10 of the Best Don Cheadle Performances
With the excitement over Avengers: Infinity War and King Kendrick's recent award, I think it's time to celebrate the O.G. Kung Fu Kenny!
That's right! It's about time to get into 10 of my favourite performances by Don Cheadle! I'm not here to rank your favourite movies that Don happens to be in. I'm here to talk about performances by Mr. Cheadle that did something for me regardless of the movie it's in.
Role/Rank:
#10- As War Machine/James Rhodes in... Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Why, Though:
I know you think I'm joking, but nothing beat the feeling of surprise I felt when Don Cheadle was in an Avengers film! Truth be told, I think Don and RDJ have like 0 chemistry. The gif above is actually a great representation of their overall vibe in these movies. However, I liked that War Machine got a mini arc in this movie if you were paying attention. He thought he was cool doing his solo missions, and realized that his super heroism lacked substance (based on the anecdote he kept trying to tell at the party) so it's cool watching him join the bigger fight at the end of the movie and track how he came to that decision throughout the limited time he has on screen.
Role/Rank:
#9- As Maurice Miller in... Out of Sight (1998)
Why, Though:
Don't worry about the gif. I couldn't find a gif of Don in Out of Sight and decided to show love to Mr. Cheadle's show, House of Lies... which is, in it's own way, out of sight! Plus that's the O.G. Aaron Burr in frame! Back to the movie! While I can't find gifs of Don in this movie, I generally remember the movie for Don's scene stealing moments as the intimidating gangster, Michael Keaton being the same character he was in Jackie Brown and the dope Sammy J cameo at the end.
Role/Rank:
#8- As Montel Gordon in... Traffic (2000)
Why, Though:
I needed to come back to Traffic. It was a bit above my pay grade the first time I saw it. Having said that, I really appreciated Don's jaded agent that lights up when his partner is killed. The scene where he arrests Catherine Zeta Jones' husband is worth the price of admission alone. Watching Don be in charge and go off on people is something I'm really happy to watch! Also, again, I get that this isn't a scene from Traffic, but this is a great scene from a great video by the new Kung Fu Kenny! The fact that Mr. Cheadle isn't the first thing I think about when I think about this movie is probably why the performance, as good as it is, is this low.
Role/Rank:
#7- As Basher Tarr in... Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Why, Though:
I know people like bagging on the accent Don uses in this series, but I legitimately still say leave it out and "working with proper villains" I guess I was young enough to see this movie and not have to worry about how inaccurate the accent was or how close to reality Matt Damon's scene with Bernie Mac and Andy Garcia probably was... I guess I'm saying Don's Basher is a very fun layer to an already cool and fun movie.
Role/Rank:
#6- As Buck Swope in... Boogie Nights (1997)
Why, Though:
I remember really keying into Don's character in Boogie Nights, for obvious reasons. I love the movie, although not as much as Ian. But, the scene where Buck witnesses a shooting and really has to be about that life really broke my heart. The black person who loved music no one wanted him to has to snap back to reality in that moment. Gets me everytime. I 'm glad I watched it again recently and felt that he may have had a version of a happy ending, which is rare in this movie, when his wife gives birth.
Role/Rank:
#5- As Paul Rusesabagina in... Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Why, Though:
On paper this movie is a prime example of a movie I can't get into. However, when I was in my dorm back in the day, I watched it all the way through with my eyes glued to the screen based on Don's measured performance. As I said, I enjoy watching intimidating or smooth operator Don Cheadle, but Hotel Rwanda gives Mr. Cheadle an opportunity to flex other muscles!
Role/Rank:
#4- As FBI Agent Wendell Everett in... The Guard (2011)
Why, Though:
What's more fun than watching this amazing movie? Listening to Jake and I talk about this movie while we watch it on the LDF Podcast! I watched this movie because I loved In Bruges and I also thought it was the same director. Turns out the director of Pauline's favourite movie, Three Billboards, has a similarly talented brother who was able to get great performances out of Brendan and Don! This is classic take charge Don Cheadle and he doesn't even have home court advantage.
Role/Rank:
#3- As L.D. in... Bulworth (1998)
Why, Though:
Yeah another failed attempt at finding a gif from the movie. But this gif is important. The first time I was aware of Don was on The Fresh Prince and of all of Will's friends, I wanted Ice Tray to come back the most. Bulworth was the next time I was aware of Don Cheadle again and that trumps most other performances on this list. My love for the movie may also play a big part on this performance's placement on this list. Sue me!
Role/Rank:
#2- As Mouse Alexander in... Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Why, Though:
You know how people love to talk about how Kanye and Eminem have killed JAY-Z on his own tracks? That's like what Don Cheadle does to Denzel in Devil in a Blue Dress. Mouse is by far the more entertaining character and he isn't beat up on multiple times in the movie either. Don Cheadle is scary good in this already well written role. The amount of imbalance he brings to the proceedings is what kept me watching waiting to see how everything played out.
Role/Rank:
#1- As Miles Davis in... Miles Ahead (2016)
Why, Though:
BRUH! Before he even said a word I knew the performance was going to be dope. Don disappeared into the role of Miles Davis. I don't love the movie, but the performance was dope. I never thought, Don's doing a great job as Miles, I just believed the world of the film and went along for the ride. That's quite the feat for an actor I mostly like for being varying degrees of himself or what I'd like to think he's like in real life.
-YG