5 |
Charles Dance, The Golden Child |
Charles Dance, phoning it in and all the funnier for it. I love that Kanye West cites him (“My sweet brother Numpsay!”) in his song “Gone” on Late Registration.
4 |
David Bowie, Labyrinth |
One of the weirdest villains of the eighties and one of the weirdest songs, too. Nothing less is expected, David Bowie.
3 |
Steven Berkoff, Beverly Hills Cop |
It’s the law for Berkoff to appear in any list of top villains: Shakespearean, James Bond, you name it. He clocked up a good few in the eighties, including in Rambo First Blood Part II. But obviously this one’s my favorite.
2 |
Terence Stamp, Superman 2 |
“KNEEL BEFORE ZOD.” For his facial hair alone, Stamp comes zooming in at number two.
1 |
Alan Rickman, Die Hard |
No competition. Unbelievably, this was Rickman’s first film role, and with his debut, he became the überBrit villain (albeit playing a German). Unbettered by anyone until Rickman played the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.