# Who has the best permanent scowl? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628 "2023-01-22T23:19:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/1 "2023-01-22T23:19:31Z")
I accidentally posted this in ATMB (under a slightly different title) when I went there for current instructions on how to add an image. Instead I’ll just include a link. And I assume this is the correct forum for this type of thing. Who has the best perpetual scowl? Permanent sneer? I nominate [Jo Van Fleet](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52643297684_bdd1333641_m.jpg) Any others come to mind? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/2 "2023-01-22T23:58:56Z")
Elvis ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/3 "2023-01-23T00:18:16Z")
Jo Van Fleet was an actor, and she didn’t always scowl. She could do a mean face, but it wasn’t permanent. Among actors, I nominate Audrey Totter, who even in a sympathetic role (or a sympathetic moment in other roles) still had the corners of her mouth turned down, and her eyebrows up in a sort of sneer. Here’s how I think of her: > **[Audrey Totter](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0869429/mediaviewer/rm4097198336/)** > > Audrey Totter in Main Street After Dark (1945) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/4 "2023-01-23T00:27:17Z")
Sam the American Eagle? [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/1/16/SamEagle.jpg) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/1/16/SamEagle.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/5 "2023-01-23T00:28:43Z")
Birds in general seem engineered for such expressions. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/6 "2023-01-23T00:32:23Z")
> **[Karl Lagerfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Lagerfeld)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Karl Otto Lagerfeld (German pronunciation: \[kaʁl ˈʔɔtoː ˈlaːɡɐˌfɛlt\] (listen); 10 September 1933 – 19 February 2019) was a German fashion designer, creative director, artist and photographer. > He was known as the creative director of the French fashion house Chanel, a position held from 1983 until his death, and was also creative director of the Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi, and of his own eponymous fashion label. He collabo... ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/7 "2023-01-23T00:32:24Z")
Ayatollah Khomeini. [![](https://cdn.britannica.com/15/194515-050-E95A2064/Ruhollah-Khomeini.jpg) ](https://cdn.britannica.com/15/194515-050-E95A2064/Ruhollah-Khomeini.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/8 "2023-01-23T00:34:06Z")
> **[Victoria Beckham](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Beckham)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > Victoria Caroline Beckham (born 17 April 1974) is an English singer, songwriter, fashion designer and business woman. She used to be a member of a pop group called the Spice Girls. She receives a great deal of media coverage due to being married to football player David Beckham. Her nickname is Posh Spice. > Victoria was born at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, She was eldest child of Antony Adams and Jacqueline Cannon. > She has ma... ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/9 "2023-01-23T00:36:34Z")
I think we all know the answer is Grumpy Cat. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/10 "2023-01-23T01:13:57Z")
Walter Matthau always seemed grumpy-faced, even when he was smiling. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/97/ad/0e/97ad0e99eeba96e2094c6236b5ef4e5f.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/97/ad/0e/97ad0e99eeba96e2094c6236b5ef4e5f.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/11 "2023-01-23T01:31:23Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > Walter Matthau always seemed grumpy-faced, even when he was smiling To me, he always looked cheery even when he was scowling. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/12 "2023-01-23T01:35:14Z")
In a hangdog sort of way, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/13 "2023-01-23T01:49:11Z")
I think Kanye is getting more scowly as he gets older. I don’t know if it’s a deliberate affectation, but in some shots he looks like he’s got tennis balls stuffed in his cheeks. > **[Kanye West hits back after Howard Stern compared him to Hitler](https://www.monstersandcritics.com/celebrity/kanye-west-hits-back-after-howard-stern-compared-him-to-hitler/)** > > Kanye West puts Howard Stern on blast after the radio host compared him to Hitler for his anti-Semitic rants. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/14 "2023-01-23T10:13:29Z")
John Houseman [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/John_Houseman_-_1980.jpg/220px-John_Houseman_-_1980.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/John_Houseman_-_1980.jpg/220px-John_Houseman_-_1980.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/15 "2023-01-23T11:35:33Z")
> **[Ex-French president Sarkozy in custody over alleged Gadhafi links: AP source](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ex-french-president-sarkozy-custody-over-alleged-gadhafi-links-source-n858141)** > > The former president is being investigated over claims he received millions of euros in financing from late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. [![](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2018_12/2368666/180320-nicolas-sarkozy-mc-939.JPG) ](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2018_12/2368666/180320-nicolas-sarkozy-mc-939.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/16 "2023-01-23T13:27:02Z")
[![](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-04-at-5.56.12-PM.png) ](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-04-at-5.56.12-PM.png) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/17 "2023-01-23T14:49:38Z")
Clint Eastwood. Whether playing a Western badass or Dirty Harry, or even his later roles. There’s a built-in aloof malice in his look that even real life villains like Dick Cheney or Vlad Putin can’t touch. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/18 "2023-01-23T14:58:37Z")
Beemo the Cat ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/19 "2023-01-23T15:09:21Z")
Surely the Queen of the scowl is (was) The Queen herself (RIP) [![](https://www.scienceofpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/image-15.png) ](https://www.scienceofpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/image-15.png) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628/20 "2023-01-23T17:15:09Z")
So much so that when Eastwood smiles (“Dirty Harry” opening sequence), it’s downright scary. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-permanent-scowl/978628.md?page=2)