Summary
Jamie Lee Curtiscemented herself as a legendary horror actress in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but over the years, she established herself as a scene-stealing comedian as well. She was already well-known in Hollywood when she started her movie career in 1978 withHalloween, and it was immediately clear thatJamie Lee Curtis’ parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, had set her up for the acting world. After she starred in some ofthe best horror movies of all time, Curtis started to dip her toes in the world of comedy.
Jamie Lee Curtis’ highest-grossing movieshelped the actress’ career soar, but some of her funniest characters motivated her to continue acting. Curtis retired from appearing in films and TV shows in 2006 but returned in 2007 to star inBeverly Hills Chihuahua,and over time, her filmography started to diversify in terms of the characters she played and the genres of the titles she was in. Even though Curtis became an immediate horror icon in theHalloweenfilms, her comedy movies continued to boost her career for years after their releases.
Every Halloween Movie, Ranked
The historic Halloween franchise has produced 13 films across four and a half decades since the original classic in 1978. Here’s all of them, ranked.
10Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Role: Deirdre Beaubeirdre
The strict and stern bureaucrat Deirdre Beaubeirdre resulted in Curtis’ first Oscar nomination and win for Best Supporting Actress inEverything Everywhere All at Once. The ridiculously funny but cynical IRS inspector was best remembered for her dry tone and lack of empathy as she attempted to close down Evelyn Wang’s laundromat business. However, Curtis’ comedic talents were amazingly showcased in the alternate versions of Deidre inevery universe inEverything Everywhere All at Once.
The various renditions of the character, such as Deirdre as a top-quality martial arts fighter, were all great, but the best was easily when she was Evelyn’s live-in partner. As the main antagonist, Curtis was a prominent figure in the film.Everything Everywhere All at Oncewas one of Jamie Lee Curtis’ most successful movies,and while that achievement was a group effort, there was no doubt that her powerful and commanding performance as Deirdre played a significant part in the film’s success.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Cast
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, a middle-aged laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) is distracted from her financial and family issues by a multiversal crisis. With just her husband (Ke Huy Quan) to support her through the confusion, she must contend with her overbearing traditional father (James Hong), a pencil-pushing auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her emotionally-distant daughter (Stephanie Hsu).
9Freaky Friday (2003)
Role: Tess Coleman
One ofthe best body-swap movies ever,Freaky Friday, starred Curtis as widowed parent Tess Coleman. Such a storyline required a significant amount of comedic talent, and Curtis brilliantly kept the laughter flowing alongside Lindsay Lohan as Tess’ daughter, Anna. The actress portrayed a teenager fabulously, and she slipped into the role with complete ease. Her chemistry with Lohan was particularly notable, and the mother-daughter rapport the two shared was incredibly realistic.
Curtis’ interpretation of Lohan’s moody and angsty Anna was hilarious. While Curtis had appeared in several comedy movies before this,Freaky Fridaystood out because of her character’s archetype. Her performance as Anna was truly impressive, and even though her appearance was wildly different from Lohan’s,Curtis nailed the teen’s quips, body language, and overall attitude.Watching a fully grown woman as a child was highly entertaining, and it proved how powerful Curtis’ diverse acting range was.
Freaky Friday
Freaky Friday is a body-swap comedy directed by Mark Waters, featuring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as a teenage girl and her mother who magically exchange bodies. Released in 2003, the film explores their humorous and heartfelt journey as they navigate each other’s lives, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another.
Jamie Lee Curtis Helping Freaky Friday 2 Happen Makes Me More Excited About The Sequel
Jamie Lee Curtis opened up about how Freaky Friday 2 got greenlit, and it makes me more excited about the sequel, despite its challenges.
8Trading Places (1983)
Role: Ophelia
Trading Placeschanged Jamie Lee Curtis’ careerand showed that her talents were not just in horror movies. Sex worker Ophelia’s outlook on life was not only funny but unique and thought-provoking. As the character had no shame and embraced her lifestyle with no embarrassment, Curtis brought depth to Ophelia and was able to have fun playing her. These qualities made Ophelia warm and engaging, but she still had plenty of moments with cutting and sometimes rather jarring humor throughoutTrading Places.
Curtis took a character who appeared undeveloped at first and made her an iconic figure in cinema. Considering thatTrading Placeswas the first comedic film she appeared in after a long stint in the horror genre,Curtis’ hilarious performance as Ophelia was unexpected but applauded.Curtis was awarded the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role forTrading Placesin 1984, which was well deserved for her portrayal of such a sharp and distinctive character.
Trading Places
Trading Places is a comedy film directed by John Landis. Released in 1983, the film stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as a street hustler and a wealthy businessman whose lives are swapped due to a bet made by two callous millionaires. The movie explores themes of socioeconomic class and human behavior, with strong performances by Murphy and Aykroyd alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.
7A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Role: Wanda Gershwitz
A Fish Called Wandawas easily Curtis’ most recognizable comedy movie. Theheist comedy movieabout a group of diamond thieves was an interesting concept alone, but Curtis’ impact as the titular character offered a twist on the subgenre.Wanda’s oozing sexuality and quick wit drove the film forward,and her hell-bent determination to avoid being double-crossed and get what she wanted was spectacular. Despite the large personalities in the cast ofA Fish Called Wanda, such as John Cleese, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin, Curtis was by far the most intriguing to watch.
Even thoughA Fish Called Wandawas amovie that the Monty Python group worked on, Curtis didn’t let the fact she was an outsider stop her from being overshadowed. Curtis’ astonishing portrayal was acknowledged with nominations for the Golden Globe for Best Actress and the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role for playing Wanda. Surprisingly, the actress didn’t win. Despite this, Curtis inA Fish Called Wandawas fondly remembered by many, and it became one of her most iconic movies.
A Fish Called Wanda
British thief George Thomason and his advisor Ken Pile bring in two arrogant Americans, con artist Wanda Gerschwitz and weapons expert Otto West, for a diamond heist. When the plan goes wrong, Wanda tries to seduce Archie Leach to find out where George has hidden the diamonds.
6Fierce Creatures (1997)
Role: Willa Weston
Fierce Creatureswas thespiritual sequel filmtoA Fish Called Wanda, and although the main cast returned, they all played different characters. Curtis portrayed Willa, a recent management employee of Marwood Zoo, whose determination and abruptness made her an important character from the start of the film. However, some of Curtis’ funniest moments inFierce Creaturescame when Willa was at her most naive. For example, when Willa believed Rollo was having sex with multiple female staff members after she heard some of the animals kept in his bedroom.
Willa was business-hungry and wanted a cut of the zoo’s profits, but Kevin Kline’s character, Vince, often ignored these factors because of his attraction to her. However, Willa frequently used her sexuality as a power move against him and everyone in general.Even though Curtis’ character was quite a stereotype at times, the actress still made Willa remarkableand striking with her comic timing and sharp retorts.
5True Lies (1994)
Role: Helen Tasker
The comedy action movieTrue Lieswas a rather different project for Curtis, but one that she did excellently in. Curtis’ lovely and tame character Helen, the wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Harry, went through some amusing development throughoutTrue Lies. The unraveling of Helen’s uneventful marriage after she discovered Harry’s double life as a secret government agent was wild, but it resulted in some ridiculously funny moments. For example, her striptease in the hotel was hilarious, and it highlighted how much the character had changed in such a short time.
Curtis’ fantastic comic timing and ability to adapt continuously evolved and became better with every passing second inTrue Lies.There were plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes inTrue Lies, and Curtis was responsible for several of them,so it made sense that she was awarded Best Actress in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes in 1995. Although action movies haven’t made a massive impact on Curtis’ filmography,the death-defying stunt inTrue Lies,in particular, established just how easily she was able to make an impression in any movie genre.
True Lies
In James Cameron’s 1994 action comedy True Lies, the spy Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives a double life as a mellow computer salesman and keeps his real job secret from his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis). However, she joins him when he discovers a terrorist plot to destroy America.
What Jamie Lee Curtis Requested When Filming True Lies' Big Stunts
When filming True Lies, Jamie Lee Curtis did some of her own stunts - and had only one request to make them safer.
4Christmas With The Kranks (2004)
Role: Nora Krank
Curtis’ energetic portrayal of Nora Krank inChristmas with the Krankswas very memorable. Despite it not being one ofthe best Christmas movies,Christmas with the Kranksprovided audiences with a heartwarming and enjoyable film, and Nora was a significant factor. However,Curtis’ sensational wackiness as Nora was also attributed to her chemistry with Tim Allen as Luther.The married couple were so eccentric and unpredictable, but it was these qualities that made them so entertaining, and Curtis and Allen’s back and forth was undeniably strong.
Many could relate to Nora’s frazzled state in the lead-up to her daughter’s return home for the holidays. Her attempts to scramble together a full-blown Christmas celebration against the clock allowed Curtis to show off her physical comedy skills, too. While Nora was undoubtedly comical, it was also easy to connect with the character, and Curtis did an amazing job of creating a personality that was equally funny and soothing.
Christmas With the Kranks
Christmas With the Kranks is a 2004 holiday comedy directed by Joe Roth, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film follows Luther and Nora Krank, who decide to skip Christmas festivities in favor of a Caribbean cruise, much to the dismay of their holiday-obsessed neighbors. Their plans are upended when their daughter announces a surprise visit, forcing them to celebrate Christmas at the last minute.
20 Best Quotes From Christmas With The Kranks
Many holiday movie fans adore this festive comedy with Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. But what are the best Christmas with the Kranks quotes?
3Knives Out (2019)
Role: Linda Drysdale
While themurder mystery movieKnives Outwasn’t directly written as a comedy, it was clear from early in its runtime that the film was overlapping several genres. The mix of action and suspense, along with the enigmatic storyline, naturally resulted in some funny moments, and the use of intelligent humor was one ofKnives Out’s best qualities. Curtis’ role as Harlan Thrombey’s daughter Linda was cutthroat. Her uptight attitude and ability to command a room fit the dark comedic tone ofKnives Outbrilliantly, especially as the character was so selfish and self-centered.
Although there were a few key moments that stood out as funny, one of the best was easily after the revelation that Harlan had left his estate to Marta. Another notable instance in which Curtis’ comedy truly shone was during Linda’s interrogation.The sarcasm Linda offered law enforcement about the previous night’s party and the blunt commentary she provided on the other guests were subtle,but the way Curtis delivered the lines was simply hilarious. Curtis was sadly only nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Saturn Awards forKnives Out, but her appearance was still well remembered.
Knives Out
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, there are suspects aplenty. Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
Harlan’s Letter To Linda In Knives Out, Explained
Harlan wrote a letter to Linda in Knives Out exposing Richard and his affair, but there’s an irony behind how the Jamie Lee Curtis character found it.
2You Again (2010)
Role: Gail Byer Olsen
The underrated movieYou Againsaw Curtis join a star-studded ensemble cast, which included the likes of Betty White, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, and Kristin Chenoweth. Despite the film’s mixed reviews,You Againwas still one of Curtis’ best comedy movies because of how she elevated her character, Gail. As the mother of the main character, Marni,Gail was set up to be a rather mild and uninteresting character, but Curtis gave her depth and made her more dimensional.
Curtis and Weaver’s rapport provided some of the funniest moments inYou Again. The two former rivals were brilliantly comical, and the tension between the pair made it even better. Mona and Gail’s scene together in the hotel and the rehearsal scenes were great examples of this. WhileYou Againhad the potential to be so much more than what it was, Curtis proved that no matter the movie, she’d always provide a good performance.
You Again
You Again is a comedy film directed by Andy Fickman, featuring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, and Betty White. The plot centers on Marni, played by Bell, who discovers that her brother is marrying her high school nemesis. As family and friends gather for the wedding, unresolved issues and old rivalries resurface, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments.
1Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)
Role: Michelle “Mike” Cody
Grandview, U.S.A.was one of Curtis’ lesser-known movies, but one that cemented her as a comedic actress. Mechanic Michelle “Mike” Cody was tough yet empathetic, which resulted in Curtis’ comedic and dramatic talents being highlighted throughout the film. Mike ran the local demolition derby but struggled with keeping the business left to her by her father.While Curtis was funny, her character also had several more profound moments,which allowed the actress to show off her versatility.
Mike was flawed and far from perfect, but that was why she was so humorous. Her gritty outlook on the world and multi-layered attitude were easy to resonate with, but it also made her interactions with other characters that much more enjoyable. Curtis’ chemistry with co-star Patrick Swayze, who played Slam, was celebrated upon the film’s release, and their characters’ romance subplot was also an integral part of the overall story. AlthoughGrandview, U.S.A.wasn’t the most memorable comedy movie inJamie Lee Curtis’ filmography, it was still a stellar addition to her long list of acting appearances.
