The Fugitive
Often times, incredible film moments come when the stars forget their lines. During The Fugitive, this exact thing even happened to the legendary actor Tommy Lee Jones when he starred opposite Harrison Ford. You recall the scene where Ford flees from Tommy Lee Jones and other authorities trying to capture him for a murder he didn’t commit. So while he screams he never murdered her, Jones responds back, “That isn’t my problem.” Apparently, the real line was, “I don’t care!”
The Fugitive
Midnight Cowboy
On the set of Midnight Cowboy, something completely unplanned happened that elicited a totally off-script response from Dustin Hoffman. Despite the warning signs, a taxi driver didn’t see them and drove onto the live set, almost crashing into both Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman. Thus, Hoffman responded with the now famous line, “I’m walking here!” The more you know…
Midnight Cowboy
Ghost
People immediately recall Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore’s performances in Ghost, but think back to Whoopi Goldberg’s outstanding role. Hey, she won an Academy for that performance! Anyway, while playing the psychic that gets in touch with Sam’s ghost (Swayze), she threw in a line of her own. During her warning to Molly (Moore), she said the murderer was still on the loose. Goldberg improvised the line, “Molly you in trouble, girl.”
Ghost
A Few Good Men
Now, it’s so hard to pick out a single moment from such a classic film like, A Few Good Men. I mean, the film had incredible actors like, Kevin Bacon, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. However, we have to draw your attention to one line from Jack Nicholson in his role as Colonel Nathan R. Jessup. That famous line, “you can’t handle the truth!” That was all Nicholson coming up with a response to an order to only speak the truth in court.
A Few Good Men
When Harry Met Sally
One of the most classic romcoms, When Harry Met Sally was yet another hit from Rob Reiner. We got to watch the amazing on-screen chemistry between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan). There’s a scene where Harry tells Sally, “I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie.” So, that was not in Nora Ephron’s script, but Meg Ryan couldn’t stop laughing. Director Rob Reiner also loved Crystal’s addition. That’s why it was kept in the film!
When Harry Met Sally
The Dark Knight
While training to play the Joker, Heath Ledger used something very familiar to actors called method acting. No, Ledger didn’t invent a line, but he did use improvisation. Remember when he responds to the promotion of Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman)? He just invented that slow motion clap. What a legend! He’s definitely missed.
The Dark Knight
Deliverance
Not much compares to the chilling encounter that the characters played by Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox find themselves in during the film Deliverance. (Throwback to when Sally Fields was dating Burt Reynolds, oh the days.) Anyway, Deliverance‘s most haunting scene has to be when the violent hillbillies surround them. Just when one hillbilly screams out, “Squeal like a pig,” Bobby (Ned Beatty) begins to follow his orders. There’s been some argument over who came up with this line, but it still became one of film’s most iconic lines.
Deliverance
Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams plays the psychiatrist in Good Will Hunting who aids Matt Damon’s character with dating and so much more. Over the course of the film, Williams’ character helps mentor this secret genius who was working as a janitor. The two develop a close relationship and towards the end of the movie we see Robin Williams reading a letter Will (Matt Damon) wrote him. Within the letter, Will wrote, “I had to go see about a girl,” to which Williams improvised, “Son of a b*tch! He stole my line!” Wow, Williams was truly a brilliant actor.
Good Will Hunting
Being John Malkovich
Unsurprisingly, the quirky film Being John Malkovich includes a very famous moment that came from a random, unplanned incident. During one scene, an extra who was intoxicated threw his beer can at John Malkovich’s head. This bold extra shouted out, “Hey, Malkovich! Think fast!” Well, the director ended up loving how the scene came out with this strange incident included.
Being John Malkovich
The Usual Suspects
Although many directors allow actors to freely improvise, director Brian Singer likes it best when actors stick to the script. There was no exception while he directed the hit movie, The Usual Suspects. Yet, he did allow his actors to stray from the script in one specific scene. This happened during the line up, when the actors could just improvise. It was then that someone farted so the officer said to Fred (Benicio del Toro), “in English please.”
The Usual Suspects
Goodfellas
Besides The Godfather films, Goodfellas has to be the most iconic gangster movie out there. Talk about an all-star cast with Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta! Anyway, this off-script moment goes to Tommy (Joe Pesci). While Tommy becomes enraged at being labeled a “funny guy,” Pesci invented his response, “Do I amuse you?” Unreal.
Goodfellas
The Silence of the Lambs
Naturally, we all remember Anthony Hopkins’ incredible performances as the cannibal Hannibal Lecter for The Silence of the Lambs. Now, it wasn’t just some amazing acting. Hopkins actually improvised much of his character’s ticks. So, think back to that iconic line to Jodie Foster’s character about loving human liver and enjoying it with, “fava beans and a nice Chianti.” While rehearsing, Anthony Hopkins added in what went on to become his character’s signature hiss sound. Unbelievable!
The Silence Of The Lambs
Taxi Driver
When people think back to Martin Scorese’s film, Taxi Driver, it’s hard not to repeat one line in your head. Yes, we’re talking about when Robert De Niro with that, “You talkin’ to me?” That wasn’t in the script. Mind-blowing, we know. The only thing the original script said was that De Niro should look into his mirror. It read, “Bickle speaks to himself in the mirror.” Director Scorcese just left him freely improvise.
Taxi Driver
The Warriors
Quick, what do you think of when you picture David Patrick Kelly as Luther for the film, The Warriors? Kelly improvised the line, “Warriors, come out to play!” That’s not all. He also added the line in again while clawing bottles in his hand. Clearly, the director knew this was a stoke of genius and kept it in.
The Warriors
Apocalypse Now
A lot of these moments have been famous one liners that stars improvised, but Marlon Brando went above and beyond on the set of Apocalypse Now. Some claimed he was a bit much to work with on set. Brando used method acting while in the role as Colonel Kurtz, adapting his character’s quirks in real life. In fact, he simply refused to learn his lines. Actually, he supposedly put his script on his head as a paper hat. In the end, he improvised about 18 minutes of dialogue.
Apocalypse Now
Blade Runner
Although we all remember Harrison Ford from the original Blade Runner, this one is about his costar, Rutger Hauer. First, Rutger Hauer tried sticking to the script for the last scene. However, the star soon deviated to that famous ‘tears of rain’ speech. Now, it’s one of the most iconic moments from the film.
Blade Runner
Jaws
Jaws has become a cult classic and one of the many amazing films from director Steven Spielberg. Wow, I get chills just hearing that musical score from the talented John Williams. Anyway, it was actor Roy Scheider as Chief Martin Brody who came up with this memorable line. Of his own volition, Scheider turned to his Orca crew and advised them, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Whoa!
Jaws
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Again, to a Harrison Ford classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. The face-off scene with the swordsman was intended to be a huge epic fight with some complex choreography. Unfortunately, Ford was ill with the stomach bug just days before they were to shoot the scene. Therefore, he needed to request that Spielberg tone the fight down a bit. That’s why we got this famous singular shot, which easily became the film’s best scene. Also, we have to say we totally loved it when Calista Flockhart and Ford began dating. The two are happily married now!
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory director Mel Stuart desperately wanted Gene Wilder to play Willy. Stuart actually chased Wilder out of the audition room as he left, and acquiesced to Gene Wilder’s one condition without objection. You see, Gene Wilder only agreed to play Willy Wonka if he could change his character’s entrance. It was this legendary actor who invented the slow cane walk that turned into an epic summersault. He felt it would help establish mistrust in Willy throughout the film. Genius!
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
RoboCop
At times, directors like to keep certain additions to the script from the entire cast, in order to evoke the most genuine responses. That’s exactly what happened when Kurtwood Smith came up with a line for his character Clarence in RoboCop. Director Paul Verhoeven decided it was best to surprise the cast. So, when Clarence (Kurtwood Smith) screams out, “Give me my f***in’ phone call!” the cast was truly shocked.
RoboCop
A Clockwork Orange
Even big-time directors like Stanley Kubrick can get stumped. He grew frustrated while filming the scene in A Clockwork Orange where Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his friends break into that stranger’s home and begin to assault her. Nothing seemed exactly right to Kubrick so he told McDowell to, “just do whatever you want.” That’s how McDowell ended up bursting into “Singing in the Rain.”
A Clockwork Orange
Full Metal Jacket
Another Kubrick classic was Full Metal Jacket and he really let R. Lee Ermey take the reins on the set. Even though Kubrick had adapted the film from a screenplay he wrote, he was so impressed with Ermey’s audition tape, he trusted him fully. The star sent in a tape of himself going off on Marines, and that’s how the director knew he was a perfect drill sergeant for the film. Overall, R. Lee Ermey came up with more than half of his lines in the film. Now, that’s talent!
Full Metal Jacket
Saving Private Ryan
Out of all the WWII films, Saving Private Ryan always makes the top of the list. Surely, you recall the moment Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and Private Ryan (Matt Damon) speak about all the two left behind. When Ryan says all that stuff about watching his brother kiss some girl, that whole thing was Damon going off the cuff!
Saving Private Ryan
This is Spinal Tap
People never expected This is Spinal Tap to ever be taken seriously. I mean, this is a film about some fake UK rock group. Plus, it was Americans with fake accents spoofing that rocker lifestyle from the 80’s. Well, it proved everyone wrong. Most of the film, the actors just made it up as they went along. In fact, they got credited as writers on the movie because of that. So yes, even the saying, “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever,” was invented on the spot.
This Is Spinal Tap
Dr. Strangelove
So, this film was almost titled, ‘How I Learned to Stop Worrying About The Bomb.’ Anyway, they made it crystal clear that it would be an absurdist movie from the start. All of the plot centers on a paranoid person anxious about nuclear war. Thus, there was never even a full script written out. So, the cast just improvised and they put the lines together to create a sort of ‘retro-script.’ However, one of the stand out moments was Dr. Strangelove’s Nazi salute.
Dr. Strangelove
Zoolander
Seeing model Derek Zoolander do anything from dating to his well-intended non-profit work cracked everyone up! Wow, Ben Stiller really did an outstanding job. So, when Derek meets former hand model J.P. Prewitt (David Duchovny), something unexpected happened that they kept in the film. Once Prewitt (Duchovny) finished his monologue, Stiller accidentally repeated his previous line, which was, “Why male models?” If you’ve seen the film, it totally worked for his character anyway, and Duchovny played it off perfectly. He acted exasperated at the repeated question, emphasizing he just spent a ton of time explaining. The resulting moment was hysterical!
Zoolander
The Shining
Unsurprisingly, we have another Kubrick film up next with The Shining. Based on Stephen King’s novel, we had Jack Nicholson starring as Jack Torrance. Nicholson gave a breathtaking performance of this caretaker’s dive into insanity at the creepy hotel out in the snowy mountains. During the scene where he axed the door trying to get to his wife and son, Nicholson improvised a bit. Right as he peeked in, he switched his line to a Johnny Carson tribute with, “Heeere’s Johnny!”
The Shining
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Yet again, we’ve got Harrison Ford starring as Han Solo in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. When he’s giving himself to the Empire, he gets a final goodbye kiss with Leia. That’s when she tells him she loves him, and Ford was supposed to answer, “I love you too.” However, this clever actor realized Solo wouldn’t say that and instead responded, “I know.”
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Young Frankenstein
Mel Brooks let the actors in Young Frankenstein really have freedom on set. So Marty Feldman took advantage of this when playing the famous Igor. He added in the hysterical line, “What hump?” The funniest part had to be him adjusting his hump while asking this! Of course, Brooks fell in love with this addition and kept it in the movie.
Young Frankenstein
Animal House
From National Lampoon to Animal House, are you really surprised the stars of this film improvised? The amazing John Belushi added his own touch during the cafeteria scene. In fact, that entire scene was unscripted. In particular, it was Belushi’s brilliant idea to stuff his mouth with food and squeeze his cheeks. Then he blurts out, “I’m a zit- get it?” What a guy!
Animal House
Dumb and Dumber
From getting involved in a bizarre ransom crime to dating struggles, watching Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) navigate life was hilarious. Naturally, fans of the film remember the two playing tag on the ride to Aspen. It was during this ride that Lloyd decided to make what he deems the ‘most annoying sound in the world.” Carrey came up with that one all on his own!
Dumb And Dumber
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Alright, we’re taking it back to the first film in this series, The Fellowship of the Ring. Remember when Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) thinks his dear hobbit friends Merry and Pippin died? He looks at a smoldering body and thinks this confirms it. While in extreme grief, he kicks a helmet. Mortensen actually broke his toe from this so his screams were pretty authentic. OW!
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
From one cult fantasy series to the next, now, we have the second Harry Potter film. No, we aren’t here to debate if Ron dating Hermione was a mistake and whether she should have been dating Harry. Anyway, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets we see the Weasleys arguing over how to best discipline the boys for their joy ride in Arthur Weasley’s enchanted flying car. After Molly Weasley finishes scolding them, Mr. Weasley shows he’s a bit jealous of the boys’ adventure. Later after the film’s release, actor Chris Rankin explained that Arthur’s response to his wife was different in every take out of the 13 or 14 they filmed. Maybe you recall, but this line ended up in the film. “What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?”
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
Ghostbusters
Rick Moranis got his start with Second City, Chicago’s famous improv group. Thus, it’s not surprising he invented his own lines for part of Ghostbusters. It was the director, Ivan Reitman who revealed that this star totally improvised his speech to the people at that party. Ivan Reitman gave him the credit saying, “Rick just made all of it up as he was doing it.” What a talented comedian!
Ghostbusters
Caddyshack
After Bill Murray left SNL, he continued to crack us up with films like Caddyshack. Did you know that his entire Dalai Lama monologue was totally improvied? Even the Cinderella joke came from Murray himself. The script only instructed, “Carl cuts off the tops of flowers with a grass whip.”
Caddyshack
Knocked Up
Hardcore fans know Seth Rogen from Freaks and Geeks, but he started to really get his break with films like, Knocked Up. The film, starring Rogen opposite Katherine Heigl, became an instant hit. Of course, the talented director Judd Apatow let his actors freely improvise during the scenes. That’s how we wound up with scenes like when they play on the famous Spielberg film, Munich.
Knocked Up
Aliens
Sure, not all sequels can be as outstanding as the original films, but with Aliens their sequel didn’t disappoint. Many claim it was better than the first. Anyway, the film starred the amazing Bill Paxton and incredibly talented Sigourney Weaver. You probably never realized Bill Paxton improvised, “Game over, man! Game over.” Clearly, he was the perfect fit for Private Hudson. It’s no wonder he earned a Saturn Award for his role.
Aliens
Tootsie
Between Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray Tootsie was sure to be hit. Seriously, it wasn’t only Hoffman that made the film, Murray did an incredible job as Jeff, the roommate. Recognizing Murray’s background with improv, the director (Sydney Pollack) let him improvise and come up with his party scene speech. Well, you obviously know what came of it was legendary. Also, the rest of the cast was completely genuine in their reactions to this unscripted monologue.
Tootsie
The Third Man
Now, we know that Orson Welles is a film industry legend, but did you realize he was famous for improvising on set? While filming The Third Man, Welles invented this iconic line. On the spot, he said, “In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed. They produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, five hundred years of democracy and peace. And what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”
The Third Man
The Devil Wears Prada
When Meryl Streep played the brilliant but harsh fashion editor, Miranda, for The Devil Wears Prada, many called it her best role. Obviously, when you have an enormously talented veteran like Streep, you except some outstanding off the cuff lines. She came up with, “Everybody wants to be us.” Fierce!
The Devil Wears Prada
