings that he communicates his passions, beliefs, and personal experiences, making each tattoo an intimate and meaningful statement. Whether it’s an ode to a loved one, a tribute to a role he portrayed, or a representation of his own struggles and triumphs, Hardy’s tattoos serve as a constant reminder of his individuality and the profound impact they have had on his life.

In this introduction, we will delve into the fascinating world of Tom Hardy’s tattoos, exploring the stories behind some of his most iconic pieces and the significance they hold in shaping both his public persona and private self.

1. Leprechaun Tattoo

The first tattoo Tom Hardy ever got was of a leprechaun when he was just 15 years old. Inked on his right arm, the tattoo is said to be a tribute to his Irish heritage, as his mom was born on the Emerald Isle. Believed to bring good fortune, Hardy obviously didn’t feel it was working as he covered the tattoo with a large tribal design.

2. Tribal Tattoo

The tribal tattoo Hardy sports on his right arm is quite large and not really anything special. It’s the type of tattoo you see people getting in Bali on the cheap. There’s no information regarding why he got the ink, but it certainly adds to his tough guy persona and is much better than the leprechaun tatt it covers.

3. “Padre Fiero” Tattoo

Inked near the left side of his collarbone is the Italian phrase “padre Fiero,” which translates to “proud father.” Hardy has one son with his ex-wife Sarah Ward and a son and daughter with his current wife Charlotte Riley. Family is something he cherishes and likes to keep private.

4. Dragon Tattoo

Tom Hardy has a lot of bad tattoos, something he freely admits, but one tattoo he has that is quite impressive is the large dragon on his left bicep. It’s rumored he got the tattoo as a dedication to his ex-wife Sarah Ward, who was born in the year of the dragon.

The two met in the 90s and got married in 1999 but divorced just five years later, with Hardy then meeting assistant director Rachael Speed in 2005, with the two splitting in 2009. That’s when Hardy met his current wife Charlotte Riley while on the set of Wuthering Heights.

5. London Skyline Tattoo

Born and bred in West London, Hardy got a tribute to the city with a tattoo of the London skyline. It’s located on his left arm underneath another important tattoo you can read more about below.

6. Madonna Cradling a Baby Tattoo

No, not the “Like a Virgin” Madonna but the Catholic faith Madonna. This tattoo of Madonna clutching a baby is on Hardy’s right arm, and as he told The Sun, “That was about mothering to me. I went through a lot of stuff leaving home and becoming a father and growing up to be my own mother.”

7. Scorpion Tattoo

On his back, Hardy has a smallish tattoo of a scorpion. Found on the left side of his back near his shoulder, this is another piece he hasn’t spoken about in public, although there are many different meanings behind the scorpion. In Native American culture, the insect is considered to be a warning sign or a symbol of change while in Africa it represents death.

8. “Til I Die SW” Tattoo

You wouldn’t pick him as being the emotional type, but Hardy is a big softie at heart. So much so that he has several tattoos of his ex-partners on his body. As well as the dragon tattoo dedicated to Sarah Ward, Hardy also has “Til I Die SW” on his stomach, with “SW” being Ward’s initials.

9. “Leo Knows All” Tattoo

Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio first shared the screen in Christopher Nolan’s 2010 mind-bender Inception. Five years later they hooked again for The Revenant, the movie that finally won DiCaprio an Oscar.

While filming the movie, DiCaprio told Hardy he would get an Oscar nomination, something the Venom star did not believe. So the two made a bet; if Leo was right and he was nominated, Hardy had to get a tattoo of DiCaprio’s choice, and vice versa.

As we know, Hardy got the Oscar nom and was forced to get “Leo Knows All” tattooed on his right arm. Hardy was pretty adamant DiCaprio wouldn’t have got a tattoo if he lost the best

“He would never get a tattoo if he lost that bet!” said Hardy of DiCaprio in an interview with Vanity Fair. “It was just one-way. I’m covered in shit tattoos anyway, so it doesn’t make any difference to me. If I got a big bold ‘Leo’ right across my thigh or across my face. It’s just that, isn’t it? You bet a tattoo, you lose. That’s what happens.”

10. Wolf Tattoo

Another of Hardy’s more artistic tattoos is the wolf head he has on his inner left forearm. Inspired by his time on the set of The Revenant, Hardy told The Sun, “It’s a wolf, a raven, and a sacred heart. So my heart is on my sleeve. The raven and wolf are important animals to me.”

11. “Charlotte” Tattoo

Considering he has tattoos dedicated to past lovers, it’s no surprise Hardy has several referencing his current wife, Charlotte Riley. Written on his left should is her name “Charlotte,” an obvious sign of his affection for his wide. Such a sweet guy.

12. Star Tattoo

Another ex gets a look in, with the star Hardy has inked on his left shoulder a tribute to Rachel Speed and their then-unborn child.

13. Raven Tattoo

On his left pec, Hardy has the silhouette of a raven inked on his body. The tattoo is said to represent two of the most important films in his career: The Dark Knight Rises and Mad Max: Fury Road. As anyone who has followed Hardy’s career knows, these two films helped him become a massive star in the movie business.

14. Charlotte Riley Portrait Tattoo

Whenever he takes his shirt off, Hardy reveals the extent of his ink. One of the most noticeable tattoos is a portrait of his wife, Charlotte Riely, inked on the left side of his back. This is just one of many tattoos Hardy has that reference the ladies who have impacted his life in some form over the journey.

15. “1338046” Tattoo

This number on his upper chest is an official Marine Corps number. No, Hardy didn’t join the Marines (although he did play a Ranger in Black Hawk Down), but the number is that of a soldier who died fighting who just happened to be the father of one of his good friends. He got the ink on his right bicep as a way to honor his good mate’s dad.

16. “LINDY King” Tattoo

It’s not just his former girlfriends who Hardy has tattooed on his body. He also has his agent, Lindy King, inked on his left arm. Hardy is believed to have said that if she got him to Hollywood he would get her name tattooed on his skin. Having followed through after losing his bet with Leo, it’s no real surprise Hardy got a “LINDY King” tattoo.

17. Comedy and Tragedy Masks

The symbols of the Ancient Greek muses, Thalia and Melpomene, these famous masks were used to show the two main emotions during Greek plays, comedy and tragedy. When either was worn by the performers the audience understood the emotions of the characters and could follow the story.

Hardy has never discussed why he got the tattoo but is most likely related to his career as an actor. He also has “Smile Now” inked above the comedy mask and “Cry Later” inked above the tragedy mask.

18. Cross Tattoos

On his right shoulder, Hardy has three individual crosses tattooed on his body. Each is a different size and may relate to his faith or could have been one of those drunken tattoos you get on a dare, which is certainly something Hardy is known for.

19. “Figlio Mio Bellissimo” Tattoo

A true family man at heart, Hardy has the expression “Figlio Mio Bellissimo” tattooed under the tribal tattoo on his right arm. When translated from Italian to English, it reads “my beautiful son,” meaning the tattoo is a tribute to Hardy’s son. The only question is which son? We like to think he loves both of them equally and the tattoo represents the two of them.

20. Union Jack Tattoo

Hardy is more patriotic than you might think. So much so that he got the Union Jack flag tattooed on his left bicep. The funny thing about this tattoo is that Hardy got it done in Canada. Tattoo artist Bryan Glatiotis from the Dark Day Tattoo is the man who completed the tattoo.

21. Feather Tattoo

Another seemingly random piece of ink, Hardy’s feather tattoo is on his right arm and is accompanied by the word “Script.” It’s believed this is another tribute tattoo, this time to his friend, screenwriter Kelly Marcell, who worked with Hardy on Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. She is also involved in the writing of Venom 3 and someone that has a great professional relationship with the actor.

22. Smoking Skull With a Top Hat

There is no information regarding this tattoo that can be found on Hardy’s left forearm. That said, it’s a pretty cool looking piece that features a smoking skull wearing a top hat. Just below the ink, Hardy has another bird tattoo, which also doesn’t appear to have any meaning. The guy just likes getting skulls and birds tattooed on his body.

23. Playing Card Tattoo

Here is another random tattoo Hardy has on his body, this one is of a playing card. It doesn’t appear to have a particular number or suit and is on the right side of his stomach. Many consider playing cards to be good luck charms so there is the possibility Hardy got the ink when he need the cards to fall his way in life.

24. Flying Bird Tattoo

Another tattoo, another bird. On his right shoulder, Hardy has a couple of small flying birds. This common tattoo represents freedom and independence and is big with the youth.

25. “II O&R” Tattoo

This tiny tattoo is on Venom’s right shoulder and hidden inside his tribal tattoo. “II Q&R” is said to represent the phrase “To observe and reflect,” which Body Art Guru claims is Hardy’s life mantra. There are certainly worse words to live by.

26. “L” and “H” Tattoos

The letters “L” and “H” are the initials of Hardy’s son Louis Thomas Hardy, who is also his oldest son who he had with former partner Rachel Speed. This is a tattoo dedicated to him.

27. Max Tattoo

As any Hardy fan knows, the actor is a big dog lover. So much so that he got a tattoo of his late dog Mad Max inked on his body. The Staffie-Labrador was his constant companion for 17 years and helped him get through many rough toughs.

“I wouldn’t go to class unless Max was allowed in,” Hardy said as reported by I Heart Dogs. “My old drama teacher said, ‘I remember when you used to walk into class with your dog in one hand and a can of Coke in the other.’ Max was my support unit, it’s like I had a focus; I had an identity and higher self-esteem because something relied on me and loved me constantly. Then I felt important.”

28. “W” Tattoo

This is another small tattoo Hardy got shouting out his ex Sarah Ward. The man really likes getting his partner’s name tattooed on his body.

But there are some in the entertainment world who shun the convention of long hair and rock a buzz cut. These celebs rock a short, buzz cut hairstyle that’s unique, stylish, and hot. With a stunning buzz cut and extraordinary fashion sense, these celebs steal the spotlight and have everyone talking, as you will discover below. 

Celebrities With Buzz Cuts: 20 Stars Who Pulled It Off

1. Sigourney Weaver 

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Sigourney Weaver is best known for her role as the iconic Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. After impressing audiences with the first two films, Weaver rocked a buzz cut for Alien 3 in 1992. Weaver was among the first female stars to shave off her iconic hairstyle for a perfect buzz cut. 

2. Doja Cat

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For years, rapper and singer Doja Cat joked about shaving off all her hair and gaining muscle. While she didn’t gain muscle, she kept that first promise. In August 2022, Doja Cat shaved off her hair and eyebrows on Instagram. She did so because she couldn’t be bothered with the upkeep of her previously long hair. Few celebs can pull off the hairless look like Doja Cat. 

3. Kristen Stewart

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Kristen Stewart’s hairstyle garners as much attention as her personal life. Since becoming a household name in the Twilight series, Kristen Stewart has reinvented her style several times.

Stewart shaved her head for a role in the 2020 film Underwater. She had always wanted a shorter look and pulled it off better than anyone expected. She kept her hair short for a few years before returning to a longer length. 

4. David Beckham 

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Aside from being one of the greatest footballers, David Beckham is renowned for his GQ fashion sense and style. He’s constantly changing his hairstyle from the messy look to the buzz cut. Beckham visits his barber to ensure he gets the sharpest and smoothest buzz cut. Men around the globe have been attempting to emulate his iconic buzz-cut style for years. 

5. Jada Pinkett-Smith

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Recently, Jada Pinkett-Smith opened up about her struggle with alopecia. As a result, she shaved her hair off, rocking a buzz cut. While the illness is an everyday struggle, Pinkett-Smith sports the style better than most. She had some help from her daughter, Willow, to guarantee she had the sharpest and most stylish cut. 

6. Demi Moore

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In the 90s, Demi Moore was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. At times, she had long-flowing hair or a shoulder-length cut. She pioneered the buzz-cut look among female celebs when she famously shaved her hair off for her role in the 1997 film GI Jane. Moore’s buzz cut became one of her most iconic styles throughout her long career, although she regrets doing it now. 

7. Cara Delevingne 

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English model and actress Cara Delevingne is known for her evolving fashion sense and hairstyles. Like many other stars, Delevingne went with a buzz cut for a movie role in the 2020 film Life in a Year.

Delevingne always wanted to try the shorter hairstyle, and the part allowed her to experiment. With her fresh buzz cut, Delevingne stole the spotlight on the red carpet at the MTV Awards with her short hairstyle she also bleached blonde. 

8. Tom Hardy 

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On-screen, Tom Hardy often plays gritty, violent, and brutal characters. Off-screen, he dresses in the finest clothing with the perfect hairstyle. Hardy often rocks a buzz cut in his movies and real life. While it’s common for male stars to shave their heads, few pull it off like Hardy. 

9. Tiffany Haddish

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Stand-up comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish knows a thing or two about style. Since exploding in popularity, Haddish has changed up her style a few times.

In 2020, she decided to try a new look with a sharp buzz-cut style. It’s the “most alive I’ve ever felt” she revealed in an interview with Byrdie. Since then, Haddish has played with the buzz-cut style by growing out her hair and playing with the color. 

10. Cynthia Erivo

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One might assume that a buzz cut is a limiting hairstyle with few options. Singer and actress Cynthia Erivo proves there are hundreds of ways to rock a short hairstyle. For instance, Erivo plays with different colors, such as blonde. She also changes the color of her eyebrows to accessorize her hair. She recently went with an icy blonde color for her eyebrows to enhance her blonde buzz cut.

11. Justin Bieber 

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Justin Bieber’s hairstyle, much like his career, has evolved from child star to pop megastar. He took the clippers to his long locks and rocked a buzz-style cut to match his more mature image. Like other child stars, Bieber’s buzz cut signified a new chapter in his life and career.

While Bieber certainly has a unique look in Hollywood, he always has a slick and stylish hairstyle. The buzz cut maintained that style but gave him a cleaner look.

12. Katy Perry 

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Pop icon Katy Perry is known for her unique and outrageous fashion sense. At one point, Perry was famous for her eye-catching and funny style. She changed her look completely by shaving off her trademark hairstyle. Perry reinvented her look with a platinum blonde buzz cut. The “Fireworks” singer is a fashion trendsetter who is always ahead of the curve.

13. Nick Jonas

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The Jonas Brothers became one of the most famous teen bands in history in the early 00s. Each member had a unique hairstyle and fashion sense that set them apart from the other bands. When Nick Jonas embarked on his solo career, he changed his look. Jonas shocked fans around the globe when he shaved off his trademark hairstyle for a buzz cut. It worked out for the best though, with the cut ending up being one of his most iconic looks. 

14. Kate Hudson

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Early in Kate Hudson’s career, she was synonymous with her stylish blonde hair. Like many fashion icons, Hudson constantly evolves her hairstyles and fashion sense. She’ll also do anything for a role.

Hudson changed her hairstyle when she got a buzz cut in 2021 for the film Music, directed by singer Sia. Hudson took advantage of the role to evolve her style again with the short buzz cut, alternating between a blonde and brunette color. 

15. Adwoa Aboah

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British model Adwoa Aboah has graced the Vogue magazine covers in various countries. She has gained fame in the last few years and changed her hairstyle from long-flowing hair to a simple yet stylish buzz cut. Models always take a risk with the buzz cut, but it paid off for Aboah, who has since grown her hair back. 

16. Slick Woods

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Model and actress Slick Woods is easily recognizable by her trademark buzz cut. Woods exploded in popularity online and has since worked with all the top brands. Woods finds ways to be creative with the short hairstyle, notably playing with the color. Few celebs can pull off the buzz cut look like Slick Woods. 

17. Brad Pitt

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Actor Brad Pitt started his career in the late 80s, becoming a sex symbol and one of the highest-paid actors. For his role in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Pritt grabbed the clippers and chopped off his trademark hairstyle.

Pitt’s buzz cut was trendy and one of the most defining looks of his career. Pitt is so good looking he can make the slightest change to his hair, reinvent himself, and still come out looking like a Greek Adonis. 

18. Zayn Malik 

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Pop sensation Zayn Malik has had various hairstyles throughout his career. Aside from talent, Malik’s hair is a key to his success. After years of slicking his hair back and letting one strand rest on his forehead, Malik drastically changed his look with a blonde buzz cut.

While it’s not shocking for most male celebs to shave their head, they don’t have Malik’s gorgeous locks. Thankfully for him, Malik’s buzz cut has perfect lines and a sharp cut that makes this one of his greatest hairstyles. 

19. Michaela Coel 

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It’s not uncommon for female celebs to cut their trademark hair at a certain point in their career. While many fear a change in appearance will negatively affect their career, it often turns out to be the opposite. One celebrity who always manages to look good with short hair is Michaela Coel. 

The actress and filmmaker has had an incredible buzz cut for many years. The close shave allows Coel to have a wide range of styles and gives her more room to experiment with outfits and accessories. 

20. Anne Hathaway 

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Anne Hathaway is known to steal the spotlight on and off-screen. She’s one of those performers that will do anything for a role. For example, she shaved off her iconic hairstyle for her role in the 2012 film Les Misérables.

Her unique hairstyle was the talk of Hollywood when she showed up on the red carpet with her buzz cut. She has since grown her hair, but the buzz cut remains one of her most iconic looks. 

It’s the chemistry between the two comedic performers that creates a unique magic that has kept audiences laughing for decades. In the early days, it was Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello who ruled the roost, while in recent years the likes of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have made their mark. 

What these entertainers all have in common is that they make great teams who keep the laughs coming. They have starred in blockbuster movies and successful TV shows, and toured the world on stage with their comedy shows making people giggle. From classic Hollywood to contemporary television, here are some of the best comedy duos of all time.

14 of the Funniest Comedy Duos of All Time

1. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

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These two helped cement the pairing of a straight-laced individual with a wacky sidekick throughout the 40s and 50s. After meeting in 1945, the two teamed up and began performing in nightclubs and on the radio before transitioning to TV and film. That’s when they really made it big, with Dean Martin’s good looks and charm balanced by Jerry Lewis’ crazy shenanigans. 

The duo starred in 17 films together including hits That’s My Boy, The Stooge, Living It Up, and Pardners. The two went their separate ways after shooting their final movie as a duo, Hollywood or Bust, in 1956 after their relationship soured. While they did reunite on several occasions, they never officially worked together again, with Martin going on to have success with the Rat Pack and Lewis as a solo movie star. 

2. Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor

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Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor made four films together between 1976 and 1991 that had movie fans in hysterics. Wilder was an established actor while Pryor was one of the world’s top comedians when the two first starred in Silver Streak, a buddy cop thriller that made over $51 million at the box office. They proved to Hollywood that pairing a white actor with a black actor could result in success, helping usher in the buddy cop genre that dominated the 80s. 

Despite realizing the chemistry they had, it took four years before the two worked together again on the hilarious prison flick Stir Crazy in 1980. It then took nine years before the pair starred in arguably their best movie (although critics hated it), See No Evil, Hear No Evil, in 1989. In the movie, Pryor plays a blind man and Wilder a deaf man who thwarts a gang of robbers. Their final movie came in 1991 with the turkey Another You, ending their partnership, although they remained friends. 

3. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy

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One of the earliest comedy duos to make it big was the irrepressible Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, otherwise known as Laurel and Hardy. Beginning their career during the silent movie era, they quickly found success with their slapstick comedy that carried on over to the talkies. 

Overall the two appeared in 107 films during their partnership between 1927 and 1955, taking to the live arena during the latter years of their career together. Hardy suffered a heart attack in 1954 and further health complications and passed away in 1957. Laurel refused to perform after Hardy’s death, with their last movie being the 1950 French–Italian co-production Atoll K.

4. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

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The friendship between Tina Fey and Amy Poehler dates back to the 90s when the two were first trying to break into the entertainment business. The hilarious comedy duo has gone on to star in hit movies Mean Girls, Wine Country, and Sisters, hosted the Golden Globes, and are embarking on their first stand-up tour together. In an industry dominated by men, Fey and Poehler are showing the world that comedy isn’t bound by gender. 

5. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello

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Better known as Abbott and Costello, American comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were massively popular during the 40s and 50s. They were the highest-paid entertainers during World War II and started their careers as burlesque performers. Becoming popular, they moved to the radio before really making bank in the movie business. 

They starred in 38 movies together, with The Naughty Nineties one of their biggest hits and the first movie to feature their “Who’s on First?” routine that Time awarded the title “The Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th Century” in 1999. They also made a series of movies starring Universal monsters, such as Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man. 

6. Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan

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Well-known in Britain, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan are two very funny men whose TV series, The Trip, opened them up to a new international audience. In the series, the two play heightened versions of their real selves, with Coogan a successful, insecure womanizer struggling to be taken seriously as an actor, and Brydon the funny man whose jokes often become too much. 

The first season of The Trip was followed by The Trip to Italy, The Trip to Spain, and finally The Trip to Greece, with the duo’s Michael Caine impersonations becoming meme gold. The two also feature in the hilarious A Cock and Bull Story and played Laurel and Hardy in the biographical comedy Stan & Ollie. 

7. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong

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Nobody does stoner comedy better than these two legends. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong were huge in the 70s and 80s playing Cheech and Chong, two stoners who got themselves into all sorts of trouble. Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, the two started performing stand-up shows as a duo, leading to Cheech and Chong releasing several successful comedy albums.

Their popularity really peaked in 1978 with the release of their debut movie, Up in Smoke. The pair went on to make six more movies and also toured the globe before splitting up in the late 80s, with Marin wanting to concentrate on his solo career as an actor. As is often the case with these types of partnerships, the two reunited in the late 00s and began touring again and released Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie! in 2013. 

8. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly

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Even if they only made Step Brothers, these two deserve a spot on this list. One of the funniest comedies of the past two decades, Step Brothers is a fantastic showcase of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s comedic chops. The movie was preceded by another funny flick, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Unfortunately, their third pairing, Holmes and Watson, fell flat, but at least they gave us two fantastic movies, and hopefully a fourth is in the works from this hilarious comedy duo. 

9. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost

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Along with director Edgar Wright, English pair Simon Pegg and Nick Frost starred in the hilarious Cornetto Trilogy. Consisting of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, the three movies take different genres of movies (the zombie flick, buddy cop movies, and science fiction) and flip them on their heads, turning them into laugh-out-loud comedies. 

Pegg and Frost have tremendous chemistry together on screen and play off each other well. Not only have they starred in the Cornetto Trilogy, but the two were part of the short-lived cult hit TV show Spaced, as well as appearing together in the alien comedy Paul. 

10. David Spade and Chris Farley

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The double act of David Spade and Chris Farley only got the chance to show off their magic together in two movies before Farley tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 1997. After getting their start on Saturday Night Live!, the two got the chance to act together in Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, two classic 90s comedies starring Spade as the straight guy and Farley as the loose cannon. 

As Spade revealed in a 2022 Esquire profile, he and Farley had plans to make a third movie, but two months after talks began Farley was dead.

11. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau

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Unlike many of the comedy pairings on this list who spend their entire careers together, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau went long stretches where they didn’t work together, concentrating on their solo endeavors. The actors first starred in the 1966 black comedy The Fortune Cookie, which won Matthau the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Realizing they were onto something, the two released three more films over the next decade and a bit; The Odd Couple, The Front Page, and Buddy Buddy. 

It wasn’t until the 90s that the two lifelong friends who often play enemies on screen reunited for five more films between 1993 and 1998, including hits Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. Their final outing was a sequel to The Odd Couple which bombed at the box office, with the two much-loved stars passing away a few years after its release. 

12. Jay and Silent Bob

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Whatever your thoughts on Kevin Smith (he’s a hack), there is no denying his debut feature Clerks is a seminal comedy of the 90s. While Smith wrote and directed the movie, he also stars in a small role as Silent Bob, the best friend of stoner slacker Jay (Jason Mewes).

While the two play only a small part in the movie, they quickly became fan favorites and would go on to appear in the majority of Smith’s movies, including Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma. They even got their own movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, along with a sequel and an animated flick. 

13. Key and Peele

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Before Jordan Peele became a horror director and Keegan-Michael Key a popular actor, the two made their name as the comedy duo Key and Peele. The duo had their own sketch show that ran for five seasons on Comedy Central that focused on pop culture topics along with issues such as race relations and ethnic stereotypes. 

A massive success, the show earned the duo a Peabody Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards and has been hailed as one of the funniest shows in recent memory. While they have gone their own way it’s hard not to forget the impact Key and Peele had on the comedy landscape in the mid-00s. 

14. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo

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These two might be an unusual choice, but the long-time friends have had a big impact on the world of comedy. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote the 2011 comedy Bridesmaid, which was a smash hit and turned Wiig into a leading lady. Although Mumolo couldn’t feature in the movie due to other commitments, she has starred in several successful flicks, including Bad Moms, This Is 40, and Murder Mystery 2. 

Wiig and Mumolo finally got to play opposite each other in the comedy, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, which they also wrote and produced. Although a commercial failure, the movie was a hit with critics, so hopefully the two get another chance to make a third film together and prove why they are such a dynamic comedy duo. 

The much-anticipated follow-up took things to the next level and introduced arguably the greatest on-screen villain of all time, the Joker, played by a mesmerizing Heath Ledger. The Dark Knight cemented Batman as one of the great superheroes and was widely praised at the time of its release thanks to its character development, intriguing storyline, and The Dark Knight quotes that you’ll find yourself repeating after watching this modern classic.

The ensemble cast is also top-notch, with the likes of Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Gary Oldman as James or Jim Gordon (who would go on to be Commissioner Gordon), Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, all absolutely amazing. 

The script for The Dark Knight is full of memorable quotes and conversations that are a big reason why the movie made over $1 billion worldwide and won two Academy Awards, one for best Best Sound Editing and another for Best Supporting Actor, awarded to Ledger posthumously. The Dark Knight quotes are a testament to the film’s excellent writing and character development. Each quote adds to the overall theme of the film, which is the battle between good and evil and the thin line that separates them.

While the original movie and the third and final flick, The Dark Knight Rises – which also stars Tom Hardy as Bane and Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman – are fantastic films that make up the Dark Knight trilogy, it’s hard to go past The Dark Knight as the best movie of the three.

It’s also the best Batman movie of all time, although the latest incarnation starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader is also a well-developed movie. So read on below and see how many of these great Batman quotes you remember from this brilliant movie. 

The Dark Knight Quotes: 46 Classic Lines

Warner Brothers

1. “I am the Batman” – Harvey Dent

2. “I believe whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you… stranger.” – the Joker

3. “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” – Harvey Dent

4. “He thought it was good sport. Because some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Alfred Pennyworth

5. “If you want order in Gotham, Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in. Oh, and every day he doesn’t, people will die, starting tonight. I’m a man of my word.” – the Joker

6. “Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded…” – Batman

7. “And as for the television’s so-called ‘plan,’ Batman has no jurisdiction. He’ll find him and make him squeal. I know the squealers when I see them, and…” – the Joker

8. “The night is darkest right before dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.” – Harvey Dent

9. “He’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a dark knight.” – James Gordon

10.” It’s not about money… it’s about sending a message. Everything burns.” – the Joker

11. “Criminals aren’t complicated, Alfred. Just have to figure out what he’s after.” – Bruce Wayne

12. “My answer is yes.” – Rachel Dawes

13. “If you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.” – Two-Face

14. “You wanna know how I got these scars?” – the Joker

15. “This time, I saved him.” – James Gordon 

16 “Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I’m an agent of chaos. Oh, and you know the thing about chaos? It’s fair!” – the Joker

17 “Give it to me and I’ll do what you should’ve did ten minutes ago.” – Tattooed Pris5 “Have you ever had to talk to the person you love most, tell them it’s gonna be alright when you know it’s not?” – Two-Face

18. “What were you trying to prove? That deep down, everyone’s as ugly as you? You’re alone!” – Batman

19. “When their enemies were at the gates, the Romans would suspend democracy and appoint one man to protect the city. It wasn’t considered an honor, it was considered a public service.” – Harvey Dent

20. “I’m not a monster” – the Joker

21. “You make your own luck,” Rachel Dawes

22. “They need you right now, but when they don’t, they’ll cast you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code, it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. I’ll show you. When the chips are down, these… civilized people, they’ll eat each other. See, I’m not a monster. I’m just ahead of the curve.” – the Joker

23. “Well, I grew up in Gotham, and I turned out alright.” – Bruce Wayne

24. “The world is cruel, and the only morality in a cruel world is chance.” – Harvey Dent

25. “Madness, as you know, is a lot like gravity. All it takes is a little push.” – the Joker

26. “Batman has no limits” – Batman

27. “Tonight you’re all gonna be part of a social experiment. Through the magic of diesel fuel and ammonium nitrate, I’m ready right now to blow you all sky-high. Anyone attempts to get off their boat, you all die. Each of you has a remote… to blow up the other boat. At midnight, I blow you all up. If, however, one of you presses the button, I’ll let that boat live. So, who’s it going to be: Harvey Dent’s most wanted scumbag collection, or the sweet and innocent civilians? You choose… oh, and you might want to decide quickly because the people on the other boat might not be so noble.” – the Joker

28. “The whole mob’s after you, and you’re worried about these guys?” – Rachel Dawes

29. “The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules.” – the Joker

30. “Everyone knows you’re Gotham’s, White Knight.” –  James Gordon

31. “Buyer beware. I told you my compound would take you places. I never said they were places you wanted to go!” – Scarecrow

32. “We got you, you son of a bitch!” – James Gordon

33. Alfred Pennyworth: “I trust you don’t have me followed on my day off.” Bruce Wayne: “If you ever took one, I might.”

34. “I had a vision, of a world without Batman. The mob ground out a little profit and the police tried to shut them down, one block at a time. And it was so… boring. I’ve had a change of heart. I don’t want Mr. Reese spoiling everything, but why should I have all the fun? Let’s give someone else a chance. If Coleman Reese isn’t dead in sixty minutes then I blow up a hospital.” – the Joker

35. “I know you’re gonna enjoy this. I’m gonna try and have to enjoy it even more.” – Detective Stephens

36. “A-ta-ta-ta-ta, let’s not blow this out of proportion.” – the Joker

37. “Obviously, we don’t want you doing anything with your hands except hanging on for dear life!” –  Grumpy

38. “You see, I’m a guy of simple taste. I enjoy dynamite, and gunpowder, and gasoline!” – Joker

39. “You spat in the faces of Gotham’s worse criminals. Didn’t you think there might be some casualties? Things were always going to get worse before they got better.” – Alfred Pennyworth

40. “It’s not about what I want, it’s about what’s fair.” – Harvey Dent

41. “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” – the Joker

42. “I’m not wearing hockey pads.” – Batman

43. “Let’s wind the clocks back a year: These cops and lawyers wouldn’t dare cross any of you, so what happened? Did your balls drop off? I know why you choose to have your “group therapy” sessions in broad daylight, I know why you’re afraid to go out at night: The Batman. Batman has shown your true colors. Unfortunately, Dent, he’s just the beginning.” – the Joker

44. Batman: “Then why do you want to kill me?” The Joker: “I don’t, I don’t want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, no, no! No. You… you… complete me.”

45. “We must remember that vigilance is the price of safety.”  Mayor Anthony Garcia

46. “Why so serious?” – the Joker

The purpose of a body double is to take the actor’s place in a scene when the stunts are too extreme or nudity is an issue. Most directors use the classic trick of filming the body at an angle that hides or obscures the face. With the advancement of technology, post-production allows directors to superimpose the actor’s face onto the body double, making it appear as though the actor performed in the scene.

While the body double’s face doesn’t usually appear on camera, they often share similarities and have comparable body types and facial features. But there is a lot more that goes into being a body double than just wearing a wig or jumping off a bridge as you will discover below.

Body Doubles in Movies: Everything You Need To Know

What Does a Body Double Do?

Discover Cost/YouTube

The body double essentially has all the same responsibilities as the actor. They must know the lines, body movements, and the actor’s timing. In a lot of ways, they have the more demanding job. 

Physical appearance isn’t the only reason a body double lands the role. Other times it has less to do with resembling an actor and more with specific skills that possess. Films often hire body doubles to dance or play a musical instrument in place of the actor. Body double can also perform physical feats, such as playing a sport, driving a vehicle, or taking part in a fight scene. 

Body doubles often specialize in a particular body part. Hand doubles usually play the role of the star’s hands and arms in a scene the actor cannot attend. The director inserts these shots into the scene to make them appear as if the real actor was actually part of the scene. Actors are usually busy shooting other scenes so a second crew is able to shoot with the hand double, which is a more time-effective method of shooting.

Types of Body Doubles

Discover Cost/YouTube

In addition to a hand double, there are several specific jobs for body doubles in Hollywood. 

Stunt Double

Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves have a reputation for performing their own stunts and rarely use stunt doubles. But they are a different breed, with most actors preferring to use a body double. Stunt doubles stand in for actors during dangerous scenes, such as jumping out of a burning building, riding a motorcycle over a gorge, or getting into a wild fistfight.

An actor’s age, physical condition, or contract can prevent them from performing a risky stunt, so this is when the stunt double steps up. Many body doubles specialize in general stunt work and often work with the same actors on multiple movies during their careers. 

Dance Double

Aside from stunt doubles, dance doubles are the most in-demand body doubles. Dance-themed movies feature complex and choreographed moves that require years of training. In the psychological thriller Black Swan, actress Natalie Portman portrays Nina Sayers, who lands the starring role in the New York City Ballet company’s production of Swan Lake.

Portman had no formal dance training so a dance double from the American Ballet, Sarah Lane, stepped in for Portman and performed most of the dance moves in the hit movie. 

Fake Shemp

A fake Shemp is a body double that stands in for an actor refusing to reprise a role or who is unable to act due to an illness. In most cases, a fake Shemp replaces a deceased actor who couldn’t complete filming their scenes.

In 1955, the sudden death of Shemp Howard forced The Three Stooges to use a body double for his remaining scenes. The director shot the scenes from behind to obscure the face and the term fake Shemp was born.

Other famous examples of fake shemps include Paul Walker’s brothers portraying him in Furious 7 and a body double standing in for Oliver Reed on Gladiator after he passed away during filming. 

Stand-In 

Stand-ins are similar to body doubles, but their work happens before filming. Their primary purpose is to allow the director and crew to set up shots, lighting, and angles. They often have a similar height and size to the actor they are standing in for. 

Same Actor Playing Two Characters

Technology allows actors to play multiple characters in one scene. Examples of actors playing against themselves include Jean Claude Van Damme in Double Impact, Will Smith in Gemini Man, Tom Hardy in Legend, and Nicolas Cage in Adaptation. During these shoots the body double stands in for the actor, allowing them to play both roles. 

Famous Actors and Their Body Doubles

Hollywood actors and their body doubles are often vital to each other’s careers, with some of the most well-known listed below.   

1. Chris Hemsworth and Bobby Holland Hanton

TODAY/YouTube

Bobby Holland Hanton has worked as Chris Hemsworth’s body double for years. Hanton admits the most challenging role to body double is Hemsworth as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It takes a lot of work for Hanton to look like Hemsworth as he has to put on a lot of muscle for the Marvel movies. Hanton works out twice a day to keep up with Hemsworth’s physique. 

2. Paul Walker and John Brotherton and Caleb and Cody Walker

Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock, Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock, Joe Seer/Shutterstock

Paul Walker’s sudden death on November 30, 2013, shocked Hollywood. Walker was in the middle of filming Furious 7 and still had several remaining scenes to shoot. The film employed the fake Shemp method using actor John Brotherton and Walker’s real-life brothers Caleb and Cody. With advanced special effects, Brotherton, Caleb, and Cody served as body doubles to complete Walker’s scenes, with the movie hitting theatres in 2015 and becoming a massive success. 

3. Julia Roberts and Shelley Michelle

Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock and Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Julia Roberts became a household name with her starring role in the critically acclaimed Pretty Woman. Famously, fitness model Shelley Michelle acted as Roberts’s body double for the iconic movie poster and in scenes considered too risque for Roberts to perform. 

4. Dwayne Johnson and Tanoai Reed

Inside Edition/YouTube

Dwayne Johnson is a unique movie star known for his enormous size and big muscles. Finding Johnson a body double under most circumstances would be tough. Luckily, Johnson’s cousin, Tanoai Reed, is the perfect size and height to work as Johnson’s body double in movies such as Furious 7, Hercules, and The Other Guys. Reed has been Johnson’s body double for nearly 20 years. 

5. Reese Witherspoon and Marilee Lessley

Entertainment Tonight/YouTube

In 2018, Reese Witherspoon introduced the world to her body double, Marilee Lessley. Like many stars and their body doubles, Witherspoon and Lesley have worked together for years. Witherspoon met Lessley while filming Legally Blonde 2. Lessley has since worked on five films with Witherspoon and as her double in Big Little Lies. 

6. Jennifer Lawrence and Isabella Boylston

Jaguar PS/Shutterstock and Only Natural Diamonds/YouTube

In the spy thriller Red Sparrow, Jennifer Lawrence portrays a former ballet dancer turned spy. The film features Lawrence in an elaborate ballet dance number. The director realized the performance would be too complex for Lawrence or any actor for that matter. So a dance double, Isabella Boylston, was hired to perform the phenomenal dance routine seen in the movie.

7. Emilia Clarke and Rosie Mac

BAKOUNINE/Shutterstock and Rosie Mac/YouTube

It’s almost impossible to tell Emilia Clarke and her Game of Thrones body double Rosie Mac apart. Clarke famously appeared in several nude scenes early in the series without using a body double. Mac appeared several times in the show later on going through the same hair and makeup process to look like Clarke. 

8. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brett Baker

DFree/Shutterstock and Joe Seer/Shutterstock

Being Leonardo DiCaprio is challenging, especially for his body double, Brett Baker. DiCaprio became a household name with his memorable performance in the film Titanic, with Baker portraying the character of Jack Dawson in several scenes of the famous movie. 

As most cinema lovers will know, movies have the ability to not only entertain but also make us think and question our beliefs. Throughout history there have been dozens of amazing movies that have left an impact on the world. Some are early black-and-white flicks with heavy themes or dynamic production values, while others are more modern fare with relatable storylines that hit on a cultural level. 

The films below have all made their mark in one way or another and are well worth seeing for any true movie fan. 

16 Amazing Movies That Changed the World

Park Circus/YouTube

1. Jaws (1975)

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws turned the movie-going experience on its head when it hit cinemas in the summer of 1975. The film, about a killer shark terrorizing a small coastal town and the three men who set off to kill it, is two hours of non-stop suspense as the shark and the men (a marine biologist, a fisherman, and the chief of police) play a game of cat and mouse on the open sea. 

The film itself is incredible and widely considered a classic, but not only is Jaws a great watch, but it changed the face of movie marketing. At a time when films were slowly released around the country and spread through reviews and word of mouth, Universal Pictures went on the attack with their marketing campaign. Advertisements for the movie were everywhere and Jaws opened in thousands of cinemas on the same day instead of a few hundred like other films.

The tactic worked and mass marketing quickly became the way forward, with Jaws establishing the summer months as the new annual period when blockbuster movies would be released. It became the highest-grossing movie at the time of its release (it was overtaken by Star Wars: A New Hope two years later) and has made over $476 million at the worldwide box office. Jaws also brought about the end of the New Hollywood era as studios reasserted their control over the industry and turned Spielberg into the hottest director on the planet. 

Watch on Apple TV

2. Citizen Kane (1941)

Often considered the greatest movie ever made, Citizen Kane was Orsen Wells’ magnum opus. Not only did he write, direct, and produce the movie, but Wells took the main role of Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper baron based on several real-life people. The movie revolves around Kane’s final words, “Rosebud,” and the reporter trying to decipher what it means as Kane’s life is told in a series of flashbacks. 

Citizen Kane bombed at the box office but was critically well-received. It influenced a long list of filmmakers, from John Huston to Paul Thomas Anderson, and has been praised for its cinematography, the introduction of flashbacks, and the overall structure of the film, with the movie starting with the main character’s death instead of ending with it. 

Watch on HBOMax

3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Not since The Evil Dead has an independent horror movie caused such a shift in the movie industry. Released in 1999, The Blair Witch Project focuses on three student filmmakers who head out into the woods looking for the fabled Blair Witch and find more than they bargained for. 

Not only is the movie scary as hell, but like Jaws, it relied on its market campaign to become a box office smash. The Blair Witch Project was presented as a real-life documentary, with the actors listed as missing and the filmmakers being some of the first to use the internet as a way to enhance the legend told in the film. You can still visit the website set up for the movie that makes everything in The Blair Witch Project appear real. 

Watch on Tubi

4. Super Size Me (2004)

You’ll never look at fast food the same way after watching this early 00s documentary. Hoping to shed some light on the damage fast food does to our bodies, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald’s for an entire month. As part of the experiment, whenever he was asked if he wanted to super size his meal, he had to say yes.

As expected, Spurlock gained a ton of weight (25 pounds), had increased cholesterol, suffered from mood swings and depression, and lost his libido. His goal of raising awareness around the growing issue of obesity in America came to fruition, as Super Size Me was the talk of Hollywood in 2004, winning several awards and gaining international exposure. McDonald’s would axe the super size me option six weeks after the doco premiered and shifted its marketing to emphasize salads and other healthy options on its menu. 

Watch on YouTube

5. The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Described as “the most controversial film ever made in the United States,” The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 silent film that paints the Ku Klux Klan as a shining force of goodness. Focusing on two families during and after the American Civil War, the movie shows the Klan as saviors of America and African Americans as the evil race that needs to be wiped out. 

As well as causing a divide due to the content of the film, The Birth of a Nation has been highly praised on the filmmaking side of things. It is the first American-made film to have a musical score and features many innovative filming tricks that had not been seen before, such as dramatic close-up, long tracking shots, and other editing methods. 

Unsurprisingly the movie was a smash hit upon release with white America and has been acknowledged as the reason for the revival of the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century. 

Watch on YouTube

6. Iron Man (2008)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe officially kicked off with this superhero blockbuster in 2008. Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in Jon Favreau’s action-packed movie that laid the groundwork for superhero movies to come. An origin story, Iron Man introduced audiences to the lead Avenger and helped rejuvenate Downey Jr.’s career and turn him into a bankable star. 

Grossing over $585 million at the box office, Iron Man hit all the right notes and was added to the National Film Registry in 2022 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” It spawned two sequels (neither of which live up to the original) and established the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is about to enter Phase Four. Without Iron Man, we would have no Avengers, Black Panther, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more. A true game-changer in the world of movies. 

Watch on Disney+

7. Blackfish (2013)

Documentary Blackfish exposes the conditions orca whales face while living in captivity, focusing on Tilikum, an orca whale held captive at SeaWorld who killed three people. The movie follows the life of Tilikum from his capture to the incident where he killed several trainers and shows how his behavior was a result of the treatment he received from humans. Blackfish points the blame at both SeaWorld and those who pay money to watch these captive animals. 

The film’s release had a major impact on the company, with attendance lower than ever before and the share price dropping 50%. SeaWorld tried to save face by pointing out several errors in the doco but it was too late and the damage was done. By 2016 the park had announced that “the current generation of killer whales will be the last orcas housed in captivity.”

Watch on Tubi

8. The Jazz Singer (1927)

The silent film era was done and dusted with the release of The Jazz Singer in 1927. The movie was the first to feature synchronized audio in a film, with Al Jolson’s first line, “Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” a momentous moment in film history. 

The Alan Crosland-directed movie contains six songs sung by Jolson and is about a Jewish man who becomes an entertainer who struggles with becoming a successful singer while navigating his heritage. The addition of sound meant title cards were no longer necessary, helping with the flow of the movie. While most critics rate The Jazz Singer, its use of blackface has caused controversy over the years, with the movie lambasted by some for its racial comedy stereotypes. 

Watch on Tubi

9. Philadelphia (1993)

The AIDS epidemic of the 80s was still fresh in people’s minds when Philadelphia hit cinemas in 1993. The movie stars Tom Hanks as a gay man working at one of New York’s big law firms. When they discover he has AIDS and sack him, Hanks seeks out Denzel Washington’s rival lawyer to help him sue his employees for wrongful dismissal. 

The subject matter is heavy but handled well, with both Hanks and Washington in fine form. Despite being about AIDS, a disease many people still feared in the early 90s, the movie was both a box office and commercial hit and helped people understand what AIDS was all about. It’s one of the first major Hollywood movies to deal with AIDS and show homosexuality in a positive light. 

Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor while Bruce Springsteen won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the chart-topping “Streets of Philadelphia.” 

Watch on Apple TV

10. Bambi (1942)

Bambi is a classic award-winning Disney flick about a young fawn and the journey he takes on the road to adulthood. Unlike so many other animated movies at that time, which were often comedies and light-hearted, Bambi kicks you right in the guts when the title character’s mother is shot and killed by a hunter. It’s an unforgettable scene that had a major impact on the world of hunting. 

The movie’s release led to the “Bambi effect,” which is basically an objection to killing cute animals, while also helping raise the profile of anti-hunting groups and those looking out for the welfare of animals. 

Watch on Disney+

11. La Passion De Jeanne D’Arc (1928)

Unless you are a mega film buff you’ve probably never seen La Passion De Jeanne D’Arc (The Passion of Joan of Arc). The French masterpiece centers on Joan of Arc after she is captured by the English, showing her trial and eventual death by burning at the stake.

The movie, based on the actual records of the trial, was a huge success when released and received widespread acclaim. French actress Renée Jeanne Falconetti was particularly praised for her portrayal of Joan of Arc while the production values of the movie for that time period are exceptional.

Watch on Prime

12. Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg did it again in 1993 with the summer blockbuster Jurassic Park. Based on the novel by Michael Crichton, the movie is about scientists genetically engineering dinosaurs as theme park attractions. As is often the case, things go wrong when the electric fences keeping the dinosaurs away from people go down, allowing the dinos to wander freely about the park causing all sorts of mayhem.

This movie would have been a complete failure if not for the jaw-dropping special effects of George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic and Stan Winston’s team of puppet creators. The dinosaurs are incredibly life-like and the first reveal of the T-Rex is still one of the great cinematic scenes in movie history. 

Watch on Peacock

13. Night Of the Living Dead (1968)

George Romero’s zombie classic is much more than a movie about the dead rising from the Earth. The black-and-white horror movie about seven people trapped in a farmhouse as brain-eating zombies approach is also an analogy for the Vietnam War and the social and political climate of America. The themes run deep throughout the movie and Romero’s decision to have an African American play the hero also took many by surprise. Then there is that ending, which we won’t spoil, but will leave you shaken. 

The success of Night of the Living Dead led to five sequels and several spin-offs and reboots, although nothing beats the original movie.  

Watch on Tubi

14. The Truman Show (1998)

Jim Carrey plays it straight as Truman Burbank, a man who believes he is living an ordinary life, when in fact, he is the star of his own reality show. He just doesn’t know it. Slowly but surely Burbank begins to realize all is not as it seems and attempts to escape from the show. 

The Truman Show is not only a fantastic drama but one that predicted the rise of reality TV just before it exploded in the early 00s. As director Peter Weir said on the “making of” DVD featurette, “This was a dangerous film to make because it couldn’t happen. How ironic.”

Watch on Philo

15. The Gold Rush (1925)

Arguably Charlie Chaplin’s greatest achievement, The Gold Rush is a silent film starring Chaplin as his Little Tramp persona. In the movie, Chaplin joins the gold rush and experiences all the highs and lows that came with searching for gold. Featuring some of the most iconic scenes Chaplin ever filmed, Variety called The Gold Rush “the greatest and most elaborate comedy ever filmed.”

It’s universally recognized as one of Chaplin’s greatest works and has been a constant in most American Film Institute’s top 100 film lists. The Gold Rush is the movie “for which Chaplin wanted to be remembered,” and he got his wish, as it still provides plenty of laughs today, almost 100 years since it was first released. 

Watch on Tubi

16. Deep Throat (1972)

Porn went mainstream in 1972. The release of Deep Throat caused an uproar but also demonstrated that sex was a commodity people were willing to pay for and wanted more of in their movies. Deep Throat went on to make somewhere between $30-$50 million, which might not seem like much these days, but back then was unheard of for an adult movie. 

Starring Linda Lovelace, the movie revolves around her character discovering her clitoris is located in the back of her throat. The only way she can be brought to orgasm is by performing oral sex. As ludicrous as that sounds, Deep Throat is one of the first pornographic movies to have an actual plot and characters. This would soon become the norm for porn movies as the genre crossed over into the mainstream and became one of the most successful forms of entertainment.