Famous Ad-Libbed Movie Lines
Even when a line of dialogue is in the final cut of a movie, it wasn’t necessarily in the script. There are times when actors change a line or even…
142086 02: Jack Nicholson plays Colonel Nathan Jessup in the Rob Reiner film adaptation of the Broadway drama “A Few Good Men” November 15, 1991 in Washington, DC. The film tells the story of three Judge Advocate General lawyers defending two US Marines facing murder charges. (Photo by Liaison)
Photo by Liaison/Hulton ArchiveEven when a line of dialogue is in the final cut of a movie, it wasn't necessarily in the script. There are times when actors change a line or even come up with something that the director decides works.
A few familiar lines you may not realize were ad-libbed include:
- Casablanca - "Here's looking at you, kid."
- Jaws - "You're gonna need a bigger boat."
- A Few Good Men: Jack Nicholson changed the line "you already have the truth" to "You can't handle the truth!"
- During the filming of Midnight Cowboy, Dustin Hoffman was upset when a taxi that wasn't supposed to be on set nearly hit him, and he responded in character with the line "I’m walking here."
Andrew MarenusEditor
