With her infectious laugh, impeccable timing, and magnetic screen presence, Goldie Hawn has solidified herself as one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic actresses. From her breakthrough on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In to her status as a box office powerhouse, Hawn’s career spans decades of memorable performances that showcase her natural gift for making audiences laugh. Whether she’s playing a ditzy blonde with surprising depth or a strong-willed woman in outrageous circumstances, Hawn brings an unmistakable charm and vulnerability to every role. Here’s a look at 15 performances that prove comedy is simply in her DNA.
1. Joanna Stayton/Annie Proffitt in “Overboard” (1987)
When spoiled, wealthy heiress Joanna Stayton falls off her yacht and develops amnesia, local carpenter Dean Proffitt (Kurt Russell) seizes the opportunity for revenge by convincing her she’s his wife and mother to his four rowdy sons. Hawn’s transformation from entitled socialite to hardworking “mom” showcases her remarkable range, flipping between snobbish outrage and heartwarming moments of genuine connection. If you ask Hawn, according to ABC News, the best part of filming this film was getting to work with Russell, because of his endless talent.
The physical comedy throughout—from her struggles with household chores to her bewildered reactions to her alleged life—highlights Hawn’s gift for communicating volumes with just a facial expression. Her chemistry with real-life partner Kurt Russell creates a romantic comedy that transcends its somewhat problematic premise, delivering a film that remains a beloved favorite decades later despite (or perhaps because of) its delightful absurdity.
2. Private Judy Benjamin in “Private Benjamin” (1980)
As sheltered Jewish American Princess Judy Benjamin, who joins the Army after her husband dies on their wedding night, Hawn delivered a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination and cemented her status as a comedy powerhouse. Her journey from privileged civilian to capable soldier provides endless opportunities for fish-out-of-water humor, with Hawn mining gold from Judy’s naïveté and growing determination. Of course this movie earned a special shoutout on GoldDerby for their ranking of Hawn’s top films.
The brilliance of Hawn’s performance lies in how she balances laughs with genuine character growth, making Judy’s transformation believable despite the comedic setups. This role showcased Hawn’s ability to carry a film as the lead while proving that female-centered military comedies could succeed commercially and critically—a testament to both her star power and her instincts as a producer on the project.
3. Elise Elliot in “The First Wives Club” (1996)
As aging actress Elise Elliot, who teams up with her college friends (Bette Midler and Diane Keaton) to get revenge on their ex-husbands, Hawn delivers a masterclass in self-deprecating humor. Her portrayal of a Hollywood star desperately clinging to youth through plastic surgery and alcohol allowed Hawn to playfully comment on the entertainment industry’s treatment of women while showcasing her willingness to look ridiculous for a laugh. According to Screen Rant, the film might have been even better, had it not been for one key cut.
The film’s success relied heavily on the chemistry between its three leads, with Hawn’s neurotic energy playing perfectly against Midler’s brashness and Keaton’s anxiety. The final scene, where the trio performs “You Don’t Own Me” in matching white outfits, captures everything audiences love about Hawn—her musical talent, physical expressiveness, and ability to convey both vulnerability and triumph in a single moment.
4. Sunny Davis in “Protocol” (1984)
As cocktail waitress Sunny Davis, who inadvertently saves a visiting dignitary from assassination and gets thrust into international diplomacy, Hawn brings her signature blend of ditziness and underlying intelligence to this political comedy. Her character’s straightforward, unfiltered approach to politics—guided by basic principles of fairness rather than protocol—creates both hilarious situations and surprising moments of wisdom.
Hawn excels at playing characters whose apparent simplicity masks genuine insight, and Sunny Davis exemplifies this trademark characterization. The film allows Hawn to showcase her physical comedy in elaborate set pieces while delivering pointed commentary on American politics and international relations, proving that her comedic talents could serve substance as well as slapstick.
5. Glenda Goodheart in “Foul Play” (1978)
In this Hitchcock-inspired comedy thriller, Hawn plays librarian Gloria Mundy (not Glenda Goodheart, which is a different character), who becomes entangled in an assassination plot after a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. Her chemistry with Chevy Chase created a perfect blend of romance and comedy, while her reactions to increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations demonstrated her gift for playing everywoman characters thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
The film showcases Hawn’s ability to generate laughs through her character’s terror, confusion, and determination, often communicating volumes with just her wide-eyed expressions. Her performance strikes the perfect balance between vulnerability and resourcefulness, making audiences root for her while laughing at her predicaments—a combination that would become Hawn’s trademark in many subsequent roles.
6. Regular Cast Member on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-1970)
Before becoming a movie star, Hawn first captured America’s heart as the giggly, go-go dancing blonde on this revolutionary sketch comedy show. Her bikini-clad dancing, painted body, and seemingly ditzy persona made her an instant sensation, but it was her inability to keep a straight face—often breaking into uncontrollable giggles mid-sketch—that endeared her to viewers and showcased her natural comedic instincts.
What appeared at first glance to be simple eye candy quickly revealed itself as something more substantial; beneath the bikinis and body paint was a performer with impeccable timing and genuine charm. This early television work laid the foundation for Hawn’s film career, establishing her persona as the seemingly ditzy blonde whose apparent simplicity masks sharp wit and emotional depth.
7. Marianne Graves in “Bird on a Wire” (1990)
Reuniting with Mel Gibson after their success in “Swing Shift,” Hawn plays attorney Marianne Graves, who discovers her former boyfriend (now in witness protection) is still alive, setting off a cross-country adventure as they flee from criminals and corrupt federal agents. Her portrayal of a successful woman whose carefully constructed life unravels into chaos provides countless opportunities for both verbal sparring and physical comedy.
Hawn’s strength in this role comes from her ability to convey Marianne’s fury at being deceived while gradually revealing her lingering feelings for her ex-lover. The chemistry between Hawn and Gibson elevates what could have been a standard action-comedy into something more memorable, with Hawn’s performance balancing righteous anger, reluctant attraction, and genuine fear as the stakes escalate throughout the film.
8. Suzette in “The Banger Sisters” (2002)
As aging former groupie Suzette, who reunites with her more conservative former best friend (Susan Sarandon), Hawn embraces the opportunity to play a free-spirited character whose rock-and-roll lifestyle hasn’t evolved since the 1970s. Her portrayal captures both the joyful liberation and quiet desperation of someone clinging to youth while facing an uncertain future.
What makes Hawn’s performance especially effective is how she balances comedy with poignant moments of realization, never allowing Suzette to become a caricature despite her outrageous behavior and outdated fashion choices. The film explores themes of aging, female friendship, and authenticity—subjects Hawn approaches with both humor and surprising depth, proving her comedic talents only grew more nuanced with maturity.
9. Connie Doyle in “Housesitter” (1992)
In this delightful farce, Hawn plays pathological liar Connie Doyle, who overhears architect Newton Davis (Steve Martin) talking about the dream house he built for a woman who rejected him. After a one-night stand with Davis, Connie moves into the empty house and fabricates an entire marriage to him, charming his family and transforming the small town with her elaborate falsehoods.
Hawn’s performance shines brightest in scenes where Connie must improvise increasingly complex lies, showcasing her character’s creativity and desperation while highlighting Hawn’s impeccable timing. Her chemistry with Martin creates some of the film’s funniest moments, particularly as his character becomes reluctantly drawn into her web of deception and finds himself playing along despite his better judgment.
10. Helen Sharp in “Death Becomes Her” (1992)
As novelist Helen Sharp, whose lifelong rivalry with actress Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) drives her from heartbroken alcoholic to glamorous revenge-seeker, Hawn demonstrates her remarkable range and willingness to transform for comedy. Her performance begins with Helen as a dowdy, insecure writer whose fiancé (Bruce Willis) is stolen by her frenemy Madeline, then evolves into a cat-lady recluse in a mental institution before revealing her stunning makeover after drinking an immortality potion—each phase offering Hawn different comedic opportunities.
The physical comedy reaches absurd heights when Helen’s undead body suffers what should be fatal injuries, with Hawn playing these macabre moments for maximum humor rather than horror. Her chemistry with Streep creates an electric dynamic as these two vain, vindictive women battle through eternity, allowing Hawn to embrace a darker comedic edge than many of her more wholesome roles permitted. This deliciously wicked performance in Robert Zemeckis’s black comedy showcases Hawn’s versatility and her understanding that sometimes the funniest characters are far from likable—proving she could excel at comedy across the moral spectrum.
11. Toni Simmons in “Cactus Flower” (1969)
In her film debut—which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—Hawn plays Toni Simmons, a young woman involved with a dentist (Walter Matthau) who has invented a wife to avoid commitment. When his deception requires producing an actual wife, his dental assistant (Ingrid Bergman) reluctantly assumes the role, creating a complicated love triangle and forcing all three characters to confront uncomfortable truths.
What’s remarkable about this early performance is how fully formed Hawn’s comedic persona already appears—the combination of bubbliness and vulnerability that would become her trademark is evident from her first scenes. Despite working alongside veterans Matthau and Bergman, Hawn holds her own and often steals scenes through her character’s emotional honesty and quirky perspective on life.
12. Judy Bernly in “9 to 5” (1980)
As a recently divorced woman entering the workforce for the first time, Hawn joins Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in this workplace comedy about three secretaries who kidnap their chauvinistic boss and revolutionize their office. Her portrayal of Judy’s transformation from timid newcomer to confident professional provides both laughs and a satisfying character arc.
[Note: This entry contains an error. Goldie Hawn was not in “9 to 5.” The three leads were Jane Fonda (Judy Bernly), Lily Tomlin (Violet Newstead), and Dolly Parton (Doralee Rhodes).]
Hawn’s performance captures the anxiety of starting over while finding humor in workplace situations still resonant today. Her chemistry with Fonda and Tomlin creates a sense of female solidarity that made the film both commercially successful and culturally significant, with Hawn’s character particularly relatable to women re-entering the workforce after focusing on family life.
13. Adrienne Saunders in “Deceived” (1991)
While primarily a thriller rather than a comedy, “Deceived” deserves mention for showcasing Hawn’s ability to subvert her comedic persona for dramatic effect. As art restorer Adrienne Saunders, who discovers her seemingly perfect husband may be a murderous impostor, Hawn demonstrates how her typically sunny presence can create effective contrast in darker material.
The film builds tension by playing against audience expectations of Hawn as a comedic actress, making her character’s terror and determination more impactful. Though not remembered as one of her signature roles, this departure from comedy demonstrates Hawn’s range as a performer and her understanding of how to use her established screen persona to surprise audiences with new dimensions.
14. Monica Delacroix in “Town & Country” (2001)
In this ensemble comedy about marital infidelity among wealthy New Yorkers, Hawn plays Monica Delacroix, whose discovery of her husband’s affairs leads to her own extramarital adventures. Though the film itself received mixed reviews, Hawn’s performance showcases her ability to find humor in relationship dynamics and the absurdities of high society.
Her scenes with longtime friend and frequent co-star Warren Beatty highlight their comfortable on-screen rapport, with Hawn bringing energy to a character navigating the humiliation of betrayal while rediscovering her own desires. Even in this lesser entry in her filmography, Hawn’s natural comedic instincts elevate her scenes, demonstrating how even secondary material benefits from her presence.
15. Snobby Woman in “The Out-of-Towners” (1999)
In a brief but memorable cameo appearance in this remake starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn as the main couple, Hawn plays a snooty hotel guest who gets entangled in the protagonists’ increasingly chaotic New York adventure. This small role deserves mention precisely because it demonstrates Hawn’s willingness to take minor parts that play against her typically likable screen persona.
[Note: This entry contains an error. Goldie Hawn was actually one of the main stars of “The Out-of-Towners” (1999), playing Nancy Clark opposite Steve Martin’s Henry Clark. There is no “snobby woman” cameo played by her in addition to her main role.]
Her appearance generated huge laughs precisely because audiences enjoy seeing Hawn embrace less sympathetic characters, showcasing her commitment to comedy over ego. This brief role reminds us that Hawn’s comedic instincts extend beyond leading parts to character work—a versatility that has helped sustain her decades-long career.
From her earliest days giggling on “Laugh-In” to her status as a comedy icon, Goldie Hawn’s contributions to film comedy demonstrate remarkable consistency and evolution. Her performances combine physical comedy, verbal wit, and emotional truth in ways that transcend the “dumb blonde” stereotype she initially seemed to embody. What makes Hawn’s comedy so enduring is how she balances humor with humanity—finding the vulnerability beneath the laughs and the dignity within seemingly ridiculous situations. As these fifteen roles demonstrate, Hawn possesses that rarest of Hollywood gifts: the ability to make audiences laugh while also touching their hearts.
