My latest television obsession, HBO’s Vinyl, has gotten me thinking of all the great Andy Warhol portrayals in cinema. John Cameron Mitchell plays him on the TV show (unfortunately not very well), but throughout the years there have been some fantastic, creepy, and just plain weird versions of the eccentric pop artist. This week, I’m highlighting the Top 5 Andy Warhols, in ranking order.
1. Jared Harris, I Shot Andy Warhol
Image Credit: I Shot Andy Warhol, 1996
This is by far the best Andy. Harris plays him as bored, lonely, and slightly naïve. Or is he? I want to check into the Chelsea Hotel and find out.
2. Guy Pearce, Factory Girl
Image Credit: Factory Girl, 2006
Here we see Andy as part cinematic auteur, part heartless manipulator. Leave it to an Australian to nail the voice.
3. David Bowie, Basquiat
Image credit: Basquiat, 1996
I like to think of this as “Whimsical Warhol”. Bowie seems slightly stoned, like the looney old man down the street who wandered out without his nurse.
4. Crispin Glover, The Doors
Image credit: The Doors, 1991
By far the creepiest Warhol. Do not let him put you in a movie Jim!! Walk away!!!!!!
5. Bill Hader, Men in Black 3
Image credit: Men in Black 3, 2012
This one just makes me laugh. I’d have believed it more if Hader played Warhol as an alien rather than a MIB agent, but still funny.
Cinema Sips 