12 Movie Con Artists We Can't Help But Believe in Each Time

      Here are 13 movie con artists we can’t help but adore each time.

      **Louis Winthorpe III and Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places (1983)**

      In *Trading Places*, after a cruel wager forces them to swap lives, Dan Aykroyd’s privileged yet suddenly homeless Louis and Eddie Murphy’s homeless yet transformed Billy Ray join forces to outsmart the wealthy Duke brothers, portrayed by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, who have manipulated their lives.

      As Louis acquires street knowledge, Billy Ray masters market manipulation, making them skilled con artists from contrasting social backgrounds. The film suggests that luck is just as vital as hard work in life — unless you can find a way to bend the odds in your favor.

      It's hard not to cheer for Louis and Billy Ray, especially when they recruit Jamie Lee Curtis’s Ophelia, a compassionate sex worker.

      **Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker in The Sting (1973)**

      George Roy Hill’s *The Sting*, set during the Depression, is pure delight — from Scott Joplin’s music to the reunion of *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman, all coming together with a captivating pace — but the most engaging aspect is unraveling the scams.

      The film’s intricate plots lead to a remarkable betting parlor scheme devised by Newman’s Henry and Redford’s Johnny, two of cinema’s most iconic con artists.

      It rightfully won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

      **Lawrence Jamieson and Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)**

      In Frank Oz’s endlessly clever farce, Steve Martin and Michael Caine shine as rival con artists who become partners on the French Riviera. Caine’s Lawrence Jamieson is suave and impressive, while Martin’s Freddy Benson is cheap and vulgar.

      As they attempt to con Janet Colgate (played splendidly by Glenne Headly), the naive "United States Soap Queen," unexpected events occur that shift their plans. You’ll love this film, or my name isn't Dr. Dr. Emil Schaffhausen.

      This film is a remake of the 1964 *Bedtime Story*, featuring Marlon Brando, David Niven, and Shirley Jones.

      **'Fast Eddie Felson' and Vincent Lauria in The Color of Money (1986)**

      The second mention of Paul Newman comes in *The Color of Money*, a sequel to 1961’s *The Hustler*, in which Newman reprises his Oscar-winning role as "Fast Eddie" Felson. In the original, he is a talented player brought down by Jackie Gleason’s Minnesota Fats. Now, he is more experienced, while Tom Cruise portrays Vincent, the arrogant young player who believes he knows everything.

      One joy in *The Color of Money* is its exploration of how expertise in pool hustling differs from simply being skilled at the game; Felson consistently assesses his abilities against his rivals while misleading them.

      Directed by Martin Scorsese, much of the film follows the complex dynamic as Newman’s Eddie and Cruise’s Vincent shift from partners to competitors, keeping you guessing about Eddie's strategies.

      While Tom Cruise was the rising star during the film’s release and Paul Newman was the legendary Hollywood figure, viewers find themselves supporting the elder actor.

      Both *The Hustler* and *The Color of Money* are based on novels by Walter Tevis, who also wrote the book that inspired Netflix's hit *The Queen’s Gambit*.

      **Kelly Van Ryan and Suzie Toller in Wild Things (1998)**

      In *Wild Things*, Kelly (Denise Richards) and Suzie (Neve Campbell) exploit their perceived innocence to execute a convoluted, twisty scam in this gripping modern noir where reality is constantly shifting.

      Both leads deliver outstanding performances, and the film's seediness gives a sense of peering into something illicit.

      Though several aspects of *Wild Things* might not sit well with today’s critics, it possesses an undeniable atmosphere and a slow-building tension that’s hard to resist. Plus, there’s Kevin Bacon’s unnecessary shower scene that adds a layer of equal opportunity exploitation.

      **Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can (2002)**

      The notion that charm makes you agree before even hearing the question rings true with Leonardo DiCaprio, who is exceptionally skilled at portraying endearing young con men. Their schemes often attract compliance from those around them, particularly women, instead of drawing the attention of law enforcement.

      DiCaprio’s depiction of Frank Abagnale Jr., a real-life young con artist turned security consultant, shines in Steven Spielberg’s energetic and entertaining *Catch Me If You Can*.

      The film boasts an impressive cast, including Tom Hanks as a fictional version of the agent who apprehended Abagnale, along with Christopher Walken and Amy Adams, who