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Stoner comedies remain popular in pop culture thanks to their laid-back charm, irreverent tone, and a “f— the man” mentality. Typically, these pictures contain wild plots and provide audiences with an escape from reality while offering a satirical lens through which to view the world.
More importantly, they introduce memorable, relatable characters who ascend to legendary status, adored by the masses. Which stoner characters are the best, you ask? Well, light up a joint or kick back an edible, if that’s your thing, and bask in this list of the best stoner movie characters ever (ranked in no particular order).
Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (The Big Lebowski)
If this were a Top 10 list, Jeff Bridges’ unemployed slacker would easily take the crown, if only due to the insane amount of memes and gifs he inspired. Appearing in the Coen Brothers’ classic 1997 comedy The Big Lebowski, the Dude spends his days bowling, avoiding responsibility, and hobbling around with a White Russian in one hand and a joint in the other.
His enigmatic lifestyle inspires religions and countless books and resonates as fiercely today as it did in the late 1990s. Here is a man with an unwavering commitment to his lifestyle who happily shrugs off politics, women, and even money to enjoy simple pleasures. After a botched money drop, the Dude has a simple solution: “F— it, let’s go bowling.” The Dude abides, man.
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong (Cheech & Chong)
Through five movies spanning half a decade, Chechen Marin and Tommy Chong entertained audiences with their absurd humor, steeped in marijuana culture. Beginning with 1978’s classic Up In Smoke, the pair went on to fame and fortune, producing records and offering wry commentary of their era’s pivotal events and cultural movements. Also, they’re pretty damned funny.
While their schtick eventually fizzled in the mid-80s, the boys retreated for 2013’s Chechen & Chong’s Animated Movie, which might be their comic masterpiece. Cheech and Chong won’t amuse everyone, but you can’t spell marijuana without them.
Harold and Kumar (Harold & Kumar)
John Cho and Kal Penn exploded out of the gate with 2004’s hilarious Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, which successfully blended classic road trip formula elements with stoner comedy and set the stage for an unlikely franchise. Like Cheech and Chong, Harold and Kumar take potshots (pun intended) at everything from cultural identity to Doogie Howser. Not surprisingly, Neil Patrick Harris practically steals the show as a very eccentric version of himself who loves himself some ecstasy.
While Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay and A Very Merry Harold & Kumar Christmas don’t offer the same perfect blend of satire and outrageous humor as the classic original, they helped affirm the duo’s place in stoner culture. The universe really does unfold as it should, people.
Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)
Before he roamed the world as a political activist and made Oscar-winning movies, Sean Penn crafted the perfect surfer dude accent to portray Jeff Spicoli, the carefree hero of Amy Heckerling and writer Cameron Crowe’s 1982 classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This surprisingly thoughtful coming-of-age tale follows a group of teens through high school, where they deal with peer pressure, sexuality, and social dynamics.
Spicoli’s easygoing mentality puts him at odds with his teachers, particularly his history teacher, Mr. Hand. Uniquely, Spicoli enjoys a character arc throughout the film, proving himself during an intense exam near the picture’s end. While he may only need a few tasty waves and a cool buzz to be happy, Spicoli is more than your average stoner and remains a favorite amongst genre fans.
Smokey (Friday)
Chris Tucker doesn’t appear in many films, but the man gives it his all when he does. Case in point: Smokey, the fast-talking, weed-smoking pal of Ice Cube’s Craig Jones, a character brought to vivid life by Tucker, who has since become a legend in movie circles. Endlessly quotable, charming, and sharp-witted, Smokey’s antics often lead to trouble and require Craig’s steady hands to fix.
No matter, their friendship endures despite Smokey’s eccentricities. Moreover, Smokey learns valuable lessons about responsibility and friendship and ultimately makes the right decision. He transcends caricature, emerging as an endearing underdog that the audience genuinely roots for until the end.
Floyd (True Romance)
Sometimes, all it takes is a well-timed cameo for a character to reach cinematic heights. That’s exactly what happened with Floyd, the random dudebro hanging out on Michael Rapaport’s couch in Tony Scott’s brilliant action comedy True Romance. Memorably played by Brad Pitt (before he was Brad Pitt), Floyd spends 90% of his day getting high as a f—ing kite. He doesn’t care about his roomie’s activities and inexplicably saves his own life simply by being too stoned to lie.
Floyd only gets a little screen time but leaves an impact thanks to Pitt’s pitch-perfect performance. Clearly, the guy knows his way around a homemade plastic bong.
Lance Brumder (Orange County)
Jack Black shot to superstardom in 2002’s bite-sized coming-of-age comedy Orange County, where he starred as the bumbling, always-high-on-something Lance Brumder, brother of Colin Hanks’ world-weary Shaun. After Lance bungles Shaun’s chances at getting into Stanford, the pair team up and head to the college to fix Lance’s mistake.
Everything turns out fine despite Lance’s eccentric antics, which include getting high with a young woman and nearly burning down the campus. While not the central figure in the narrative, Black runs away with the picture, delivering zany one-liners and using his manic energy to propel the comedy to incredible heights.
Saul Silver (Pineapple Express)
Stoner comedies often intertwine with tales of lifelong friendships. Pineapple Express, the 2008 hit comedy directed by David Gordon Green, exemplifies this theme. The film follows two longtime buddies, Saul Silver (played by James Franco) and Dale Denton (played by Seth Rogen), navigating through a series of misadventures, evading corrupt cops and drug gangs after witnessing a shooting.
Brimming with uproarious humor, Pineapple Express shines brightest when it delves into the bond between Saul and Dale, adding unexpected depth to the comedic narrative. James Franco delivers a standout performance as Saul, shedding the stiffness seen in his previous roles for one that perfectly aligns with his eccentric sensibilities. As the story unfolds, Saul reveals layers of vulnerability and humanity beneath his laid-back exterior, making him one of the more charismatic stoner heroes on the list.
Jay and Silent Bob (Clerks)
Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith burst into cinematic history in 1994’s indie hit Clerks as Jay and Silent Bob, a couple of local stoners who frequent Quick Stop Groceries, where most of the film’s action occurs. While not pivotal to the plot—like, at all—the pair sporadically pop in to provide commentary and/or harass customers.
Later films expand the dynamic duo’s presence, allowing them to provide witty insight into everything from celebrity culture to filmmaking in general. Clearly, they endeared themselves to audiences, appearing in seven films set within Smith’s View Askewniverse, along with a handful of guest appearances on TV shows and movies.
Thurgood Jenkins (Half Baked)
Of course, no stoner movie roundup would be complete without a nod to the cult classic Half Baked. Directed by Tamra Davis and released in 1998, this beloved comedy follows the antics of four friends who turn to selling marijuana to raise bail money for their arrested buddy. At the helm is Thurgood Jenkins, portrayed by Dave Chappelle, who embodies the essence of the stoner lifestyle.
Thurgood is the epitome of chill, adored by his pals, and often delves into philosophical musings — kind of like Chappelle. The role perfectly aligns with Chappelle’s comedic prowess, allowing him to blend wit and wisdom seamlessly, all of which help propel Half Baked to the upper tier of stoner flicks, making it a must-see for any true fan of the genre.
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