Top 50 Scenes Where Actors Couldn't Keep a Straight Face
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VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
The writers don't just make the audience laugh! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down scenes from movies and TV shows where actors couldn't help but grin, making it onto the screen if only for a fleeting second. Our countdown includes scenes from “Monty Python's Life of Brian”, “The Carol Burnett Show”, “Fast & Furious 6” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down scenes from movies and TV shows where actors couldn’t help but grin, making it onto the screen if only for a fleeting second. Are there any other breaks we missed? Let us know in the comments!
#50: Breaking Bateman
“Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2013-19)
In a family full of dysfunctional members, Michael Bluth is the son who has no choice but to keep them all together. As the resident straight man, Jason Bateman had to keep himself together in the presence of such colorful characters. In Tobias’ case, the color is blue. You don’t need to be a therapist to see why Tobias’ marriage to Lindsay is a failure. Tobias doesn’t think Michael is one to judge, however. After all, his wife isn’t even alive. It’s one of the most insensitive things Tobias has ever said, which is saying a lot. Bateman does what he can to maintain a blank stare, but the line and delivery prove so jarring that a grin begins to crack.
#49: Shawn Used to Be Cool
“The Good Place” (2016-20)
Nobody plays a stick-in-the-mud better than Marc Evan Jackson, and Shawn may be the afterlife’s muddiest stick. From the get-go, Shawn is hellbent on keeping our heroes in the Bad Place for an eternity of torture. Shawn remains a roadblock well into the final season, making it all the more baffling when Manny Jacinto’s Jason claims he used to be cool. Jameela Jamil’s Tahani seemingly makes a facepalm gesture, but in reality, this was likely to restrain another burst of laughter. This line required multiple takes as it repeatedly broke the cast. According to creator Michael Schur, they spent “three and a half minutes” getting the giggles out. During one take, Ted Danson broke before even hearing the line, anticipating Jacinto’s delivery.
#48: Elevator
“The Umbrella Academy” (2019)
An elevator is among both the worst and funniest places to let one rip. This is reflected in “The Umbrella Academy” as the siblings cram into an elevator to meet their father. Tom Hopper’s Luther is so nervous that he unleashes a silent yet potent fart. Luther’s siblings react in a relatably grossed-out manner… except one. David Castañeda’s Diego lowers his head, making little attempt to hide his childish grin. While most of the cast singled this scene out as the funniest to shoot, Castañeda is the only actor who couldn’t get through it without laughing. The take in the final episode was apparently the best. Considering that Diego’s alias is Number Two, it makes sense he’d be the most vulnerable to flatulence humor.
#47: Driving Instructor
“The Jamie Foxx Show” (1996-2001)
Traffic school would surely be a lot more fun if Mr. Cooper were the instructor. Unfortunately for Jamie, he gets stuck with Sergeant Easy, another Mark Curry character. Sergeant Easy is anything but easygoing, running his class with the intensity and uniform of a drill sergeant. Every student in the room, especially Jamie Foxx, noticeably hides their internal chuckles behind expressions of terror. A particular moment pushes everybody in Curry’s vicinity over the edge. Charging to the front of the class to confront a student, Curry slips before pulling himself up on the desk. While Curry stays in character, Foxx and several extras turn their heads, consumed by laughter. Sergeant Easy breaks his students. Just not in the way he intended.
#46: Dog Interrogation
“Martin” (1992-97)
Few sitcom ensembles are more infamous for breaking than the cast of “Martin.” A standout example finds Martin interrogating his friends (“New Jack City” style), believing one of them stole his CD Walkman. Did we mention this aired in 1994? Looking to make the guilty party talk, Martin sicks his watchdog on them. Since Martin doesn’t have an actual dog, though, he resorts to hurling around a stuffed one. Martin’s friends are more annoyed than they are intimidated, although at least one of them finds this amusing. Thomas Mikal Ford isn’t prepared as Martin strolls around the table with the dog, spontaneously barking. The most Ford can do to contain himself is not make eye contact with Martin. Even then, there’s no use in hiding.
#45: ESPN
“Mean Girls” (2004)
Whether you’ve seen “Mean Girls” countless times or just once back in 2004, Amanda Seyfried’s ESPN line has taken on a life of its own in pop culture. As quotable as this moment is, people tend to miss a swift yet significant break on Lindsay Lohan’s behalf. After Karen mistakes ESPN for ESP, she tells Cady about her fifth sense. As Seyfried talks about her prognostic breasts, a grin takes over Lohan’s elated face. Cutting to the next shot, Caddy suddenly goes from smiling to looking at Karen in confusion. Maybe it’s because the audience is more focused on Seyfried, but you’d think more people would pick up on this inconsistency considering how many times they’ve rewatched the film.
#44: Frozen Grandparents
“Weird Science” (1985)
Chet is one of those jerky older brothers who we want to hate, but simply can’t. The actors seem to share that sentiment, as Bill Paxton is among the few who doesn’t break in this scene. Chet returns home to find a snowstorm in his room, a Pershing missile, and his grandparents catatonic in the closet. Grandma and Grandpa might not flinch, although pretty much every teenager in the room does, most notably Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith. In the story’s context, you could argue that they’re laughing about how obliviously stupid Chet is, but we all know their reactions are legit. Even when Chet gives his young brother a painful wedgie, Paxton is only hurting Mitchell-Smith with laughter.
#43: RIP Livia
“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)
Livia Soprano wasn’t the most pleasant person in life. As Livia’s family gathers following her funeral, the emotions in the air are mixed at best. Janice attempts to honor her mother by playing her favorite song, “If I Loved You” from “Carousel.” Michael Imperioli recalled the cast dying with laughter when the show tune played. In the final take, some actors stay uncomfortably composed, but not everyone gets through the scene laugh-free. Drea de Matteo is the most prominent offender, although to be fair, Adriana got high with Christopher before the wake. So, maybe that’s why she’s covering up a smile. In a way, Imperioli found laughter to be a fitting tribute to Livia and actress Nancy Marchand because it showed quote “she was so beloved.”
#42: The Necklace
“Pretty Woman” (1990)
“Pretty Woman” has been cited as the film that turned Julia Roberts into America’s sweetheart. If we had to pinpoint a specific moment that Roberts earned this title, it would be when Edward snaps a jewelry box on Vivian’s hand, resulting in an infectious laugh. It’s the sort of reaction that can’t be bought or preplanned. Since Roberts was showing up to the set in the mornings looking sleepy, director Garry Marshall suggested that Richard Gere slam the box shut to provide a jolt of energy. The box was soft and wouldn’t hurt. Although it was merely intended as a practical joke, Roberts’ moment of shock and the ensuing unscripted laugh proved too irresistible to leave on the cutting room floor.
#41: “Close Encounter”
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
If there’s one “SNL” host we love to watch break, it’s Ryan Gosling. Breaking has been a staple of Gosling-centric sketches since his first “Close Encounter.” Gosling, Cecily Strong, and Kate McKinnon play a trio who make contact with aliens. Where Gosling and Strong are both in awe, McKinnon’s Miss Rafferty makes her abduction sound like an intergalactic dumpster fire. Bobby Moynihan and Aidy Bryant have a hard time staying in character as NSA agents, but Gosling is overcome with the most severe case of the sillies. Every time Gosling has returned for a “Close Encounter” sketch, McKinnon has seemingly gone out of her way to break him. At this point, it’s about as planned as unplanned laughter can get on live TV.
#40: Stuttering Lawyer
“My Cousin Vinny” (1992)
“My Cousin Vinny” is perfectly cast across the board, a standout being Austin Pendleton as a stuttering public defender named John Gibbons. Possessing a real stutter, Pendleton was a friend of director Jonathan Lynn. Although Lynn knew the role was tailor-made for Pendleton, he underestimated just how funny the scene would be. Lynn usually sat by the camera. For Pendleton’s big scene, Lynn had to hide behind the camera to conceal his laughter. The actors obviously couldn’t do the same. Although hidden in the background, Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, and Mitchell Whitfield can be spotted covering their giggling faces. Whitfield confessed in an interview, “When he’s stuttering, and my shoulders are going up and down like I’m crying, I was laughing. I couldn’t help it.”
#39: Wash-&Wear
“The Proposal” (2009)
“The Proposal” reminded audiences what an invaluable comedic talent Sandra Bullock is. The rom-com was also a showcase for Oscar Nunez, who practically steals the show as Ramone. If the blooper reel is any indication, Bullock probably broke the most throughout shooting. One of her breaks even made it into the finished film with Nunez on the receiving end. Ramone won’t take no for an answer while trying to serve Bullock’s Margaret an appetizer, shoving it into her mouth. Margaret chews the fishy hors d’oeuvre for several uncomfortable seconds before spitting it on Ramone. Covering her mouth with a napkin, Margaret appears to be holding in her disgust. Based on Bullock’s smile, though, she was clearly holding in her laughter as Nunez improvised this line: “It’s wash-and-wear.”
#38: An Eye for Comedy
“Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-20)
The Season 8 premiere of “Will & Grace” kicked off with a live episode, which the cast performed twice for both coasts. Although much of the cast had done stage protections before, preserving a straight face on live television wasn’t any less challenging. Debra Messing and Sean Hayes snicker the most throughout a conversation about cheating. The two go in and out of character leading up to the film’s big reveal: one of Jack’s eyebrows was burnt off. Messing tries to put on a horrified face while Hayes attempts to stay solemn. However, a chuckle fest is erupting within both of them. The laughter inevitably breaks free, although Messing is at least able to cover her mouth in hysterical horror.
#37: Toe in a Bottle
“Life” (1999)
There’s nothing funny about being wrongfully incarcerated, but when Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are among the prisoners, there are bound to be more laughs than anticipated. This scene demonstrates the commitment of both actors, as they not only have to wear heavy makeup, but they have to do so while standing barefoot on boxes of bottles. Both stay reserved until Lawrence’s toe accidentally slips into a bottle, causing him to crack. Lawrence’s laughter proves infectious, getting to Murphy. Yet, both still carry on with the scene, which is made all the more impressive given their uncomfortable circumstances. This slipup works well within the context of the movie, bringing levity to Ray and Claude’s reconciliation after not speaking to each other for several years.
#36: This Impression is Out of Order
“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
Simon Helberg is best known for playing Howard Wolowitz, but he possesses great range as an actor. His talents are reflected through this “Big Bang Theory” episode where he impersonates several household names, including Al Pacino. In a blooper, Helberg gets about halfway through his “...And Justice For All” parody before losing it. Helberg would get through the scene for the finished take, although his co-stars showed no restraint. You can tell that the cast is genuinely cracking up over Helberg’s spot-on impression. Kaley Cuoco most notably is seen turning her head to the side, seemingly addressing the crew off-camera as she laughs. For a moment, this is essentially Helberg’s one-man show and the rest of the cast are part of the audience.
#35: Morons
“Blazing Saddles” (1974)
For all of its over-the-top moments, “Blazing Saddles” does delve into the harsh reality of racism. For Mel Brooks, the most effective way to combat prejudice has always been to make ‘em laugh. After Sheriff Bart is discriminated against, Jim attempts to cheer his friend up by epitomizing the townsfolk in one word. Actor Cleavon Little wasn’t prepared for Gene Wilder’s “morons” punchline, resulting in a sincere reaction. Having just heard one of the ugliest words in the English language, Bart and the audience needed something to raise morale. Wilder’s line does the trick, but it’s Little’s smile that brings a much-needed human element to the scene. It goes to show that even at his lowest point, Bart’s spirit is still blazing.
#34: The Great Herring War
“The Golden Girls” (1985-92)
As the girls contemplate whether to continue living together, Rose unintentionally unites them with her nonsensical tall tale of the Great Herring War. It’s been rumored that Betty White improvised Rose’s story, although script supervisor Isabel Omero would debunk this. Everything about the scene was scripted, including Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan’s laughter. Although the script called for them to crack up at certain lines, many fans still argue just how much of the laughter was genuine. As Arthur and McClanahan hide their faces, it feels less like scripted laughter and more like the real deal. Maybe Arthur and McClanahan were just that convincing, or maybe this shows the lighthearted side of method acting. Either way, White is the only one with a straight face.
#33: Pink in the Face
“The Return of the Pink Panther” (1975)
Peter Sellers, like Jacques Clouseau, was an unpredictable screen presence. Even if you knew that an over-the-top antic was coming, that didn’t make the execution any less hilarious. For Catherine Schell, it was hard getting through the fourth “Pink Panther” film without snickering at Sellers’ hijinks. Even before Jacques introduces himself to Lady Claudine, Schell can’t suppress her natural instinct to laugh. At times, Schell’s constant smiling works well enough given the scene’s flirtatious nature. On multiple occasions, though, Schell hides her laughter behind her hand or a glass. Other times, the filmmakers make no attempt to cover the laughter, just letting it slide. Perhaps they could’ve done more takes, but then the scene would’ve been robbed of its spontaneity.
#32: Sitting on the Toilet
“Ocean’s Twelve” (2004)
“Ocean’s Twelve” is nobody’s favorite entry in the heist series, but we do get a memorable line here and there. A highlight comes when Elliott Gould’s Reuben is banging on Frank’s bathroom door. Scott Caan’s Turk points out how rude Reuben is being given Frank’s awkward position. Reuben responds by painting Turk a disgusting portrait of what’s going to happen to his feet if he doesn’t get to the toilet soon. Before Gould is even done delivering the line, Caan turns away with a grin on his face. Rather than try to conceal this, the camera follows Caan as he walks off to the side with his head turned. While the line itself is gold, Caan’s reaction was seemingly too priceless to tiptoe around.
#31: Food Poisoning
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Sometimes, it’s what you love most that results in one’s undoing. Such is the case with Ben Wyatt and calzones. The Italian delicacy gives Ben, Ron, and Chris food poisoning to the point that they can barely move around the room. As Ben struggles to dial the phone on the floor, Chris leans into the shot with his face taking up much of the frame. Despite being on full display, the expression on Chris’ face is often mistaken for agony. Upon further expression, though, it’s evident that actor Rob Lowe has a massive grin that he’s trying to pass off as pain. Perhaps Lowe was in pain during this scene, but it likely had more to do with his funny bone than a stomach bug.
#30: Principal’s Office
“This Is 40” (2012)
As well-written as Judd Apatow’s comedies are, the funniest moments are often the ones delivered on the spot. The most rewatchable scene in “This Is 40” finds Melissa McCarthy’s Catherine ripping into Pete, Debbie, and Principal Jill. As McCarthy ad-lips insult after insult, Leslie Mann barely wrangles the smile stretching across her face. Only a few reaction shots made it into the finished scene, as Mann and Paul Rudd both broke down during McCarthy’s stone-faced tirade. A longer version of the scene would be featured during the end credits where Mann and Rudd show no restraint. Even as the actors break down in tears, McCarthy just keeps going until she’s out of creative profanities. Only then does somebody say, “cut.”
#29: Strip Club
“That '70s Show” (1998-2006)
Here’s another scene where the cameras just kept rolling, despite practically everyone on set going to pieces. Escorting Donna and Jackie to a strip club, Kitty gets a little too freaky with the talent. Actress Debra Jo Rupp hadn’t fully rehearsed her enthusiastic dance, catching Mila Kunis off guard. Kunis was broken to the point that she threw herself to the side. Although only Kunis’ break made it into the episode, Laura Prepon, Luke Wilson, and the male stripper were all crumbling with the sillies. Rupp was the only one staying in character, waiting for someone off-stage to finally put the scene to rest. The question is who brings more energy to this scene: Kitty or the dedicated stripper doing one-armed pushups?
#28: The Cowardly Lion, Oh My
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
When the Cowardly Lion roars onto the screen, Dorothy and her friends are initially startled. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that the beast is about as ferocious as a domesticated kitten. Judy Garland is so unintimidated that she begins to break as the Lion trembles in tears. After Dorothy assures the Lion that he’s not bleeding, Garland takes a brief pause with a grin creeping up on her face. Garland does her best to mask the smile by lifting Toto up to her mouth. From there, Garland manages to shift back into character. Considering that an adult man in a lion suit was crying in front of her, it’s amazing that Garland got through this scene with only a minor hiccup.
#27: The Library Cop
“Seinfeld” (1989-98)
Jerry Seinfeld might be the most notorious breaker ever to headline a sitcom. On a good day, Seinfeld would get through a scene just grinning. In other cases, Seinfeld helplessly dissolved into giggles. According to Seinfeld, the hardest scene he ever had to shoot paired him with the late Philip Baker Hall as Lt. Bookman. Although Hall plays the character with the intensity of a “Law & Order” detective, Bookman is merely a library investigations officer. Bookman’s serious demeanor perfectly offsets Seinfeld’s silly persona. Seinfeld found the scenario so humorous that they had to do eight takes, stitching together any usable footage. Even in those clips, Seinfeld lets several smiles slip through as Bookman interrogates him with the conviction of a hardboiled Humphrey Bogart.
#26: Tight-Lipped Jim
“The Office” (2005-13)
Like Seinfeld, John Krasinski was infamous for breaking on “The Office” with Steve Carell usually at the root of his chuckles. Whenever an episode paired Michael and Jim, you could expect Krasinski to become silly puddy in Carell’s hands. The episode “The Secret” is one example. Michael strives to bond with Jim at the soda machine, having learned about his crush on Pam. Krasinski seems to get through the scene fine, but that’s only because of the editor. According to Jenna Fischer, Krasinski “could not stop laughing” throughout the scene. The editor could only do so much to hide another Krasinski break at the office supply station. As Angela Kinsey put it, “When [Krasinski] loses it, his whole body collapses. He just becomes a noodle.”
#25: Matt Foley
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
“SNL” has given us no shortage of classic breaks across its nearly 50-year history. Matt Foley provided the ultimate endurance test whenever he stormed into Studio 8H. The legendary Chris Farley donned the thick glasses and undersized jacket for the first time in 1993. Comedy history was made, as evidenced by the cast doing everything in their power not to laugh at Farley’s intense delivery and over-the-top gestures. David Spade and Christina Applegate are seemingly the sketch’s most prominent breakers, although Julia Sweeney was cracking up so much that the camera had to work around her. Sweeney recalls, “It was like I had the best seat in the house for the funniest friggin' thing that was happening on the planet.”
#24: Nip It!
“The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-68)
When you’re a seasoned comedy star like Don Knotts, how many times can it take to get a scene right? 5? 10 at most? Try about 20, specifically this scene from “Guest of Honor.” Barney Fife isn’t the most intimidating officer. He’s an even less threatening drill sergeant, but Barney isn’t messing around as he grills three new deputies. As authoritative as Barney comes off, Knotts was anything but disciplined on set. He couldn’t stop laughing thanks to Floyd Lawson, who continually got him with the line, “Nip it!” Knotts eventually eeked through the scene, but in the finished version, Griffith is seen covering his gaping grin. Maybe they could’ve done another take, but after a while, you’ve got to nip it in the bud.
#23: The Dentist
“The Carol Burnett Show” (1967-78)
Harvey Korman might’ve racked up the most breaks on “The Carol Burnett Show” with Tim Conway typically to blame. Conway once said, “My object was to find places in the sketch where I knew I could break up Harvey. I don’t think I ever missed.” Nowhere was this more apparent than in “The Dentist” sketch where Korman played Conway’s unsuspecting patient. Korman does his darndest to pass off his stifled laughter as physical pain. The longer the sketch goes on, though, the more cracks begin to surface. Korman wasn’t prepared for the Novocain portion of the sketch, which is where the hysterics completely take over. Conway claims that Korman was laughing so hard that he wet himself. And this was all done without Nitrous oxide.
#22: Biggus… Can We Still Say That on YouTube?
“Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979)
Michael Palin graduated from Oxford, was knighted by Prince William, and served as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He also uttered what might be the most hilariously juvenile name in cinema. Reflecting on “Life of Brian,” Palin said that the Pontius Pilate scene was the hardest to shoot “because it had to be structured around continuous suppressed laughter.” As legend goes, the soldiers were told to keep a straight face, but they were supposedly unprepared for the laugh riot that Palin was about to trigger. Palin gets through most of the scene with unbelievable composure, but even he can’t help himself upon coming face-to-face with Chris Langham. Palin’s smile isn’t as big as Langham’s, but the name finally gets to him.
#21: Grabbing the Bags
“Young Frankenstein” (1974)
Part of what makes Gene Wilder’s performance in “Young Frankenstein” so great is how seriously he approaches the role. As refined as Wilder can appear as Dr. Frankenstein, he broke so many times that it wasn’t uncommon for the crew to do around 15 takes before getting a scene right. The arrival of Madeline Kahn’s Elizabeth resulted in one of the funniest and most stressful shoots. The scene itself isn’t very long, but it would take up a good portion of the blooper reel. Wilder naturally broke the most frequently, which rubs off on Kahn, Teri Garr, and Marty Feldman. They eventually got a take that Mel Brooks was satisfied with. Even then, Wilder is visibly smiling as Igor bites and barks at Kahn.
#20: Son of a…
“Supernatural” (2005-20)
It may be a supernatural drama, but this series sometimes catches the audience off-guard with its sense of humor. Jared Padalecki was also caught off-guard when co-star Jensen Ackles delivered this inspired bit of improv. Just as Sam and Dean’s luck starts to turn around, they find that their winning tickets have been stolen by Bela. According to Padalecki, the scene was supposed to simply end with the brothers watching Bela drive off. Ackles decided to add a little something extra, however, unleashing an unscripted outburst. Although Padalecki does his best to hide his reaction, you can still spot him licking his lips and cracking a grin before turning his head away from the camera.
#19: The Most Annoying Sound in the World
“Dumb and Dumber” (1994)
Some of the best bits from “Dumb and Dumber” were improvised and this scene is perhaps the most ingenious. Stuck in the middle of Harry and Lloyd’s juvenile antics, henchman Mental tries to keep his hostile tendencies under control. Just as tension begins to dwindle down, Jim Carrey randomly segues into making the most annoying sound in the world. The camera cuts to Mental’s frustrated expression so quickly that most viewers miss Jeff Daniels biting his lips while trying to restrain his laughter. Clearly, he had no idea what was coming. The film’s trailer actually gives us a longer look at Daniels’ reaction as he slowly collects himself and gets in on the screaming match.
#18: Ice Cream
“The Ringer” (2005)
Arguably the funniest moment from this comedy was ad-libbed, which seems to be a reoccurring theme for this list. The film centers on a man who pretends to be mentally challenged in order to compete in the Special Olympics, and eventually befriends his fellow contenders. After the guys stay out past their curfew, the person responsible for them cooks up an excuse about getting ice cream. Glen blows their cover, though, when he lets out this hilarious line. The delivery is also pitch perfect, as Glen sounds genuinely confused and irritated over the lack of ice cream. It’s so hysterical that star Johnny Knoxville visually breaks out in laughter before the camera cuts back to Katherine Heigl.
#17: The Gang Loses It
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)
“It’s Always Sunny” has a plethora of priceless outtakes, but sometimes you can catch the cast breaking character in the final product. While there are too many instances to single out just one, creator and star Rob McElhenney is perhaps the most susceptible to cracking up. Co-star Charlie Day has also struggled to maintain a straight face on occasion, although he usually tries to hide his giggles from the camera. We especially love this scene where the gang drowns their sorrows huffing a jug of gasoline (don’t try this at home!) and Kaitlin Olson says the most childishly brilliant line imaginable: “pass the gas.” None of the actors are able to keep it together and we don’t blame them.
#16: Hello, Clarice
“The Cable Guy” (1996)
Jim Carrey strikes again on our countdown with yet another improvised scene. Weirdly enough, this moment also involves chicken! At a medieval restaurant, the Cable Guy sits down to a meal with his new best friend Steven. Since Steven isn’t going to eat his chicken skin, the Cable Guy seizes the opportunity to play with his food. Co-star Matthew Broderick is completely unprepared as Carrey drapes his face with the skin and reenacts a scene from “The Silence of the Lambs.” As is the case with much of the film, the audience isn’t sure whether to laugh or to be disturbed. It obviously tickled Broderick’s funny bone, however, as he can’t conceal his grin.
#15: I Hate the Colonel
“So I Married an Axe Murderer” (1993)
This black comedy isn’t one of Mike Myers’ more popular outings, but it does have a Scottish character who is basically a predecessor to Shrek and Fat Bastard. So whenever the film shifts the focus to Stuart MacKenzie, played by Myers in a dual role, the results are always comedic gold. Stuart is a loudmouth conspiracy nut who believes Colonel Sanders was part of an all-powerful secret organization that controls the world. He also insists that the Colonel sneaks an addictive chemical into his chicken. As Stuart goes off on this insane tirade, actor Anthony LaPaglia does his best to sip his beer and nod along, but just can’t hold back his ungovernable smirk.
#14: Leather Pants
“3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001)
Having spent several seasons on “SNL,” Jane Curtin knows how to keep her cool under the funniest of circumstances. Even she couldn’t stay composed in this priceless “3rd Rock from the Sun” scene, though. To complete his gorgeous new look, Dick squeezes himself into a pair of leather pants. The squeaking of the trousers is already enough to push Curtin to the verge of giggling. When John Lithgow gets up and starts walking around, Curtin can no longer keep her snickers under wraps. The moment proves so humorous that the camera cuts away as Curtin struggles to deliver her next line. Then as Lithgow exits the room, she totally gives in to the hilarity.
#13: Roman’s Forehead
“Fast & Furious 6” (2013)
The “Fast & Furious” movies might not have the most complex characters, but nobody can deny that the chemistry between the cast is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s always a blast watching these actors work off of each other, particularly in this scene. At a barbeque, Roman makes a crack out about the macho Hobbs requiring baby oil. Dwayne Johnson retaliates with an unscripted comeback about Roman’s large forehead. Where Tyrese Gibson manages to stay in character, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is unable to keep his drink down. We honestly never expected to see Ludacris do a spit take, but that’s exactly why this moment is such a happy accident.
#12: Super-Cops
“Beverly Hills Cop” (1984)
The success of his buddy cop comedy can largely be attributed to Eddie Murphy and his co-stars, who ad-libbed some of the film’s funniest lines. Apparently, numerous takes were ruined because the cast and crew couldn’t contain themselves. Murphy reportedly took his first sip of coffee ever before shooting this improvised scene. That would certainly explain why Axel Foley sounds so energized as he covers for Detectives Rosewood and Taggart. Foley crafts a phony story that paints his fellow officers as super-cops. Actor John Ashton begins to unravel after a while, pinching and lowering his face to keep his chuckles inside. Fortunately, he’s able to control his emotions enough to scarcely get through the scene.
#11: UFO Speech
“Easy Rider” (1969)
While filming the campfire scene in Easy Rider, it was reported that actor Dennis Hopper had attempted to get co-star Jack Nicholson stoned. It becomes evident that Hopper most likely accomplished his goal when, during George Hanson’s UFO speech, Nicholson suddenly bursts out into laughter. Although it looks as though they kept the cameras rolling, the scene actually continues on the next take. Considering the fact that Nicholson was reciting a seemingly absurd speech about aliens, we’ll give him a pass for not keeping a straight face.
#10: Hotel Bellboy
“Transylvania 6-5000” (1985)
Before his sitcom tenure, Michael Richards was playing the oddest oddballs you can imagine. In this Draculankenstein farce, Richards plays Fejos, a butler whose hijinks weird out hotel guests, but crack up actors. Richards improvised parts of his role, using puppets, banana peels, and other props of his own accord to get laughs out of his on-screen associates, especially Jeff Goldblum. Things aren’t always as they seem in Transylvania – so who’s really pulling whose leg?
#9: Meeting Frank the Pug
“Men in Black” (1997)
Starting off our list is a scene between two grown men and a pooch so cute you can’t help but smile. In this classic sci-fi comedy, agents K and J, played by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones respectively, meet Frank, an alien informant disguised as a pug. While interrogating Frank, who is in fact played by a real, trained, adorable dog named Mushu, Jones becomes self-aware, and cracks a big one. It’s a cinematic moment that proves even the most veteran actors can’t hold themselves together when they’re talking to a dog.
#8: Warming Up
“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” (2013)
In the first scene of Ron Burgundy’s second big-screen feature, a newscaster husband and wife team, played by Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate, practice their diction and scales before delivering the night’s top stories. Meanwhile, Ferrell takes comedy to the next level – and octave. While trying to warm up, Applegate gets helplessly distracted by Ferrell’s uproarious preparation methods and cracks a few smiles between her Oohs and Corningstones. Believe it or not, this was the most serious take they got.
#7: The Waxing
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)
In an effort to be more attractive to the ladies, Steve Carell goes for a chest-waxing at his friends’ suggestion. For this scene, Carell volunteered to actually have his bear-chest bare-waxed, ignorant of how insanely painful it would be. By his natural reaction to scream out whatever random thought entered his mind, we can tell: it hurt a lot. His co-worker buddies, played by Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Romany Malco, as well as the waxing lady, forego their directions to pity him, and instead laugh at his agony.
#6: Toilet Humor
“American Pie” (1999)
High school senior Finch, played by Eddie Kaye Thomas, has a crippling fear of going number two on school grounds. His rival, Stifler, pranks him by slipping an ungodly amount of laxatives into his mochaccino. You can see where this is going. In this paragon of toilet humor, Finch spends the next few minutes soiling his own reputation, as everyone can hear his moans and groans from outside. Towards the end, Thomas slips out of character, acknowledging the scene’s absurdity, and gives us a small, knowing smirk.
#5: The Younglings
“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
In any given film, not every written line is perfect. That rule goes for “Episode III” of the “Star Wars” trilogy, in which Anakin Skywalker breaks bad and becomes Darth Vader. Ewan McGregor, who plays Anakin’s once mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, gets the honor of delivering one such imperfect line, informing Padme of Anakin’s descent into darkness. McGregor takes a moment to finish the awkward, melodramatic line, and covers his mouth as if to keep from smiling. Hey, whatever gets us to the next fight scene.
#4: Dr. Strangelove’s Out of Contorl Arm
“Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
There are mad scientists who can’t control their arms, and then there are actors who can’t control their expressions. During one of the funniest scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War satire, former Nazi scientist Dr. Strangelove, played by a brilliant Peter Sellers, struggles to manage a right arm that still compulsively “heils” his Fuhrer. Standing right behind him is Peter Bull, who drops a nice, big grin, as Seller’s farcical performance might cause anyone to do.
#3: Ross Plays the Bagpipes
“Friends” (1994-2004)
David Schwimmer is known for some hilarious antics as Ross on the sitcom, “Friends.” In this classic bit, he whips out his bagpipe and plays his best rendition of “Celebration.” Schwimmer’s novice playing is supposed to make his friends uncomfortable, but as Lisa Kudrow joins him with what she believes are the lyrics, Jennifer Aniston gives up and hides her amusement behind her hands. As shown by the outtakes, it was a miracle to get any of the Friends to keep a straight face in this scene.
#2: Lineup
“The Usual Suspects” (1995)
Coming in at the top spot are five criminals having a blast in police custody. In this classic crime mystery, the “usual suspects” are lined up and asked to read a line, then crack up at Stephen Baldwin and Benicio del Toro’s mocking interpretations, and especially del Toro's uncontrollable bout of flatulence. Scripted as a serious scene, director Bryan Singer spent a whole day filming the lineup, becoming frustrated when the actors continually lost self-control. Eventually, he scrapped his original plan and used the funniest takes instead. We couldn’t be happier that he did.
#1: She Used to Fart in Her Sleep
“Good Will Hunting” (1997)
Even in dramatic roles, Robin Williams couldn’t hold himself back from seizing an opportunity for hilarious improvisation. During a short respite in this scene between Williams, playing a therapist, and Matt Damon as his stubborn patient, Williams catches Damon completely off guard with an inventive anecdote about romance and flatulence. The scene is a standout of organic and revealing laughter by two actors in modern cinema that only an actor like Robin Williams could bring about. Yes, “organic and revealing” is referring to Damon’s pig squeal.
#50: Breaking Bateman
“Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2013-19)
In a family full of dysfunctional members, Michael Bluth is the son who has no choice but to keep them all together. As the resident straight man, Jason Bateman had to keep himself together in the presence of such colorful characters. In Tobias’ case, the color is blue. You don’t need to be a therapist to see why Tobias’ marriage to Lindsay is a failure. Tobias doesn’t think Michael is one to judge, however. After all, his wife isn’t even alive. It’s one of the most insensitive things Tobias has ever said, which is saying a lot. Bateman does what he can to maintain a blank stare, but the line and delivery prove so jarring that a grin begins to crack.
#49: Shawn Used to Be Cool
“The Good Place” (2016-20)
Nobody plays a stick-in-the-mud better than Marc Evan Jackson, and Shawn may be the afterlife’s muddiest stick. From the get-go, Shawn is hellbent on keeping our heroes in the Bad Place for an eternity of torture. Shawn remains a roadblock well into the final season, making it all the more baffling when Manny Jacinto’s Jason claims he used to be cool. Jameela Jamil’s Tahani seemingly makes a facepalm gesture, but in reality, this was likely to restrain another burst of laughter. This line required multiple takes as it repeatedly broke the cast. According to creator Michael Schur, they spent “three and a half minutes” getting the giggles out. During one take, Ted Danson broke before even hearing the line, anticipating Jacinto’s delivery.
#48: Elevator
“The Umbrella Academy” (2019)
An elevator is among both the worst and funniest places to let one rip. This is reflected in “The Umbrella Academy” as the siblings cram into an elevator to meet their father. Tom Hopper’s Luther is so nervous that he unleashes a silent yet potent fart. Luther’s siblings react in a relatably grossed-out manner… except one. David Castañeda’s Diego lowers his head, making little attempt to hide his childish grin. While most of the cast singled this scene out as the funniest to shoot, Castañeda is the only actor who couldn’t get through it without laughing. The take in the final episode was apparently the best. Considering that Diego’s alias is Number Two, it makes sense he’d be the most vulnerable to flatulence humor.
#47: Driving Instructor
“The Jamie Foxx Show” (1996-2001)
Traffic school would surely be a lot more fun if Mr. Cooper were the instructor. Unfortunately for Jamie, he gets stuck with Sergeant Easy, another Mark Curry character. Sergeant Easy is anything but easygoing, running his class with the intensity and uniform of a drill sergeant. Every student in the room, especially Jamie Foxx, noticeably hides their internal chuckles behind expressions of terror. A particular moment pushes everybody in Curry’s vicinity over the edge. Charging to the front of the class to confront a student, Curry slips before pulling himself up on the desk. While Curry stays in character, Foxx and several extras turn their heads, consumed by laughter. Sergeant Easy breaks his students. Just not in the way he intended.
#46: Dog Interrogation
“Martin” (1992-97)
Few sitcom ensembles are more infamous for breaking than the cast of “Martin.” A standout example finds Martin interrogating his friends (“New Jack City” style), believing one of them stole his CD Walkman. Did we mention this aired in 1994? Looking to make the guilty party talk, Martin sicks his watchdog on them. Since Martin doesn’t have an actual dog, though, he resorts to hurling around a stuffed one. Martin’s friends are more annoyed than they are intimidated, although at least one of them finds this amusing. Thomas Mikal Ford isn’t prepared as Martin strolls around the table with the dog, spontaneously barking. The most Ford can do to contain himself is not make eye contact with Martin. Even then, there’s no use in hiding.
#45: ESPN
“Mean Girls” (2004)
Whether you’ve seen “Mean Girls” countless times or just once back in 2004, Amanda Seyfried’s ESPN line has taken on a life of its own in pop culture. As quotable as this moment is, people tend to miss a swift yet significant break on Lindsay Lohan’s behalf. After Karen mistakes ESPN for ESP, she tells Cady about her fifth sense. As Seyfried talks about her prognostic breasts, a grin takes over Lohan’s elated face. Cutting to the next shot, Caddy suddenly goes from smiling to looking at Karen in confusion. Maybe it’s because the audience is more focused on Seyfried, but you’d think more people would pick up on this inconsistency considering how many times they’ve rewatched the film.
#44: Frozen Grandparents
“Weird Science” (1985)
Chet is one of those jerky older brothers who we want to hate, but simply can’t. The actors seem to share that sentiment, as Bill Paxton is among the few who doesn’t break in this scene. Chet returns home to find a snowstorm in his room, a Pershing missile, and his grandparents catatonic in the closet. Grandma and Grandpa might not flinch, although pretty much every teenager in the room does, most notably Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith. In the story’s context, you could argue that they’re laughing about how obliviously stupid Chet is, but we all know their reactions are legit. Even when Chet gives his young brother a painful wedgie, Paxton is only hurting Mitchell-Smith with laughter.
#43: RIP Livia
“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)
Livia Soprano wasn’t the most pleasant person in life. As Livia’s family gathers following her funeral, the emotions in the air are mixed at best. Janice attempts to honor her mother by playing her favorite song, “If I Loved You” from “Carousel.” Michael Imperioli recalled the cast dying with laughter when the show tune played. In the final take, some actors stay uncomfortably composed, but not everyone gets through the scene laugh-free. Drea de Matteo is the most prominent offender, although to be fair, Adriana got high with Christopher before the wake. So, maybe that’s why she’s covering up a smile. In a way, Imperioli found laughter to be a fitting tribute to Livia and actress Nancy Marchand because it showed quote “she was so beloved.”
#42: The Necklace
“Pretty Woman” (1990)
“Pretty Woman” has been cited as the film that turned Julia Roberts into America’s sweetheart. If we had to pinpoint a specific moment that Roberts earned this title, it would be when Edward snaps a jewelry box on Vivian’s hand, resulting in an infectious laugh. It’s the sort of reaction that can’t be bought or preplanned. Since Roberts was showing up to the set in the mornings looking sleepy, director Garry Marshall suggested that Richard Gere slam the box shut to provide a jolt of energy. The box was soft and wouldn’t hurt. Although it was merely intended as a practical joke, Roberts’ moment of shock and the ensuing unscripted laugh proved too irresistible to leave on the cutting room floor.
#41: “Close Encounter”
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
If there’s one “SNL” host we love to watch break, it’s Ryan Gosling. Breaking has been a staple of Gosling-centric sketches since his first “Close Encounter.” Gosling, Cecily Strong, and Kate McKinnon play a trio who make contact with aliens. Where Gosling and Strong are both in awe, McKinnon’s Miss Rafferty makes her abduction sound like an intergalactic dumpster fire. Bobby Moynihan and Aidy Bryant have a hard time staying in character as NSA agents, but Gosling is overcome with the most severe case of the sillies. Every time Gosling has returned for a “Close Encounter” sketch, McKinnon has seemingly gone out of her way to break him. At this point, it’s about as planned as unplanned laughter can get on live TV.
#40: Stuttering Lawyer
“My Cousin Vinny” (1992)
“My Cousin Vinny” is perfectly cast across the board, a standout being Austin Pendleton as a stuttering public defender named John Gibbons. Possessing a real stutter, Pendleton was a friend of director Jonathan Lynn. Although Lynn knew the role was tailor-made for Pendleton, he underestimated just how funny the scene would be. Lynn usually sat by the camera. For Pendleton’s big scene, Lynn had to hide behind the camera to conceal his laughter. The actors obviously couldn’t do the same. Although hidden in the background, Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, and Mitchell Whitfield can be spotted covering their giggling faces. Whitfield confessed in an interview, “When he’s stuttering, and my shoulders are going up and down like I’m crying, I was laughing. I couldn’t help it.”
#39: Wash-&Wear
“The Proposal” (2009)
“The Proposal” reminded audiences what an invaluable comedic talent Sandra Bullock is. The rom-com was also a showcase for Oscar Nunez, who practically steals the show as Ramone. If the blooper reel is any indication, Bullock probably broke the most throughout shooting. One of her breaks even made it into the finished film with Nunez on the receiving end. Ramone won’t take no for an answer while trying to serve Bullock’s Margaret an appetizer, shoving it into her mouth. Margaret chews the fishy hors d’oeuvre for several uncomfortable seconds before spitting it on Ramone. Covering her mouth with a napkin, Margaret appears to be holding in her disgust. Based on Bullock’s smile, though, she was clearly holding in her laughter as Nunez improvised this line: “It’s wash-and-wear.”
#38: An Eye for Comedy
“Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-20)
The Season 8 premiere of “Will & Grace” kicked off with a live episode, which the cast performed twice for both coasts. Although much of the cast had done stage protections before, preserving a straight face on live television wasn’t any less challenging. Debra Messing and Sean Hayes snicker the most throughout a conversation about cheating. The two go in and out of character leading up to the film’s big reveal: one of Jack’s eyebrows was burnt off. Messing tries to put on a horrified face while Hayes attempts to stay solemn. However, a chuckle fest is erupting within both of them. The laughter inevitably breaks free, although Messing is at least able to cover her mouth in hysterical horror.
#37: Toe in a Bottle
“Life” (1999)
There’s nothing funny about being wrongfully incarcerated, but when Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are among the prisoners, there are bound to be more laughs than anticipated. This scene demonstrates the commitment of both actors, as they not only have to wear heavy makeup, but they have to do so while standing barefoot on boxes of bottles. Both stay reserved until Lawrence’s toe accidentally slips into a bottle, causing him to crack. Lawrence’s laughter proves infectious, getting to Murphy. Yet, both still carry on with the scene, which is made all the more impressive given their uncomfortable circumstances. This slipup works well within the context of the movie, bringing levity to Ray and Claude’s reconciliation after not speaking to each other for several years.
#36: This Impression is Out of Order
“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
Simon Helberg is best known for playing Howard Wolowitz, but he possesses great range as an actor. His talents are reflected through this “Big Bang Theory” episode where he impersonates several household names, including Al Pacino. In a blooper, Helberg gets about halfway through his “...And Justice For All” parody before losing it. Helberg would get through the scene for the finished take, although his co-stars showed no restraint. You can tell that the cast is genuinely cracking up over Helberg’s spot-on impression. Kaley Cuoco most notably is seen turning her head to the side, seemingly addressing the crew off-camera as she laughs. For a moment, this is essentially Helberg’s one-man show and the rest of the cast are part of the audience.
#35: Morons
“Blazing Saddles” (1974)
For all of its over-the-top moments, “Blazing Saddles” does delve into the harsh reality of racism. For Mel Brooks, the most effective way to combat prejudice has always been to make ‘em laugh. After Sheriff Bart is discriminated against, Jim attempts to cheer his friend up by epitomizing the townsfolk in one word. Actor Cleavon Little wasn’t prepared for Gene Wilder’s “morons” punchline, resulting in a sincere reaction. Having just heard one of the ugliest words in the English language, Bart and the audience needed something to raise morale. Wilder’s line does the trick, but it’s Little’s smile that brings a much-needed human element to the scene. It goes to show that even at his lowest point, Bart’s spirit is still blazing.
#34: The Great Herring War
“The Golden Girls” (1985-92)
As the girls contemplate whether to continue living together, Rose unintentionally unites them with her nonsensical tall tale of the Great Herring War. It’s been rumored that Betty White improvised Rose’s story, although script supervisor Isabel Omero would debunk this. Everything about the scene was scripted, including Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan’s laughter. Although the script called for them to crack up at certain lines, many fans still argue just how much of the laughter was genuine. As Arthur and McClanahan hide their faces, it feels less like scripted laughter and more like the real deal. Maybe Arthur and McClanahan were just that convincing, or maybe this shows the lighthearted side of method acting. Either way, White is the only one with a straight face.
#33: Pink in the Face
“The Return of the Pink Panther” (1975)
Peter Sellers, like Jacques Clouseau, was an unpredictable screen presence. Even if you knew that an over-the-top antic was coming, that didn’t make the execution any less hilarious. For Catherine Schell, it was hard getting through the fourth “Pink Panther” film without snickering at Sellers’ hijinks. Even before Jacques introduces himself to Lady Claudine, Schell can’t suppress her natural instinct to laugh. At times, Schell’s constant smiling works well enough given the scene’s flirtatious nature. On multiple occasions, though, Schell hides her laughter behind her hand or a glass. Other times, the filmmakers make no attempt to cover the laughter, just letting it slide. Perhaps they could’ve done more takes, but then the scene would’ve been robbed of its spontaneity.
#32: Sitting on the Toilet
“Ocean’s Twelve” (2004)
“Ocean’s Twelve” is nobody’s favorite entry in the heist series, but we do get a memorable line here and there. A highlight comes when Elliott Gould’s Reuben is banging on Frank’s bathroom door. Scott Caan’s Turk points out how rude Reuben is being given Frank’s awkward position. Reuben responds by painting Turk a disgusting portrait of what’s going to happen to his feet if he doesn’t get to the toilet soon. Before Gould is even done delivering the line, Caan turns away with a grin on his face. Rather than try to conceal this, the camera follows Caan as he walks off to the side with his head turned. While the line itself is gold, Caan’s reaction was seemingly too priceless to tiptoe around.
#31: Food Poisoning
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Sometimes, it’s what you love most that results in one’s undoing. Such is the case with Ben Wyatt and calzones. The Italian delicacy gives Ben, Ron, and Chris food poisoning to the point that they can barely move around the room. As Ben struggles to dial the phone on the floor, Chris leans into the shot with his face taking up much of the frame. Despite being on full display, the expression on Chris’ face is often mistaken for agony. Upon further expression, though, it’s evident that actor Rob Lowe has a massive grin that he’s trying to pass off as pain. Perhaps Lowe was in pain during this scene, but it likely had more to do with his funny bone than a stomach bug.
#30: Principal’s Office
“This Is 40” (2012)
As well-written as Judd Apatow’s comedies are, the funniest moments are often the ones delivered on the spot. The most rewatchable scene in “This Is 40” finds Melissa McCarthy’s Catherine ripping into Pete, Debbie, and Principal Jill. As McCarthy ad-lips insult after insult, Leslie Mann barely wrangles the smile stretching across her face. Only a few reaction shots made it into the finished scene, as Mann and Paul Rudd both broke down during McCarthy’s stone-faced tirade. A longer version of the scene would be featured during the end credits where Mann and Rudd show no restraint. Even as the actors break down in tears, McCarthy just keeps going until she’s out of creative profanities. Only then does somebody say, “cut.”
#29: Strip Club
“That '70s Show” (1998-2006)
Here’s another scene where the cameras just kept rolling, despite practically everyone on set going to pieces. Escorting Donna and Jackie to a strip club, Kitty gets a little too freaky with the talent. Actress Debra Jo Rupp hadn’t fully rehearsed her enthusiastic dance, catching Mila Kunis off guard. Kunis was broken to the point that she threw herself to the side. Although only Kunis’ break made it into the episode, Laura Prepon, Luke Wilson, and the male stripper were all crumbling with the sillies. Rupp was the only one staying in character, waiting for someone off-stage to finally put the scene to rest. The question is who brings more energy to this scene: Kitty or the dedicated stripper doing one-armed pushups?
#28: The Cowardly Lion, Oh My
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
When the Cowardly Lion roars onto the screen, Dorothy and her friends are initially startled. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that the beast is about as ferocious as a domesticated kitten. Judy Garland is so unintimidated that she begins to break as the Lion trembles in tears. After Dorothy assures the Lion that he’s not bleeding, Garland takes a brief pause with a grin creeping up on her face. Garland does her best to mask the smile by lifting Toto up to her mouth. From there, Garland manages to shift back into character. Considering that an adult man in a lion suit was crying in front of her, it’s amazing that Garland got through this scene with only a minor hiccup.
#27: The Library Cop
“Seinfeld” (1989-98)
Jerry Seinfeld might be the most notorious breaker ever to headline a sitcom. On a good day, Seinfeld would get through a scene just grinning. In other cases, Seinfeld helplessly dissolved into giggles. According to Seinfeld, the hardest scene he ever had to shoot paired him with the late Philip Baker Hall as Lt. Bookman. Although Hall plays the character with the intensity of a “Law & Order” detective, Bookman is merely a library investigations officer. Bookman’s serious demeanor perfectly offsets Seinfeld’s silly persona. Seinfeld found the scenario so humorous that they had to do eight takes, stitching together any usable footage. Even in those clips, Seinfeld lets several smiles slip through as Bookman interrogates him with the conviction of a hardboiled Humphrey Bogart.
#26: Tight-Lipped Jim
“The Office” (2005-13)
Like Seinfeld, John Krasinski was infamous for breaking on “The Office” with Steve Carell usually at the root of his chuckles. Whenever an episode paired Michael and Jim, you could expect Krasinski to become silly puddy in Carell’s hands. The episode “The Secret” is one example. Michael strives to bond with Jim at the soda machine, having learned about his crush on Pam. Krasinski seems to get through the scene fine, but that’s only because of the editor. According to Jenna Fischer, Krasinski “could not stop laughing” throughout the scene. The editor could only do so much to hide another Krasinski break at the office supply station. As Angela Kinsey put it, “When [Krasinski] loses it, his whole body collapses. He just becomes a noodle.”
#25: Matt Foley
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
“SNL” has given us no shortage of classic breaks across its nearly 50-year history. Matt Foley provided the ultimate endurance test whenever he stormed into Studio 8H. The legendary Chris Farley donned the thick glasses and undersized jacket for the first time in 1993. Comedy history was made, as evidenced by the cast doing everything in their power not to laugh at Farley’s intense delivery and over-the-top gestures. David Spade and Christina Applegate are seemingly the sketch’s most prominent breakers, although Julia Sweeney was cracking up so much that the camera had to work around her. Sweeney recalls, “It was like I had the best seat in the house for the funniest friggin' thing that was happening on the planet.”
#24: Nip It!
“The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-68)
When you’re a seasoned comedy star like Don Knotts, how many times can it take to get a scene right? 5? 10 at most? Try about 20, specifically this scene from “Guest of Honor.” Barney Fife isn’t the most intimidating officer. He’s an even less threatening drill sergeant, but Barney isn’t messing around as he grills three new deputies. As authoritative as Barney comes off, Knotts was anything but disciplined on set. He couldn’t stop laughing thanks to Floyd Lawson, who continually got him with the line, “Nip it!” Knotts eventually eeked through the scene, but in the finished version, Griffith is seen covering his gaping grin. Maybe they could’ve done another take, but after a while, you’ve got to nip it in the bud.
#23: The Dentist
“The Carol Burnett Show” (1967-78)
Harvey Korman might’ve racked up the most breaks on “The Carol Burnett Show” with Tim Conway typically to blame. Conway once said, “My object was to find places in the sketch where I knew I could break up Harvey. I don’t think I ever missed.” Nowhere was this more apparent than in “The Dentist” sketch where Korman played Conway’s unsuspecting patient. Korman does his darndest to pass off his stifled laughter as physical pain. The longer the sketch goes on, though, the more cracks begin to surface. Korman wasn’t prepared for the Novocain portion of the sketch, which is where the hysterics completely take over. Conway claims that Korman was laughing so hard that he wet himself. And this was all done without Nitrous oxide.
#22: Biggus… Can We Still Say That on YouTube?
“Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979)
Michael Palin graduated from Oxford, was knighted by Prince William, and served as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He also uttered what might be the most hilariously juvenile name in cinema. Reflecting on “Life of Brian,” Palin said that the Pontius Pilate scene was the hardest to shoot “because it had to be structured around continuous suppressed laughter.” As legend goes, the soldiers were told to keep a straight face, but they were supposedly unprepared for the laugh riot that Palin was about to trigger. Palin gets through most of the scene with unbelievable composure, but even he can’t help himself upon coming face-to-face with Chris Langham. Palin’s smile isn’t as big as Langham’s, but the name finally gets to him.
#21: Grabbing the Bags
“Young Frankenstein” (1974)
Part of what makes Gene Wilder’s performance in “Young Frankenstein” so great is how seriously he approaches the role. As refined as Wilder can appear as Dr. Frankenstein, he broke so many times that it wasn’t uncommon for the crew to do around 15 takes before getting a scene right. The arrival of Madeline Kahn’s Elizabeth resulted in one of the funniest and most stressful shoots. The scene itself isn’t very long, but it would take up a good portion of the blooper reel. Wilder naturally broke the most frequently, which rubs off on Kahn, Teri Garr, and Marty Feldman. They eventually got a take that Mel Brooks was satisfied with. Even then, Wilder is visibly smiling as Igor bites and barks at Kahn.
#20: Son of a…
“Supernatural” (2005-20)
It may be a supernatural drama, but this series sometimes catches the audience off-guard with its sense of humor. Jared Padalecki was also caught off-guard when co-star Jensen Ackles delivered this inspired bit of improv. Just as Sam and Dean’s luck starts to turn around, they find that their winning tickets have been stolen by Bela. According to Padalecki, the scene was supposed to simply end with the brothers watching Bela drive off. Ackles decided to add a little something extra, however, unleashing an unscripted outburst. Although Padalecki does his best to hide his reaction, you can still spot him licking his lips and cracking a grin before turning his head away from the camera.
#19: The Most Annoying Sound in the World
“Dumb and Dumber” (1994)
Some of the best bits from “Dumb and Dumber” were improvised and this scene is perhaps the most ingenious. Stuck in the middle of Harry and Lloyd’s juvenile antics, henchman Mental tries to keep his hostile tendencies under control. Just as tension begins to dwindle down, Jim Carrey randomly segues into making the most annoying sound in the world. The camera cuts to Mental’s frustrated expression so quickly that most viewers miss Jeff Daniels biting his lips while trying to restrain his laughter. Clearly, he had no idea what was coming. The film’s trailer actually gives us a longer look at Daniels’ reaction as he slowly collects himself and gets in on the screaming match.
#18: Ice Cream
“The Ringer” (2005)
Arguably the funniest moment from this comedy was ad-libbed, which seems to be a reoccurring theme for this list. The film centers on a man who pretends to be mentally challenged in order to compete in the Special Olympics, and eventually befriends his fellow contenders. After the guys stay out past their curfew, the person responsible for them cooks up an excuse about getting ice cream. Glen blows their cover, though, when he lets out this hilarious line. The delivery is also pitch perfect, as Glen sounds genuinely confused and irritated over the lack of ice cream. It’s so hysterical that star Johnny Knoxville visually breaks out in laughter before the camera cuts back to Katherine Heigl.
#17: The Gang Loses It
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)
“It’s Always Sunny” has a plethora of priceless outtakes, but sometimes you can catch the cast breaking character in the final product. While there are too many instances to single out just one, creator and star Rob McElhenney is perhaps the most susceptible to cracking up. Co-star Charlie Day has also struggled to maintain a straight face on occasion, although he usually tries to hide his giggles from the camera. We especially love this scene where the gang drowns their sorrows huffing a jug of gasoline (don’t try this at home!) and Kaitlin Olson says the most childishly brilliant line imaginable: “pass the gas.” None of the actors are able to keep it together and we don’t blame them.
#16: Hello, Clarice
“The Cable Guy” (1996)
Jim Carrey strikes again on our countdown with yet another improvised scene. Weirdly enough, this moment also involves chicken! At a medieval restaurant, the Cable Guy sits down to a meal with his new best friend Steven. Since Steven isn’t going to eat his chicken skin, the Cable Guy seizes the opportunity to play with his food. Co-star Matthew Broderick is completely unprepared as Carrey drapes his face with the skin and reenacts a scene from “The Silence of the Lambs.” As is the case with much of the film, the audience isn’t sure whether to laugh or to be disturbed. It obviously tickled Broderick’s funny bone, however, as he can’t conceal his grin.
#15: I Hate the Colonel
“So I Married an Axe Murderer” (1993)
This black comedy isn’t one of Mike Myers’ more popular outings, but it does have a Scottish character who is basically a predecessor to Shrek and Fat Bastard. So whenever the film shifts the focus to Stuart MacKenzie, played by Myers in a dual role, the results are always comedic gold. Stuart is a loudmouth conspiracy nut who believes Colonel Sanders was part of an all-powerful secret organization that controls the world. He also insists that the Colonel sneaks an addictive chemical into his chicken. As Stuart goes off on this insane tirade, actor Anthony LaPaglia does his best to sip his beer and nod along, but just can’t hold back his ungovernable smirk.
#14: Leather Pants
“3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001)
Having spent several seasons on “SNL,” Jane Curtin knows how to keep her cool under the funniest of circumstances. Even she couldn’t stay composed in this priceless “3rd Rock from the Sun” scene, though. To complete his gorgeous new look, Dick squeezes himself into a pair of leather pants. The squeaking of the trousers is already enough to push Curtin to the verge of giggling. When John Lithgow gets up and starts walking around, Curtin can no longer keep her snickers under wraps. The moment proves so humorous that the camera cuts away as Curtin struggles to deliver her next line. Then as Lithgow exits the room, she totally gives in to the hilarity.
#13: Roman’s Forehead
“Fast & Furious 6” (2013)
The “Fast & Furious” movies might not have the most complex characters, but nobody can deny that the chemistry between the cast is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s always a blast watching these actors work off of each other, particularly in this scene. At a barbeque, Roman makes a crack out about the macho Hobbs requiring baby oil. Dwayne Johnson retaliates with an unscripted comeback about Roman’s large forehead. Where Tyrese Gibson manages to stay in character, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is unable to keep his drink down. We honestly never expected to see Ludacris do a spit take, but that’s exactly why this moment is such a happy accident.
#12: Super-Cops
“Beverly Hills Cop” (1984)
The success of his buddy cop comedy can largely be attributed to Eddie Murphy and his co-stars, who ad-libbed some of the film’s funniest lines. Apparently, numerous takes were ruined because the cast and crew couldn’t contain themselves. Murphy reportedly took his first sip of coffee ever before shooting this improvised scene. That would certainly explain why Axel Foley sounds so energized as he covers for Detectives Rosewood and Taggart. Foley crafts a phony story that paints his fellow officers as super-cops. Actor John Ashton begins to unravel after a while, pinching and lowering his face to keep his chuckles inside. Fortunately, he’s able to control his emotions enough to scarcely get through the scene.
#11: UFO Speech
“Easy Rider” (1969)
While filming the campfire scene in Easy Rider, it was reported that actor Dennis Hopper had attempted to get co-star Jack Nicholson stoned. It becomes evident that Hopper most likely accomplished his goal when, during George Hanson’s UFO speech, Nicholson suddenly bursts out into laughter. Although it looks as though they kept the cameras rolling, the scene actually continues on the next take. Considering the fact that Nicholson was reciting a seemingly absurd speech about aliens, we’ll give him a pass for not keeping a straight face.
#10: Hotel Bellboy
“Transylvania 6-5000” (1985)
Before his sitcom tenure, Michael Richards was playing the oddest oddballs you can imagine. In this Draculankenstein farce, Richards plays Fejos, a butler whose hijinks weird out hotel guests, but crack up actors. Richards improvised parts of his role, using puppets, banana peels, and other props of his own accord to get laughs out of his on-screen associates, especially Jeff Goldblum. Things aren’t always as they seem in Transylvania – so who’s really pulling whose leg?
#9: Meeting Frank the Pug
“Men in Black” (1997)
Starting off our list is a scene between two grown men and a pooch so cute you can’t help but smile. In this classic sci-fi comedy, agents K and J, played by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones respectively, meet Frank, an alien informant disguised as a pug. While interrogating Frank, who is in fact played by a real, trained, adorable dog named Mushu, Jones becomes self-aware, and cracks a big one. It’s a cinematic moment that proves even the most veteran actors can’t hold themselves together when they’re talking to a dog.
#8: Warming Up
“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” (2013)
In the first scene of Ron Burgundy’s second big-screen feature, a newscaster husband and wife team, played by Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate, practice their diction and scales before delivering the night’s top stories. Meanwhile, Ferrell takes comedy to the next level – and octave. While trying to warm up, Applegate gets helplessly distracted by Ferrell’s uproarious preparation methods and cracks a few smiles between her Oohs and Corningstones. Believe it or not, this was the most serious take they got.
#7: The Waxing
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)
In an effort to be more attractive to the ladies, Steve Carell goes for a chest-waxing at his friends’ suggestion. For this scene, Carell volunteered to actually have his bear-chest bare-waxed, ignorant of how insanely painful it would be. By his natural reaction to scream out whatever random thought entered his mind, we can tell: it hurt a lot. His co-worker buddies, played by Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Romany Malco, as well as the waxing lady, forego their directions to pity him, and instead laugh at his agony.
#6: Toilet Humor
“American Pie” (1999)
High school senior Finch, played by Eddie Kaye Thomas, has a crippling fear of going number two on school grounds. His rival, Stifler, pranks him by slipping an ungodly amount of laxatives into his mochaccino. You can see where this is going. In this paragon of toilet humor, Finch spends the next few minutes soiling his own reputation, as everyone can hear his moans and groans from outside. Towards the end, Thomas slips out of character, acknowledging the scene’s absurdity, and gives us a small, knowing smirk.
#5: The Younglings
“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
In any given film, not every written line is perfect. That rule goes for “Episode III” of the “Star Wars” trilogy, in which Anakin Skywalker breaks bad and becomes Darth Vader. Ewan McGregor, who plays Anakin’s once mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, gets the honor of delivering one such imperfect line, informing Padme of Anakin’s descent into darkness. McGregor takes a moment to finish the awkward, melodramatic line, and covers his mouth as if to keep from smiling. Hey, whatever gets us to the next fight scene.
#4: Dr. Strangelove’s Out of Contorl Arm
“Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
There are mad scientists who can’t control their arms, and then there are actors who can’t control their expressions. During one of the funniest scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War satire, former Nazi scientist Dr. Strangelove, played by a brilliant Peter Sellers, struggles to manage a right arm that still compulsively “heils” his Fuhrer. Standing right behind him is Peter Bull, who drops a nice, big grin, as Seller’s farcical performance might cause anyone to do.
#3: Ross Plays the Bagpipes
“Friends” (1994-2004)
David Schwimmer is known for some hilarious antics as Ross on the sitcom, “Friends.” In this classic bit, he whips out his bagpipe and plays his best rendition of “Celebration.” Schwimmer’s novice playing is supposed to make his friends uncomfortable, but as Lisa Kudrow joins him with what she believes are the lyrics, Jennifer Aniston gives up and hides her amusement behind her hands. As shown by the outtakes, it was a miracle to get any of the Friends to keep a straight face in this scene.
#2: Lineup
“The Usual Suspects” (1995)
Coming in at the top spot are five criminals having a blast in police custody. In this classic crime mystery, the “usual suspects” are lined up and asked to read a line, then crack up at Stephen Baldwin and Benicio del Toro’s mocking interpretations, and especially del Toro's uncontrollable bout of flatulence. Scripted as a serious scene, director Bryan Singer spent a whole day filming the lineup, becoming frustrated when the actors continually lost self-control. Eventually, he scrapped his original plan and used the funniest takes instead. We couldn’t be happier that he did.
#1: She Used to Fart in Her Sleep
“Good Will Hunting” (1997)
Even in dramatic roles, Robin Williams couldn’t hold himself back from seizing an opportunity for hilarious improvisation. During a short respite in this scene between Williams, playing a therapist, and Matt Damon as his stubborn patient, Williams catches Damon completely off guard with an inventive anecdote about romance and flatulence. The scene is a standout of organic and revealing laughter by two actors in modern cinema that only an actor like Robin Williams could bring about. Yes, “organic and revealing” is referring to Damon’s pig squeal.
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