Resident Alien is just the latest in a long list of films and TV shows that Alan Tudyk has delivered incredible comedic performances in. Alan Tudyk has been appearing in film and TV roles for nearly thirty years. While his skills and experience have led to Tudyk being a popular choice to voice cartoon animals, and working as a motion capture actor helping to bring CGI creatures to life, he is also a gifted comedy actor.

Tudyk’s versatility allows the actor to deliver outstanding performances in a wide variety of projects, from TV to feature films, and from animation to live-action. But more impressive than his flexibility in performing is the fact that, in any medium, Alan Tudyk is still able to make his performance hilarious and engaging. And thankfully, Tudyk remains enthusiastic about appearing in comedy roles, with these types of characters spanning his entire career.

10Resident Alien – Harry Vanderspeigle

In 2021, Tudyk was brought in to lead a sci-fi comedy series for the Syfy network titled Resident Alien. The show follows an alien that crash-landed on Earth, where they take on a human form, and begin to try and blend in as the town doctor. The premise alone is intriguing, but Tudyk leading the cast as Harry Vanderspeigle, the undercover alien, makes the show what it is.

Tudyk has been playing eccentric and goofy characters for decades. And beyond that, he has spent a great deal of time trying to embody creatures that are not human. While approaching the role of the alien Harry in Resident Alien, the show calls on all of Tudyk’s experience to deliver a performance that feels both otherworldly and like comedy gold. It’s quirky, bizarre, and absolutely brilliant.

9Patch Adams – Everton

Moving on from one of Tudyk’s latest roles to one of his earliest, in 1998, Tudyk appeared alongside comedy legend Robin Williams in Patch Adams. This was one of Tudyk’s earliest roles, and as an aspiring comedy actor, playing next to the incredible Williams must have been a surreal experience. However, Tudyk proved that despite being awe-struck, he could hold his own.

Tudyk plays a patient within a care hospital for mentally unwell patients. Everton, his character, clearly experiences some kind of mental illness, but Patch (Williams) helps him and the others within the care facility with respect, kindness, and positivity. Tudyk delivers an outstanding physical performance, as he puts his entire being into convincingly playing the character, and raising spirits.

8Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story – Steve the Pirate

Dodgeball is one of the most underrated comedy hits from the early 2000s. Starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller alongside several other comedy greats, the film sees a washed-up coach who is about to lose his gym enter a dodgeball competition in the hopes of winning the cash prize and saving the local gym. There are many characters worth praising in the movie, but Tudyk deserves a special mention for his role as Steve the Pirate.

Steve is a man who, as highlighted by his self-proclaimed nickname, believes he is a pirate. This shapes his character, and he often appears to put on a caricature-style performance next to several other cast members who appear to be mostly uninspiring. However, he fits into the group of misfits. Tudyk made this performance both emotional and hilarious, thanks to expanding the depth beyond the overtly wild logline for the character.

7Harley Quinn – The Joker

Tudyk is also a gifted voice actor who has had dozens of roles in animated projects. While a key part of his performance is missing when Tudyk is unable to use his face and body to express himself, he further proves his talent by putting the entire performance into creating and refining the voice. While just audio, Tudyk makes these roles layered, meaningful, and endlessly entertaining.

One of the very best examples comes from the animated Harley Quinn TV show starring Kaley Cuoco as the voice of the titular lead. While the show obviously shines the spotlight on Harley, it wouldn’t be a Harley Quinn story with at least some reference to the Joker. And fortunately, Tudyk was cast to tackle the role of the Clown King of Gotham. His voice bares some similarities to Mark Hamill for this role, as he likely drew inspiration from Hamill’s time playing the character, but his sense of humor and comic timing is unmatched.

6A Knight’s Tale – Wat

Another hit from the early 2000s, A Knight’s Tale starring Heath Ledger, was a hit film upon its release. While the movie further elevated stars like Ledger, there were pivotal performances from the supporting cast that added to the overall quality of the film, with one standout being Tudyk as Wat. Wat is the dim-witted ally and friend of Ledger’s William Thatcher.

Wat is fed up with his station in life as one of the lower class people, and as a result, he tends to be more violent and short-tempered than his friends. Tudyk delivers a delightful performance in the role, readily running into conflict, and frequently growing desperate and frustrated.

5Creature Commandos – Dr. Phosphorus

Another recent hit starring Tudyk is also from the DC Universe of characters, and the premier show of the new DCU being led by James Gunn. Creature Commandos is an irreverent adult animated series that sees a group of misfit monsters recruited to a secret government operation under the watchful eye of Amanda Waller. It sounds like Suicide Squad, because it is, just with more monsters.

However, the series does deliver on more of Gunn’s trademark sense of humor, which is propped up by the incredible voice cast. Tudyk tackled the role of Dr. Phosphorus, a former scientist who was tortured and seemingly killed by mobsters. Transformed into a living radioactive skeletal monster, he embraced a new life of crime, and adopted a darker, more twisted sense of humor. Tudyk is perfect in the role, with sarcasm dripping from every word.

4Arrested Development – Pastor Terry Veal

As mentioned above, Tudyk is also an exceptional character actor. He readily assumes new personas as any good actor should, but it takes a special set of skills to make a variety of characters into comedy icons. However, in one minor role, when Tudyk was cast as a guest star in the second season of Arrested Development did just that, prompting the actor to be brought back multiple times in later seasons.

Pastor Terry Veal is a wonderful addition to the show that first appeared when Michael attempts to rally support against his son and Pastor Veal’s daughter’s pre-engagement. However, Pastor Veal and his wife are in favor of the union. Things devolve, and events get out of hand as they always do in Arrested Development, but Veal does make appearances in subsequent seasons as a TV star.

3Con Man – Wray Nerely

Tudyk has also tried his hand at writing and directing, with his incredible series Con Man. The show follows an actor whose biggest role was in a sci-fi series, and now he finds himself struggling to get other work. In order to get by, he attends conventions, meeting and greeting adoring fans, but he feels completely at odds with the people attending these events.

The show appears to be a hyper-stylized version of Tudyk’s own life, with the protagonist, Wray Nerely being a decidedly more judgmental and pretentious figure. However, both men have some life events in common. The show is hilarious from start to finish, and an excellent showing by Tudyk in this multi-faceted role.

2Zootropolis – Duke Weaselton

Tudyk may be involved in a lot of shows that largely target more mature audiences, but he is also a frequent star featured in family films. As mentioned earlier, Tudyk has secured a number of roles as the voice of animals in animated shows, mimicking wild animal noises and creating iconic characters without the use of any dialogue.

However, when Tudyk was cast in Zootropolis as a supporting antagonist, he really delivered as Duke Weaselton. The character is a playful tribute to Tudyk’s other animated villain, the Duke of Weselton, from Frozen. Duke wants so badly to be intimidating and impressive, but more often than not, the character inspires laughter.

1Firefly – Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne

One of the big breakout roles in Tudyk’s career was unfortunately cut short after just a single season, when Firefly was aired out of order, and then canceled. The show, by the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon, is an incredible sci-fi adventure series that has since developed into a huge cult hit series. And in part, this was down to the incredible performances of the cast, like Tudyk.

Tudyk plays Hoban, better known as Wash. He is married to Gina Torres’ character, Zoe, and the pair have an adorable relationship. Wash is the pilot of the Firefly, and a wonderfully witty character who elevates the entire show. Despite the short time on air, Alan Tudyk proved his comedy prowess, and excelled in this role, and many more since, including Resident Alien.