No other musical artist was able to both influence and be influenced to such unprecedented levels quite like David Bowie. Throughout his long career in rock 'n' roll, Bowie was able to master a number of musical genres.
Whether it be his glam rock sound on albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1973) and Aladdin Sane (1974), his unique incorporation of soul music in Young Americans (1976), or the mainstream pop stardom that he found through Let's Dance (1983), Bowie was able to chase whatever path his artistic visions led him down.
Quite early on in his career, Bowie's artistry brought him into new forms of media, eventually going on to star in a number of films while still maintaining a career as a legendary rock star. Similar to his life on stage, Bowie was able to become a variety of different characters and personas on screen, proving that he was continuously an artist in the truest sense.
Best movies David Bowie has been a part of
Bowie went on to become synonymous with not just his music, but for several different iconic film characters. From a treacherous goblin king to a nervous romantic to a blood-starved creature of the night, here are some of the singer's most iconic films.
The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
After Bowie dropped his musical persona of the glam rock alien known as Ziggy Stardust, the "Starman" singer continued to don this extra-terrestrial glamor when he played the lead role in Nicolas Roeg's The Man Who Fell To Earth. The 1976 film is now considered a cult classic, due to its highly influential sci-fi elements and its standing as Bowie's feature film debut.
Bowie plays Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien who crash-lands on Earth and hopes to find a way to bring water back to his dying home planet. Despite it being his first acting role, Bowie's take on Newton continued to land him acting gigs for decades onward, as many admired his charming and mysterious character.
The film was and is known for its surreal and provocative imagery, with Bowie's acting skills only adding to its highly artistic atmosphere.
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1979)
Around the release of his defining 1973 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders Form Mars, Bowie adopted an onstage persona of the title character, creating a legendary concept album that told the story of an alien rockstar who came to earth alongside his backing band,
The Spiders From Mars. Combining androgynous aesthetics with theatrical performance techniques, Ziggy Stardust became one of modern music's most interesting icons.
After the album's release, Bowie and his band toured extensively, and the final show on the album tour took place on July 3, 1973, at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders is a documentary/concert film that was filmed during this final show, and it was at this concert that Bowie made the sudden announcement that it would be the last show that Ziggy Stardust and his Spiders would ever perform.
A complete surprise to all, Bowie essentially announced he would be retiring his Ziggy persona, and the Spiders From Mars would no longer be his backing band.
The concert film spent many years in post-production before finally being released in 1979. Not only does it convey the unforgettable live energy of Bowie and his iconic persona, but it also captures an unforgettable moment in the artist's career. One that symbolized a new character was leaving, and many more would follow.
The Hunger (1983)
A combination of David Bowie, vampires, and a goth club musical sequence are all a film needs to become a cult classic among the goth community. However, only one film seems to capture all three crucial elements. Released in 1983, The Hunger is a horror film that focuses on a love triangle between a doctor (Susan Sarandon) and a vampire couple, played by none other than Bowie and Catherine Deneuve.
With the film's intense sexual energy, as well as its gothic and romantic visuals and themes, The Hunger has become a cult staple for goth subcultures. Bowie has looked back on the film's infamous opening sequence (one can't forget the enthralling use of Bauhaus' "Bela Lugosi's Dead"), and is quoted as saying that there was no film quite like The Hunger when it initially came out.
The movie is praised for its incorporation of queer and bisexual identities into the vampire genre, with critics complementing Bowie's haunting performance as well as the film's dangerous balance of violence and sex.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
In Nagisa Ōshima's war film, Bowie plays the role of Major Jack Celliers, a British soldier who is captured by Japanese soldiers and held at a prison camp during World War II. The film is not only praised for its beautiful cinematography and impactful message of bridging cultural divides, but Bowie also received recognition for his convincing portrayal of a strong and defiant character.
At the time of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, Bowie went on to say it was his strongest and favorite personal role. He initially landed the role after earning significant attention for his portrayal of The Elephant Man on Broadway. An incredibly powerful role, film critics and Bowie fans alike have praised the singer for his dedication to the character of Jack Celliers.
Jazzin' For Blue Jean (1984)
Following his death in 2016, Bowie won five posthumous Grammy's for his final album Blackstar, including Best Rock Performance; Best Rock Album; Best Alternative Music Album; Best Engineered Album, Non-classical; and Best Recording Package.
However, fans may be shocked to learn that, during his lifetime, Bowie only won one Grammy Award, and it wasn't for any musical project. Rather, it was for his 21-minute short film Jazzin' For Blue Jean.
Initially written to promote his single "Blue Jean," featured on his 1984 album Tonight, Jazzin' For Blue Jean features Bowie playing the nerdy Vic, who is trying to win the affections of a girl who's infatuated with the eccentric rock musician Screaming Lord Byron, also played by Bowie.
Throughout the film, Bowie makes numerous attempts to win the girl's heart, and eventually lies to her that he knows Screaming Lord Byron personally and he can arrange a meeting between the two. In the film, Bowie performs "Blue Jean," and it is this performance in the movie that soon became the song's music video.
Able to flawlessly play two characters that are complete opposites, Bowie has jokingly named Vic as his acting role that best matches who Bowie is in real life. Jazzin' For Blue Jean later won the 1985 Grammy Award for Best Video, Short Form. While it is unfortunately his only non-posthumous Grammy win, few artists could win for a project that required both acting and musical contributions.
Absolute Beginners (1986)
Continuing to balance musicianship with intense acting, Bowie continued to expand his acting career when starring in the 1986 rock musical film Absolute Beginners. Based on the Colin MacInnes novel of the same name, the story focuses on '50s youth culture in London, music, and growing racial tensions of the time.
Bowie plays one of the film's lead characters, Vendice Partners, and even wrote the movie's title track.
While Absolute Beginners was initially a box office failure, the film has earned more recognition in recent years, and Bowie's song "Absolute Beginners" rose to the No. 2 spot on the U.K. singles chart and went to No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song's neo-noir music video incorporates some scenes from the film, and the song's uniquely romantic and anthemic feel has cemented it as an underrated staple within Bowie's catalogue.
Labyrinth (1986)
If any Bowie acting role has found a permanent home in the minds of '80s kids across the world, it would undoubtedly be his role as the wickedly charming Jareth the Goblin King from Jim Henson's Labyrinth. When a young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) wishes that the Goblin King take away her baby brother Toby, she is horrified to find that her wish is granted.
Jareth says Sarah has 13 hours to reach the center of his complex Labyrinth, or else Toby will be turned into a goblin forever.
Labyrinth was Henson's second dark fantasy film following The Dark Crystal in 1982. While initially receiving mixed reviews, Labyrinth is now considered a major cult classic due to Bowie's humorous -- yet enchanting -- performance, the film's music numbers (from a soundtrack primarily written by Bowie himself), and the many lovable characters included in the movie.
While many may remember it as a somewhat horrifying children's film at first, Labyrinth now maintains a devoted following, with fan theories and conventions continuously held to celebrate the film, where fans will attend in full Goblin King attire.
Bowie took on his role as Jareth with just the right balance of sincerity and light-heartedness that is required when one is acting alongside Henson's iconic puppets, establishing the film as, arguably, one of Bowie's best.
The Linguini Incident (1991)
There is a clear trend in Bowie's filmography that he gravitates more toward the avant-garde or art films rather than major blockbuster hits. Similar to his musical career, Bowie never relied on acting as a means to pursue something conventional. This theme remains true with The Linguini Incident, yet another cult classic starring Bowie, and one that is severely underrated.
Starring alongside Rosanna Arquette, Bowie plays Monte, a bartender in an upscale restaurant who is hoping to marry any of the waitresses so he can get his green card and become a U.S. citizen. Arquette plays the role of Lucy, a waitress at the same restaurant who, in her private life, is an aspiring escape artist.
Monte and Lucy, alongside their friend Vivian (Eszter Balint), who designs unusual pieces of lingerie, all decide to scam the owners of the restaurant so they can all get the money to fund their personal dreams.
The Linguini Incident maintains a unique sense of dry and odd humor throughout, which very much helps to cement the film as a cult favorite. Overall, the movie is extremely fun and witty, not much unlike the legendary Starman himself.