Content Warning: This article contains references to suicide and terrorism
Boiling down John Krasinski's influential career down into 10 of his most iconic roles is never easy, but Ranker has put together a complete list of his characters that are most beloved by fans. Whether that's his sitcom roles or his more dramatic cinematic turns, they can all be found here.
Alongside his many acting accolades, Krasinski has also switched out to the director's chair recently for his popular horror franchise, A Quiet Place. Both the original and its sequel were widely admired by critics and fans alike, alongside his wife Emily Blunt's performance in one of the lead roles.
Cuthbert (Monsters VS Aliens)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Prime Video
Although Vernon & Letterman's sci-fi comedy Monsters VS Aliens might not be the most critically acclaimed film out there, John Krasinski's character Cuthbert is admittedly a really fun addition to the cast. The film follows a human woman named Susan, who turns into a giant and becomes a part of a secret team of monsters tasked with defeating an evil alien.
Krasinski's Cuthbert is only a minor character, appearing briefly as Susan's date before the alien asteroid turns her into a giant. He's extremely timid and unheroic, which makes for a pretty funny scene as he hides away when the couple first encounters Gallaxhar's robotic technology.
Burt Farlander (Away We Go)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Sam Mendes, Away We Go is a charming rom-com that follows a young couple expecting their first child, as they travel around to find the perfect place to start their new family. The film stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph in the lead roles.
Krasinski and Rudolph have great on-screen chemistry together, with both actors bringing their iconic senses of humor to the roles, playing well to the film's story extremely sweet and optimistic story (which is elevated by Mendes' experienced direction).
Frank McKay (Monsters University)
- Available To Stream On Disney+
Although Monsters University is often seen as inferior to its predecessor (which is admittedly regarded as one of Pixar's best films of all time), there are still plenty of jokes and characters that make the film so engaging and elevate its relatively simple story.
One of these characters is Frank McKay, the monster who acts as inspiration for Mike Wazowski to go to Monsters University and become a scarer. The two meet when Mike is very young, and Frank's scare tactics teach the young monster a lot about how to succeed as a monster.
Corporal Harrigan (Jarhead)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Prime Video
Corporal Harrigan is only a minor character in Jarhead, but he still plays an important role in the story. He plays a fellow soldier to Jake Gyllenhaal's Anthony Swafford, around whom the film's main narrative revolves. Harrigan is known to write love letters for the Major, putting his Dartmouth classics degree to good use.
Jarhead is based on Swafford's real-life memoir of the same name, exploring his life story and his time in service during the Gulf War. Also directed by Sam Mendes, the film fully immerses the audience into this one man's dangerous and hectic lifestyle, which is made even more intense by one of Gyllenhaal's strongest performances to date.
Ethan (Something Borrowed)
- Available To Buy On Amazon Prime Video
Something Borrowed is seen by many as one of the most underrated rom-coms of the 2010s, chronicling the unconventional romance between husband-to-be Rex and his fiancée's maid of honor, Rachel. John Krasinski plays Rachel's close friend Ethan.
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Despite only appearing in a supporting role, Krasinski still makes a huge impression in Something Borrowed. His character is an interesting and complicated one, with motivations and emotions that aren't always totally clear to the audience.
Jack Silva (13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi)
- Available To Stream On Paramount Plus
Directed by Michael Bay and starring Krasinski in the lead role, 13 Hours is a rousing action film that follows six American soldiers deployed in Benghazi, Libya in order to protect an American diplomatic compound from a wave of deadly terrorist attacks.
Like many of Michael Bay's best films, 13 Hours is full of explosive action and thrilling set pieces that keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish. There isn't a dull moment in the entire film, and Krasinski's intense performance keeps the momentum gripping and interesting throughout.
Lancelot (Shrek the Third)
- Available To Stream On HBO Max
In Shrek the Third, Krasinski is seen to lend his voice to another animation, this time playing Lancelot. Lancelot is presented as a typical high school jock - a student at Worcestershire Academy, who is mistaken for King Arthur by Shrek. The character is often seen bullying Arthur, and soon receives his punishment when Arthur announces his claim to the throne. Thanks to Krasinski's passionate and enthusiastic performance, he manages to capture Lancelot's arrogance perfectly.
The third installment in the beloved Shrek franchise sees Shrek's father-in-law King Harold taken ill, leaving Shrek in line to take over the throne. With the help of Donkey and Puss in Boots, the trio attempt to help King Arthur gain his rightful succession in lieu of Shrek.
Secretariat (Bojack Horseman)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
Bojack Horseman is a highly-acclaimed dark comedy series that follows the adventures of the titular horse, who sets out to reclaim his successful acting career after he is diagnosed with depression and recovering from his alcohol addiction. It's one of those animated shows that's clearly aimed at adults rather than children, with its mature themes and often shocking subject matter.
John Krasinski plays Secretariat, one of the few characters in the show that suffers a life even worse than Bojack's. The two were close childhood friends before Secretariat lost his career to a gambling problem and eventually took his own life after the death of his brother. Considering that Krasinski had been synonymous with comedies at this point, this project was definitely different in comparison and allowed him to show his acting skills on a deeper level.
Lee Abbott (A Quiet Place)
- Both Movies Are Available To Stream On Paramount Plus
The main character of Krasinski's popular horror franchise A Quiet Place is probably his most recognizable cinematic role to date, with both films being huge box-office successes. They take place in a fictionalized world that has been conquered by deadly aliens who hunt using their heightened sense of hearing.
A Quiet Place's thrilling and suspenseful horror story is guaranteed to get your blood pumping, with its intense action sequences and gripping moments of quiet terror. But at the heart of the story is an extremely touching and compelling family drama, made even more realistic by Krasinski and Blunt's real-life romance.
Jim Halpert (The Office)
- Available To Stream On DIRECTV
The Office was one of the most successful and beloved sitcoms of all time, and Jim Halpert was definitely responsible for many of the show's funniest and most memorable moments. His romance with receptionist Pam Beesly is also one of the most compelling sitcom relationships of all time.
Every single character in The Office brings something fresh and different to the show, and for Jim Halpert, that's his sarcastic humor and intelligent pranks on Dwight. Krasinski always knows how to make a scene even better, which results in Jim Halpert being one of the show's most entertaining characters.