Having studied at the Juilliard School, Kevin Kline has a strong background in theater, winning three Tony Awards. His film work ranges from comedy to thrillers to, of course, Shakespeare and musicals, and he was awarded his one Oscar for a hilarious performance in A Fish Called Wanda (1989). He’s appeared in many frock flick movies and TV shows, and I hope he’ll do more because he’s a delight to watch.
Nathan in Sophie’s Choice (1982)
The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
Photo by Bob Willoughby
Paden in Silverado (1985)
Hamlet in “Hamlet,” Great Performances (1990)
One of many filmed versions (usually shown on PBS) of theatrical performances.
Douglas Fairbanks in Chaplin (1992)
With Robert Downey Jr. as Chaplin.
Frixos in Princess Caraboo (1994)
Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
Set in the 1890s.
Then Bottom is turned into an ass!
Artemus Gordon / President Grant in Wild Wild West (1999)
As a U.S. Marshal.
Undercover in drag.
Then as the President.
Cole Porter in De-Lovely (2004)
Jaques in As You Like It (2006)
Cyrano de Bergerac in “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Great Performances (2008)
Another filmed performance. This photo might be from Broadway.
Edwin Stanton in The Conspirator (2010)
Errol Flynn in The Last of Robin Hood (2013)
Garry Essendine in “Present Laughter,” Great Performances (2017)
The Broadway performance was shown on PBS.
The Diary (post-production, 2022)
Kline has a role in this upcoming 1930s-set film being made by Jackie Chan.
What’s your favorite of Kevin Kline’s historical costume movie or TV roles?
He was THE BEST Pirate King. 🏴☠️
I just adored him in Pirates of Penzance! ‘Oh I am a Pirate King!’
Just rewatched French Kiss this weekend and remembered how much I love Kevin Kline – so many fun performances here, even some when the movie itself was lackluster (Wild Wild West – I loved him in it). Need to rewatch Chaplin!
Wild Wild West deserved so much more effort than it got – nevertheless, I did love him as Artemus Gordon. And his Bottom is an absolute heartbreaker – the pathos he brings out of the character is something I’d never seen before, and it’s LOVELY.
Pirates of Penzance. Rex Smith was supposed to be the teen heart throb, but we all loved Kevin.
He played Belle’s father in the live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” That’s fairly frock flicky.
I read once that he was supposed to play Peter Pan in “Hook,” but was stuck doing reshoots for “Soapdish” so Robin Williams took over.
He is such a talent!
Not a FF but if you love his comedy you must check out “I Love You To Death” with Tracy Ullman. Hillarious film!
Even in ‘meh’ movies, he’s excellent and often the best part of the show, (like Wild, Wild West). Love his Shakespeare roles and in A Fish…
I saw him in Joseph Papp’s Pirates of Penzance and the film truly didn’t do the casts brilliance justice. it was incredible. he’s phenomenal in EVERYTHING he does. even the horrific Wild Wild West.
He is always brilliant. Of the choices here, my fave role is as Garry Essendine in Present Laughter. But I also loved him as Cyrano. He was truly creepy in The Last Days of Errol Flynn (and that was in keeping with the nature of the story and the casting).
He’s the best Pirate King–so physical and holding those notes for an impossibly long time, while being utterly hilarious. And his Nick Bottom, as the dreamy boulevardier–so poignant and sweet!