Although he is famous for being the frontman of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis has also dabbled in acting over the years. Though his primary fame comes from his music career, Kiedis has several films in his filmography. Here, we rank the five best movies featuring the musician.
5. Song to Song (2017)
‘Song to Song‘ is a 2017 experimental romantic drama directed by Terrence Malick. This film features a star-studded cast including Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman, and Cate Blanchett. Kiedis, along with other musicians like Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, and John Lydon, makes a cameo appearance. Despite its high-profile cast, the film received mixed reviews, holding a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.6 rating on IMDb. What sparked debate among critics most was its narrative approach and visual style.
4. Tough Guys (1986)
‘Tough Guys‘ is a 1986 action comedy directed by Jeff Kanew, and it stands at number four on our list. The film stars Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas in their final collaboration. In a brief appearance, the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform a song, ‘Set It Straight,‘ recorded solely for the movie. ‘Tough Guys’ overall received mixed reviews, with a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.2 rating on IMDb.
3. Less Than Zero (1987)
At number three is ‘Less Than Zero,‘ a 1987 drama directed by Marek Kanievska. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, the film stars Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey Jr. Kiedis appears as musician Cole Dammett, alongside Flea, another member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The film, portraying the culture of wealthy, decadent youth in Los Angeles, received mixed reviews, with a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4 rating on IMDb.
2. F.I.S.T (1978)
‘F.I.S.T.,‘ a 1978 neo-noir crime drama directed by Norman Jewison, takes the second spot. Starring Sylvester Stallone, the film is loosely based on the Teamsters Union and their former President Jimmy Hoffa. Kiedis played a small role using his stage name Cole Dammett, a tribute to his father’s stage name. As Kiedis recalled, he wanted to spend some time with Stallone to warm up to his role, but the actor ‘didn’t want to have anything to do with him.’ The film received generally positive reviews, with a 73% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4 rating on IMDb.
1. Point Break (1991)
At the top of our list is the 1991 crime action film ‘Point Break,‘ directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The film stars Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty, and Gary Busey. Kiedis features in the film as ‘Tone.’ According to the musician, he didn’t dedicate himself to his role and missed playing with his band. ‘Point Break’ has a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3 rating on IMDb. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $103.5 million during its theatrical run.
