Jimmy Fallon is popularly known for being the current host of The Tonight Show before which he served as a writer and actor on Saturday Night Live. But outside his comedic pursuits, Fallon has also been a professional actor with appearances in a few notable comedy and drama movies in the 2000s.
Following his stint as The Tonight Show host, he mostly plays a parodied version of himself, appearing briefly in several movies of the 2010s like Popstar and Get Hard. From serious roles to tongue-in-cheek comedic cameos, Fallon has shown a surprising amount of range that IMDb users have taken note of and voted on.
Taxi (2004)- 4.5
Based on the 1998 French action-comedy of the same name, Taxi was one of Jimmy Fallon's earliest roles as a leading man as he starred alongside rapper-turned-actor Queen Latifah, who, among her many achievements, sang one of the most memorable songs in the hit 2002 musical Chicago. Fallon plays a bumbling cop who loses his driving license and teams up with a proficient taxi driver played by the latter.
Taxi was universally panned by critics and audiences alike, marking an unfortunate start for Fallon's movie career. His co-star Queen Latifah, on the other hand, still enjoyed more success in Hollywood and currently headlines the CBS reboot of The Equalizer.
The Year Of Getting To Know Us (2008)- 4.7
The Year Of Getting To Know Us is a drama centering on a commitment-phobic man and his dysfunctional family. As he visits his ailing father, he learns how to confront his childhood fears and his issues with his girlfriend.
Even though the movie received negative reviews and largely went unnoticed, it proved to be a good opportunity for Fallon to show his dramatic prowess. In the presence of popular stars like Sharon Stone, Lucy Liu, and Tom Arnold, he gets a serious role that is a far cry from his otherwise-charming personality.
The Stand In (2020)- 4.7
Starring Drew Barrymore in a dual role, this Netflix original comedy movie finds a washed-out actress trading places with her stand-in. In more ways than one, the movie serves as a self-aware satire on Barrymore's own career along with the romantic comedies she has starred in.
Jimmy Fallon reunites with his Fever Pitch co-star in his typical get-up and Tonight Show desk as the protagonist appears on her show to apologize to her fans for her past misbehavior. The Stand In also featured plenty of other celebrity cameos including Ryan Seacrest, Graham Norton, and Andy Cohen, but Fallon's stands out as the most memorable due to his comedic timing and chemistry with Barrymore.
Get Hard (2015)- 6
Get Hard finds Jimmy Fallon having a chat with guitarist and singer John Mayer. While Mayer is seen performing with Will Ferrel's protagonist James King at the beginning of the movie, he starts hating on him after King is about to be convicted. Mayer even performs an exclusive song for Fallon expressing his hatred towards King and detailing his life in prison.
The comedy movie drew mixed reviews but proved how popular Fallon has become when it comes to cameos. This appearance is just one of many short appearances that he has been a part of from the set of The Tonight Show and has since become the go-to stand-in for late-night television.
Fever Pitch (2005)- 6.2
Based on the British film and Nick Hornby's memoir of the same name, Fever Pitch is the story of a diehard Red Sox fan and his romance with a lawyer who has no knowledge of baseball. Despite their differences, a warm love blossoms between them as the Sox gear up for their historic and long-awaited World Series win in 2004.
Fallon and Barrymore shine in one of the Farrelly Brothers' best movies with critics particularly praising their on-screen chemistry. Fallon never makes his character too insufferable and his romance with Barrymore is both believable and sweet. This would be one of many collaborations between the two actors but would remain the best.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)- 6.7
One of the funniest Lonely Island movies, Popstar is a biting satire on pop music and showbiz. As the movie pokes fun at several real-life singers and celebrities, it is not surprising to find Andy Samberg's cocky hero Conner4REal promoting his album Connquest on Fallon's show. With the album being filled with tone-deaf and tacky tunes, the ever-jubilant Fallon also has a doubtful expression on his face in this cameo.
Fallon and Samberg have crossed their paths multiple times on The Tonight Show, including a promotional episode for Popstar itself. With this appearance, Fallon gets to skewer the pop idols that he usually interviews on his late-night talk show.
Dads (2019)- 6.8
Actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard helms this documentary that explores notions of fatherhood from the perspective of celebrity fathers including Jimy Fallon, Will Smith, and the actor's own famous father Ron Howard, among many others.
Fallon, a father of two daughters, talks about the newfound responsibilities that he has to embrace as a dad and how he has to give up the showy on-screen persona at home to open up with his children. The documentary does prove to be an insightful look into Fallon's real life.
Whip It (2009)- 6.9
Jimmy Fallon yet again joined forces with Drew Barrymore for Whip It, the coming-of-age drama that also marked Barrymore's directorial debut. Elliot Page appears in the lead role as an angsty teenager who competes in a roller derby league to find a new purpose in life. Fallon plays the part of "Hot Tub" Johnny Rocket, a charismatic host of the competition.
This is a particular different role for Fallon in terms of his physical appearance. While Fallon's look largely remains unchanged shifting between his early 2000s-era long hair and his Tonight Show formals, Johnny Rocket appears as a shabby figure with unkempt hair and an unshaven beard. The performance too goes against Fallon's squeaky clean persona as Fallon imbues Rocket with a charming sleaze that he never shows on his talk show.
Jurassic World (2015)- 7
Jimmy Fallon has a delightful cameo in Jurassic World as the scientist explaining how the amusement park's Gyroscope works. As Gray and Zach use the vehicle, an instruction manual video starts playing on their tablet that features Fallon in a labcoat, goofily explaining the mechanism of the tech behind the Gyroscope.
The late-night talk show host is one of the many names to cameo in this star-studded blockbuster that also featured bit roles by musician Jimmy Buffett and director Brad Bird. Jurassic World also starred Bryce Dallas Howard in the lead role with whom Fallon collaborated for the documentary Dads.
Almost Famous (2000)- 7.9
Fallon's first-ever film role was the minor part of Dennis Hope in Almost Famous. His character is the touring manager of the band Stillwater and is often at loggerheads with the bandmates and their impulsive decisions. Inspired by writer-director Cameron Crowe's experience as a Rolling Stone journalist, Almost Famous chronicles the journey of an aimless boy as he tours with the aforementioned band and gains new insights on life.
Back then, Fallon wasn't as popular as he is today but it still serves as a memorable throwback, just like his brief appearance in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.