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Moonage Daydream, filmmaker Brett Morgen’s highly anticipated documentary exploring rock legend David Bowie’s creative journey, hits theaters September 16. Featuring 40 remastered songs and never-before-seen footage provided by the Bowie estate, it offers a mind-bending trip through the artist’s 54-year career.
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But it’s far from the first time Bowie has appeared in a feature film. He was a talented actor who worked with prominent directors, including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and David Lynch, and played many real-life figures, such as Andy Warhol and Nikola Tesla. Scorsese, who cast Bowie as Pontius Pilate in his 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ, said of Bowie’s presence as an actor: “He was just a very disarming man with such power ... a kind of charismatic power, a beauty and extraordinary talent and genius at what he did.” As Bowie lights up the silver screen once again, here’s a look back at some of his best acting roles.
As an alien in The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
The role: In Bowie’s big-screen debut, the 28-year-old rock star brings his Ziggy Stardust persona to the role of a humanoid alien visiting Earth in order to save his home planet.
Best Bowie moment: After Bowie’s character shows one of his earthling friends his spaceship, the friend inquires about the strange newcomer’s origins: “Are you Lithuanian?” Bowie quips, “I come from England.”
Watch it: The Man Who Fell to Earth on Amazon Prime, YouTube
As a vampire’s lover in The Hunger (1983)
The role: In this erotic horror flick that’s become a cult classic, Bowie goes full goth as the cellist boyfriend of a vampire (Catherine Denueve) who finds himself part of a love triangle along with a young scientist (Susan Sarandon).
Best Bowie moment: The opening sequence features Bowie and Deneuve looking impossibly chic in sunglasses in a smoky nightclub, as they pick up a trendy couple so that Deneuve can feed on them.
Watch it: The Hunger on Amazon Prime, HBO Max
As a goblin king in Labyrinth (1986)
The role: In this zany musical fantasy directed by Jim Henson, Bowie plays the villain, a goblin king with a taste for outrageous wigs and bejeweled clothing who kidnaps the baby brother of the young protagonist, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly).
Best Bowie moment: After taking the baby, Bowie leads his fellow goblins (played by Muppets) in a romp through “Magic Dance” — one of the five songs he wrote and recorded for the film.
Watch it: Labyrinth on Amazon Prime
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