“I’m the king of the world!” shouted Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack in “Titanic” (1997, dir. James Cameron), in what became one of the most-quoted lines from the movie. Like many other iconic moments from film, TV, and theater, this line was created with the power of ad-libbing—the art of pulling dialogue out of thin air, making stuff up on the fly, and hopefully not making a total fool of oneself in the process.
The term ad-lib comes from the Latin ad libitum, or “at one’s pleasure.” It refers to the spontaneous creation or alteration of dialogue, actions, or moments by actors during a performance. Ad-libbing often involves adding lines or altering scenes in real time, usually to enhance the authenticity or humor of the moment. It can be a valuable skill for actors, as it allows them to react in the moment and keep performances fresh and engaging for audiences.
Improv vs. ad-libbing
Before we dive deeper into the world of ad-libbing, let’s clear up a common confusion: the difference between improv and the art of the ad-lib.
Improv—like what the actors do on the game show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”—is typically performed without a pre-written script. With improv, actors create dialogue and actions on the spot, often as part of a rehearsal process or a dedicated improvisational performance. Improvisation allows for more freedom and creativity, as actors have the opportunity to build characters and storylines from scratch.
Everything You Need To Know About ImprovAd-libbing, on the other hand, occurs within the context of a scripted performance. Actors deviate from the script, adding or changing lines spontaneously, but the overall structure and plot are predetermined. The goal is to make the dialogue sound natural and spontaneous while still advancing the story in a meaningful way.
Ready to add some zing to your performance? Here are some tips to help you ad-lib with the best of ’em:
1. Know your character well.
Understand your character’s personality, goals, and relationships. What would they eat for breakfast? What’s their favorite reality TV show? Do they secretly wish they could pull off a fedora? The more you know, the easier it’ll be to channel their voice when you’re making something up on the spot.
2. Read the room.
Pay attention to the energy of the scene and your fellow actors. Ad-libbing should enhance the scene, not detract from it or confuse your costars.
3. Keep it relevant.
Make sure your ad-libs actually contribute to the plot or character development. Randomly shouting “Look, a distraction!” might be funny, but unless there’s actually a relevant reason, you’re just confusing everyone and disrupting the flow of the scene.
4. Be prepared.
Channel your best Scar (Jeremy Irons) from “The Lion King” and be prepared. While ad-libbing is spontaneous, having a solid grasp of the script is crucial. Think of it as your safety net—the better you know the scripted lines, the more confidently you can deviate from them.
5. Communicate with your director.
Before you start going off-script, check with your director. Some love a bit of spontaneity; others run a tighter ship than Captain Ahab. Know which type you’re dealing with before you start rewriting their vision.
Going Off Script: When (and How) to Improvise as an ActorSometimes, an ad-lib is so good it becomes more famous than the script itself. Here are some legendary off-the-cuff lines that prove that sometimes the best writing happens in the moment:
1. “Hey, I’m walkin’ here!” from “Midnight Cowboy” (1969, dir. John Schlesinger)
This notorious “Midnight Cowboy” ad-lib, perpetually parodied and referenced, was Dustin Hoffman’s pure instinctual reaction to almost being run over. The delivery fit his character (the con man Ratso) perfectly, so it was left in the film—and made cinematic history.
2. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat,” from “Jaws” (1975, dir. Steven Spielberg)
This iconic line was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider after his character, Police Chief Martin Brody, gets his first up-close look at the massive shark they’re hunting. The quip, an inside joke between the cast and crew, perfectly captures Brody’s shock and awe upon realizing the size of the beast.
3. “You talkin’ to me?” from “Taxi Driver” (1976, dir. Martin Scorsese)
Robert De Niro’s ad-libbed moment of self-reflection (or self-delusion) as Travis Bickle became one of film’s most iconic scenes, and it has also since been parodied and referenced in countless other movies and TV shows.
4. “Here’s Johnny!” from “The Shining” (1980, dir. Stanley Kubrick)
In his role as writer-gone-mad Jack Torrance, Jack Nicholson delivered the film’s most famous line with deranged glee. The ad-lib, a reference to TV host Johnny Carson, perfectly captures his character’s descent into insanity.
5. “You can’t handle the truth!” from “A Few Good Men” (1992, dir. Rob Reiner)
Call him the ad-lib king: Nicholson’s explosive delivery of this line wasn’t in the original script, but it packed such a punch that it became one of cinema’s most quoted moments. His ad-libbed line highlights Colonel Jessup's overwhelming anger and contempt, adding a dramatic punch to the courtroom scene.
6. “Sweet baby Jesus, and the grown one too” from “Abbott Elementary” (2021-)
In Season 1, Episode 11, of the Emmy-winning mockumentary, old-school kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard cries out this line when she discovers her students have used her desks for a social media challenge. Sheryl Lee Ralph spontaneously decided to add the second half of the line, adding to its hilarious and hyperbolic delivery.
Remember, while these moments of genius show the power of ad-libbing, they’re the exception, not the rule. For every “You can’t handle the truth!,” there are probably a hundred “Um...uh...what was I saying?” So practice, know your limits, and be ready to add in an ad-lib when the moment’s right.