Movies

8 Unexpected Celebrities Who Played The Hulk

BBG News

Generally recognized as portrayed by actors like Lou Ferrigno, Edward Norton, or Mark Ruffalo, the Hulk character, in fact, has been brought to life by a variety of performers across diverse settings – sometimes comically or unexpectedly. The Hulk is a prominent figure in Marvel’s pop culture landscape: a towering, enraged, and powerful being with green skin who graced comic books, cartoons, TV series, blockbuster films, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. However, he has also made appearances in other unexpected productions, played by some well-known personalities you might not have anticipated.

Through the passage of time, the Hulk has transcended his role as a mere Marvel fixture; he’s morphed into an emblematic figure symbolizing unbridled anger and superhuman might. This timeless status has made him a go-to choice for satire and imitation. The character’s portrayals have evolved from the muscular physique of Lou Ferrigno to the emotionally nuanced, CGI-amplified version showcased in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, comedy has consistently found a way to leverage the Hulk for humor, be it delivering a message or cracking a joke. Over the years, several prominent celebrities have adorned green makeup to bring this towering icon to life for chuckles.

8. Idris Elba

Saturday Night Live Season 44, Episode 15

In a twist on Marvel characters and contemporary politeness, the actor Idris Elba, famous for his captivating performances as Heimdall in the Thor movies and Luther in the BBC’s crime drama, portrayed the Hulk during an episode of Saturday Night Live that he hosted. The sketch, titled “The Impossible Hulk,” was a humorous take on typical Marvel storylines and modern social norms. Instead of turning into a massive green beast due to physical peril, Elba transformed into a middle-aged entitled white woman in the skit.

Hulk transformed under social discomfort, be it rude or helpful store employees, or a bothersome neighbor. The sketch amusingly reversed assumptions and afforded Idris Elba an unusual opportunity to delve into physical humor. One of the most entertaining elements was likely the comic book-esque backstory, which portrayed Elba’s failed gamma experiments.

7. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Saturday Night Live Season 40, Episode 16

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, let me share a fun fact: Before donning the cape as Black Adam, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had a hysterical attempt at playing the Hulk, not in a movie but on an episode of Saturday Night Live from 2000. In a sketch called “The Rock Obama,” Fred Armisen portrayed Barack Obama, who, when stressed, transformed into none other than Hulk Obama, with Johnson stepping into the role. Johnson’s Hulk was righteously enraged and even showcased some of his signature wrestling moves on senators.

The scene showcased an exhilarating mockery of the “The Incredible Hulk” TV series, where Johnson’s impressive muscles burst out of his clothes. This sketch cleverly utilized Johnson’s muscular build, serving as a tribute to his wrestling character and a playful take on superhero stories. The sketch turned out to be popular and was later repeated in subsequent episodes, demonstrating that even before he became a major Hollywood star, Johnson possessed the charm and physique fitting for the Hulk.

6. John Belushi

Saturday Night Live Season 4, Episode 15

Prior to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, John Belushi created an exuberant, humorous rendition of the Hulk during the early seasons of Saturday Night Live. This lively portrayal first appeared in a 1979 sketch called “Superhero Party,” where Hulk was invited to a dinner party at Superman and Lois Lane’s residence. The episode featured Margot Kidder, reprising her role as Lois Lane from the Superman films. Belushi’s Hulk portrayal included green face paint, but he also exhibited an unexpectedly friendly and laid-back demeanor.

In a manner reminiscent of Belushi’s style, the comedy skit embraced the ridiculous and humorously contrasting elements, such as discussing strength with Superman and filling the bathroom with foul odors. This early parody, which came before the era of extensive superhero satire, underscored the already significant iconicity of the Hulk in the late ‘70s. Belushi’s physical humor and infectious energy made the Hulk skit a timeless classic, and it remains one of the earliest and most hilarious spoofs of the Marvel character.

5. Zach Braff

Scrubs Season 1, Episode 17

Zach Braff, famously recognized as the charming and eccentric J.D. from Scrubs, once delivered a side-splitting scene that beautifully combined medical drama with comic book oddity. In the episode titled “My Student,” Braff’s character becomes irritated with his medical trainee, leading him to fantasize about transforming into the Hulk. In a nod to the 1970s Incredible Hulk, JD’s clothes tear apart as his face is bathed in green light.

In this scene, the character portrayed by Zach Braff temporarily transforms into a green-painted bodybuilder resembling Richard Piana, reminiscent of Lou Ferrigno’s portrayal of the Incredible Hulk. Amusingly, the Hulk continues with his medical duties and interacts with a patient using Braff’s voice. This brief transformation was a playful jab at superhero tropes and is representative of the show’s unique style of over-the-top daydream sequences. Although Braff may not be considered a viable replacement for Bruce Banner, this humorous tribute effectively pays homage to the Hulk’s enduring popularity in pop culture.

4. Chris Farley

Saturday Night Live Season 18, Episode 8

In a notable Saturday Night Live sketch from the early 1990s, Chris Farley infused his characteristic high energy as he donned the role of the Hulk. Known as “Superman’s Funeral,” this skit featured Farley playing a unique rendition of the Hulk, who was among the Marvel and DC superheroes attending Superman’s funeral. Clad in ripped, destructive-style clothes and sporting a green body paint, Farley’s bulky physique was prominently displayed.

Similar to numerous other Farley sketches, this one playfully ridiculed his size by drawing parallels to the Hulk, complete with exaggerated yells and gestures. The most amusing moment arises from the Hulk’s struggle to articulate words during a speech, which then transforms into a display of refined, scholarly vocabulary when he starts reading from his prepared script. This overlooked gem underscores Farley’s fearless humor that could even render Marvel’s angriest Avenger laugh-out-loud funny.

3. Charles Napier

The Incredible Hulk

In the “Incredible Hulk” TV series, Charles Napier may not have donned green makeup like the other actors, but he significantly contributed to the character by lending his voice for the Hulk’s growls and roars. This means every time Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk broke through a wall or let out a powerful roar, it was actually Napier behind the scenes providing those distinctive sounds.

In various roles, the actor demonstrated exceptional skills in voice acting and character performance, particularly recognized for his powerful, menacing timbre, which was showcased in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Austin Powers”. Initially, his contribution went unacknowledged during the initial airing, but it was later revealed that Napier’s vocal work played a significant part in making the Hulk seem powerfully primal. This performance is often overlooked yet crucial – without Napier’s thunderous delivery, Ferrigno’s physical portrayal of the character might not have seemed as convincing.

2. Ted Cassidy

The Incredible Hulk

Ted Cassidy, famously recognized as Lurch in The Addams Family, additionally made a substantial impact on the The Incredible Hulk TV series, although it’s often unrecognized. In the show’s first two seasons, Cassidy supplied the original growls and roars for the Hulk, using his deep, booming voice to create a terrifying, alien sound. This sound significantly intensified Lou Ferrigno’s silent performance, adding an emotional depth to the character.

In a silent yet expressive manner, Cassidy’s portrayal of the Hulk conveyed feelings such as pain, anger, and sadness through growls, significantly contributing to the character’s emotional depth that might otherwise go unnoticed. Regrettably, Cassidy passed away during the series, with Charles Napier taking over the vocal role afterwards. Despite never appearing on-screen in green, Cassidy’s voice played a crucial part in shaping the Hulk’s persona, thus earning him a significant place in Marvel TV history, although often unacknowledged.

1. George Foreman

Saturday Night Live Season 20, Episode 9

George Foreman, a legendary boxer, once played the character of The Hulk on Saturday Night Live. In a 1994 episode, he hosted the show and featured in a skit titled “The Incredible Hulk.” This skit parodied the Incredible Hulk series by repeatedly causing a transformation using the same old footage. Unlike the traditional Hulk, Foreman’s version was dressed in purple clothing but lacked the usual face paint.

The main focus of the drawing revolved around Foreman’s discontent with the monotony and script, as he is known for his mild-mannered demeanor outside the ring, his portrayal as the Hulk became all the more absurdly comical. Despite the playful nature of his acting, it demonstrated unexpected comedic prowess, further adding a surprising twist to the Hulk’s career in another unanticipated endeavor.

Read More

2025-06-06 01:18

Previous post Will Shiba Inu Crash or Make a Comeback? The Truth About SHIB’s Future 🐕💥
Next post Brawl Stars: The Epic Journey of Claiming 6753 Credits After 18 Months!