Summary
- Malin Ackerman has appeared in over 75 roles since 1997.
- Ackerman’s diverse roles showcase her talent in comedy and drama.
- Ackerman’s has had several standout performances throughout her career, including her role in TV shows like Billions and Trophy Wife, as well as movies like Rock of Ages and Watchmen.
Malin Ackerman is an actress who’s made a larger mark on Hollywood than her own name, with dozens of great roles under her belt. Since 1997, Malin Ackerman has appeared in more than 75 roles on TV and in movies. The Swedish American actress has had a colorful career in Hollywood with several leading roles in blockbuster films, but she has yet to gain the wider recognition she deserves for her talents.
In addition to her acting career, Ackerman was the frontman for an alternative rock band, she has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 in her native Sweden, and she has stepped up to the role of producer on several different projects. Ackerman has also appeared in some of the most popular films of the 2000s in a variety of roles and genres. Considering all of this, Ackerman deserves more recognition for her incredible contributions while she continues to make new movies and shows that will be widely enjoyed.
10 The Proposal
The Proposal was released in 2009, when Ackerman had been steadily establishing her career and proving her strength as a comedy actor. The film features Ackerman in a minor role as the ex-girlfriend of Ryan Reynold’s character, Andrew, but for the brief time she appears on-screen, she does an incredible job. Gert was Andrew’s first love, and they dated for years, which she proudly proclaimed to his new “fake” fiancée, Margaret.
However, while the character seems to be playing with Andrew and Margaret initially, Gert is the one who pushes Andrew to pursue her when she suspects he has genuine feelings for her and is well and truly over her. The role may be small, but it’s an important part in the story, and Ackerman does a great job playing the jealous, but ambivalent ex.
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9 The Final Girls
The Final Girls is a comedy slasher movie with a meta narrative throughout. In the film, Ackerman plays a mother who dies while her teenage daughter is still trying to figure life out. Decades earlier, the mother starred in a successful horror franchise, and the daughter attends a special screening of the movie with some friends.
However, things take a turn when the girl and her friends wind up inside the movie, fighting alongside her mother’s character in the movie. Ackerman does an incredible job balancing comedy with emotion, in a role that demands a lot. Not only is she playing a mother briefly, but she also plays a younger version of the character within the context of a horror movie. The film earned Ackerman a Fangoria Chainsaw Award nomination.
8 Rock Of Ages
Changing gears, in 2012, Ackerman drew on her experience as a former rock star, and played a supporting role in the jukebox musical comedy Rock of Ages. Ackerman plays a reporter for The Rolling Stones, Constance Sack, who interviews Stacee Jaxx, a huge rock star played by Tom Cruise. The role saw Ackerman initially have a contentious relationship with Jaxx, before their mutual attraction turned up the heat to 11.
Ackerman did an incredible job as a reporter and once again shines in a comedic role. Her ability to turn face and go from seething rage to burning hot passion is also incredible. While the role was not a huge part of the movie, it was an effective showcase of some of Ackerman’s skills and her ability to play in diverse roles.
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7 Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
One of Ackerman’s first big opportunities in film arrived in 2004 when she was cast in a minor role in the cult comedy classic, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. Ackerman has a small but important role in the movie as Liane, the wife of a car mechanic commonly known as Freakshow. When the boys arrive at Freakshow’s home, where he has his equipment, Liane approaches the boys with an interesting proposition.
Liane suggests a foursome to Harold and Kumar, but they choose to quickly get as far away from the situation as possible. While Ackerman’s early career highlighted her good looks and her charisma, Ackerman did a great job making the scenes her own. Her character takes control of the scene, rather than fading into the background as can be the case with similar scenes in other movies.
6 The Heartbreak Kid
The Heartbreak Kid was released a few years later in 2007 and saw Ackerman tackle a leading role opposite comedy star, Ben Stiller. Initially, Ackerman’s character, Lila, meets Eddie (Stiller), who believes she is the woman of his dreams. Through twists of fate, the pair choose to rush into marriage as it would help Lila out of a difficult situation at work.
As would be expected from this kind of reckless decision, Eddie begins to learn that Lila is not who he thought she was. Once again, Ackerman’s ability to play a character who goes through a range of emotions and even significant changes in her personality is extremely impressive. Ackerman stands out in the role, despite being cast next to a comedy legend, and she is frequently a highlight of the film.
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5 Couples Retreat
Couples Retreat came out in 2009 and again sees Ackerman in a leading role in this vacation rom-com. This time, the cast is full to the brim with incredible comedy talent, including Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, and Jon Favreau in an impressive ensemble. Ackerman plays Ronnie, who is married to Dave (Vaughn). Along with three other couples, Ronnie and Dave go on a couples retreat to attempt to improve their relationship.
Once again, Ackerman proves her talents as a comedy actor and delivers a wonderful performance with emotion, heartache, belly laughs, and more. While the film revolves around four couples, Ronnie and Dave are at the center of it all, and it makes sense why Ackerman was cast in the role over more popular performers, considering the incredible delivery, playing a young mother with marital problems.
4 Dollface
In more recent years, Ackerman has found her niche appearing in TV shows on streaming platforms where she is able to expand a character beyond the barrier of a single movie. She continues to excel in comedy-based roles, but thanks to her range and flexibility, she is as comfortable settling into a role as an aimless party girl, or a high-powered CEO. In Dollface, Ackerman embodies the latter.
The show follows Kat Dennings’ character who recently broke up with her boyfriend and hopes to reconnect with her friends whom she lost contact with. Through their new-found friendship, they embark on various adventures and pursue dreams together. One goal for the group is to set up a business together, and Dennings’ character goes to a successful female entrepreneur for guidance. Celeste (Ackerman) is the CEO of Woöm, a female-focused wellness and lifestyle brand. Ackerman builds the character over the two-season run with layers and complexity that make this one of her best roles.
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3 Trophy Wife
In 2013, Ackerman landed a leading role in another TV series where she played the party-loving trophy wife of a middle-aged lawyer, appropriately named, Trophy Wife. The show is a sitcom which was ultimately canceled after just one season on ABC, but Ackerman’s portrayal of a frustrated housewife struggling to find purpose is excellent. Between caring for children from previous relationships, dealing with two ex-wives, and trying to spend her husband’s money, the series was packed with potential.
The series explores many different aspects of modern family life, while also exploring deeper topics in each episode. The series received a largely positive response, but due to a challenging time slot on the network, it faded into obscurity quickly. This is a tragic shame as it is absolutely one of Ackerman’s strongest performances to date with a nuanced and entertaining character. Ackerman’s chance to lead a show of her own and make waves was not dashed when the show was canceled, however, and new opportunities would come along.
2 Billions
Switching tonally from comedy to drama, Ackerman excelled in her role as Lara Axelrod in the hit Showtime series, Billions. For the first three seasons of the show, Lara was one of the leading cast, before divorcing Bobby Axelrod and fading out of the series. However, in this period, Ackerman was able to create an outstanding character with a colorful personality and intense stubbornness.
Lara grew up in a blue collar family, surrounded by lower class workers and instilling a strong sense of pride in making something of oneself. However, when she is able to leave her old life behind and trade up to billionaire status with a ludicrously wealthy partner, she runs toward it. The character is compelling, entertaining, and full of secrets. All of which, Ackerman brings to life with effortless ease.
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1 Watchmen
And finally, in the top spot, Ackerman’s best role is not a comedy film, but the acclaimed 2009 Zack Snyder hit, Watchmen. Ackerman was cast as Laurie Jupiter, the daughter of the former Silk Spectre, and her replacement. The movie is a dark superhero story based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and the film manages to bring the story straight off the page and into the real world. Akerman is the beating heart of the movie, and joins several other talented actors to make this superhero story one that continues to stand out today, even in a saturated market.
As Laurie, Malin Ackerman creates a character who is driven by liberal and feminist motives to change the status quo and make a real difference by both fighting crime, and inciting change on a systemic level. Her character is incredibly bright, a skilled fighter, and explores complex emotions with her mother, a former love interest, and her old friends, which makes this easily her best, and most notable role of her career so far.