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Santa Claus is a must-see in any Christmas movie. Although Santa Claus isn't able to make his big screen debut due to time constraints, many of his actor friends have donned the red suit for him.

Many actors have played Santa over the years. Some have given the role a modern twist, while others have played the part as the cheerful old man everyone loves. Each actor portrays Santa differently, from Tim Allen to Kelsey Grammer and Billy Bob Thornton.

Take a look at some famous faces that have donned Santa's costume on film...

1. Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell played the role of St. Nick both in "The Christmas Chronicles" as well as its sequel. The sequel will be available on Netflix on December 3rd. Kurt gave Santa's portrayal a modern twist in the films.

"I wanted to make the most of that chance. The one thing that I haven’t seen in Santa Claus movies, I believe, is a real one. He doesn't seem surprised to be Santa Claus. It's not Miracle on 34th Street. It's not the usual jolly old way of showing a character, or it could be an illusion. Kurt said that this was a real person." Global News.

2. Billy Bob Thornton

In 2003's "Bad Santa", Billy Bob Thornton gave Santa his dark side in its sequel. He admitted that he was actually drunk in a scene where he played the alcoholic department store St. Nick.

"I had three glasses of red wine at breakfast... I then switched to vodka and cranberry juice and finally, I had a few Bud Lights." He told Entertainment Weekly that he was unaware that he was in a movie when he reached the scene.

3. Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt was the one to bring Santa to the big screen in 3D. He played a mall Santa in "A Very Kumar and Kumar 3D Christmas" in 2011.

4. Tim Allen

Tim Allen was the iconic Santa onscreen, playing the role three times in "The Santa Clause", and the sequels. Tim Allen's character began as a normal businessman, but he accidentally killed Santa Clause and was transformed into the jolly old man. Tim revealed that there was a darker origin to the movie!

Tim said that the original "Santa Clause" is darker and was written by two comedians. He also explained that Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks CEO, was determined that a Christmas movie could not be made that way.

5. Ed Asner

Ed Asner was Buddy, a loving Santa Claus who sent Buddy to New York City to search for his father. Ed praised Will Ferrell, his co-star in the film, for his amazing role.

"[He was] brilliant. Will was a major influence on my every move. Digital Journal: "I'm the definitive Santa Claus," Ed said.

6. John Goodman

John Goodman brought "The Year Without a Santa Claus” to life in his 2006 TV adaptation. It was Santa's year when he stopped delivering gifts.

John laughed and said that he had been working hard to prepare for the role. He explained that to be ready for the film, he would eat for 40 years and then give away a lot of money.

7. Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti was Fred, the older brother of Santa in "Fred Claus". He was bitter about his Christmas spirit. Santa demands that Fred go to the North Pole to help him earn his money.

Paul said that it wasn't difficult to get into character because he used the information he had learned about Santa through his life. I just thought there was an archetype of how the guy is supposed to look in my head. The 'ho ho, ho' part, that was the part I found most difficult, and I tried to get it right. It was a unique character so I didn't worry about being the definitive Santa. Paul explained to Indie London that he just happened to be the right man for this job.

8. Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer was the young Santa in "Mr. St. Nick" and was reluctant to take over from his father. He lives in Miami and is enticingly asked to portray a fictional Santa Claus for charity. This leads him on an emotional journey that reconnects with his family.

9. Ben Affleck

In "Reindeer Games," Ben Affleck played the part of Santa Claus. The film features Ben as an ex-con who is blackmailed into participating in a heist. He ends up dressing up as Santa during a casino robbery on Christmas Eve.

10. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey may have been the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", but technically he did wear the Santa costume as a disguise when he tried to ruin Christmas in Whoville!

11. Paul Sorvino

Paul Sorvino played Santa in "Santa Baby 2", which followed St. Nick as he faced a "late life crisis" and prepares to hand over the reins of his business-minded daughter Mary.

12. Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston contributed his voice to the animated special "The Santa Claus Brothers," in which Santa must choose one of his three sons to take over the family business. He suggests a contest in which the winner of the contest, who is the first to understand the true meaning behind Christmas, will be the one to take over the role of Santa.

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Title: 12 Celebs Who Have Played Santa On The Big Screen
Sourced From: toofab.com/2020/11/27/celebs-who-have-played-santa-on-the-big-screen/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2020 23:00:19 +0000

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