David Bowie has passed away at the age of 69, according to an official Facebook page statement and confirmed by his son, filmmaker Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft). Bowie was a giant in the music business, first hitting the top of the charts in 1969 and continuing to innovate as he reinvented his appearance and his musical stylings over the decades.
His songs began appearing on film soundtracks almost immediately and eventually more than 450 movies and television shows would feature his music. As often happens with pop stars, Bowie also began a concurrent acting career, with his first screen appearance coming in a 1967 short film titled The Image. He broke through in America with his number one hit "Fame" and that same year began production on his first starring role, The Man Who Fell to Earth.
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Bowie stars as an alien who comes to Earth on a secret mission in search of water for his home planet. He is a brilliant, fragile creature and Bowie gives a brilliant, fragile performance, softly underplaying his role in a way that perfectly complements the ragged narrative.
The Hunger (1983)
In this early film by Tony Scott, Bowie plays John, a vampire companion to Miriam (Catherine Deneuve). John was turned into a vampire by Miriam, who promised eternal life, but after 200 years, John learns that eternal youth is fleeting. Despite his character's proclivity for blood and murder, Bowie is a tragic, sympathetic figure.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
That same year, Bowie more than held his own as a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp during World War II, acting opposite Tom Conti, Takeshi Kitano and Ryuichi Sakamoto. It's an often brutal film that features one of Bowie's best performances.
Labyrinth (1986)
George Lucas served as executive producer for Jim Henson's fantasy, in which Bowie starred as the Goblin King. While not a great acting opportunity, the movie drew upon Bowie's sterling screen presence, which always suggested that more was going on beneath the surface of this mysterious character.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Martin Scorsese's religious drama featured Bowie as Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler who sentences Jesus to death. Bowie is quite convincing as a bureaucratic man who is not convinced that the Messiah is anyone special.
The Prestige (2006)
By the turn of the new century, Bowie had become so well known that he began appearing as himself, or at least as characters named "David Bowie," in films like Zoolander and Bandslam. His last notable acting turn came as Nikola Tesla in this Christopher Nolan period piece. It was a fine supporting performance, filled with dignity and a hint of tragedy.
David Bowie will be remembered primarily for his musical achievements, but film fans will always hold a special place in their hearts for his acting contributions, which were distinctive and memorable.
