Patton Oswalt is a comedian whose can-do attitude is infectious and who can switch with ease from stand-up, heart-wrenching drama to colorful voice acting and still be able to get his point across. He has the talent to turn any of his shows into a lasting impression, be it a Netflix original or a Pixar classic. Let’s make a list of his best ten performances, starting with number 10 and ending with his most recent brilliant role.
10. The Sandman (2022)
Matthew the Raven, Morpheus’s clever sidekick, is brought to vivid life by Oswalt in Netflix’s dark reimagining of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. His lightness and good cheer cut through the show’s eerie, otherworldly atmosphere and make Matthew lovable.
9. BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Oswalt provides the voice of Pinky Penguin and other supporting roles for BoJack Horseman. He demonstrates his ability to strike a balance between the comedic and the deeply emotional in a show that couples absurdity with real tragedy.
8. Please Stand By (2017)
Oswalt appears as Officer Frank, an honest cop who helps Dakota Fanning’s Wendy in this independent drama. His understated, sympathetic turn is proof that he can provide emotional weight, if not laughs.
7. The King of Queens (1998-2007)
Oswalt brought to life gangly, geeky best friend Spence Olchin with his dry wit. His on-screen chemistry with Jerry Stiller’s Arthur created some of the sitcom’s largest and goofiest laugh-out-loud moments.
6. Veep (2015-2019)
Teddy Sykes, Chief of Staff to Jonah Ryan, is Oswalt’s niche in HBO’s political satire. His clinical, but cringe-worthy, sense of comedic timing is an additional level of comedy in the mad world of Washington.
5. The Goldbergs (2013-2023)
Oswalt narrates this delightful show as adult Adam F. Goldberg, balancing humor and wisdom, and sentimentality. His calming, assuring voice is the glue that keeps the show’s charm intact.
4. The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
Adding to the voice of Max, Oswalt infuses new humor and personality into the character. His timing and expressiveness make the Jack Russell Terrier more humorous and charming than in the first film.
3. M.O.D.O.K. (2021)
Oswalt provided the voice of the giant head titled M.O.D.O.K. and also co-wrote the stop-motion series. His humor makes M.O.D.O.K. egotistically self-absorbed yet kind of lovable.
2. A.P. Bio (2018-2021)
As Principal Ralph Durbin, Oswalt dishes out consistent guffaws with his good-hearted, clueless, and avuncular strictness. His comedic genius bursts in a movie full of wacky classroom shenanigans.
1. Ratatouille (2007)
Patton Oswalt’s voice work as Remy the rat is simply wonderful. He empowers a rodent with culinary ambitions with charm, grit, and warmth, and the result is one of Pixar’s all-time great heroes. This is Oswalt at his best.
Patton Oswalt’s career is an example of the artist’s ability to do many different things very well. Through comedy, emotion, or memorable voices, he always has something new to give. If you haven’t really heard him, these ten performances are a perfect introduction.