Christmas: Actors Who Have Played Santa Claus
From Tim Allen to Billy Bob Thornton to Kurt Russell, a look at who has portrayed or voiced the iconic Saint Nick onscreen.
In this 2018 Netflix comedy, Russell takes on a Santa Claus who has crashed his sleigh and lost all the Christmas presents. Together with the help of two children, he must collect them and deliver on a deadline. At the premiere, Russell dedicated the film to his father Bing Russell, “who was, is and always will be the greatest Santa Claus ever.”
Russell went back for a second outing in the sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2.
Bill Nighy in ‘Arthur Christmas’
Arthur Christmas saw Nighy voice the role of a former Santa Claus who is rather disliking of the modern world. He emerges from retirement to help Arthur (James McAvoy) save Christmas. The 2011 animated film also featured the voices of Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton and Jim Broadbent.
William Shatner in ‘Gotta Catch Santa Claus’
This 2008 TV movie follows the story of a young boy who wants to prove that Santa Claus (Shatner) exists by capturing him. Meanwhile, an old enemy of Santa, LeFreeze (Cal Dodd), awakens with the same idea.
Lloyd Bridges in ‘In the Nick of Time’
After 300 years, Santa Claus (Bridges) is up for retirement in this 1991 TV movie from director George Miller. He has seven days to find a replacement, or the holiday tradition will be jeopardized.