In the annals of stand-up comedy history, there are many comedians with a unique style that helped them stand out and become comedy legends. Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Robin Williams had something special to their comedy. Many comedians have turned their popular stage personas into big-screen success, with some even moving behind the camera, such as Jordan Peele's massive success with both Get Out and Us.
Rodney Dangerfield deserves mention amongst the comedy greats. His unique style of self-deprecating comedy was hilarious and original. Dangerfield easily made the leap from the stand-up stage to film stardom, finding the right roles to support his one of a kind personality.
My 5 Wives (2000)
To be fair, My 5 Wives is not a very good film. It is a messy, straight-to-video dud that barely received notice. It was also a strange choice for director Sidney J. Furie, who made such classic films as the Michael Caine spy thriller The Iprcess File and the underrated Vietnam film The Boys in Company C. However, Furie did helm the 1992 Dangerfield film Ladybugs, which was a small hit so the two likely had a good working relationship.
What makes it watchable is Rodney Dangerfield. It had been some time since the old-school Dangerfield personality was fully used in a film. In this one, the comedian saves it from becoming a dreadful bore, finding some magic in the Dangerfield persona that fans all love.
The Projectionist (1970)
Long before his fame, Rodney Dangerfield had a small role in this quirky comedy about a projectionist who dreams that he is a big-screen superhero.
Dangerfield's part is small, but he gets to display some of his signature schtick and there are clips of his older TV performances used throughout. The comedian is very funny in this unique film that is hard to find. It flopped in the U.S. but was quite the cult hit in Europe.
Little Nicky (2000)
A truly awful film, by most critics judgment, but Little Nicky makes the list due to Rodney Dangerfield's hilarious turn as Satan. Dangerfield as The Devil was a rather genius casting choice and the actor makes every moment count, as his performance is absolutely hilarious.
The sight of Harvey Keitel snuggling up to Rodney Dangerfield is worth the price of admission.
Rover Dangerfield (1991)
Rover Dangerfield was an attempt to bring Rodney Dangerfield's comedy to the family film circuit. Written by Dangerfield and the late comic mastermind Harold Ramis, the film was originally set as an R-rated comedy in the vein of Ramis and Dangerfield's other work, Caddyshack. The studio wanted something more family-friendly, so they had the vulgarities thrown out and the script was reshaped.
The film received mixed reviews and a low return at the box office, but it is worth viewing for Dangerfield's funny take on his own persona, Rodney Dangerfield as a showbiz dog. To hear Dangerfield voice an animated version of himself is quite funny and the film, while no classic, is completely watchable due to Dangerfield's fresh and entertaining voice-performance.
Meet Wally Sparks (1997)
What was to be a return to box office triumph for Rodney Dangerfield, sadly became a financial flop. Meet Wally Sparks was a return to form for the comedian, as he played a TV reporter who did tabloid journalism and tries to spice up his ratings by going after a sex scandal.
Dangerfield is on fire, ad-libbing many of his lines and creating another classic character. This raunchy comedy isn't as strong as his performance, but it is solid enough and features a great supporting cast, including Gilbert Godfried, Debbie Mazar, and Burt Reynolds.
Ladybugs (1992)
A silly comedy with heart, Ladybugs finds Dangerfield as a man who agrees to coach a losing all-girls soccer team and brings in his "ringer," the son of his fiance who must pass as a girl to play.
The story is lame but it gives way to some really funny bits from Dangerfield and allows him one of his best roles. The comic legend is extremely funny in this film and his wit elevates the material.
Natural Born Killers (1994)
Oliver Stone needed to cast an actor to play the abusive and incestuous father of Juliette Lewis in Natural Born Killers. When he cast Rodney Dangerfield, heads rightfully turned.
The role was perfect for the comedian, as it is a surreal sequence played as a TV sitcom, although the drama is very real. Dangerfield is all slob and beer-swigging sleaze, as he slaps his wife and leers at his young daughter. The way Stone took Dangerfield's person and turned it on its head was masterful and the filmmaker let his camera concentrate on the comedian's unmistakeable eyes to, this time, create an uneasy and creepy feeling.
Back To School (1986)
Back to School was one of the biggest hits of both Rodney Dangerfield's career and of the 1980s. Dangerfield played "Thornton Melon," an entrepreneur who tries to save his son from dropping out of college. His idea? He'll enroll, as well.
The hilarious film was hugely popular with audiences and critics and gave Dangerfield (and movie comedy) one of his best characters. The film is considered one of the great school comedies ever made.
Caddyshack (1980)
Along with John Landis' Animal House, Harold Ramis' Caddyshack is considered to be one of the great "slob comedies." The wild and raunchy tale of the caddies and members of the fabled "Bushwood Country Club" brought record-breaking box office numbers and made movie stars out of Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield.
Dangerfield plays "Al Czervick," a wild and vulgar new member of an uptight country club. His many comedic monologues fit the comedian to a "tee." Dangerfield steals every moment he is in, as he makes the craziness even crazier and the already hilarious film even funnier.
Easy Money (1983)
In his first starring role, Rodney Dangerfield played a married children's photographer who is trying to navigate his daughter's upcoming wedding and a visit from his disapproving mother-in-law. A gambling addict who drinks and smokes too much, his mother-in-law tells him that if he can abstain from his vices, he will inherit her fortune of millions.
This role stands as the best Dangerfield ever had, as it fits his comedic persona perfectly while allowing him to play a real character. The comedian is absolutely hilarious throughout the film, but is allowed some very sweet moments with his daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and some tender scenes with his wife (Candice Azzara). With Joe Pesci as his best friend who tries to help him make his goal, Dangerfield delivered a great performance that allowed him some good character work while the best parts of the comedian shine.