▲Ed Asner is a very familiar Santa, voicing ‘The Story of Santa’ (1996) and appearing as the jolly character in ‘Elf’ (2003) and ‘Christmas on the Bayou’ (2013).

▲Mean-spirited and a whisky drinker to boot, Thornton’s turn as a thoroughly miserable Santa with a conman’s eye in ‘Bad Santa’ (2003) achieved cult status. He reprised the role in 2016’s ‘Bad Santa 2.'

▲Always elegant and poised, the Hollywood legend donned the red suit for ‘The Man in the Santa Claus Suit’, a TV movie from 1979.

▲With a plotline centered around a casino heist, 'Reindeer Games' (2000) doesn’t exactly ring the Christmas bells. But Affleck does briefly don a Santa suit, er, with a gun in hand.

▲Known by millions as Norm Peterson on the hit television show ‘Cheers,' Wendt charmed audiences with his Santa in ‘Santa Baby’ (2006). He also voiced the character in the equally enchanting ‘Santa Buddies’ (2009).

▲The actor’s deep, silky voice added a wonderfully warm aura to his Santa Claus in ‘Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street,' an animated Disney feature from 2001.

▲In the ‘The Christmas Secret’ (2000), Bridges plays Santa in this festive offering that enjoys regular re-runs throughout the holiday season. Incidentally, the actor’s father, Lloyd, also starred as Santa in a movie called ‘In the Nick of Time’ (1991).

▲Aykroyd’s character appears fleetingly as Santa, both at a Christmas party and in a later scene escaping from a drug set-up, in the hilarious comedy ‘Trading Places’ (1983).

▲Art Carney (left in picture) first made an appearance as Santa in a 1960 episode of the classic 'Twilight Zone' series called ‘Night of the Meek.’ He again put on the white beard and red suit in the fantasy drama film ‘The Night They Saved Christmas’ (1984).

▲Upbeat comedy film 'Fred Claus' sees the actor play Nicholas, son of Mother Claus and brother of Frederick Claus. The film was released in 2007.

▲The actor and comedian voiced Santa in the animated film, ‘Saving Santa’ (2013).

▲Best known for his portrayal of Walter White in ‘Breaking Bad,' Cranston can be heard as Santa Claus in the far more gentle and easygoing ‘The Santa Claus Brothers,' an animated TV movie released in 2001.

▲Another actor lending his voice to a Santa-themed animated feature, Welker does a fine job interpreting the man from the North Pole in 1981’s Christmas television special, ‘A Chipmunk Special.'

▲One of the great names from Hollywood’s golden years, Mickey Rooney voiced Santa no less than three times, in ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’ (1970), ‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’ (1974) and ‘A Miser Brothers’ Christmas’ (2008).

▲The highly respected stage actor, theater director, and playwright (left in picture) shows off his comedic skills as an umbrella salesman who is actually Santa Claus in 2004’s ‘Christmas with the Kranks.'

▲Here is another actor who has pulled on the red suit on three separate occasions. The first time was in 2003’s ‘The Hebrew Hammer,’ then in 2010’s ‘The Search for Santa Paws,’ and again in ‘A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,' released the following year.

▲‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989) is regarded as a modern Christmas classic, an accolade due in no small part to the larger-than-life Chevy Chase’s role as Clark Griswold, who dresses as Santa for a disastrous Christmas Eve dinner.

▲A lesser-known name on the list perhaps, Andy Devine was a stalwart of the silver screen, but made a cameo appearance as Santa Claus in an episode of the 1960s Batman series.

▲The highly regarded actor appeared in several high-profile movies over a long and distinguished career. He played Santa twice, in ‘Elmo Saves Christmas’ (1996), and 2002’s ‘Mr. St. Nick.'

▲The eldest of the Baldwin brothers, he voiced Santa in the computer-animated fantasy adventure ‘Rise of the Guardians’ (2012), based on William Joyce’s 'The Guardians of Childhood' book series.

▲The actor enjoyed a prolific television career, and appeared in many films including ‘Santa Claus: The Movie,' released in 1985. His performance - and the film in general - received negative reviews, but has since gained a cult following. It is now one of the most watched Christmas movies of all time.

▲Known for his roles in comedy films, James turned in a stellar performance as Santa in ‘Elmo’s Christmas Countdown,' a 2007 Sesame Street Christmas special.

▲Veteran actor Wagner appeared fairly recently as Santa in the Hallmark Channel’s 2014 movie ‘Northpole.'

▲Better known for playing heavyweight authoritarian roles, Sorvino offers up a passable Santa impression in the lightweight ‘Santa Baby 2,' a made for television comedy film from 2009.

▲Born in Canada but forever associated with the American film industry, Cronyn joined the Santa roll call in the little-known film ‘Santa and Pete,' made for television in 1999.

▲Guttenburg’s comedy credentials need no introduction, and he squeezes onto this list by virtue of the fact that appears in a Santa suit as Nicholas, Santa Claus’s son, in ‘Meet the Santas’ (2005).

▲If ever there was an actor seemingly built for the role of Santa Claus, it’s John Goodman. In fact he’s portrayed him twice, in 2006’s ‘The Year Without a Santa Claus,' and as his voice in the animated musical ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (1998).

▲One of America’s best-known Santas, Tim Allen has made Mr. Claus his own in a successful run of movies – the Santa Clause trilogy. His first appearance was in ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994), followed by 2002’s ‘The Santa Clause 2.' A third film, ‘The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause,' was released in 2006.

▲Even Best Actor Oscar winners aren’t adverse to lending their voices to the Santa legend, and Hanks did so with gusto in the animated Christmas musical fantasy, ‘The Polar Express’ (2004).

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J.K. Simmons voices the character Klaus in the 2019 Oscar-nominated animation of the same name. A young postal worker joins forces with Klaus the toymaker to end a long-lasting feud between two communities through love and joy.

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Comedy darlings Bill Hader and Anna Kendrick star in the hilarious holiday movie ‘Noelle' (2019). Kendrick plays Santa Claus’ daughter, while Hader plays his son who is preparing to inherit the big black boots of his father.

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Once you see Kurt Russell as Santa Claus, it’s hard to imagine anyone else! In this family-friendly movie, ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ (2018), Russell’s real-life partner of about 40 years, Goldie Hawn, plays Mrs. Claus.

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David Harbour of ‘Stranger Things’ stars as a crime-fighting Santa in the 2022 movie ‘Violent Night.’ He happens to be delivering presents to a wealthy family on Christmas Eve when a group of mercenaries attacks the home. Naturally, Santa steps in and shows he’s got some serious moves.

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Over the years Santa Claus has been the subject of numerous films, television shows, and animated features. Several high-profile Hollywood stars have donned the white beard and pulled on the red suit, but there are dozens of lesser-known actors who have also played the jolly, white-bearded character. How many can you name?

Scroll through the gallery and find your favorite on-screen Santa.