Top Ten Times Punk Went "Hollywood" (Excluding Documentaries)
Punk bands and punk musicians who performed (musically), acted in or have other ties with movies and television.
A 1983 coming of age film directed by Penelope Spheeris about suburban teenage runaways. Starring Chris Pedersen (one time guitarist for SIN 34) and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fear) amongst others. The film features performances by punk rock bands T.S.O.L., The Vandals and D.I.
The movie (1979) is basically about high school kids trying to see a Ramones show. The band members (Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Marky) all star in the movie. Many of The Ramones songs are played throughout the movie and featured on the movie's soundtrack.
Although Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band) has appeared in numerous films, this was his first time starring as the lead role. It's actually a good movie and Rollins nailed his part. I was actually surprised at how good this movie is. I can't give the plot without spoiling the movie. I highly recommend this film to anyone who hasn't seen it. Released in 2015. Written and directed by Jason Krawczyk. It's available on Netflix.
The film (1983) is also known as The Order of Death. Johnny Rotten plays Leo Smith, a young man who shows up at a crooked cops door (Harvey Keitel) and claims to be a serial killer of corrupt cops. I believe this is Johnny Rotten's first and only time to actually star in a film.
Season 5 episode titled "Rosebud". The band berates Mr. Burns while performing "Happy Birthday" to him. Mr. Burns, not familiar with The Ramones confuses them with The Rolling Stones, orders Smithers to "have The Rolling Stones killed".
Terminal City Ricochet (1990) is a corny cult classic dystopian comedy critical of television and its collusion with government and consumerism. (right up Jello's alley) Songs from Dead Kennedys and D.O.A. are featured in the movie and the film's soundtrack.
Iggy Pop plays Belvedere Rickettes in John Waters Movie Cry-Baby. When something makes me think of this movie, Iggy Pop's "bathtub" scene always pops in my head. Iggy has also been in other films such as The Color of Money, Dead Man (awesome movie starring Johnny Depp), Coffee and Cigarettes (along side Tom Waits), and Tank Girl.
I know right? But yeah, The Cramps performed the songs "Mean Machine" and "Strange Love" on stage at the high school dance on the show's original series run. The episode is named "Gypsies, Cramps and Fleas" and aired in 1995.
During "The Battle of the Bands" scene at The Roxy, The Dils are the punk band performing on stage.
Viggo Mortensen is an actor/producer most recognizable from his role of Aragon from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Other movies he starred in are A History of Violence, Carlito's Way, 28 Days, and Psycho (remake) to name a few. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Eastern Promises (2007). He is currently (2018) starring in a movie I'm interested in called Green Book.
Lee Ving played Mr. Boddy in the 1985 movie Clue which was based on the board game.