18 Actors Who Committed So Hard To Their Character’s Accent, They Immediately Became Way More Iconic Than The Movie Itself
Often when I’m watching TV shows and movies, I don’t think too much about characters’ accents. It’s just the way they speak, ya know? Most of the time, there’s not much to write home about.
But occasionally, an actor will perform an accent so unique that it instantly becomes memorable — for better, or for worse. Today, we’re gonna honour some of those accents! I’ve compiled my picks, but make sure you leave yours in the comments below.
1. I know everyone is still reeling over The White Lotus, so let me just say what we’re all thinking: Parker Posey’s Southern accent as Victoria Ratliff was so over-the-top, it quickly became a huge source of comedy while watching the show — and the rest of the cast seems to agree on that.
HBO / Via youtube.com
And I’m not the only one who thinks so — of course, people on the internet were quick to reminisce (and laugh) about it.
2. Speaking of funny accents, I’m not gonna let you forget about Catherine O’Hara’s accent in Schitt’s Creek. The voice perfectly captured Moira Rose’s snobbiness, and it’s just so hilariously distinct.
CBC / Everett Collection
I call it “Canadian posh.”
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3. I seriously imitate Professor Snape’s voice from Harry Potter on the daily. No exaggeration. Alan Rickman brought the character to life in the best way possible: by capturing Snape’s creepy yet condescending essence. And in doing so, he took an already-iconic character and made him even more memorable.
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
I never say “obviously” in my regular voice anymore. Always Snape.
4. And while we’re talking about Harry Potter, how can I forget about Imelda Staunton in Order of the Phoenix, AKA *the* Dolores Umbridge? There are many reasons I consider Umbridge the greatest villain ever, and her sickly-sweet voice is one of them.
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
Yes, you heard me right. Best. Villain. Ever.
5. More recently, Austin Butler’s authentic accent in the Elvis biopic caused a huge stir — not just because it was a scarily good accent, but also because it, like, permanently changed Austin’s voice. You might call it cringy, but I call it COMMITMENT.
Warner Bros. / Everett Collection
Like, he still sounded like Elvis YEARS AFTER the movie finished filming. Method acting taken to a whole new level.
6. On the subject of biopics, I’m not letting anyone forget about Rami Malek’s Freddie Mercury impression in the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody. As a Queen fan myself, I was FLOORED — he not only looked and acted like Freddie, but he also sounded just like him.
Nick Delaney / 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
His Oscar was well-deserved. Jussayin’.
7. I could dedicate a whole section of this list to Andrew Garfield — specifically, his American accent in Spider-Man, The Social Network…and pretty much every single other movie he’s been in. I constantly forget he’s British, and that’s a testament to how INCREDIBLE of an actor he is. As if we weren’t all in love with him already, there’s another reason for ya.
Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection
In 2024, he revealed that the film We Live in Time was the first time he used his real British accent on-screen.
8. On the more controversial side, everyone’s got an opinion on Dick Van Dyke’s accent in in Mary Poppins. His British cockney imitation is frequently mocked for being, well, not super on-point. He himself said “it was the worst cockney accent ever done.” That’s infamy if I’ve ever seen it.
Disney / Everett Collection
I mean, props to him for being self-aware.
9. Bridget Jones wouldn’t be Bridget Jones without her authentic British accent — but I bet a large portion of people don’t realize that’s not Renée Zellweger’s real accent. She’s actually, like, totally American. Renée’s posh British accent set the bar suuuuuper high for other actors (and, you know, everyday folks who enjoy doing a British accent).
Universal / Everett Collection
It’s also worth mentioning that she kept the accent going over the course of several movies. And decades.
10. Benoit Blanc in Knives Out, played by Daniel Craig, had such a captivating voice that got us all talking (and smiling). It’s a classic southern accent, with a one-of-a-kind twist. It’s funny to think Daniel was “terrified” to perform it after working for months on the accent, because he ended up totally knocking it out of the park.
Lionsgate / Everett Collection
Yes, you heard me right — he worked on it for MONTHS. Again, commitment!
11. I think society kinda glosses over the Austin Powers movies — but guys, they’re extremely iconic. And Mike Myers’ exaggerated British accent as Austin is a massive part of that. His voice truly MADE the character, and I’m convinced the movies wouldn’t be nearly as funny without that classic voice.
New Line Cinema / Everett Collection
Low-key, I always forget Mike Myers played both Austin Powers AND Shrek. Like…THAT’S TALENT.
12. Heath Ledger’s country accent in Brokeback Mountain was so believable, it definitely made us all forget he’s Australian for a second. And I also can’t forget about his Joker accent in The Dark Knight, which changed lives (yes, including mine).
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
That’s my Joker!!!
13. Speaking of Australians, Margot Robbie’s Brooklyn accent in The Wolf of Wall Street brought me straight to the streets of New York City. This is another one that totally made me forget she’s actually Australian! Never mind her in Barbie…the girl’s got RANGE.
Paramount / Everett Collection
This might be the annoying North American in me talking, but I truly have no idea how these non-American actors do it.
14. I’m a big Keanu Reeves fan, but I had to mention his role as Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker’s Dracula — his British accent in this movie has become infamous for being “awful” (sorry, Keanu!!!). But TBH, regardless, it stirs up a lot of discussion.
Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection
Luckily, he’s got a chance to redeem himself in the new Dracula movie that comes out this year. But this time, he’s actually playing Dracula himself.
15. Get Out is one of my favourite movies of all time, but I gotta confess something: until this very moment, I didn’t know that Daniel Kaluuya, who plays Chris in the movie, was British. His New York accent is just SOOOO convincing. It’s kinda mind-boggling hearing his regular voice after watching Get Out.
Universal / Everett Collection
Now I gotta rewatch this movie.
16. Don Cheadle’s accent in Ocean’s Eleven is more infamous than anything — because we all agree it’s definitely, uh, not cockney like it was intended. This one has so much lore that he tried to cover it up with a funny backstory: “Now I can say ‘he was an American doing a British accent — you guys missed that?'”
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
Over time, this one has just become hilarious to fans. So it’s all good.
17. Steve Carell’s voice as Gru in Despicable Me is genuinely marvelous and truly unparalleled. That voice lives in my heart forever. I know we’re all massive fans of Michael Scott, but brace yourself for this unpopular opinion: Gru is Steve’s magnum opus, and that’s because of the voice.
Universal / Everett Collection
18. And within the kids’ movie universe, every single person loves Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien in Madagascar — largely because his accent is so hilariously over-the-top. Fun fact: the character turned out to be a much bigger role than was initially intended. Why? Because Sacha was just SO. FREAKIN’. FUNNY.
Paramount / Everett Collection
All hail Sacha Baron Cohen…I mean King Julien.
