Christopher Guest
Highest Rated: 100% Girlfriends (1978)
Lowest Rated: 0% Heartbeeps (1981)
Birthday: Feb 05, 1948
Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
One of the most unique voices in contemporary comedy, Christopher Guest earned a following with the acutely observed characters and spontaneous improvised spirit of "This is Spinal Tap" (1984), "Waiting for Guffman" (1997), and "Best in Show" (2000). Offbeat and satirical in nature, Guest's portraits of regular people with big dreams were effectively compelling. The densely packed humor of his endlessly quotable ensemble comedies was unique for its basis in hyper-real, ultra-detailed characters that Guest and co-writer Eugene Levy created specifically for his troupe of exceptional actors. And his finest work as a director resulted from giving those actors the freedom to improvise their dialogue as he, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer did in their legendary rock-n-roll comedy "This is Spinal Tap" - inarguably the most truthful film about the rock lifestyle ever made, despite being a spoof. While his fictitious band spun off into a real life touring and recording act, the line between actor and character blurred further with frequent personal appearances as Tap's addled guitarist Nigel Tufnel, followed years later as 1960s folkie Alan Barrows from his folk music send-up "A Mighty Wind" (2003). Guest's impeccable eye for detail, his dry wit, and his abundant talent as a writer, director and performer made for an innovative voice in film with an exceedingly well-respected body of work.
Photos
Highest Rated Movies
Filmography
Movies
| Credit | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Loudon Wainwright III: Surviving Twin | Director | - | 2018 |
| 49% | 36% | Mascots |
Corky St. Clair (Character), Director, Screenwriter |
- | 2016 |
| No Score Yet | 78% | Her Master's Voice | Executive Producer | - | 2012 |
| 56% | 39% | The Invention of Lying | Nathan Goldfrappe (Character) | $18.4M | 2009 |
| 44% | 47% | Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian | Ivan the Terrible (Character) | $177.2M | 2009 |
| 52% | 43% | For Your Consideration |
Jay Berman (Character), Director, Writer, Original Music |
$5.5M | 2006 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Harry Smith Project Live | Alan Barrows (Character) | - | 2006 |
| 67% | 72% | Mrs. Henderson Presents | Lord Cromer (Character) | $11M | 2005 |
| 87% | 75% | A Mighty Wind |
Alan Barrows (Character), Director, Writer |
$17.5M | 2003 |
| 94% | 89% | Best in Show |
Harlan Pepper (Character), Director, Writer |
$18.6M | 2000 |
| 8% | 64% | Almost Heroes | Director | $6.1M | 1998 |
| 91% | 91% | Waiting for Guffman |
Corky St. Clair (Character), Director, Writer, Original Music |
$2.9M | 1996 |
| 30% | 50% | Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman | Director | - | 1993 |
| 83% | 89% | A Few Good Men | Cmdr. Doctor Stone (Character) | $141.3M | 1992 |
| 87% | 45% | The Big Picture | Director | $33.1K | 1989 |
| No Score Yet | 22% | Sticky Fingers | Sam (Character) | - | 1988 |
| 97% | 94% | The Princess Bride | Count Rugen (Character) | $26.9M | 1987 |
| 20% | 32% | Beyond Therapy | Bob (Character) | $471.9K | 1987 |
| 90% | 79% | Little Shop of Horrors | The First Customer (Character) | $36.5M | 1986 |
| 95% | 92% | This Is Spinal Tap |
Nigel Tufnel (Lead Guitar, vocals) (Character), Writer, Original Music |
$188.8K | 1984 |
| No Score Yet | 80% | A Piano for Mrs. Cimino | Philip Ryan (Character) | - | 1982 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Likely Stories | Unknown (Character) | - | 1981 |
| 0% | 23% | Heartbeeps | Calvin (Character) | - | 1981 |
| 83% | 74% | The Long Riders | Charlie Ford (Character) | - | 1980 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Last Word | Roger (Character) | - | 1979 |
| 100% | 74% | Girlfriends | Eric (Character) | - | 1978 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | It Happened One Christmas | Harry Bailey (Character) | - | 1977 |
| 17% | 36% | The Fortune | Boy Lover (Character) | - | 1975 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Shame of the Jungle |
Chief M'Bulu/ |
- | 1975 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Lemmings | Unknown (Character) | - | 1973 |
TV
| Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Entertainment Tonight | Guest | 2020 |
| 81% | 92% | Family Tree |
Dave Chadwick (Guest Star), Creator, Writer |
2013 |
| No Score Yet | 79% | Sponge Bob | Unknown (Guest Voice) | 2007 |
| 85% | 76% | The Simpsons | Nigel Tufnel (Guest Voice) | 1992 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Saturday Night Live | Unknown (Character) | 1984-1985 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Blind Ambition | Jeb Magruder (Character) | 1979 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Laverne & Shirley | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1978 |
| No Score Yet | 88% | All in the Family | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1977 |
QUOTES FROM Christopher Guest CHARACTERS
Mr. Mushnik says: Listen Seymour. Just because you put a strange and interesting plant in the window doesn't mean that it'll bring customers!
1st Customer says: (Opens door) Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that strange and interesting plant in the window!
1st Customer says: [opens door] Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that strange and interesting plant in the window!
Count Rugen says: Are you coming down into the pit? Westly's got his strength back, I'm starting him on the machine tonight.
Prince Humperdinck says: Tyron. You know how much I love watching you work, but I've got my country's 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder, and Gilda to blame for it. I'm swamped.
Inigo Montoya says: Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!
Count Rugen says: Stop saying that!
Corky St. Claire says: Everybody dance
Corky St. Claire says: Everybody dance!
Corky St. Claire says: You are bastard people...
Corky St. Claire says: You are bastard people.
Nigel Tufnel says: These go to eleven.