Walton Goggins first started his career in the 1990s, but didn’t start gaining recognition until he portrayed detective Shane Vendrell on FX’s hit drama The Shield. Since then, Goggins has been involved in several popular series and delivered excellent performances. He portrayed Lee Russell in Vice Principals, Boyd Crowder in Justified, Baby Billy Freeman in The Righteous Gemstones, and many more beloved characters. He has made a name for himself on television. Goggins started to get more mainstream recognition when he debuted his role as Cooper Howard, also known as The Ghoul, in the hit video game adaptation series Fallout.
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With a second season of Fallout in the works, he will only continue his climb in popularity. Additionally, Goggins is confirmed to be cast in the highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus, where he will undoubtedly shine. He always brings life to whatever project he is on, films and television roles alike. Although he has predominantly been a series actor, Goggins has appeared in many extraordinary movies. The following ranking considers the overall quality of the films, as well as the significance of Goggins’ contribution.
10 American Ultra (2015)
Laugher
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American Ultra RActionComedy
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*Availability in US Director Nima Nourizadeh Release Date August 19, 2015 Cast Bill Pullman , Jesse Eisenberg , John Leguizamo , Topher Grace , Walton Goggins , Connie Britton , Kristen Stewart Runtime 95 Minutes Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Max Landis Expand
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Although American Ultra frequently felt like it was going off the rails, it never failed to entertain. The film followed Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg), a stuck-in-his-ways stoner who doesn’t seem to have much going for him. Unbeknownst to Mike, he is a sleeper agent for the CIA’s “ultra program” tasked with creating killing machine soldiers.
Walton Goggins played the role of Laugher, a secondary antagonist in the film. Laugher was similarly involved with government testing that turned him into a lethal assassin, but it also made him insane. While Goggins had limited screen time, he did an excellent job portraying Laugher’s sinister, crazed nature. In a joker-like fashion, he was bone-chilling to watch and delivered a stunning amount of emotional complexity to such a minor character. He wasn’t meant to be a spectacle, but Goggin’s acting ability made him shine among the cast.
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9 Fatman (2020)
Jonathan Miller (Skinny Man)
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Fatman represents an impressive milestone in Walton Goggins’ acting career. Although the film isn’t critically acclaimed, there is something to be said about the fact that he is starring alongside the fabled Mel Gibson in a leading role. In this dark take on Santa Claus, Fatman follows Mel Gibson as an edgy version of Chris Cringle. After receiving coal for Christmas, a disgruntled 12-year-old hires skilled assassin Jonathan Miller, also known as Skinny Man (Walton Goggins), to hunt down Santa.
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Despite the ridiculous nature of the film, Goggins manages to present a truly intimidating character. He’s sociopathic, and it always seems like he is going to snap at any moment. In a film that one might expect to conjure laughs, Goggin’s performance maintains a menacing nature. It’s humorous that such a determined and ominous hitman would have so much adoration for his pet hamster, but it just adds to the unpredictability of his role. When he finally comes face to face with Chris, his iconic line takes the cake: “I’ve come for your head, Fat Man!”
8 Lincoln (2012)
Clay Hawkins
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8.5/10 Lincoln PG-13DramaHistoryBiography
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*Availability in US Director Steven Spielberg Release Date November 9, 2012 Cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt , David Strathairn , Sally Field , Tommy Lee Jones , Daniel Day-Lewis Runtime 150minutes Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Disney Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Disney , 20th Century Writers Tony Kushner Expand
This biographical drama is one of the most impressive modern-era films of its genre, even though Lincoln takes some liberties concerning historical accuracy. There are many noteworthy roles, but Daniel Day Lewis’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln was so breathtaking it earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. As far as Goggins’ movie roles go, this is one of his more minor parts.
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But given how breathtaking this film is, it’s worth taking another look at his role as Clay Hawkins, a democratic representative for Ohio. The biggest takeaway from Goggin’s role in this film is his internal dilemma. During the hearing regarding the passage of the 13th amendment, Hawkins is steadfast in agreeing, finally voting in favor: “You shoot me dead. You shoot me dead, I am voting yes!” Even in such a short scene, Goggins demonstrates his ability to present the mental dialogue of his character, while barely saying anything.
7 Tomb Raider (2018)
Mathias Vogel
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Tomb Raider PG-13AdventureAction
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*Availability in US Director Roar Uthaug Release Date March 16, 2018 Cast Alicia Vikander , Dominic West , Walton Goggins , Daniel Wu , Kristin Scott Thomas , Derek Jacobi Runtime 118 minutes Writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet , Alastair Siddons , Evan Daugherty Main Genre Adventure Expand
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Tomb Raider is a film adaptation of the beloved video game franchise. The plot follows Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) as she journeys to find her father, who disappeared years earlier. Goggins portrays Mathias Vogel, the rival archaeologist of Lara’s father, Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West). This was one of the first instances where he portrayed a leading antagonist in a film, and he didn’t fail to deliver.
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Goggins plays the villain so well and does an especially skillful job at embodying the changes in Vogel’s demeanor throughout the plot. In an interview with Screen Rant, he touched on Vogel’s backstory and how he translated his perspective into the performance. Goggins was very intentional with his approach to the character, and it’s evident in his acting. While the audience reception of this film wasn’t stellar, it represents an important moment in Goggins’ filmography.
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6 That Evening Sun (2009)
Paul Meecham
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That Evening Sun is a relatively unknown indie film, but the story has a lot of substance. It follows Abner Meecham (Hal Holbrook), who, after returning to his farm from a nursing home, discovers that his son, Paul Meecham (Walton Goggins) leased the land to unbecoming guests. While Goggin’s screen time is limited, his scenes are packed with emotion. The film is truly special and certainly deserves more credit than it receives.
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In a classic Southern Gothic style, it explores the tropes that surround the importance of land and legacy. Goggins does an excellent job demonstrating the complicated and unfavorable relationship that Paul and Abner share. The circumstances force him to effectively betray his father, and it’s heartbreaking to watch. Paul doesn’t have ill intentions, but Abner is steadfast, and it creates tension between the two. The cinematography and beautiful exhibition of the American South nicely complement the well-written narrative, making That Evening Sun a hidden gem.
5 The Uninvited (2024)
Sammy Wright
The Uninvited ComedyDrama
Director Nadia Conners Release Date March 11, 2024 Cast Pedro Pascal , Walton Goggins , Rufus Sewell , Elizabeth Reaser , Lois Smith , Eva De Dominici , Kate Comer , Annie Korzen Runtime 97 Minutes Writers Nadia Conners Main Genre Comedy Expand
The plot follows Rose (Elizabeth Reaser) and Sammy (Walton Goggins) as an unexpected individual (Lois Smith) shows up at their private party. Although the film had an initial release on March 11th, 2024, it’s still making its way around film festivals and has yet to have widespread screenings.
The director of the film, Nadia Conners, is Walton Goggins’ wife.
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This is certainly one of Goggin’s more nuanced roles, and he doesn’t fail to take on the challenge. The Uninvited is masterful in its exploration of cinematic industry tropes and how personal dynamics can shift so easily. In the film, Goggins plays a Hollywood agent and Rose’s wife. He does a truly impressive job of demonstrating how his attention is mentally divided between his personal and career intentions. He’s ambitious to a fault, and this causes repercussions throughout the narrative. The movie does so much with the space it’s provided, and Goggins delivers one of his best performances to date.
4 Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Sonny Burch
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10/10 Ant-Man and the Wasp PG-13SuperheroActionAdventureSci-Fi
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*Availability in US Director Peyton Reed Release Date July 6, 2018 Cast Laurence Fishburne , Michelle Pfeiffer , Evangeline Lilly , David Dastmalchian , Judy Greer , Randall Park , Michael Douglas , Paul Rudd , Hannah John-Kamen , Michael Pena , Bobby Cannavale Runtime 118 Minutes Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Gabriel Ferrari , Erik Sommers , Andrew Barrer , Chris McKenna Expand
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Ant-Man and The Wasp gives Walton Goggins a welcome introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He plays Sonny Burch, a black market dealer who seeks to make a profit off of Hank Pym’s (Michael Douglas) quantum technology. There are even theories that Sonny Burch is secretly working for Hydra. In his first introduction, it would appear that Burch might go on to be a deeply unsettling character.
Although he is meant to be menacing, he comes off as hilarious, and Goggins walks this line so well.
In the truth serum scene, the tension is immediately dissolved by Luis’ (Michael Peña) lighthearted reaction to getting interrogated. Burch is trying so hard to seem threatening, but when the serum reveals more than it should, his frustration makes it that much better. Although he is meant to be menacing, he comes off as hilarious, and Goggins walks this line so well. If anything, Ant-Man and The Wasp is a testament to Goggins’ range. In films, he typically carries out more serious roles, and it’s interesting to see him turn an ill-intentioned character into a humorous addition to the movie.
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3 Predators (2010)
Stans
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5/10 Predators rAction Sci-FiThriller
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*Availability in US Director Nimród Antal Release Date July 3, 2010 Cast Adrien Brody , Alice Braga , Topher Grace , Oleg Taktarov , Laurence Fishburne , Walton Goggins Runtime 107 Minutes Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Michael Finch , Alex Litvak , Jim Thomas , John Thomas Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand
Fans of Goggins may not have immediately recognized that he was a main member of the cast in the 2010 action Predators. The film is set in the universe of the beloved franchise, which is rumored to add another Predator movie in 2025. Goggins plays the criminal Stans, one of eight characters who unknowingly find themselves in a mysterious jungle after parachuting from the sky.
Given that Goggins is among a large cast, he isn’t the main focus of the film, but his character is hysterical. In a team loaded with heavy artillery, he begrudgingly tags along in his orange jumpsuit with only a shiv. Like his role in Ant-Man and The Wasp, his threatening nature is offset by his humor. He always seems to be out of the loop. The movie could stand to benefit in some areas, but overall, it’s a great new concept within the franchise and Goggins does an unsurprisingly impressive job.
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2 Django: Unchained (2012)
Billy Crash
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9.3/10 Django Unchained RAdventureDramaWesternComedy
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*Availability in US Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date December 25, 2012 Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Samuel L. Jackson , Jamie Foxx , Kerry Washington , Christoph Waltz Runtime 165 Minutes Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Quentin Tarantino Main Genre Western Expand
Django: Unchained marked Goggins’ first collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, and he set a great standard for himself with his role as Billy Crash. His character is noteworthy, which is a considerable feat given the range of stunning performances included in the film. In the movie, Billy worked as an overseer of Calvin Candy’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) plantation and was also one of the fight trainers.
For every moment he is on the screen, he is an utterly despicable character, and Goggins takes him there. Billy has a certain swagger in this film that makes his presence so memorable. From the way he carries himself to the unique delivery of his lines, Goggins makes Billy stand out among the crowd. Additionally, the fulfillment of his character arc is carried out in such a satisfying way. He treats Django so horribly and brutally pays for it in the end. It’s a fitting finish to an excellent movie.
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1 The Hateful Eight (2015)
Sheriff Chris Mannix
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6/10 The Hateful Eight RMysteryThrillerDrama
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*Availability in US Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date December 25, 2015 Cast Zoe Bell , Jennifer Jason Leigh , Michael Madsen , Tim Roth , Channing Tatum , Bruce Dern , Kurt Russell , Samuel L. Jackson , Walton Goggins , James Parks Runtime 188 Minutes Studio(s) The Weinstein Company , Shiny Penny , Film Colony , Double Feature Films , Visiona Romantica Distributor(s) The Weinstein Company Writers Quentin Tarantino Expand
Without a doubt, the highlight of Goggins’ film career so far is found within the Tarantino classic The Hateful Eight. This movie demonstrates how good Goggins can be when given a substantial role within an exceptional plot. As his second collaboration with the legendary director, Goggins was given more space to show off his skills, and for good reason. Goggins plays the role of Chris Mannix, who eventually takes shelter in a stagecoach stopover as one of eight characters after being picked up on the road.
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From the narrative to the character development, there are a lot of factors that contribute to this being Goggins’ best film. However, it ultimately boils down to his stellar acting performance. Mannix elicits such a strong reaction when he is on-screen. The delivery of his accent is spot on, and he perfectly embodies the archetype of the old southern sheriff. Even though the racist nature of his character makes him unpleasant, he has admirable qualities, and there is no denying the greatness of his role and the story as a whole.