David Bowie on Screen: 6 Unforgettable Roles You Need to See
Not only was David Bowie a hit songmaker, he also solidified his talent as an actor. Clearly, there's no other man as magnetic as he was, and these six projects starring him prove it.
From surreal science fiction to cult fantasy and eerie thrillers, David Bowie’s forays into acting often transcended the films themselves. Here are 6 standout performances where Bowie truly stole the show.
1. ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ (1976)
In his first major film role, in The Man Who Fell to Earth Bowie played Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien who arrives on Earth seeking water for his drought-stricken planet. The role was a perfect fit for Bowie’s already enigmatic public image. He portrayed Newton with an ethereal detachment and quiet intensity that blurred the line between character and performer.
Director Nicolas Roeg captured Bowie’s striking visual presence, and the film became a cult classic. Bowie’s haunting performance remains one of the most compelling portrayals of alienation in cinema.
2. ‘Just a Gigolo’ (1978)
Though not as critically successful as some of his other work, Bowie’s performance in Just a Gigolo showcased his ability to bring depth to flawed material. He played Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski, a disillusioned World War I veteran who becomes a high-class gigolo in postwar Berlin.
Bowie imbued the role with a melancholy charm, conveying the character’s inner conflict and disillusionment. While the film itself was uneven, Bowie’s performance stood out for its emotional nuance.
3. ‘The Hunger’ (1983)
In this gothic horror cult favorite, Bowie starred as John Blaylock, a centuries-old vampire who begins to rapidly age when his immortality fails. Acting alongside Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, Bowie brought both elegance and vulnerability to the role.
His transformation from ageless lover to decaying husk was both physically and emotionally powerful. With its stylish visuals and moody atmosphere, The Hunger is now a classic of 1980s horror, and much of that credit goes to Bowie’s eerie, affecting performance.
4. ‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
Few roles have captured the imagination quite like Jareth the Goblin King. In Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, Bowie played the glitter-clad ruler of a surreal dream world with equal parts menace, allure, and glam-rock flair.
His performance was theatrical, playful, and strangely… seductive. Beyond his acting, Bowie contributed original songs to the film’s soundtrack, cementing his influence over its tone and legacy. Labyrinth has since become a beloved fantasy classic, with Bowie at its glittering heart.
5. ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me’ (1992)
David Lynch’s Twin Peaks prequel gave Bowie a small but unforgettable role as Phillip Jeffries, a time-traveling FBI agent who appears suddenly in a cloud of mystery.
With a thick Southern accent and cryptic dialogue, Bowie’s brief scene is packed with surreal intensity, as always. His portrayal added a haunting, even other-dimensional energy to the film and became an integral part of Twin Peaks lore.
6. ‘The Prestige’ (2006)
In Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, David Bowie played the real-life inventor Nikola Tesla with an enigmatic grace that elevated the entire film.
Even surrounded by a strong cast, including Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, Bowie managed to stand out. His choice to play the role with restraint rather than flamboyance added gravitas, and his presence gave the film a touch of the uncanny, just the right flavor for Nolan’s tale of obsession and illusion.
