Summary
- Bill Burr is a versatile comedian-turned-actor who has made appearances in notable films and TV shows, showcasing his comedic talent and acting chops.
- He has starred in comedies like "Walk of Shame," "Daddy's Home," and "Date Night," delivering hilarious performances alongside other talented actors.
- Burr has also taken on more dramatic roles in films like "Black or White" and "The Front Runner," demonstrating his range as an actor beyond comedy.
Comedian Bill Burr is best known for his comedy specials and podcasts but has also appeared in several notable films throughout his career in entertainment. Often regarded as an outspoken and old-school character who is unafraid to challenge the status quo, the Massachusetts-based actor/comedian is celebrated for his hilarious, off-the-cusp antics and one-liners. In recent years, the 55-year-old has emerged as one of the most popular voices in comedy and has also made several unexpected cameos in prominent television series.
Few actors can say they've made guest appearances in two of the greatest shows of all time, but Burr was featured in episodes of Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. Burr started to take over the creative direction of his projects with the advent of his Netflix animated comedy series F is For Family, which enjoyed 5 critically-acclaimed seasons between 2015 and 2021. While Burr has often depicted the stereotypical Boston sports fan character throughout his career, his most recent efforts in film and television demonstrate the versatility of the comedian-turned-actor whose sharp eye for comedy hasn't dulled since becoming a regular on Chapelle's Show in 2004.
10 Walk Of Shame (2014)
One of Burr's earlier appearances in film was in the 2014 comedy Walk of Shame starring Elizabeth Banks and James Marsden. Burr plays a supporting role as Officer Walter alongside Ethan Suplee's Officer Dave, providing his usual funnyman demeanor in the film that is otherwise mostly a tour-de-force of Banks' lead character, Meghan. Meghan is a reporter who must race to make a job interview for her dream job as a news anchor, providing many hilarious roadblocks along the way.
9 Daddy's Home (2015)
Burr played a bully's dad named Jerry in the 2015 comedy Daddy's Home, which marked the return of the onscreen duo Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg who starred in the notable 2010 buddy cop film The Other Guys. Burr's character squares off with Wahlberg's Dusty Mayron at their kids' school dance after their kids get in a fight, resulting in Burr, Wahlberg, and Ferrell getting physical on the dance floor. The back-and-forth between the three comedic actors is equally intense and hilarious, making it one of Burr's more memorable scenes in any movie.
8 Black Or White (2014)
Despite being primarily known as a comedian, Burr has also impressively taken on some more dramatic acting roles as well. In the 2014 drama Black of White, Burr plays a supporting role alongside an ensemble cast of Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs, and Anthony Mackie. Burr portrays Rick Reynolds in the Mike Binder film, who becomes involved in the custody battle for a young girl (Jillian Estell). The film is mostly lighthearted despite tackling harsh issues such as racism and discrimination, making it a great and educational movie for the whole family.
7 The Opening Act (2020)
The Opening Act follows Jimmy O. Yang's Will Chu as he tries to make his dreams come true by becoming a stand-up comedian. Yang, who is a famous comedian in real life, is joined by several other actual comedians in The Opening Act, including Ken Jeong, Tom Segura, Whitney Cummings, Neal Brennan, Alex Moffat, and Cedric the Entertainer. Burr ironically plays Chu's corporate boss at his bland day job. The Steve Byrne film takes a deep and authentic dive into the difficult path of becoming an actual stand-up comedian.
6 Old Dads (2023)
The tone of Burr's directorial future film debut Old Dads is very similar to his personal brand of stand-up comedy which gleefully critiques liberal-leaning cultural normalities and so-called "woke" social politics. While some of Burr's stark criticisms land and pack a sizable punch, the film as a whole can feel like one of the Internet rants about the qualms of society which is often the target of many jokes in Burr's script. Old Dads attempts to feel relatable for a diminishing demographic that likely feels underrepresented in the current state of entertainment, but ultimately the messy pacing and antiquated sensibilities of the movie undermine its message.
5 The Front Runner (2018)
Burr tackles another dramatic role in the 2018 historical drama The Front Runner, which chronicles the real-life scandalous love affair of United States Senator Gary Hart during his 1987 Presidential campaign. Burr plays a reporter for the Miami Herald named Pete Murphy, who along with two other reporters ambushes Hart (Hugh Jackman) with investigative questions about an unknown woman staying at his townhouse. Director Jason Reitman's The Front Runner is sharp and engaging, allowing Burr to flex some of his acting muscles in a non-comedic part.
4 Stand Up Guys (2012)
Although its title might suggest a focus on stand-up comedy, 2012's Stand Up Guys is actually about two "stick-up" gangsters played by Al Pacino and Christopher Walken. The film also features a leading role in Alan Arkin, making it the only film in which all three legendary actors appear together. Burr has a small role in the film as Larry, but nevertheless, the Fisher Stevens movie is worth a watch for its unique combination of three acting giants and its exciting blend of comedy and thriller genres.
3 Date Night (2010)
Date Night is one of the more memorable Steve Carrell comedies that wasn't directed by Adam McKay or Judd Apatow. Carell shares the screen with co-star Tina Fey, who was arguably at the top of the comedy world when Date Night came out at the height of her 30 Rock fame. Burr is one of the many notable actors who appear in Date Night, including Mila Kunis, Mark Wahlberg, Gal Gadot, Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Wiig, Jon Bernthal, Nick Kroll, Olivia Munn, and Jimmi Simpson.
2 The Heat (2013)
The Heat is one of the best comedies of the early 2010s, featuring the hilarious combination of Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. Burr has a brief role as his familiar stereotypical Boston sports fan type, who questions Sandra Bullock's federal agent character about whether or not she's a narc. Despite Burr's small role in the film, The Heat remains a must-watch movie that celebrates the forgone era of classic Melissa McCarty-led comedies such as 2015's Spy.
1 The King Of Staten Island (2020)
The King of Staten Island offered one of Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson's first leading movie roles alongside his hardheaded firefighting father played by Bill Burr. Not only is Burr's performance as the passionate Ray Bishop among his best in any film or television series, but the Judd Apatow film is also the best overall movie that he's played a part in. The clashing dynamic between Pete's slacking and mentally anguished millennial character versus that no-nonsense old-school vibe of Burr's Ray makes The King of Staten Island the best Bill Burr movie to date.