In 1988, the zany heist comedy A Fish Called Wanda, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as the titular character, took the world by storm with its hilarious script penned by Monty Python alum John Cleese. The film, with Cleese also in a major role alongside Curtis, became a massive success, garnering accolades for its cast. Screenwriter Robert McKee often references it in his writing guide, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting. Even today, it is hailed as a near-perfect comedy by many.
Although Curtis would later win an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2022, her performance in A Fish Called Wanda perfectly displayed her comedic talent. Cleese was already impressed by Curtis before casting her in the film. The over-the-top nature of A Fish Called Wanda was so amusing that it induced a medical emergency for some viewers.
Laugh-Inducing Incident
Among the film’s memorable scenes, one in particular went too far for a member of the audience. Sources differ on the exact scene, but the outcome was tragic—a man laughed himself to death during the screening. A year after the film’s release, Dr. Ole Bentzen, a Danish audiologist, succumbed to laughter-induced cardiac arrest. In a 2018 interview with Stephen Colbert, Cleese remarked on the man’s death, stating, “I’m not sure how one should go, but I think laughing is probably the best.” Kevin Kline humorously questioned which scene triggered the event.
Bentzen’s assistant recalled, “I was shocked to hear him break out laughing like that. The next thing I knew, he was dead.” Cleese highlighted in various interviews that the man’s escalating laughter throughout the movie led to his demise. Cleese commented, “I think it is the ultimate compliment. He started laughing after about 15 minutes in and literally never stopped.” Despite considering using this incident for publicity, Cleese opted against it, deeming it distasteful. This real-life event echoed the Monty Python sketch “The Funniest Joke in the World,” where a joke causes death by laughter, illustrating art imitating life.
Success Across Borders
A Fish Called Wanda remains a critical favorite, holding a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and described as “smartly written, smoothly directed, and solidly cast.” The film’s unique blend of highbrow and lowbrow comedy includes the straight-laced character of Archie Leach, played by Cleese, and Michael Palin’s cartoonish antics. The film successfully captivated audiences in both the United States and the United Kingdom, despite the differing comedic tastes of the two nations.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Impact
Cleese had previously been impressed by Curtis’s performance in Trading Places. Upon offering her the role in A Fish Called Wanda, Curtis mistakenly thought Cleese was seeking her husband, Chris Guest. However, Cleese assured her, “I’m writing this movie for you, and Michael Palin, and Kevin Kline, and myself. I’d like you to do it.” His intuition proved accurate, forming a perfect cast dynamic.
Curtis, daughter of Hollywood legends Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, spoke about proving herself as a serious actress beyond nepotism. Her performance in A Fish Called Wanda showcased her comedic timing, standing out even alongside Cleese, one of Britain’s renowned humorists. Curtis’s commitment to her role, including engaging in quirky physical comedy, highlighted her versatility.
Curtis’s Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All at Once is seen as a culmination of her comedic journey, planted during her A Fish Called Wanda days. Curtis grounds her comedic characters in sincere emotions, making them relatable and beloved. Of her Oscar-winning character Deirdre Beaubeirdre, Curtis empathized with her heartbreak, displaying the depth of her acting craft alongside her comedic flair.
Kline’s Funny Feat
While Curtis didn’t receive prestigious accolades immediately, Kevin Kline’s portrayal of the not-so-bright Otto West earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Kline expertly embodied Cleese’s vision of a character oblivious to his foolishness. Kline’s comedic performance stood out and was the only comedic nominee in his category that year.
Legacy of Laughter
A Fish Called Wanda celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018, returning to cultural discussions and offering insights into its creation. While the cast reunited for Fierce Creatures in 1997, it failed to match the original’s impact, serving only as a marginal continuation of its predecessor’s legacy.
