Small But Interesting Details About David Bowie Roles That Every Space Oddity Should Probably Know

Erin Maxwell
516 votes 90 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up the most interesting little factoids about the "Hero."

The late, great David Bowie will forever be missed, but thanks to his legacy in both music and movies, he will always be remembered. Though best known for his tunes, his on-screen endeavors are just as memorable. From playing a 300-year-old vampire to a space alien and a scientist, Bowie's silver-screen appearances were always an event.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Thin White Duke's on-screen personas. Vote up the most interesting factoids.

  • 1
    34 VOTES

    Always Lent A Helping Hand For A Good Cause

    Always Lent A Helping Hand For A Good Cause
    Video: YouTube

    From Redditor u/jesuisdeepak:

    In1964, a teenage David Bowie (credited under his real name David Jones) appeared on TV as the spokesperson for the "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Men with Long Hair." He was protesting the treatment he and other post-Beatles long-haired men recieved on the streets of England. It was all a publicity stunt.

    34 votes
  • 2
    52 VOTES

    He Learned To Play The Cello For 'The Hunger'

    He Learned To Play The Cello For 'The Hunger'
    Photo: MGM

    The rocker learned to play the instrument as his role as a vampiric cellist.

     

    52 votes
  • 3
    47 VOTES

    Stills From 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' Became Album Covers

    Stills From 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' Became Album Covers
    Photo: British Lion Films / RCA / RCA
    47 votes
  • 4
    46 VOTES

    Background Detail In 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'

    Background Detail In 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'
    Photo: British Lion Films

    From Redditor u/AaronIE7:

    In The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) starring David Bowie, Bryce (Rip Torn) walks past Bowie's album Young Americans in the record store.

    46 votes
  • 5
    69 VOTES

    David Bowie Played Several Roles In 'Labyrinth'

    David Bowie Played Several Roles In 'Labyrinth'
    Photo: TriStar Pictures

    From Redditor u/PhatWalda:

    In Labyrinth (1986), David Bowie plays two roles: Jareth the Goblin King and Jeremy, the fellow actor that Sarah's mother left her father for.

    From Redditor u/Slartibartfast39:

    For the film Labyrinth, David Bowie himself said he dubbed the baby's noises because all Toby did was cry.

    69 votes
  • 6
    75 VOTES

    Sleight Of Hidden Hands In 'Labyrinth'

    Sleight Of Hidden Hands In 'Labyrinth'
    Photo: TriStar Pictures

    From Redditor u/killerroo220:

    In Labyrinth (1986), the Goblin King's crystal ball moves were accomplished by having a professional juggler kneel behind David Bowie and [replace] his arms. And since the juggler didn't have any video reference to his actions, he had to do the moves completely blind.

    From Redditor u/LorenzoApophis:

    The juggling done by David Bowie's character in Labyrinth was actually performed by juggler Michael Moschen, who had to do all the tricks blind while standing behind Bowie. He won a MacArthur Fellowship "Genius Grant" for his techniques a few years later in 1990.

    75 votes