On the Twentieth Century Star Andy Karl Ranks His 11 Favorite Pop Culture Mustaches of All Time

About the author:
For Tony nominee Andy Karl, playing a character on Broadway requires a physical transformation: He bulked up for Rocky, arched his eyebrows in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, donned skin-tight white pants for Wicked and showed off his, uh, package in Legally Blonde. As narcissistic stud Bruce Granit in the new revival of On the Twentieth Century, Karl's got a new friend on his upper lip! Below, Karl writes a mustache manifesto for Broadway.com, ranking the spectacular lip ticklers that have inspired him throughout the years. 



I, Andy Karl, have grown a thin 1930s-style movie star mustache for the role of Bruce Granit in On the Twentieth Century. It’s a style that reads great for the part, but (in my mind) it’s a little creepy in the real world. It’s my second attempt at sporting a mustache—anyone remember Edwin Drood? In the last few years, the “hipster dudes” have brought the ‘stache back. I’m not sure where I stand on the issue, because I wear one to perform—it’s coming off when Bruce and I part. The mustache can be a lovely conversation piece, but it’s kind of like when girls wear fake, thick-rimmed glasses to look smarter. You’re not fooling anyone, but you have to own the look or risk feeling stupid. In any case, to examine the ‘stache, we should take a look at what I think are 11 good and not-so-good celebrity mustaches to make a case for their existence. Why 11? Why not? Oh, and I’m not talking about stubbly facial hair or beards. I mean owning a genuine mustache without regret. Just ‘stache/no-filler/above-the-lip-territory only. Shall we?


1. THE FLYNN
My personal favorite. Errol Flynn was one handsome man and looked even better with his small groomed mustache. I personally am trying to sport this look in On the Twentieth Century, but I don’t know if I have that je ne sais quoi that Errol had. Friggin’ amazing.


2. THE SELLECK
Bushy but clean. A gentleman of the ‘80s and today. You can wear it with a tux or a Hawaiian shirt. Very versatile.


3. THE BRIMLEY
That ‘stache has lived a journey through the ages. It knows the secrets of existence. They are one. Without it, he’d be lost and vice versa.


4. THE BURT REYNOLDS
It deserves its full name.
It changes lives with one glance.
Women melt at its command.
It owns you and it’s not even trying.


5. THE GROUCHO
Bigger than life. Though not real, it possessed an unmatched comedic timing. Ubiquitous.


6. THE MILK
Cute and nutritional...but not after an hour outta the fridge. Got napkin?


7. THE BURGUNDY
Smell of rich mahogany and leather-bound books. It does not speak Spanish. Virtuoso on jazz flute. All ego.


8. THE HOGAN
Meant only for the WWF, Hells Angels or Vikings. Mighty. Conquering. Warrior.


9. THE FRANCO
Even his ‘stache looks high.


10. The H.I.
Nic Cage when Nic Cage was Cage-iest. These can only be grown near trailers and truck stops.


11. THE SATURDAY NIGHT NEVER
This will get you in trouble everywhere in the world except certain “exclusive” bars. Even then you should probably wear a mask. Sorry, John.