Iconoclast David Bowie, who died Sunday at age 69, was not only a musical legend, but he also made resounding waves in film. In addition to the dozens of movies he scored or supplied soundtracks for, he also proved to be a capable actor.
Here are some of the crossover star's most memorable roles:
Labyrinth (1986)
Bowie took on his most iconic role in the trippy Jim Henson nightmarescape. As the brooding Jareth the Goblin King, he popped up in nightmares of 1980s kids in the days of VHS, and continues to do the same today, thanks to those grown-up kids showing their children the film on Netflix.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
An out-of-nowhere casting choice by Martin Scorsese as Pontius Pilate proved not only the genius of the filmmaker, but of Bowie's rarely-tapped acting prowess. Bowie plays Pilate as a grim but relatable figure, broiling with inner torment over his role in the crucifixion.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
David Lynch's movie prequel to his brilliant TV series didn't live up to the hype, but peppered in just enough weirdness to earn a legacy of its own. One of the quirkier characters was Bowie's Phillip Jeffries, a case agent who disappeared for two years while exploring boundaries between dimensions. He engages in some mysterious banter.
Basquiat (1996)
Bowie's persona often drew comparisons to Andy Warhol, so it was only appropriate that he played the mop-topped impresario in this biopic of Brooklyn art sensation Jean-Michel Basquiat. Warhol takes Basquiat under his wing and struggles to handle the way Basquiat's fame eclipses his own.
Zoolander (2001)
One of several art and fashion industry mavens to play themselves in the satire, Bowie plays up his personas of glam haughtiness. Taking on the part proved Bowie wasn't above making fun of himself to contribute to the goal of the film.
The Prestige (2006)
The role of misunderstood scientific genius Nikola Tesla was an apt fit for Bowie, who reveled in a self-created sense of mystery. Things get really strange in this Christopher Nolan-directed drama later on, when several clones of Tesla come into play.
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