# The best Satan **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637 "2012-03-13T12:35:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/21 "2012-03-13T14:33:07Z")
Viggo Mortensen was pretty good as the Devil in _The Prophecy_, but I probably mostly remember the performance for the special effect where he [scatters apart into birds](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8SC7C2wwDS4#t=62s) at the end (it was a stunning and brilliantly used effect at the time). Rosalinda Celentano was creepy as shit in _The Passion of the Christ_. But my vote for best Satan ever? [This guy](http://www.morethings.com/images/satan/south-park-SatanSad4_couch_revised_big.jpg). “Who’s my cream puff?” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/22 "2012-03-13T14:33:59Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Peter Stromare in Constantine was great. [Exactly what I came in to say. Oddly enough, I’d say the entire movie is massively underrated and his performance is one of the best brief villain appearances I’ve seen.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVFse1LLQs) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/23 "2012-03-13T14:39:59Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > I think the Powder Puff Girl’s That’s the Powerpuff Girls. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/24 "2012-03-13T14:42:11Z")
John Ritter in [Wholly Moses!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0B9dfROwE) ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/25 "2012-03-13T14:55:26Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > My favorite is from a almost-but-not-quite-obnoxiously-Indie movie called **Highway 61** , about a jazz magician and a manic pixie dream fairy who carry a corpse from Canada to New Orleans, chased all the way by the Devil. Only the Devil may just be a loser who’s convinced he’s the Devil: he grants people their deepest desire in exchange for their soul, which he contracts for by snapping a Polaroid of them and putting a dot of their blood on it. He’s really just a horrible person, in the sense that he says really mean things to people to corrupt them, like when he tells a cute little girl in a Christian Family Band that she’ll never become a musical star because she’s ugly, and she’ll grow up fat and ugly and alone, but he can help her with that… > > It’s a really fun portrayal of evil. Totally agree. I love how he seems like a loser most of the time, but they throw a few instances, like the local bingo game where he wins every time, where you’re all, “Wait, could he actually **be** the devil?” Love it. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/26 "2012-03-13T15:00:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > To me its [Ray Wise](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936403/) in the show _Reaper_. He was charming, personable and funny. Just the kind of guy that could get you to sign a contract for your soul. But in an instant he would change to evil and menacing. I liked the show and was sorry to see it go. He was the best part of it. Ray Wise was a great Satan and I wish that show lasted longer as well. Off the top of my head, I’d say he’s the best, but I’m also partial to Jon Lovitz playing satan during his run on Saturday Night Live. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/27 "2012-03-13T15:04:19Z")
John Glover as the Devil in the TV series _Brimstone_, hands down. His Satan _enjoyed_ his work, and it showed in all the little evil touches–unscrewing salt shaker lids while chatting with his earthly agent, posing as a guidance counselor to talk coeds into being strippers, singing about gonorrhea, giving a piece of angel food cake a dirty look…he was never off the clock. Plus, you know, _John Glover_ playing Satan. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/28 "2012-03-13T15:18:35Z")
Pacino has already been mentioned, and just as every ying must have its yang, every extroverted Pacino must have its introverted Deniro, teaching us the proper way to [eat a hard boiled egg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfiuHK_U84). ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/29 "2012-03-13T15:19:19Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > But my vote for best Satan ever? [This guy](http://www.morethings.com/images/satan/south-park-SatanSad4_couch_revised_big.jpg). This is my pick, too. He’s one of my favorite characters on the show. He’s much better than Jesus. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/30 "2012-03-13T16:06:23Z")
I loved Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/31 "2012-03-13T16:08:56Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > My favorite is from a almost-but-not-quite-obnoxiously-Indie movie called **Highway 61** , about a jazz magician and a manic pixie dream fairy who carry a corpse from Canada to New Orleans, chased all the way by the Devil. Jazz magician? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/32 "2012-03-13T16:09:49Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If you want to throw books in there I won’t stop you but thats not what I had in mind. Please say why. Does he come closest to how you think he actually is? Is it the best written or acted? I want to throw books in there, although that’s not what you had in mind. 🙂 I nominate The Walkin Dude from _The Stand_. He was thoroughly believable as evil incarnate. The information that I found most chilling and convincing was the fact that he was kinda fuzzy on the details of his history. He seemed to remember being in Vietnam, or perhaps working on oil rigs …? Or something. That nebulous “where did he come from?” sense of evil that just springs forth when fertile ground is ready to nurture him seems to me absolutely what the devil needs to flourish. And if he’s taking human form, of course he’d be sort of confused. He’s not God, he’s a fallen angel set upon destroying good. The details? Eh. Let’s get on with the destruction of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/33 "2012-03-13T16:33:50Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Pacino has already been mentioned, and just as every ying must have its yang, every extroverted Pacino must have its introverted Deniro, teaching us the proper way to [eat a hard boiled egg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfiuHK_U84). As referenced in post 15. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/34 "2012-03-13T16:36:25Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > As far as general characterization go, I think the Powder Puff Girl’s > [@Tengu](#): > > That’s the Powerpuff Girls. Obligatory clip: [ **Buttercup** : Ugh! Why do people always get that wrong? **Blossom** : It’s Powerpuff! **Bubbles:** No D!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac9ZxPHjBdU) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/35 "2012-03-13T16:38:54Z")
Another vote for Ray Wise. I started a thread for songs about Satan [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645071). ---
**Author:** ![Bambro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@Bambro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambro)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/36 "2012-03-13T16:39:06Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Me too and I will also add the Devil (Legba, Scratch) from the movie _Crossroads_. I wish he played a larger role. I was going to post this one. Robert Judd did a great job playing Scratch. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/37 "2012-03-13T16:40:59Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > I loved Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees Yep, he’s the first one to come to my mind. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/38 "2012-03-13T16:41:29Z")
John Glover in **Brimstone** : “I never loved anyone but God! And that was a LONG time ago!” ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/39 "2012-03-13T16:47:44Z")
The devil from “Highway 61” is an excellent pick. I’ll give my second place vote to Ned Flanders. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637/40 "2012-03-13T16:54:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Elizabeth Hurley in the _Bedazzled_ remake was the sexiest Satan of all time. Mainly because she was Elizabeth Hurley. Well, there was a remake of _The Devil and Daniel Webster_ with Jennifer Love Hewitt that could be a contender. It was made but, I think, never officially released. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-satan/615637.md?page=3)