Danny Huston started his acting career quite early on, starring in the thriller film The “Human” Factor (1975) when he was just 12 years old. Since then, Huston has built quite the acting portfolio, appearing in the American Horror Story Franchise, Wonder Woman (2017), and 21 Grams (2003)
In addition to his acting career, Huston has also dipped his toes into some behind-the-scenes action by directing a variety of films. His acting has earned him multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Magic City (2012) and a Montreal World Film Festival Award for Best Actor in Playoff (2011). Here are some of Danny Huston’s best performances, ranked:
10 Robin Hood (2010)
Directed by Ridley Scott, Robin Hood is an action film that, as the name suggests, is based on the legend of Robin Hood. The film follows the titular character as he gathers a band of warriors to fight against the corruption in Nottingham. Although Huston has limited screen time, he does well with what’s given to him. Huston plays Richard the Lion-Hearted, the King of England, under whom Robin serves as a common archer. Huston does a great job at capturing the warrior king, who is haunted by the horrors of the battlefield, yet still fights alongside his men. Unfortunately, Richard is slain just as his army is able to break through the besieged Chalus Castle.
9 The Proposition (2005)
The Proposition is an Australian Western film that centers around renegade Charlie Burns, portrayed by Guy Pearce, who is forced to make a difficult choice to save his younger brother. Charlie must kill his older brother, Arthur Burns (Danny Huston), an infamous psychopath, who is wanted for multiple crimes including sexual assault and murder.
Huston’s Arthur Burns is psychotic and has no sympathy for others around him, except for his brothers. Judging based on facial expressions and body language, it's quite apparent that Arthur gets a thrill out of killing others. What’s truly remarkable about Huston’s performance is that despite Arthur being a psychopath, he can see that he trusts and cares for his brothers. In the final moments of the film, when Charlie shoots him, his expression holds a strange combination of astonishment and acceptance, which Huston does a great job of delivering.
8 X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
The first installment in the Wolverine trilogy, X-Men Origins: Wolverine follows Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) early childhood, his time with William Stryker’s (Danny Huston) Team X, as well as the bonding of metal adamantium with his skeleton as a result of the Weapon X program.
Huston portrays Major William Stryker, who offers Wolverine a place in Team X. Huston’s Stryker is complex, as he has a love-hate relationship with mutants. His own son was a mutant and eventually drove his own mother to suicide. So, Stryker understands the struggle mutants go through, still, that doesn’t stop him from despising them for their destructive powers.
7 American Horror Story: Coven (2013-2014)
The third season in the franchise, American Horror Story: Coven centers around a coven of witches that have descended directly from Salem. The series had an overall positive reception and was even nominated for multiple awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Huston portrays the Axeman, a serial killer based on an actual historical figure from New Orleans. He’s brought back from the dead accidentally by Zoe, Queenie, and Nan. Huston does well to portray the psychotic killer who falls in love with and is eventually betrayed by Fiona.
6 Stan & Ollie (2018)
Sony Pictures Classics
Directed by Jon S. Baird, Stan & Ollie is a biographical comedy-drama film that was inspired by Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours by A.J. Marriot. The film follows the life of the comedic duo Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly). Huston portrays Hal Roach, an American director, producer, and screenwriter. Stan and Ollie worked with Hal Roach for some of their initial projects but left as they felt they were not being compensated justly. It’s not easy to portray characters that are based on real-life individuals, but Huston was a natural at portraying Hal Roach.
5 Children of Men (2006)
Based on P.D. James' novel of the same name, Children of Men is a dystopian action thriller film. The film is set in a dystopian future where infertility threatens the existence of mankind. It follows civil servant Theo Faron (Clive Owen) as he tries to protect their last remaining hope from danger. Danny Huston portrays Nigel, Theo’s cousin who is a high-ranking government officer. Nigel works particularly for the Ministry of Arts, where he’s responsible for rescuing and preserving works of art.
4 The Constant Gardener (2005)
Studio Canal
Based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name, The Constant Gardener is a drama thriller that follows British diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) in Kenya who tries to investigate the murder of his wife. Huston portrays Sandy Woodrow, the British High Commissioner and a friend of Justin. It’s interesting to see Huston portray Sandy, who at first seems like he’s on Justin’s side, but as the story progresses, one realizes that there's more to Sany's character than that which meets the eye.
3 You Don't Know Jack (2010)
You Don't Know Jack is a biopic that dramatizes the story of pathologist Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who assisted terminally ill and profoundly disabled individuals to commit suicide. He was referred to as Dr. Death by the press and had been reported to have assisted 130 deaths. Danny Huston portrays Geoffrey Fieger, who was Kevorkian’s attorney. He even received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries at the Online Film & Television Association Awards.
2 21 Grams (2003)
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, 21 Grams is a psychological drama film that centers around the consequences of a hit-and-run. Huston portrays Michael, the husband of Christina Peck, a recovering drug addict. He leads a happy life with his wife and daughter, until he, along with his daughter, becomes a victim of a hit-and-run.
1 Succession (2018-Present)
Succession is a satirical black comedy that centers around the Roy Family, the owners of Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment company. The story follows the Roy family as they fight for control over the company as the family’s patriarch’s health starts deteriorating. Huston appears in the second season as Jamie Laird, a banker and a financial advisor to Logan Roy. One would think that he’d offer Logan sound advice, but it seems that he mostly has his own self-interest in mind. Despite appearing on screen only a handful of times, Huston’s Laird leaves an impact as a low-key, subtle villain.
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