Hollywood's Santa Claus Portrayals: Tom Hanks, Billy Bob Thornton, Tim Allen, and Beyond
From beloved actors like Tom Hanks and Tim Allen to iconic performers such as Alec Baldwin, explore a list of talented individuals who have portrayed Santa Claus on the big screen Discover the magic brought to life by these actors in films and TV shows
Certain celebrities have embraced the difficult task of spreading holiday joy by taking on the role of the iconic Christmas figure, Santa Claus. Despite all actors wearing a red suit and white beard for their portrayal of Santa, Billy Bob Thornton had the distinctive role of portraying a mischievous version in the 2003 film Bad Santa.
In October 2019, Thornton confessed that he embraced method acting for the iconic scene in which his character, Willie, becomes intoxicated before starting his shift as a mall Santa.
"I was definitely intoxicated. It's pretty evident," he shared with Entertainment Weekly. "I consumed three glasses of red wine as a morning pick-me-up. That was just the beginning. After that, I moved on to vodka and cranberry juice, and then I had a couple of Bud Lights."
Deal of the Day
Serious Skincare’s Wildly Popular Glycolic Acid Cleanser Is on Sale Today
View Deal
Thorton remarked, "When I reached that scene, I was so disoriented that I almost forgot I was filming a movie. I was meant to be standing on the escalator, which took me by surprise and jolted me awake, and that's the scene that made it into the movie. I stood up, feeling confused because I thought I had woken up in my own house. Eventually, I remembered my role and the next thing I knew, I was supposed to tumble into the pile of presents and act terrible in front of the children."
Continue scrolling to see the actors who have played Santa Claus below:
Credit: Columbia Pictures
Actors Who Played Santa Claus on Screen: Tom Hanks, Billy Bob Thornton, Tim Allen and More
Some stars have taken on the ultimate challenge of spreading Christmas cheer by portraying the most iconic holiday figure — Santa Claus.
Instead of the traditional jolly Santa, Billy Bob Thornton took on the role of a naughty and drunken version in the 2003 film Bad Santa. In October 2019, Thornton revealed that he used method acting to prepare for the infamous scene where his character, Willie, gets drunk before going to work as a mall Santa.
"I was clearly intoxicated," he confessed to Entertainment Weekly. "I started off with three glasses of red wine for breakfast, and then switched to vodka and cranberry juice, followed by a few Bud Lights."
Thornton added, "By the time I reached that scene, I was barely aware that I was in a movie. I was supposed to be standing on the escalator, but I was so out of it that I ended up stumbling, which is what made it into the film. I got up, disoriented because I thought I was at home, before remembering what I was supposed to do. I was meant to go there and stumble among the gifts, and make a fool of myself in front of the kids."
Scroll down to see the actors who've portrayed Jolly Old St. Nick below:
Credit: Universal Studios
David Harbour
The Stranger Things actor starred as a Santa Claus who fights off mercenaries in the 2022 comedy-thriller Violent Night.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Tom Hanks
This actor collaborated once again with director Robert Zemeckis, known for Cast Away and Forrest Gump, for the 2004 film The Polar Express. In the CGI film, the actor took on the roles of Santa Claus, the protagonist, and various other characters.
Credit: Netflix
Kurt Russell
Not only did the Hateful Eight actor play Santa Claus in 2018’s The Christmas Chronicles, but his longtime partner, Goldie Hawn, played Mrs. Claus.
Credit: Walt Disney
Tim Allen
Tim Allen, known for his role in The Last Man Standing, portrayed an average guy who reluctantly assumes the role of gift-giver in the 1994 film The Santa Clause and its two follow-up movies. Allen also returned as Santa Claus in the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses, which premiered in 2022.
Credit: Warner Bros.
John Goodman
This star of The Conners portrayed St. Nicholas in 2006’s The Year Without a Santa Claus. Fun fact: He also voiced Robot Santa in Futurama.
Credit: New Line Cinema
Ed Asner
The Mary Tyler Moore Show alum took on the role of Santa in 2003’s Elf … though it was really Bob Newhart’s Papa Elf who raised the titular Will Ferrell character.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Paul Giamatti
The Golden Globe winner played Santa in 2007’s Fred Claus, opposite Vince Vaughn as the character’s annoying big brother.
Credit: DreamWorks
Alec Baldwin
The 30 Rock alum voiced Nicholas St. North a.k.a. Santa Claus in 2012’s Rise of the Guardians, a 3D-animated hodgepodge of various fables.
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Richard Attenborough
Though he’s best known for his role in Jurassic Park, this Brit put his own spin on Kris Kringle in 1994’s Miracle on 34th Street.
Credit: NBC
Fred Astaire
The legendary actor and dancer portrayed nine different characters — Santa included — in 1979’s The Man in the Santa Claus Suit.
Credit: Columbia Pictures
Billy Bob Thornton
The Goliath actor put a dark twist on the character in 2003’s Bad Santa and reprised the role for a sequel 13 years later.
Credit: YouTube; Inset: Shutterstock
Bryan Cranston
In the 2001 animated special The Santa Claus Brothers, the actor from Breaking Bad voiced Santa. The plot revolves around Cranston's character having to decide which of his three sons will inherit the family business.
Credit: New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock
Patton Oswalt
The actor played a 3D version of a mall Santa in the 2001 movie A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas.
