Leslie Mann is undeniably a queen of comedy, especially within the Judd Apatow universe, having starred in everything from Freaks And Geeks to The Bubble. Despite being one of Hollywood's funniest stars, Mann has always considered herself a dramatic actress, though she thinks something a little "weird" about her makes her come across as funny, which is perhaps why she is so good at what she does. Her characters are always quite serious women, but we find Mann's unique humor in her delivery.
Recently Leslie Mann has proven to be just as brilliant in serious roles, appearing in dramas like Little Birds, Motherless Brooklyn, and Welcome To Marwen. She also stars in Cha Cha Real Smooth, the highly anticipated second feature from Cooper Raiff, which received rave reviews at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
'The Bubble' (2022)
Leslie Mann’s most recent film, The Bubble, is not fairing too well amongst fans or critics, sitting at just 24% on Rotten Tomatoes. Written and directed by her husband and Judd Apatow, the film centers around a group of self-obsessed celebrities attempting to make a film during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the film itself is not Judd Apatow's best, Leslie Mann’s performance is a real highlight, especially when she gets the opportunity to show off her excellent rollerskating skills, which fans may have seen before on daughter Maude Apatow's Instagram.
'George Of The Jungle' (1997)
90s kids will be very familiar with Leslie Mann's supporting role in the iconic Sam Weisman Disney film George Of The Jungle. Starring Brendan Fraser, Thomas Haden Church, and Holland Taylor, the film tells the story of George (Fraser), a man raised in the jungle who falls in love with San Franciscan heiress Ursula (Mann).
In 2019, Mann and Fraser reunited on Busy Tonight and had the most wholesome interaction of all time, admitting that they were both in love with each other, despite Mann being already married to Judd Apatow. Lucky for Apatow, it was all in good fun.
'17 Again' (2009)
When Mike’s (Matthew Perry) life isn't turning out the way he thought it would, he wishes that he could go back to when he was a popular, 17-year-old high school basketball star. Mike realizes that his wish has come true he wakes the next day in his 17-year-old body (Zac Efron). Leslie Mann plays Scarlet, Mike’s high school sweetheart and now ex-wife, who grew tired of Mike’s despondency.
In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Mann explained that her daughter Maude Apatow who was ten at the time, was madly in love with Zac Efron. When Mann got home from shooting the kissing scene with him, Maude licked her on the face so that she could taste Zac's spit: a fact that any daughter would be mortified the mother about them on national TV.
'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' (2005)
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is the critically acclaimed comedy directed and written by Judd Apatow. Starring Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Catherine Keener, and Elizabeth Banks, the film follows Andy (Carell), a retail worker who is rather unsuccessfully trying to lose his virginity with the help of his friends his virginity at the age of 40.
Although Leslie Mann only plays a minor role in the film, it is without a doubt one of her most iconic performances. Mann plays Nicky, a hot mess that Andy very quickly regrets leaving a club with when he realizes that he has risked his life getting into her car. Nicky’s drunken ramblings and rendition of Missy Elliott's "Get Your Freak On" is one of the funniest scenes in the film.
'Funny People' (2009)
Funny People is the 2009 dramedy written and directed once again by Leslie Mann’s husband, Judd Apatow. The film stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Eric Bana and centers around George Simmons (Sandler), a famous comedian diagnosed with a terminal illness. When George learns of his fate, he reconnects with Laura (Mann), his now married ex-girlfriend, "the one that got away."
Critics praised Mann for her heartfelt role as the woman torn between her husband and her ex-flame. In the film, Mann and Apatow's daughters Maude and Iris Apatow also play Laura and Clarke’s (Bana) children.
'The Other Woman' (2014)
Leslie Mann stars alongside Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton in the 2014 comedy The Other Woman. Taking a leading role in the film, Mann plays housewife Kate, whose perfect life is shattered when she learns that her husband has multiple affairs. Kate forms an unlikely friendship with her husband's mistresses, and together the women develop a plan to take down the love rat.
The film spawned some real-life friendships for the women, with Diaz as a Mann remaining friends to this day. In 2020 Diaz shared an Instagram video of herself and Mann messing around on a tennis court with Mann, demonstrating her killer skating moves.
'How to Be Single' (2016)
How To Be Single is the 2016 romcom that sees Leslie Mann starring alongside Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Damon Wayans Jr., and Anders Holm. When 20-something Alice (Johnson) finds herself single for the first time in years, it’s up to new friend Robin (Wilson) to reintroduce her to the dating world and all the crazy rules that go with it.
Mann plays Alice’s sister Meg, an OBGYN who decides to have a baby on her own via a sperm donor but runs into some complications when she develops feelings for a man she meets at her work Christmas party. Though Mann still gets to flex her comedy skills, it is a more serious role for her, and she really stands out.
'Knocked Up' (2007)
Knocked Up is the critically acclaimed rom-com written and directed by Judd Apatow about Ben (Seth Rogen), a lazy stoner who impregnates Alison (Katherine Heigl), an ambitious reporter on a one-night stand. Though the two initially can’t stand each other, they attempt to give things a go for the baby's sake. Mann plays the role of Debbie, Alison’s protective older sister, who is very skeptical of Ben and his ability to parent.
Knocked Up is one of Mann’s finest roles to date; her character is funny, dry, sensitive, and she has excellent chemistry with her on-screen husband, Pete (Paul Rudd). Perhaps Mann connects so strongly with the story because it is loosely based on her. As Apatow has said, he used moments of Mann’s pregnancy with Maude Apatow, who also stars in the film alongside her little sister, Iris.
'This Is 40' (2012)
Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd reprised their roles as Debbie and Pete for This Is 40, the sequel to Knocked Up. The Judd Apatow film follows Debbie and Pete leading up to their 40th birthdays. Starring Megan Fox, Jason Segal, and Mann’s daughters Maude and Iris Apatow, This Is 40 sees the couple deal with everything from marital issues, to parenting dilemmas, to financial troubles. It is one of the most relatable movies Apatow has made, and Mann absolutely nails it.
While the film is genuinely hilarious, Mann is so raw in the emotional moments between Debbie and her father that it will have you fighting back the tears. Mann’s own father has been absent for most of her life, so it is easy to see where she drew inspiration for those scenes.
'Blockers' (2018)
Directed by Kay Cannon, Blockers was a runaway hit, grossing $94 million at the box office and winning over critics and audiences alike. Starring John Cena, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Newton, and Geraldine Viswanathan, the film follows three parents on a mission to stop their teenage daughters from losing their virginity on their prom night. Leslie Mann plays Lisa Decker, a single mom who is struggling to come to terms with her only daughter moving away to college.
Blockers was easily one of the funniest movies to come out of 2018, and Leslie Mann gets to show off her slapstick skills alongside funnymen Cena and Barinholtz.