Top 10 Most Epic Santas

The image of the cheerful, red-suited man has been a part of Christmas for centuries, with countless variations emerging throughout history. Few figures have come to represent the holiday as much as the jolly Santa Claus (aside from Jesus himself), and even fewer have made such a lasting cultural impact. Over time, Santa has been portrayed in countless films and TV specials, each bringing a unique twist to the iconic character. Here are ten of the coolest interpretations of Santa.

10. Bill Goldberg (Santa's Slay)

In the movie, Bill Goldberg plays the son of the devil, forced to serve as Santa for a millennium after losing a bet with an angel. Now that his time is up, Santa isn’t in the holiday spirit anymore. He’s out for revenge and begins a killing spree. And honestly, WWE wrestler Goldberg looks incredibly tough as the holiday elf—BAD ASS.

As Nick Claus, who eventually becomes Santa, Paul Giamatti truly captures the essence of the jolly, round man. While it’s all about the costume and makeup, his facial expressions and mannerisms bring the character to life. Even though I still picture him as the troubled, wine-loving guy in *Sideways*, Giamatti completely nails the role of Santa.

Six-year-old Susan begins to question the most magical figure of childhood – Santa Claus. Her mother had shared the “truth” about Santa long ago, so Susan no longer expects the biggest gifts on her Christmas list. But when she encounters a special department store Santa who truly believes he’s the real deal, Susan receives the most valuable gift of all – something to believe in. Sure, it’s a remake, and those rarely live up to expectations, but just look at the guy! Now THAT is what Santa should look like!

Scott Calvin (played by Allen) reads *The Night Before Christmas*… and then has an unexpected visitor on his roof. After calling out to the intruder, the Santa imposter falls, vanishing, leaving behind only a sleigh with eight reindeer and a suit with instructions to wear it if the original Santa meets an unfortunate fate. Scott puts it on, and suddenly he’s flying through town, delivering gifts down chimneys, until he’s taken to the North Pole and informed by a group who claim they are elves that he’s now Santa. For someone who’s not typically built like Father Christmas, Allen is surprisingly convincing in the role.

In a side-splitting Debbie Downer sketch, Rachel Dratch takes on the role of Downer with her signature brand of pessimism, playing the part of a downhearted soul on Christmas morning. Jack Black, in his role as Santa (which he plays exceptionally well), tries to break through Debbie’s never-ending list of worries by repeatedly asking her what she truly desires for Christmas, only to be met with her unyielding hypochondriacal responses.

While Will Ferrell's portrayal of Buddy the elf is the showstopper, Ed Asner still brings his own charm to the role of the grumpy Santa. He appears at the very end of the movie, disheveled in a broken sleigh, to explain to Buddy that the Christmas spirit must be revived in the city before he can take flight again. His take on Santa is surprisingly fitting, especially with his no-nonsense attitude.

Initially, Santa is portrayed as a thin, obnoxious figure who sings boastfully about being the King of Jingle-Ling to Rudolph’s family, immediately after insulting Donder by calling his son a freak with a glowing nose. He even bluntly tells the father deer that he has failed as a parent for producing such a freakish child. But as the story unfolds, the old man has to eat his own words, seeking Rudolph’s help to guide his sleigh through the fog. Serves him right, you old grump!

When the Grinch, the annual nemesis of the Whos down in Who-ville, finally decides to take matters into his own hands and ruin their Christmas celebration, he dresses up as ‘Santy Claus’. Using a torn curtain and some white fluff, the Grinch doesn't exactly resemble Santa to most people, but somehow, Cindy Lou Who thinks he does. Gotta say, though, the suit’s not half-bad.

As the most obnoxious Mall Santa, Billy Bob—slender, gangly, and far from the traditional Jolly Old Elf—definitely doesn’t match the usual Santa image. He’s rude, drunk, and a thief, but when it comes to the real holiday spirit—women and a good time—he’s the definition of cool.

This is the iconic one: the Santa Claus we recognize today owes much of his fame to a Coca-Cola ad campaign that popularized him worldwide. The jolly figure we know took inspiration from the traditional Victorian English Father Christmas, and Coca-Cola's global reach solidified his image.

Contributor: StewWriter