This was a really hard list to make. I had so many great scenes to pick from. When you think about it, cinema is just filled with actors and actresses stumbling around, slurring their words, and eating greasy diner food. Here, I’ve chosen my personal favorite drunken performances over the years. To the list!
1) Jimmy Stewart as Macauley Conner in The Philadelphia Story
Image credit MGM, 1940, The Philadelphia Story
Hands down, my favorite drunken performance. His speech is slurred just enough, the hiccuping is perfection, and Cary Grant can barely contain his laughter during their memorable scene together. Oscar-worthy indeed. Oh C.K. Dexter Haaaven!
2) Kristen Wiig as Annie Walker in Bridesmaids
Image credit Universal Pictures, 2011, Bridesmaids
Taking a fear of flying to new levels, a drunk Kristen Wiig stumbles through the first class cabin, argues with “Stove” the flight attendant, and poses as Mrs. Iglesias.
3) Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan in A League of Their Own
Image credit Columbia Pictures, 1992, A League of Their Own
He comes out, he smiles, he waves his little hat, and he urinates for an incredibly long time.
4) Dudley Moore as Arthur Bach in Arthur
Image Credit Orion Pictures, 1981, Arthur
Drunk becomes super-classy with a British accent and a manservant.
5) Vince Vaughn as Trent in Swingers
Image credit Miramax Films, 1996, Swingers
Because you’re growns up and you’re growns up and you’re growns up.
(Feel free to sound off in the comments below about some of your favorite picks!)
Cinema Sips 
psssst. Nic Cage in Leaving Las Vegas.
Totally! If this were expanded to a top 10 list, Nic Cage would definitely be on it. He was just too depressing to sneak into the top 5 though…
What IS it about Nic Cage and his weirdly depressing bloodhound face? I mean – really! Eek.
Also, I know this is not a “film,” it’s just tv, but my all time favorite drunk scene is Buffy – Beer BAD.
http://www.fanforum.com/f11/episode-discussion-4×05-beer-bad-62915302/
omg TV is a whole different beast. My favorite TV drunk is Mad Men’s Duck Phillips, but I’ll have to take a look at Buffy!
Yes! Buffy was brilliant, up till the lame little sister plot came along. Sigh.
Love Mrs Iglesias!
Hmm. Jaws, b/c when I’m drunk, I can still remember the words to Show me the way to go home…
How about a followup post, Best Hungover Performances.
Oh my goodness, yes Richard Dreyfuss is a GREAT drunk actor! In addition to ‘Jaws’, I love his drunk scene in ‘The Goodbye Girl’. And there absolutely WILL be a list of the best hungover performances, but first I’ve got a special holiday list in store 😉
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