We all know and love Dwight Yoakam as one of the all-time greats of ’80s and ’90s country music.
With his unique sound, influenced by country, rockabilly, rock & roll, and bluegrass, the Kentucky born and Ohio raised singer/songwriter released a plethora of hits, like “Fast as You,” “Guitars, Cadillacs,” “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” and so many more.
His music is ideal when you need to go out for a drive with the windows down to clear your head, and will forever be timeless classics.
However, if you aren’t too familiar with Yoakam’s career outside of music, then it may come to a surprise that the man has built quite the reputation as a famed actor as well.
He’s played a few major roles in movies, like Sling Blade, where he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, playing Doyle Hargraves, an abusive drunk boyfriend.
He’s also had a few cameo appearances, and minor roles as well.
With that being said, let’s take a look at Dwight Yoakam’s top five acting moments:
5. Wedding Crashers
Yoakam makes an appearance in the first scene of the iconic 2005 comedy, playing a man who gets into a heated argument with his soon-to-be ex-wife while they’re settling a divorce.
The best part is when his estranged wife calls him out for cheating on her with a stripper, and she delivers one of the funniest lines I’ve ever heard:
“Here name is Chastity. SHE is white trash.”
4. Four Christmases
In this 2008 hit comedy, Yoakam plays a nauseatingly enthusiastic pastor, Pastor Phil, who seems to be getting with Kate’s mom.
His best part in the movie is when he chooses stars Vince Vaughn (Brad) and Reese Witherspoon (Kate) to take part in the church nativity play (it doesn’t end well).
3. Bandidas
In the 2006 western comedy, Yoakam plays Tyler Jackson, the man who stole land from stars Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz.
Yoakam’s character’s actions drive the female duo to become bank robbers, and seek revenge on him.
2. The Newton Boys
In this 1998 comedy, Yoakam stars alongside Matthew McConaughey, as they re-enact the true story of the Newton boys, a family of legendary bank robbers out of McConaughey’s hometown of Uvalde, Texas.
1. Sling Blade
This 1996 masterpiece is 100% Yoakam’s best role as an actor, playing the abusive drunk boyfriend Doyle Hargraves.
His best part in the movie is when he gets incredibly drunk, and cusses out the guys who he plays in a band with.
Although it’s pretty messed up, it’s wild how authentic Yoakam comes across in the movie, and for a second you feel like the scene is happening right in front of you.
