Paul Walter Hauser has finally received the recognition he deserves. The Golden Globe winner hails from the humble town of Saginaw, Michigan, a far cry from the entertainment world in which he now so comfortably exists. Before becoming a force to be reckoned with alongside Hollywood's most powerful actors, Houser performed in improv comedy and landed small roles in hit comedies such as Community, Key & Peele and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
In 2014, he starred in the sports drama series Kingdom, his first cameo role, which set the stage for his breakthrough performance in the critically acclaimed film I, Tonya as Sean Eckardt. Yes, the man who helped coordinate Nancy Kerrigan's infamous baton attack.
The non-apologetic wrestling fan (just check out his Twitter) followed up his breakout performance in the black comedy about speed skaters with a role for Spike Lee in BlacKkKlansman. (Hauser and Lee would later collaborate on the Oscar-nominated film Da 5 Bloods, which also starred Chadwick Boseman and Jonathan Majors). Luckily, these projects have opened the door for the versatile actor to show off his range in lighter films like Queenpins, Cruella and Cobra Kai, where he's often the awkward butt of every joke.
Paul Walter Hauser is now navigating life as both a character actor and a leading man. His critically acclaimed performance in Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell, in which he played the lead role of a real-life security guard, proved that the actor is prime film material. But his most complex and intense role to date is that of the real-life Larry Hall, a suspected serial killer who befriends homely inmate James (Taron Egerton), who is actually trying to extract a confession from him. Hauser's oddly restrained yet aggressive performance in Blackbird is as compelling as it is impressive, earning him a well-deserved Golden Globe.
Let's take a look at some of Paul Walter Houser's best performances!
Sean Eckardt, "I, Tonya"
Director Craig Gillepsie and screenwriter Steven Rogers bring a unique satirical and documentary flavor to the skating sports story that came to define the 1990s. Margot Robbie took to the rink to play Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, a partially true retelling of the events leading up to and following the Nancy Kerrigan assault scandal. Although Paul Walter Hauser was a working actor long before this film, it was his calculating portrayal of the slob Sean Eckardt that brought him to people's attention.
Houser deftly (and hilariously) molds into Sean's unsightly behavior, endowing him with undeserved confidence and bravado enough for both of us. Whether he's munching at a strip club during the day, showing off and having a big game with Tony's toxic partner Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan) or barely lifting his eyelids when he talks, Houser has your attention. Despite his sloth energy and zero social etiquette, Sean snatches scenes from his adorable castmates with ease.
Ivanhoe, "BlacKkKlansman"
Thus, Ivanhoe Houser in the film “BlacKkKlansman” is the densest character on this list. Spike Lee's biographical crime drama is based on the bizarre true story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), a black police officer who, with the help of white man Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), manages to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan and attempt to destroy it from within.
Ivanhoe is the definition of a follower, following the orders of one of the group's leaders, Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold), rather blindly. When Flip meets Ivanhoe, he's drunk and talking like he has a mouth full of marbles, talking about the band's big plans for the coming year, which include, as he so elegantly puts it, "burning crosses and marching and stuff so people don't bother us." . Paul Walter Hauser takes what could have been a somewhat forgotten role and not only delivers, but destroys it as a buffoonish, insufferable KKK follower.
Raymond, "Cobra Kai"
Come for the nostalgia, stay for the Stingray. The drama series Cobra Kai has dominated Netflix over the past few years, appealing to the grown-up 1980s kids who grew up watching the beloved Karate Kid movie while attracting a new generation of fans. Sure, reuniting with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and John Kreese (Martin Kove) is fun, but new blood wouldn't hurt. Namely, too-cool-for-school Raymond, later known as the self-proclaimed Stingray. Yeah, okay, he's not a teenager, but he's harmless and very passionate about karate. Is that a problem? Houser tries his best as he is conspicuous in the dojo. But don't laugh! Stingray wants to be taken seriously.
Richard Jewell, "The Case of Richard Jewell"
Following I, Tonya and BlacKkKlansman, Paul Walter Hauser directed 2019's Richard Jewell, in which he plays the titular real-life security guard who, while working at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, discovers a mysterious bag in the park. Centennial Park and heroically warns the crowd before the bomb inside explodes. The media's praise for his bravery quickly evaporates when he is accused of planting the bomb to achieve his heroic moment.
Richard Jewell was a refreshing departure from his previous corrupt and unseemly characters, as it allowed him to become vulnerable and touch his sensitive side as he navigated Jewell's heartbreaking path in the public eye. Houser not only successfully carried the Clint Eastwood film on his shoulders, but also kept on a par with such famous Hollywood names as Kathy Bates, Sam Rockwell and Jon Hamm.
Horace, "Cruella"
Paul Walter Hauser has teamed up with the I, Tonya director on Cruella, a prequel to the origin story of infamous Disney heroine Cruella de Vil. Emma Stone shines on screen as the conniving heroine, but she wouldn't be complete without her best friends and henchmen - the serious Jasper (Joel Fry) and the charming and cartoonish Horace (Hauser).
Horace usually unintentionally causes trouble by chasing his Chihuahua and crashing into a huge cake in the middle of an important celebration. But the funniest thing about Houser's performance is his amazing accent, which he modeled after Bob Hoskins in the 1991 film Hook.
Scott, "I think you should go with Tim Robinson"
Houser is no stranger to comedy. He grew up a fan of Saturday Night Live and has since appeared on many sketch and comedy shows, including It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Key & Peele and The Afterparty. But nothing compares to his hilariously melodramatic performance in I Think It's Time for You to Leave, starring Tim Robinson, as Scott, a man who feels guilty for making a throwaway joke about his wife during a late-night get-together. How could he laugh at the woman next to him when Jamie Taco stole all his lines? Honestly, Houser's performance here is amazing.
Ken Miller, Desperate Crooks
Oh, Ken. A sweet, determined nerd. Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste star in Queenpins, a crime comedy based on the true story of two housewives who run a $40 million coupon scam. As you might expect, people begin to follow Connie and JoJo's antics and eventually become interested in US Postal Inspector Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn) and Ken Miller (Hauser). Ken is in awe of Simon and his power, and is desperate for some—literally any—power of his own because his job as a loss prevention officer at a supermarket isn't cutting it. Somewhat reluctantly, Simon takes Ken along to track down the coupon queen after Ken's efforts at the grocery store go in vain.
Houser's dedication to such a dorky and antagonistic character is the comedy's greatest asset and further proof that he is a witty comedic performer.
Larry Hall, "Black Bird"
Paul Walter Hauser, no matter the genre or size of the role, proves that he is one of the most reliable and versatile actors. But it's his work in the Golden Globe-winning Apple TV+ limited series Blackbird that shows just how powerful a story the actor can tell through his stillness and body language.
Inspired by the true events detailed in James Keane's book "Alone with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption" written by Dennis Lehane, the crime drama tells the story of James Keane (Taron Egerton), a young man who... faces a 10-year prison sentence with no chance of parole. He is hired to charm and befriend Larry Hall (Hauser), a convicted serial killer and rapist, in hopes of getting him to confess.
Despite the terrifying subject matter, Egerton and Hauser play each other perfectly. Houser disappears into his role with his daring choice of facial hair, squeaky voice and uneven composure, making every conversation with him as awkward as it is unpredictable.
These were the best films starring Paul Walter Houser and we hope that this list will grow significantly soon.
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