Top 10 Best Kathryn Hahn Moments

Mere seconds into an interview with Craig Ferguson in 2010, Hahn laughed so hard at one of her own jokes she let out a very audible snort. First of all, the amount of self-confidence it takes to laugh like that at her own joke is enviable, and second of all, this is a total moment of triumph for anyone who snorts when they laugh! Hahn mentions she’s a little worried the laugh won’t be as cute when she’s older, but quickly brushes off that thought with just a little reassurance from Ferguson. This is also a prime example of one of our other favorite Hahn-isms: her tendency to put her head down in her arms when laughing during an interview.

Any fan of Spider-Man, and superheroes in general, has known about the evil villain Doctor Octopus — or, Doc Ock — for many years now. For “Into the Spider-Verse”, Hahn treated us to a new look for the villain, never seen before on the big screen, when she played the female Doctor Olivia Octavious. Her mad scientist vocal performance is simultaneously perfect for the character, and unmistakably Hahn, which is a testament to her underrated abilities as a voice actor. It must have been daunting for her to take on such a classic, well-loved character, but she certainly pulled it off with her signature charm and style.

In one of her earliest major roles, Hahn played the best friend of Kate Hudson in this classic rom-com. This kicked off a trend in her early career where she often played the “funny best friend” character in romantic comedies. Her performance in this film is totally underrated, and she’s definitely one of the best in the cast. During this time of her career, we were all dying to see her in a starring role, but it’s still fun to see her in any of these roles when we re-watch some of our favorite movies. They wouldn’t be the same without Kathryn Hahn’s support, and she totally deserves all the recognition she’s gotten since this time in her career.

In a 2019 interview with Jimmy Fallon, Hahn gave some of the earliest teasers about her role in “WandaVision,” but, surprisingly that’s not what makes this interview so notable. She professes her totally relatable love of Lizzo’s music, especially for some karaoke in the car, and Fallon surprises her with a chance to perform right then and there. It takes a second or two for her to find her rhythm, but she quickly gets so into it, and is clearly feeling that iconic Lizzo energy. Her confidently goofy dancing and her overall attitude in this short performance are seriously contagious, and it certainly made people excited to see what her “nosy neighbor” role was all about.

Hahn’s performance as Rabbi Raquel Fein in “Transparent” earned her her first and, as of early 2021, only Emmy nomination. While we definitely think her many acting credits deserve more recognition, it’s also clear to see why this one in particular stands out. As someone who was raised Catholic but playing a Jewish rabbi, she had to put in a lot of work to prepare for the role. She dedicated a lot of time to learning about Judaism, and spoke extensively to real life Rabbi Susan Goldberg. Her hard work certainly paid off, as the performance feels truly authentic, which gave her that much-deserved Emmy attention.

In this series full of hilarious and larger-than-life characters, it’s hard to believe the amount of unforgettable guest stars who appeared for just a few episodes, including Kathryn Hahn as political strategist Jennifer Barkley. Though she was working against the goals of everyone’s favorite protagonist Leslie Knope, her confident and driven attitude had us all secretly rooting for her... and hoping she’d stay on the show as long as possible. She was the perfect foil to Leslie, and hilarious alongside Bobby Newport, and it was always a welcome surprise to see her return in later seasons of the series.

This miniseries is as much of a coming-of-age story for Kathryn Hahn’s character Eve Fletcher as it is for her college freshman son, and it’s incredibly different from most roles Hahn played previously. Her portrayal of Eve, a quiet, passive divorcée exploring her sexuality for the first time during a midlife crisis, is a far cry from the loud, bold comedic characters Hahn is typically cast as. This break from her usual style is incredibly compelling to watch, and really demonstrates that Hahn is capable of much more than being relegated to the “funny best friend”. Her performance is complex, funny, and critically-acclaimed, and the show as a whole is criminally underrated.

Kathryn Hahn was absolutely perfect for the role of Carla Dunker, a single mom and Brazilian wax specialist who encompasses so many of the things we love about Hahn herself. She helps teach fellow moms Amy and Kiki how to let loose and learn to enjoy themselves, without feeling like they have to solve everyone’s problems. Of course Carla is far from a perfect mother, but she gradually becomes more responsible, without sacrificing any of her fun-loving qualities. Overall, in both this movie and its holiday-themed sequel, Kathryn Hahn’s character has some of the most hilariously memorable lines and scenes, despite it never once feeling like she’s upstaging her equally talented costars.

In one of her earlier roles, Hahn plays Alice Huff, the unhappy wife of Derek Huff, played by Adam Scott. Playing opposite comedy legends like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly must have been nerve-wracking, but she thrives in the role, and especially during her first scene. Derek leads the family in an a cappella rendition of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and berates Alice’s performance. Hahn’s totally unfazed expression throughout the entire song is hilarious and sets up her character’s miserable marriage so perfectly. In a cast full of comedy greats, Hahn really steps up to prove she’s equally as talented as anyone else.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Reacting to Her First TV Show
“GMA Day” (2018-)

Showcasing Her Dramatic Talents
“Private Life” (2018)

Dropping Her Husband
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-)

Guest-Starring as Documentary Filmmaker Katherine Lavoyt
“Girls” (2012-17)

Portraying Perky Grief Counselor Lily Lebowski
“Crossing Jordan” (2001-07)

After years of politely sharing the screen with so many big names, it was so satisfying to see Kathryn Hahn finally take her opportunity to steal the spotlight, especially on a series as big as “WandaVision.” She was an early standout as the mysterious “nosy neighbor” Agnes, who had millions of viewers speculating about her backstory, as each week revealed new information. When she was finally revealed as the villainous witch Agatha Harkness, with her very own theme song, “Agatha All Along”, she officially became one of the best characters on the show, and arguably one of the best villains in the entire MCU. It’s truly an excellent performance from Hahn, and it’s fantastic to see her finally getting the recognition and acclaim she deserves.