Seth Rogen is known as one of his generation's most prolific and likeable comedic actors. Having begun his career performing stand-up as a teenager, Rogen has has joked his way to top and is now accepting roles in some of the biggest films coming out of Hollywood. His gruff voice and laid back comedic style are instantly recognisable no matter what role he is inhabiting.
While he is mostly well known for his comedic performances Seth Rogen is a writer, director and producer, often working closely in collaboration with his writing partner Evan Goldberg. Together the pair are responsible for creating some of Rogen's most well known characters. Along with all of his creative work and comedic roles Rogen is also known for his voice over work, having provided the voices for a number of beloved characters. His career is long and varied and below are ten of his most iconic roles ranked.
THIS IS THE END
Considering Seth Rogen plays himself in this film, albeit a heightened version, it has to be included as an iconic role. The first on our list of roles and projects Rogen developed with collaborator Evan Golberg, This Is The End sees Rogen and a familiar group of faces all playing themselves and dealing with the end of the world. The cast features a couple of other recurring collaborators from Rogen's career, such as James Franco and Jonah Hill.
ZACK & MIRI MAKE A PORNO
Kevin Smith is a prolific creator known for his specific voice and sense of humour. This work stands out as a somewhat more mainstream, although still hilariously oddball, comedy and for Seth Rogen it cemented his place in the industry as a non-traditional leading man. This role quickly followed his breakthrough from TV to film and unlike many of the roles on this list, was not a role he created specifically for himself. Zack and Mimi, his long time platonic best friend, played by Elizabeth banks, decide to sort out their floundering financial situation by making a porno film together. Of course, things start to get complicated as filming gets going.
50/50
50/50 is half romantic comedy and half indie drama. This role is iconic in Seth Rogen's filmography as a diversion from broad comedy into a more nuanced and grounded kind of performance. In the film Rogen plays the best friend of a young man battling cancer. It is based on a true story and includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anna Kendrick in the cast.While not his most widely known or most popular role, this film gave Rogen the chance to prove he has some serious acting chops as well as comedic prowess.
THE GREEN HORNET
About the closest Rogen has gotten to a big budget super hero film, The Green Hornet was based on a character originally heard on a 1930s radio show and developed for the big screen by Rogen and Goldman. Although the film wasn't a big earner at the box office, the film proved Rogen's ability to bring his comedic sensibilities to any role and continued his collaboration with Goldman.
NEIGHBORS
This comedy sees Rogen playing a suburban Dad whose peaceful existence is threatened when a Frat house takes up residence in the neighbouring property. The film's cast included Rose Byrne and Zac Efron and was so popular a sequel, Neighbours 2, was released in 2016. A great example of Rogen's continuing relevance and prominence in successful comedies.
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
This bizarre stoner comedy sees Rogen in one of the most successful and well known projects from frequent collaborators Goldberg and James Franco, along with producer Judd Apatow, who was instrumental in fostering Rogen's careerr, and later, transition from TV to film. In the film Rogen plays a process server who witnesses a murder perpetrated by the police while buying weed from his dealer and having to go on the run. The film was a box office hit and garnered Franco a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
THE INTERVIEW
Perhaps iconic simply for its controversy, The Interview is surely a notable point in Rogen's career. Once again working in collaboration with Goldman and Franco, The Interview is a comedy about a couple of journalists who, after landing an interview with infamous North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, are recruited by the CIA to assassinate him. Controversially, the film was banned and denounced in North Korea and almost never saw the light of day. However, Sony decided to release the film on its original planned release date and, despite some lacklustre reviews, no negative retaliation was ever made to the filmmakers.
THE LION KING
In his most recent role, Seth Rogen has taken on one of Disney's most recognisable and beloved wart hogs. A great example of Rogen's talent as a voice over artist, his casting as Pumbaa is also proof that Rogen is a major player in Hollywood. The film is already breaking box office records and has been praised for its amazing visuals and computer animation. Despite some mixed reactions from audiences as far the need for a Lion King remake, the consensus across the board is that Rogen's Pumbaa, along with sassy meerkat friend, Timon, played by Billy Eichner, are stand outs from the film; able to maintain what was so appealing about the original while bringing their own contemporary approach to the characters.
FREAKS AND GEEKS
Although it's run was criminally cut short, after only one season, the cultural impact and popularity of Freaks and Geeks lives on. Not only did the show introduce the world to Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segal and Linda Cardellini, it marked the beginning of a prosperous working relationship between Rogen and the show's creator Judd Apatow. Apatow would go on to cast Rogen in some of the biggest comedies of the 2000s, including his most iconic role to date.
KNOCKED UP
Seth Rogen's role in Apatow's critically acclaimed comedy Knocked Up is what really put him on the map and made him a name in film and comedy. In the film Rogen plays party boy Ben Stone whose world is upturned by the realization that a one night stand has more lasting ramifications, in the form of fatherhood. The film was widely praised and was popular with audiences and critics alike. No other role of Seth Rogen's has held the place in the cultural conversation for so long and in such a way as Knocked Up.