Walton Goggins, the legendary character actor known for his intense, soulful performances in Justified and The Shield, hosted this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL). What a special sight to see him! Goggins has won wide acclaim in captivating performances in critical hits such as Django Unchained. This year, he’s wowed audiences in HBO’s award-winning limited series, The White Lotus and HBO’s hit dramedy The Righteous Gemstones. At 53 years old, he is still, as a sex symbol, one of the hottest draws to Hollywood. His versatility and charisma really come through when performing live.
It’s little wonder, then, that Goggins has become one of the most interesting performers in the business today. His new work continued to put him at the forefront of cutting edge television, transitioning between genres and characters with effortless grace. As Uncle Baby Billy in The Righteous Gemstones, Goggins’ performance is nothing short of transcendent. His representation channels Southern gothic, conjuring the spirits of Faulkner and Tennessee Williams. His work on these two oily HBO dramas has already generated critical acclaim to make audiences salivate with anticipation over whatever egg he’s working on next.
During his SNL hosting stint, Goggins showcased his range by participating in various sketches that highlighted both his comedic timing and dramatic flair. His most famous sketch put him in the guise of Mr. Patterson. As a mentor in this role, he individually and personally welcomes Nick into his firm as partner. This new role finally gave Goggins space to exercise the mix of menace and magnetism that made him so compelling to watch.
In his second sketch, Goggins adopted the character of a real-life Matt — an ornery but dope dude. This performance highlighted his extraordinary talent to embody varied characters. His involvement in a sketch titled “The Second Amendment” showcased Goggins’ knack for satire, where he delivered a one-word response: “guns,” which elicited laughter from the audience.
Goggins’ talents extended far past comedic montages. He delighted the audience with a musical interlude, bringing a fun, creative element to the episode. His presence on stage was complemented by engaging interactions with the cast, including Cecily Strong, who made a return as Jeanine Pirro. Strong’s dynamic with Goggins created a really captivating energy that translated extremely well to the audience.
“I watch White Lotus… I’m a big Parker Posey fan, she’s brilliant.” – Nora Dunn
Goggins artfully moved between the different prescriptive sketches. He even brought some personality traits from his characters in The Righteous Gemstones and The White Lotus to the process. This stylistic maneuver gave him the freedom to find common ground with long-time fans that have grown with him over the years. He unapologetically wore Uncle Baby Billy’s eccentricities. This gave a distinct advantage that he used to add a fun twist to his portrayal of different characters throughout the production.
Not just an idealized badass, critics and fans soon lauded Goggins for his freakish abilities. In every role he played throughout the episode, he struck that perfect contrast between humor and depth. His well-known versatility is in the forefront here too, as masterful musicianship on trumpet that ranges from smooth to edgy. He gave a great version of the Arcade Fire song “Year of the Snake”.
“Nice tune. I think they’re really good. My fans love ’em. Listen to them on alternative rock stations.” – Patrick Weathers
In addition to showcasing his musical talent, Goggins’ charismatic presence served as a reminder of his status as one of Hollywood’s most captivating performers. His continued triumphs at HBO have made his name synonymous with high quality and even higher prestige. Now, he’s a household name among anyone who loves quality television.
Additionally, Goggins’ body of work demonstrates a profound dedication to demanding roles that push the artistic envelope. His talent has been maturing alongside him and the audiences can’t wait to see where he’ll go from here. No matter if it’s a more voiced role or character based performance, he always leans into his specific skills.
“Sure. Go do some leading man roles.” – Patrick Weathers
