[[quoteright:200:[[HeroSquared http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hero_squared_mad_laugh.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:200:You know you're in trouble when their laughter begins with 'Nya'.]]
-> ''You don't understand a thing. Laughing is a very important aspect of being the Overlord.''
-->--'''Laharl''', ''{{Disgaea}}''

->''Ha ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh!''
-->-- '''Wash's Tyrannosaurus rex''', ''{{Firefly}}''

->''I find her happiness quite disturbing.''
-->-- '''Sōsuke Sagara''' on Melissa Mao's EvilLaugh, ''FullMetalPanic''.

Your AppliedPhlebotinum doomsday device has been activated. The {{MacGuffin}} is within your grasp. The good guys are locked away in the DeathTrap. Your circuitous EvilPlan is three-quarters complete! You know what, screw being the EvilOverlord [[TakeOverTheWorld of the world]] - [[AGodAmI you're already a god]]. There is only one thing left for you to do - but first things first:

''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7edeOEuXdMU Muahahahahaha... Muahahahahahaha... Muahahahahahaha]]!''.

The '''Evil Laugh'''. Don't knock it 'til you tried it, folks.

There are only a few characters who are able to get away with this in modern media:

*'''1.''' [[GrandfatherClause A famous supervillain who's been doing this since before it was cool]],
*'''2.''' A [[EvilSorcerer very old wizard-type fellow]] for whom this just comes naturally,
*'''3.''' A [[LaughingMad bona fide psycho]], in which case you'd better do some [[LargeHam pretty impressive cackling]]
*'''4.''' A CardCarryingVillain who does it ''[[LampshadeHanging because]]'' it's a classic villain maneuver.

In any case, it has since devolved to the occasional evil chuckle (which may or may not be a bit scarier) or so every once in a while, except in certain cases, and the trope of laughing while your victim is helpless is definitely dead, as modern villains usually laugh while they work (to much better effect).
A common subversion is to have a villain have an UnEvilLaugh, with snorting, chuckling and squeaking.
On the other hand, it's also an extreme ''UndeadHorseTrope'', and if you ''can'' pull it off, you're encouraged to go for it.

In {{Anime}}, haughty female villains (as well as some male ones) will overlap this with NoblewomansLaugh. Other villains, for reasons known only to themselves, go for the GigglingVillain approach. Often goes well with DrunkOnTheDarkSide.

It's even more jarring (and awesome) when the villain in question is an [[TheStoic emotionless character]], proving EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor every which way.

Just remember, you GenreSavvy villains, the EvilOverlordList:
->20. Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.

Compare NoblewomansLaugh.
----
!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''OnePiece'' not only has several characters performing the Evil Laugh but usually every character who performs the laugh has a unique and distinct version of it that only that character says. For example, Marshall D. Teach aka Blackbeard's signature laugh has a "Ze" sound to it, and Sir Crocodile's laugh is dry and monotone.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTbU1ywp2ck Eh! Eh! Eh! Eh! Eh! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH!]]
* Light of ''DeathNote'' indulges in an EvilLaugh when at his most sinister. In fact, in the final story he struggles to hold in his imminent victorious laughter, and ultimately fails in a scene that cranks the full-blown psycho version of the evil laugh up to eleven. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRtaRbj7FWI&feature=related Sanity's pretty much gone at this point.]] The English dub infamously added one to ''the potato chips scene''. You know the one.
** Am I the only one who doesn't hear evil laughter as English Light eats a potato chip? Heavy, excited breathing, sure, but no laughter.
*** No, you're not.
**** Upon further investigation, there is an evil laugh in that scene, before the WhatDoYouMeanItsNotAwesome OminousLatinChanting kicks in, but it was there even in the original, not added by the dub.
** [[spoiler:Higuchi]] gets one, too. It's not used as often, but that may just be because he doesn't have anywhere near as much screen time as Light.
** Ryuk possesses one as well, written "Hyuk hyuk hyuk hyuk". It's more of an evil chuckle.
*** It better be an evil chuckle. "Hyuk hyuk" sounds like something out of [[ClassicDisneyShorts Goofy's]] mouth.
* ''PeacemakerKurogane'': Suzu gets one of these, after he goes AxCrazy.
* For the protagonist of the series, [[MagnificentBastard Lelouch]] from ''CodeGeass'' gets an inordinate number of evil laughs, usually when he's just pulled another utter pwnage on his enemies with some unexpected genius tactic. His most maniacal ones were in episodes [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EizsvGPqeAw&feature=related 17]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pJWoB-Q6HU 23]] of season 1, and episodes 2, 7, and 9 of R2.
** JohnnyYongBosch has probably the sexiest evil laughter in voice acting history.
** Not to be outdone, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6R-x-vOuYo Emperor Charles]] gets a truly epic one worthy of NorioWakamoto.
*** Emperor Charles' dub laughter somehow manages to exceed NorioWakamoto's laughter. MichaelMcConnohie takes it to more than just 11, he takes it to 13. '''AHAHAHAHAHAHA!''' '''AHAHAHAHAHA!''' Check it out at [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT4UAoQHW0o 8:18-8:22]].
****'''''[[LargeHam YES, YOU'RE WORTHY OF BEING CALLED MY CHILD NOW!]]'''''
* ''KatekyoHitmanReborn'' features ''two'' characters that fit the trope: Belphegor's "Ushishishi!" and Mukuro's "Ku fu fu~" - the latter character actually managed to score an {{Image Song}} titled "Kufufu no Fu". Both character's image songs feature solos of them doing their laughs.
**Birds, anyone? *shudders*
* Heero Yuy from ''GundamWing'' does this in the first episode but drops it after that, as well as Chief Engineer Tubarov just before his death.
** Speaking of Gundam, the Delaz Fleet's Cima Garahau from Gundam 0083 does this when she's beginning the true objective of Operation Stardust-- [[spoiler: A Colony Drop.]]
* Friday Monday from ''{{Madlax}}'' is of the third category, perhaps even the epitome of the third category as he sometimes struggles to contain his evil laughter in times of victory and will cackle for quite some time.
* Many, many protagonists gone AxCrazy in ''HigurashiNoNakuKoroNi''. Yes, it's creepy.
* Katsuhiko Jinnai from ''ElHazard'' (particularly the {{OVA}}s). In the original Japanese he simply sounds like a megalomaniacal EvilOverlord [tm] when he laughs. In the dub he sounds - completely unhinged. It's both hysterically funny and extremely creepy at the same time.
* Mad Pierrot from the ''CowboyBebop'' episode "Pierrot le Fou" pulls off the truly unhinged version of this trope in a very disturbing fashion.
* Several characters from ''{{Hellsing}}'' indulge in this, but the most famous examples have to be Alucard and Anderson's laughs.
** And the best part? They're two of the series' ''{{heroes}}''!
* [[EnemyWithin Hollow Ichigo]] from ''{{Bleach}}''.
** Grimmjow too, but only when he's fighting Ichigo.
*** Or killing Luppi...
* Supervillains ({{Heel}} wrestlers) in ''Kinnikuman'' tend to have very distinctive laughs. There are many, MANY examples, but some of the best examples are those of DittoFighter Stecase King ("Kekekekekeke!") and JokeCharacter villain Kinkotsuman ("Muhyohyohyooo!")
** Ashuraman's laugh ("Kakakakakaka!") is so distinctive, it's actually used as a lyric in his theme song.
* On that note, Torpedo Girl from ''BoboboboBobobo'' laughs using the word "Torpedo" over and over again. It's ''really'' creepy.
* [[{{MadScientist}} Desty Nova]] from ''[[{{Gunnm}} Battle Angel Alita]]'' tends to enjoy this trope. The awesomeness of the laugh in this troper's mind may be somewhat borrowed, however, as he imagines Mark Hamill doing Nova's voice (see Western Animation entry below).
* ''FullMetalPanic''. A teenage terrorist in his enormous HumongousMecha unleashed a hysterical yet pretty normal laughter while devastating a city. However, megaphones in his mecha repeated his laugh all over the city, so it sounded sufficiently evil.
* The ''VampirePrincessMiyu'' {{OAV}}. Miyu is sometimes heard laughing in the end of each OAV and it's a soft, child-like, almost gentle laugh. Hoever, due to the circumstances and Miyu's own nature, such giggles potentially can be ''more'' NightmareFuel-ish than a typical EvilLaugh.
* Lampshaded in an episode of ''DigimonAdventure02'' (dub only) when the Digimon Emperor burst into a fit of evil laughter after expounding on one of his evil plans, then stopping and muttering "Eh, it's not that funny..."
* Jaeger of ''[[{{Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds}} Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]'' has a subdued yet equally sinister laugh of "Hi hi hi!". The dub version, Lazar, does not.
** No one seems to have mentioned [[TheDragon Kiryu]] yet...
* Mega and Giga in ''TransformersSuperGodMasterforce'' occasionally indulge in evil laughter. Mega's evil laugh doubles as a NoblewomansLaugh.
* Penchinon from ''GaoGaiGar'' has his "BREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
* What about Justice from ''AfroSamurai'', his laugh is just... ill.
** "YEE-HA!"
* [[MadScientist Professor Tomoe]] in ''SailorMoon S''. His laugh is just...insane.
** Of all people, ''Tuxedo Mask'' has one in an early episode, for no apparent reason. Maybe he was just happy to survive Jadeite's attempt to kill him.
** [[spoiler:Sailor]] Galaxia does this a ''lot'' in ''[[SailorMoon Sailor Stars]]''. Methinks she's just pleased as punch that it was so easy to cause a global apocalypse.
* [[MadScientist Jail Scaglietti]] of ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' uses a deliciously full-blown one when he broadcasts the triumphant return of the [[WeaponOfMassDestruction Saint's Cradle]] to the [[TheFederation Time-Space Administration Bureau]].
* Kururu from ''KeroroGunsou'' tends to evilly laugh "ku-ku-ku!" when [[HilarityEnsues something unfortunate but amusing happens]] to another character, especially if he was the one responsible.
* Ran, ''UruseiYatsura'''s resident {{Yandere}}, often does this when planning revenge on Lum.
* [[CreepyTwins Hansel and Gretel]] from ''BlackLagoon'' should be the poster characters for CreepyLaugh, and they are very, very evil.
* Creed from ''BlackCat'' has a typical villain laugh. He mostly does it when Train is involved though.
* Hidan from ''{{Naruto}}'' has a very... distinct and psychotic laugh when he uses his voodoo ability.
** Kabuto indulges in an evil little giggle at times.
** And then there's Orochimaru.
* ''{{Eyeshield 21}}'''s Hiruma has his distinctive "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!" even though he's one of the protagonists. [[MagnificentBastard He's still evil though.]]
* Yusuke has some fun with this one in ''YuYuHakusho''. [[spoiler: After dying a second time and reincarnating as a half-demon, he does this along with a little speech to toy with the elite squad of soldiers dispatched to destroy his corpse and prevent said reincarnation. They fall for it, if only because it's what they expected to happen anyway, and he has a good ''normal'' laugh at their expense immediately afterward.]]
* The brazilian version of Saga's laugh in ''SaintSeiya'' is worldwide known as awesome.
* There are quite a few notable ones in ''TheSlayers'', the best one being either Rezo's or Phibrizzo's.
* Evangeline of ''MahouSenseiNegima'', being a NobleDemon who repeatedly ''insists'' that she's a BigBad, naturally releases a hearty EvilLaugh whenever she feels like it, such as when she was showing off her true power [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu by obliterating a Demon God with little to no effort]].
* While [[AzumangaDaioh Kimura's]] laugh isn't a ''bona fide'' evil laugh, it sure is [[NightmareFuel scary.]]
* [[BigBad Gauron]] from ''FullMetalPanic''. It's to be expected of a series' AxCrazy PsychoForHire.
* ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'''s Lordgenome does this during his fight with Simon while he's tearing the Lagann apart ''with his bare hands''
* Most villains in ''{{Yu-Gi-Oh}}!'' tend to have an evil laugh, but Yami Bakura's stands out the most. He starts [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhl98Lu7WU4 constantly laughing]] at the start of the Battle City Finals, and those laughs get more [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] in the Millennium World Arc. Bonus points for being voiced by RicaMatsumoto.
** This troper thinks that the dub Bakura's voice is more sinister, due to it being both British and very evil-sounding. And his laugh is a lot better. And it's also an example of foreshadowing, because whenever he laughs, you know he's either doing something bad, or about to do something bad.
* Niwe, {{The Caligula}} from {{Utawarerumono}}, is known by fans for his intensely annoying "GYAH KA KA KA KA KAT" laugh. He would occasionally use it more than once per episode. Apparently he was known for it by characters too, since just when Hakuoro thought they were rid of Niwe, his laugh returns with a vengeance in his dreams.
* Although he's an AntiVillain, Greed of ''FullmetalAlchemist'' has a rather evil laugh/chuckle, which one scanlation translated as something like "gwa-ha-ha-ha-ha", and which on notable ocassions of anquish, goes into LaughingMad territory and is really maniacal.
* [[RevolutionaryGirlUtena Nanami Kiryuu]] may just be a RichBitch, but when things go her way, her laugh goes straight into [[LargeHam ridiculous]]. Still, it's [[NarmCharm hilarious]].
* [[UminekoNoNakuKoroNi Beatrice]] gets a fantastic one in episode 14, although her servant [[LampshadeHanging tells her it lacks elegance.]]
** [[CreepyChild Kihihihihihihihihi...]]
* Alan Gabriel from the BigO is prone to this, though it's more of the maniacal giggle type; the fact that it's CrispinFreeman of all people doing it just makes it more creepy.
* Tadase Hotori's laugh in ShugoChara (while he is in his "king" persona) may either be this or a male NoblewomansLaugh depending on how you look at it.
* [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Uighur/Wigul]] in ''FistOfTheNorthStar'' '''([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMqHJrdXj0s NGYA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA~!]])'''
* ''FushigiYuugi'''s [[TheDragon Tomo]], surprisingly, does this more often than [[BigBad Nakago]], who can't even match up to the former's signature laugh ("Kakakakakakaka!"). Not to mention [[VillainProtagonist Mayo]] [[AntiSue Sakaki]], who for a bratty sixteen-year-old emo has an evil laugh creepier than Nakago's.
[[/folder]]


[[folder:Comic Books]]
* Green Goblin, from the MarvelUniverse, and the Joker, from the {{DCU}}, are archetypical examples of the first type of exception. (Of course, the Joker is ''also'' a bona-fide psycho, prone to impressive cackling.)
** See also the various Batman adaptations, below.
** MarkHamill's Joker laugh is the ''epitome'' of this trope.
** Worth noting is that the Goblin's laugh is explicitly one of his super powers. It's a sonic weapon.
* Appearances of superhero {{The Creeper}} in TheDCU are accompanied by a high-pitched, maniacal laugh. DependingOnTheWriter, he's either pretending to be a lunatic or the real thing.
** Not to mention that in the later versions his laughter actually caused damage.
* [[JackChick HAW HAW HAW]]
* Storm is one of the good guys, but in one [[http://asylums.insanejournal.com/scans_daily/949605.html issue of Marvel Adventures]] she gets to play the part of a weather witch. Maniacal laughter is part of the package.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* The Kurgan of ''{{Highlander}}'' is the undisputed King, nay, ''Emperor'' of this trope. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfSJVA0LuQ8 This clip shows why.]]
** Because he's played by Clancy Fucking Brown, that's why.
* Emperor Palpatine of ''StarWars'' is of the second sort.
** Jabba the Hutt is a good example. Ho ho ho ho ho ho...
* Played straight with gusto by Ming the Merciless (Types 1 and 4) in every incarnation of ''FlashGordon'', ever.
* Spoofed to death in the ''AustinPowers'' trilogy.
* BradPitt, of all people, lets out a truly impressive cackle as Jesse James, in ''{{The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford}}'', after quasi-threatening Ford at knife-point.
* Subverted in ''TheFifthElement'': Zorg has grabbed the CosmicKeystone-filled box and laughs... and [[VillainousBreakdown then bursts into tears]], as the box is empty.
* In JetLi's ''{{Last Hero in China}}'' (one of many, many names for this movie), the main villain has a ridiculously good evil laugh. Actually, it's more like an utterly psychotic laugh, at entirely wrong moments. "Wong Fei Hong! Help me! He has broken loose! BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" "Our evil master will not be pleased! BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"
** In the movie finale, he got his knee broken (after trying to attack Jet Li's character from behind). Then Jet Li's character says: "Now you can laugh,". He sobs like a little child.
* Pick a character, any character, played by VincentPrice. Even when the Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris re-recorded a good chunk of his narration, they left in his laugh because it was ''that'' distinctive.
* The Joker in ''TheDarkKnight'' seems to be mocking the trope the first time we hear him doing it (when he walks into the meeting of the gang-leaders). Later he indulges in plenty of straight uses, up to the point of doing it while ''falling off a skyscraper''.
** Not to mention JackNicholson's impressive cackling as the Joker from the first ''{{Batman}}'' film. But top honors have to go to [[LargeHam Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones]] as Riddler and Two-Face in ''Batman Forever''.
*** And Nicholson's Joker keeps on laughing...even after he's ''dead''. Sure, it was prerecorded and looped, but still......
* Barbossa in ''PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' rocked a magnificent, rum-laced Evil Piratey Laugh. I mean come on, he even went ''[[LargeHam "arr!"]]''
* The title character in ''DrStrangelove'' has a broken way of laughing on occasion that sits comfortably between Un-Evil and just plain Evil.
* Jimmy, the #2 thug from ''RoadHouse'', lets out a sinister cackle as he rides away after blowing kindly ol' Emmett's house to smithereens (luckily, Emmett is rescued). [[MST3K Mike Nelson]] is quick to hang a lampshade this in the {{Rifftrax}} commentary:
--> Mike: ''It only'' now ''struck him as funny; now that he's got some distance behind him.''
* The ''{{Predator}}'' managed a rather decent version when he was all set to blow Arnie and half the countryside to oblivion (it was a recording of Billy's laughter from earlier in the movie, albeit in a creepy, distorted manner).
** For bonus points, that laugh was recorded by [[{{Transformers}} Peter Cullen]].
* Captain Seas gives an evil laugh for his guests in the {{Camp}} movie ''[[{{DocSavage}} Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze]]''.
* ''[=~J-Men Forever~=]'' (1979). The Lightning Bug gives a good evil laugh, but that's hardly surprising as his voice is that of [[GagDub legendary radio DJ "Machine Gun" Kelly]].
* Daryl Hannah does a quite sinister one as [[RivalTurnedEvil Elle Driver]] in ''KillBill Volume 2'' after revealing that [[spoiler:she killed Pai Mei by poisoning his fish heads]].
* In ''BlazingSaddles'', Hedley Lamaar gives an EvilLaugh when he comes up with the diabolical plan of sending a black sheriff to the town of Rock Ridge.
** Quickly cut off when he chokes on a sweet.
* ''TheLastStarfighter''. Zur does one at the end of his speech to the Starfighter base personnel.
* John Jarret worked on the evil laugh for six months when he was cast in Wolf Creek.
* In ''DirtyHarry'', the Scorpio Killer has a sort of gibbering, intensely self-satisfied laugh that is in no way appealing. [[spoiler:His final moments are even characterized by one last split-second of this laugh when he decides that yes, he does feel lucky.]]
* Thrax from OsmosisJones tends to pull this off in a way that appears either demented or schizophrenic-- and still somehow really, ''[[NightmareFuel really]]'' creepy.
* In ''[[TheMatrix The Matrix Revolutions]]'', after Agent Smith absorbs the Oracle, he lets out an eerie, utterly out of character evil laugh, [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic representing his newfound randomness]].
* In TheWizardOfOz, the Wicked Witch of the West has a very frightening cackle.
** Actually, [[WickedWitch Wicked Witches]] have always been traditionally portrayed as having an evil cackle, such as Gruntilta in the Banjo-Kazooie example later on.
* In ''IndependenceDay'', David Levinsen's Jolly Roger computer virus is polite enough to let the aliens know that [[OhCrap they are completely boned]] by letting out a distorted evil cackle.
* The ending sequence in ''{{Audition}}'', when Asami Yamazaki is playing Stabby Needles with an unhealthy amount of girlish glee. Evil giggle ''works''.
* Whenever Jim Carrey plays a villain he sometimes does a laugh like this, most notably the Grinch and his performance as Olaf in ''Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events''. On the Interactive Olaf dvd feature he does do an evil laugh in one part.
* Subverted in ''InglouriousBasterds'': Shoshanna does this after delivering her message to the Germans (that they are all going to die). It fits the trope in every respect... except for the part that Shoshanna is a ''hero''.
* {{Dracula}} doesn't have much of a laugh, but [[TheRenfield Renfield]], as played by DwightFrye, has a variation all his own. Since Frye's portrayal, a creepy laugh is a must for any future Renfield.
* ''TheBoondockSaints''. TheMafiya mook gives an evil laugh as he's about to execute one of the protagonists; it's interrupted however by [[DeathFromAbove a toilet dropping on his head]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* There are many villains with Evil Laugh on {{Discworld}}. One of them (in ''Discworld/{{Maskerade}}'') writes his evil laugh down. With five exclamation marks. Sure sign for insanity.
** A relatively minor character in ''Discworld/MakingMoney'' has one of the best evil laughs seen in the series. His co-worker Igor laments that it is so unfortunate that he is neither technically insane, nor evil.
** Granny Weatherwax does not do this but her genteel chuckle when she is about to do the Right Thing has been described as far FAR scarier.
** Witches of the Discworld in general try to watch themselves and each other for excessive cackling, which is a sign of going mad and turning into a fairytale-style wicked witch.
** Lampshaded with Lord Hong, who would only have laughed maniacally if he were the ''traditional'' type of [[EvilChancellor Evil Grand Vizier]].
* Doctor Impossible in ''SoonIWillBeInvincible'' declares in the narration that he will have the last laugh, "and I have a very good laugh." Damsel says to the other heroes "He's out there somewhere, probably half a kilometer underground. Laughing his freaky laugh. Talking to his robots." When he captures them, he lets it rip.
* Count Olaf in ''ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'' has a distinctively wheezy voice and a laugh to go with it. In ''The Grim Grotto'', he's doing his darndest to make it the most elaborate, obnoxious evil laugh ever. (This is great fun in the audio books with TimCurry doing the reading.)
** In later books in the series, Olaf deliberately inverts this by shortening his laugh to a simple "Ha!"
** In the movie Olaf kind of experiments with it near the end. On the dvd feature Interact Olaf he demonstrates an evil laugh at one point.
* Saint Dane, of ''ThePendragonAdventure'' fame, has a trademark laugh that Bobby hates having to listen to -- probably in part because half the time, it means he's about to hear how he's been outsmarted ''this'' week.
** While it is normally left to the imagination, there is a spectacularly chilling example from the audio-book of ''The Rivers of Zadaa''. Who knew [[BobTheBuilder William Dufris]] had it in him?
* Lampshaded by [[DresdenFiles Harry Dresden]] in ''Grave Peril.'' At Bianca's party, the lights go dark, and spooky laughter comes out of nowhere. Harry notes that it's tough to beat vampires at the creepy laugh. They get a lot of practice.
** Harry points out an EvilLaugh again in ''Dead Beat'' when he encounters the vampire Mavra. He also gives a fairly apt description of what makes an evil laugh.
---> Maybe it was the atmosphere, but something about it, the way that it simply ''lacked'' anything to do with the things that should motivate laughter... There was no warmth in it, no humanity, no kindness, no joy. It was like Mavra herself - it had the withered human shell, but underneath it all was something from a nightmare.
* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange. [[spoiler:Subverted with Sirius Black who had one, but turned out to be a good guy.]]
* In EdgarRiceBurroughs's ''[[JohnCarterOfMars The Gods of Mars]]'', when John Carter and Tars Tarkus enter a chamber, the door closed behind them and "And then, from unseen lips, a cruel and mocking peal of laughter rang through the desolate place."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* How could anyone forget Frank Gorshin's evil high-pitched chuckle as The Riddler in the Adam West ''Series/{{Batman}}'' series?
* Some incarnations of the Master from ''DoctorWho'' had a habit for dramatic mad laughter. Although the current, John Simm incarnation doesn't do it, he could, because exceptions one and three (according to ''The Sound of Drums'') apply to him.
** [[MadScientist Davros]] combines this with a touch of RoboSpeak at [[LargeHam high volume]] for a memorably batshit insane EvilLaugh. If you're ''really'' lucky, it's probably the finishing touch on a spectacular MotiveRant.
** The Rani plays this trope straight in ''Time and the Rani'', but in the mine shaft scene with the Master and Peri in ''Mark of the Rani'', she [[KansasCityShuffle starts choking]] and knocks Peri out with her poison gas capsules.
* Spoofed in an episode of ''{{Angel}}'' when Lorne describes a scene where the BigBad "mwa-ha-ha'd at us."
* On ''SesameStreet'', The Count would famously laugh in a somewhat sinister fashion after counting things out, accompanied by thunder and lightning. "I will now count these letters to myself! One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Five letters! Ah ha ha!"
** It was originally a lot more maniacal, but was toned down to avoid frightening children away from learning to count.
* The [[MST3K crew of the Satellite of Love]] frequently saw a lot of these laughs. Elijah Kalgan, the villain of ''SpaceMutiny'', was a serious offender.
-->'''Mike''': Remember Carl's blonde joke?
** And who can forget ''Prince of Space's'' Phantom of Krankor? "Heeeeh, heeeh, heeeh...."
* Doctor Chaotica in ''The Adventures of Captain Proton'', ''[[{{StarTrekVoyager}} Star Trek: Voyager's]]'' homage to ''FlashGordon''. Most noticeable when Chaotica has [[DamselInDistress Constance Goodheart]] tied up as a supreme sacrifice to Queen Arachnia, and later after Arachnia has agreed to marry him. There's even an OrIsIt laugh at the conclusion of the episode.
* Appears in ''{{Friends}}'' under the name "The Plan Laugh", employed by Phoebe - Joey tries to imitate it, but can't get it right.
-->'''Phoebe:''' Muahahahahaha!!!
-->'''Joey:''' Ho, ho, ho!
-->'''Phoebe:''' It's not ''Santa's'' plan!
* Alton Brown of ''GoodEats'' does it occasionally, usually when subverting a food trope. Most recently used when getting his veggiephobic niece to eat vegetables (specifically the parsnip).
* In the ''{{Supernatural}}'' episode "Born Under a Bad Sign," [[DemonicPossession Meg!Sam]] gets to indulge in a chilling ([[EvilIsSexy and strangely hot]]) evil laugh.
* The Crypt Keeper's famous evil cackle at the intro of ''Tales From The Crypt''.
* Remember when Tommy was evil during the first season of ''MightyMorphinPowerRangers''? He tended to do this quite a bit during that particular arc, and it [[{{Narm}} got hilarious very quickly]].
* John Cleese does a surprisingly evil cackle of the psycho variety at the end of the ''{{Monty Python}}'' short "How Not To Be Seen" (immediately following the explosion of a man, his wife, his neighbour, his house, and the building in which he was born).
* In ''IClaudius'', Livia, [[MagnificentBastard awesome schemeing mega-bitch]] that she is, gets an ''epic'' evil cackle at the end of the episode "Poison is Queen". Starts [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAPyE7SRuf8 here]], at 3:58. [[NightmareFuel Pleasant dreams.]]
* Played terrifyingly straight by Papa Lazarou on ''TheLeagueOfGentlemen'', who has an absolutely nightmarish cackle on him.
* In the ''{{Cheers}}'' episode "The Executive's Executioner". Norm gets saddled with the soul-crushing job of "office hatchetman"; in the end he uses his new boogeyman-status to get revenge on the executive who inflicted it on him: "This is NORM PETERSON! ''MUHAHAHAHA!"''
*Sheldon Cooper, from TheBigBangTheory, described by Leonard as "One lab accident short of being a supervillain" has a rather droll one used during an escalting prank war with Penny.
*Strangely enough, Jen from HellsKitchen season 4 actually does a LaughingMad version of this after her former team lost. Check it out ([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKu41Kl9r88&feature=related 1:09]]).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* Vincent Price ends his section of "Thriller" with a wry evil laugh, arguably doing more to relieve the tension than to amplify it. Man was ''creepy''.
* The beginning of the song "Bump In The Night" by Allstars has a talking section similar to the Thriller example above which is followed by an evil laugh.
* Peter Murphy's cackle two-thirds of the way through Bauhaus's cover of John Cale's "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" definitely counts. CrowningMomentOfAwesome ensues.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
* "Million Dollar Man" Ted [=DiBiase=]'s EvilLaugh was so important to his character that it was even part of his entrance music.
* Even after turning face, Kane is likely to do this at the end of his promos. He didn't become a true bona fide psycho until he was unmasked, though.
* Since unmasking, "The Big Red Machine" Kane has taunted and tourmented his targets, often laughing after describing or inflicting torture.
* Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart had an annoying laugh that sometimes terrified opponents.
** Unlike Dibiase, Jim's evil laughter appears to be hereditary as near perfect duplications of his laugh can be heard echoing from whatever room or hall his daughter Nattie is in. Incidentally, she also thinks its funny to tear ligaments with the sharp shooter.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Radio]]
* ''TheShadow'', of radio, pulp, and AlecBaldwin fame, is another example of a hero using the evil laugh - in his case, as psychological warfare. After all, maniac laughter from nowhere is unnerving, and criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot...
* [[AdventuresInOdyssey Dr. Regis Blackgaard]] had a memorable evil laugh that was quite effective in small doses. When he appears in the "Darkness Before Dawn" arc, you can hear bits of it trying to escape at certain points, but he holds it in until [[spoiler:he finally takes over Whit's End]].
** A minute before the scene in question, he and his underling [[SmugSnake Mr. Glossman]] actually share a laugh together. The contrast makes him sound positively demented.
** In a later episode, we learn that while his twin brother Edwin may be merely a [[LargeHam hammy]] actor with an inflated ego, he has the laugh in his repertoire, as well.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Chaos in ''{{Warhammer 40000}}'' specializes in this; most Traitor Marines having been turned batshit insane over ten thousand years of war and slaughter, and the mind-warping effects of the Immaterium. ''DawnOfWar'' has Chaos Marines randomly break down and cackle occasionally.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre and Opera]]
* ''DamnYankees'' has [[LouisCypher Applegate]] sing the VillainSong, "The Good Old Days", which while sounding a lot like an inspirational song in the way it is sung, has Applegate laughing evilly in between stanzas.
* In Act One of the ''ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', the Phantom breaks out in evil laughter when he ruins Carlotta's performance and later crashes the chandelier. Michael Crawford ''really'' makes the most of both occasions on the original cast album.
** This troper loves Crawford's Evil Laugh at the end of the All I Ask Of You track, though she fails to remember who he's screaming "GO!" at.
***It's the cue for aforementioned chandelier to come crashing down.
* The aria "Vous qui faites l'endormie", from ''{{Faust}}'' by Charles Gounod, has a number of evil laughs written into the score. This is perhaps unsurprising, as it's sung by [[TheDevil Mephistopheles]], but it does mean that this trope is OlderThanRadio.
* The title character in Mozart and Da Ponte's ''DonGiovanni'' has a very unsettling laugh in the beginning of act two.
* Though the Wicked Witch of the West is portrayed sympathetically in ''Wicked'' (and given the name Elphaba), she still gets her trademark cackle when Glinda slaps her.
* The title role in Gilbert&Sullivan's "The Mikado" has some improvised Evil Laughs in between verses in his song about the CoolAndUnusualPunishments he's concocted.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* The Engineer in ''TeamFortress2'' has one as a taunt.
** The Medic's laugh command alternates between this and some very {{Un Evil Laugh}}s.
* Although he mostly avoids this in all his other appearances, [[ResidentEvil Albert Wesker]] can't resist letting fly with this in ''Code: Veronica''. He's definitely outclassed by the Ashford twins, though; both seem to have a rather serious case of the sillies.
* From ''{{Halo}}'', there is but one maniacal laugh, but considering who it comes from, it's creepy as hell. Y'know how, villainous as he was, the Gravemind always seemed fairly calm, and even convincingly sane for monster in any previous talks or encounters? Well all of that is thrown down right after the final obstacle to his plan dies, and it lets rip a spectacular one. It's even worse when you remember (and hear) that even his VOICE is composite in nature. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvROPTR12oQ Listen to it here]], and crank up the volume after the 'obstacle' dies.
* Darth Malak in ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' gets into near the end of the game. Got kind of [[NarmVideoGameExamples cheesy]] though as the laugh is played along with an animation where he actually holds his hand on his stomach like a bad actor trying to simulate gut busting laughter.
* One of Iori Yagami's more beloved traits in ''TheKingOfFighters'' series is his habit of breaking into maniacal laughter when he wins a match. This is a bit odd, considering he's also a protagonist. [[http://youtube.com/watch?v=HxDJIpwHAPc Sample]]
** Ryuji Yamazaki has a really crazy laugh that's heard in his winpose. 2002 Rugal has a good one, too, but it's to be expected since he's voiced by NorioWakamoto.
*** Being fair though, Rugal's original voice actor, Toshimitsu Arai, pulled off a pretty great Evil Laugh in 98.
**** Predating KOF, ''Fatal Fury'' had Geese Howard, whose evil laughs ranged from small chuckles to even '''pulling off maniacal laughter when he lost'''.
**** While it still feels evil, 2002 UM Rugal's evil laugh sounded like it came from an aging man.
* Kefka of ''FinalFantasyVI'' had [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyZoe-r9qb0 a grand evil laugh]] of his own, instantly identifiable by anyone that's heard it. This is especially impressive as the game has [[{{Leitmotif}} no vocal track]].
** In ''[[DissidiaFinalFantasy Dissidia]]'', he gets to laugh at the heroes together with Exdeath from [[FinalFantasyV FF5]] during the opening of Shade Impulse. Kefka's high-pitched howling and Exdeath's deep belly laughter mix together well.
* Albedo Piazzola from the ''{{Xenosaga}}'' series had a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgX9L1tN29M particularly deranged]] EvilLaugh fitting with his overall character.
** An evil laugh given so convincingly can make one worry about the mental stability of the ''voice actor''...
*** His voice actor is CrispinFreeman, for those who are wondering. He's not insane, he's just that awesome.
** His [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W3exv4jccI&feature=related Japanese voice]] doesn't fail to impress either.
* Luca Blight from ''SuikodenII'' had an evil laugh accompanied by an enormous amount of exclamation marks.
* Ganondorf of ''TheLegendOfZelda'' series has his fair share of laughs. Sometimes it is a simple, self-satisfied "Hm-hm-hmm...", other times it is used in a mocking tone after he has succeeded in an attack. One of the most flamboyant is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_vAXPRvRJs in Wind Waker]] where, [[spoiler: after the King of Hyrule uses the Triforce to wish for "hope" for Link and Zelda and the old Hyrule begins to flood and vanish under the water]], Ganon starts to laugh madly, his sanity broken at [[spoiler:seeing all his dreams smashed before his eyes]]. The laughter continues to grow until he is eventually practically shrieking. Some found it [[{{Narm}} quite silly]], others thought it was pretty awesome.
** To say nothing of what he was like in ''The Adventure of Link'' (Zelda 2). You can hear the same laugh in ''Ocarina of Time'', but it doesn't quite have the same context...
** Then there's his laugh in ''SuperSmashBros Brawl''. Specifically, in Subspace Emmisary. He's laughing from across a very shaky holographic interface, so his laugh dissolves into the most ''malevolent sounding'' static you've ever heard in your life.
* Hojo from the ''FinalFantasyVII'' games comes from the "sick psycho" school of evil laughter. [[http://youtube.com/watch?v=hg66mdGHSHs Here's a sample.]]
** Ditto for Vexen from ''KingdomHearts'' Re:Chain of Memories. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHy99AllPMk=18]] Expected, as they both share the same voice actor.
* Laharl from ''{{Disgaea}}'', as quoted above. Upon officially becoming an EvilOverlord (well, ''[[NobleDemon mostly]]'' evil), he even spends the next few days ''perfecting'' it.
** It comes to the point that this is whenever Laharl shows up in the sequels, the first indication you have that he has appeared is his (very recognizable) Evil Laugh piercing the air.
** Badly attempted by evil clones of Kurtis in the sequel. Given the fact that their speech is more stilted than William Shatner, it comes out as a robotic "HA hee HA HA."
** Like Laharl, Mao, the main character of {{Disgaea 3}} will actually begin his respective turn with a humorously quick but evil "Mwuhu-haha!" What make it more funny is hearing it from the same voice actor that does Edward Elric in the English dub of {{Fullmetal Alchemist}}, Vic Mignogna. In the Japanese, it's loud but simple "HA HA HA!"
** Honestly, anyone with a good enough title will be subject to this trope, especially the Overlords in the {{Disgaea}} series and MakaiKingdom.
* Dr. Robotnik of the ''SonicTheHedgehog'' series has [[NoblewomansLaugh a peculiar Santa-esqe chuckle]] in his Japanese incarnations (which has only been done successfuly in English once, during ''Sonic Rush''), but he also has a more traditional EvilLaugh that he uses when he's feeling ''particularly'' good.
** Take, for example, the Dark ending in ''Sonic Adventure 2'', as he puts the final Chaos Emerald into the Eclipse Canon. [[ColonyDrop Alas...]]
** Don't forget about Mephiles the Dark from Sonic 2006. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_S_AZrxQGg Watch Dan Green at his hammiest.]]
* ''{{Castlevania}}'s'' version of Dracula ''loves'' doing this, and since he's voiced by NorioWakamoto, it makes it all the more enjoyable. It's also apparently a mandatory thing for the Lord of Darkness, because [[spoiler: Soma Cruz]] does it, too.
** ''Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia'' has one too in the form of [[spoiler:Albus]], who laughs maniacally at complete random during the fight.
*** Don't forget about [[spoiler:Barlowe's]] laugh, especially when he [[spoiler:frees Dracula's soul]].
* Bryan Fury in ''{{Tekken}}'' has a particularly disturbing one, thanks to the mechanical effect on his voice (due to his being a cyborg).
** Then there's Devil Jin, who has a Jokeresquely high evil laugh after winning in a fight, complete with an evil grin, showing off his pearly white fangs.
* Kadaj, from ''FinalFantasyVII Advent Children'' might be worth a mention, since while auditioning for her church's play, this troper was asked to do her best evil laugh. Just for kicks, she decided to imitate his, and was cast as Satan.
* [[PikaHikariKT This troper]] does not see [[SuperMarioBros Bowser]]...here's a fun fact: when you speed up his Mario 64 laugh, [[http://youtube.com/watch?v=crx21K5uMIk it sounds like Boo!]]
** He let out a particularly infamous one at the very beginning of ''Hotel Mario'' ("It's dat creepy Bowsuh's laugh!"), which has been mocked and re-mocked in YouTubePoop videos about 50,000 times now. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYUy_dCiszM]]
** In ''Super PaperMario'' Count Bleck has his own weird laugh, "Bleh heh heh heh heh...".
*** "BLECK!"
*** ''PaperMario: The Thousand-Year Door'' has ''three'' villains with their own distinct and annoying laughs. Emperor Grodus's is something like "Gaaack aaack aaack aaack aaack"; Lord Crump's is a "Buh! Buh huh huh huh huh!"; and Beldam's is "Mwee hee hee hee hee".
*** Also Doopliss's "hyuk hyuk hyuk".
*** And the Shadow Queen's "Muh huh huh huh huh".
** Being who he is, {{Wario}} has been known to do this. He even does this in his first appearance (Super Mario Land 2), or at least that's what it's supposed to sound like.
* The Guardian from the final ''{{Ultima}}'' trilogy had a particularly memorable bass-pitched resonating laugh, courtesy of Bill Johnson and a filter that made his voice progressively deeper in each of the games.
* Lampshaded in ''SplinterCell 2: Pandora Tomorrow'', where a terrorist typing a speech by his boss includes the following footnote: " {note: ironic, not maniacal}".
* Don't forget [[SuperSmashBros Master and Crazy Hand]], with [=MH's=] being deeper and more serious, and [=CH's=] as the LaughingMad variant. Here's an [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNZulxiz_MI&feature=video_response example.]]
**Actually, in ''Melee'', Crazy Hand's laugh was a ''reversed'' version of Master Hand's for extra-creepiness.
* [[spoiler:Mithos Yggdrasill]] of ''TalesOfSymphonia'' manages the third kind in a spectacularly creepy fashion in at least one scene... another is [[{{Anvilicious}} debatable]].
** And let it be well noted that on one of these occasions he is kicking [[spoiler:[[{{The Dragon}} Kratos]]]] on a potentially endless loop (that is, until you can drag your eyes away from the train wreck and press A).
* Prometheus from ''MegaManZX'' series. Sure you can only hear it in the Japanese version of the game after losing his battle, but STILL [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8FeovIMf8o]]!
** On that note, what about [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipBOhaAIULI Siarnaq]]? He laughs like a demented clown, and he's supposed to be a freakin' emotionless ninja!
** Dr. Weil, from MegaManZero, counts as well.
* Wannabe mad scientist Vernon Von Grun frequently does this in ''CityOfVillains'' several times when you report back to him after a mission. It is made funnier by him asking you if you can tell that he's been working on the laugh, the laugh changing a few times, him asking you to join him in the laugh, and once breaking into a cough mid-laugh.
* How has ''FinalFantasyXI'''s Shantotto NOT yet made this list? It's text-only, but the little witch still scares the heck out of this troper whenever she does it!
** Because the specific "Oooh-ho-ho-ho" is the NoblewomansLaugh. That being said, the laugh is ''very'' characteristic of Shantotto. Just listen to her [[LimitBreak EX-Burst]] in ''{{Dissidia}}''.
* ''ValkyrieProfile 2'''s [[spoiler:Lezard Valeth]] has a pretty [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhksfGFiQ8 maniacal laugh]] when he pulls off a special - [[spoiler:and even more so when he teleports around during the final boss battle.]]
* Gongora, the BigBad of ''LostOdyssey'' indulges in evil laughter when his plans are going well. Though being a VillainWithGoodPublicity he generally only indulges in it when alone for most of the game.
* Klogg, the villain from the claymation AdventureGame ''TheNeverhood'', has a pretty awesome laugh, which not only appears in the [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MultipleEndings Bad Ending]] (which manages to top it by having [[spoiler:the hero, Klaymen, do an even better one of his own, after his mutation into a Klogg-like being]]) but in the opening credits as well.
* In ''{{Fable}}'', your character can perform an evil laugh as an expression if he's renowned enough.
* Every Undead characters /laugh in ''WorldOfWarcraft''.
** Also blood elves, to some degree; the females especially sound rather psychotic. The male gnome and ([[LawfulGood ironically]]) draenei /laugh emotes (respectively a high-pitched cackle and a raucous guffaw) also sound a bit maniacal. And female trolls sound like the Wicked Witch of the West.
*** Due to the introduction of death knights, every race and gender can now have one, via an optional sound filter.
*** In a recently opened raid, Ulduar, the final boss [[spoiler: Yogg-Saron]] gets a [[http://h1.ripway.com/edgeofoblivion/yogglaugh.mp3 particularly nasty one]] whenever he casts a certain spell.
*** Many other bosses do this too.
--->'''Malygos:'''What could you hope to accomplish, to storm brazenly into MY domain? To employ MAGIC? Against ME? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
* [[RivalSchools Kurow Kirishima]], master of the SlasherSmile, sneaks sinister laughter into his winposes.
* Jedah of ''DarkStalkers'' is normally unflappable and very polite, but occasionally will indulge in a bit of mad laughter; most notably in one of his supers when he drags you underground and has hands of blood beat the crap out of you.
* [[PsychoForHire Destoroyah]] in ''Godzilla: Unleashed'' will start laughing after he defeats his enemies.
* Lampshaded in ''{{The Curse of Monkey Island}}''. During Guybrush's first encounter with Murray, the Demonic Talking Skull, Murray busts out a laugh and Guybrush asks him about it. Murray (whom Guybrush had just blown apart) says that there's a fish nibbling on his foot somewhere, and it really tickles.
** Above lampshading happens in the first few minutes of the game. The trope is played straight in the rest of the game. He ''really'' likes to let us know who he is.
-->'''Murray''':"I AM MURRAY, THE EVIL DEMONIC SKULL! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
* Gruntilda in {{Banjo-Kazooie}}. She gave out a rather impressive evil cackle whenever you hit the "Save and Quit" option in the menu.
* Vernon Von Grun in ''{{City Of Villains}}'' is an apprentice mad scientist who recruits you into his schemes. He tries to master the evil laugh early into your work with him and towards the end invites you to laugh with him as well.
** There is also an evil laugh emote for the players, though it lacks sound it does go through physical motions that would make Doctor Frankenstein proud.
* In ''{{Bioshock}}'', [[spoiler:Atlas/Frank Fontaine]] bursts into an EvilLaugh once you have [[spoiler:killed Andrew Ryan and shut off the self-destruct.]] Arguably, this is also a moment of [[spoiler:NiceJobBreakingItHero]], although one built into the game's plot.
** In what is probably the strangest example this troper has ever seen, the ''vending machines'' have a truly unsettling evil laugh.
* Bagular's evil laugh in ''{{Bomberman}} Hero'' is... Well, it's weird, creepy and strangely awesome at the same time. [[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Pec2FXBeo Seriously.]]
** Then there's Rukifellth from Bomberman 64: The Second Attack whose evil laugh can probably be considered a VerbalTic.
-->'''Rukifellth''': Once I regain my earthly body, I shall create a new cosmos. MY Cosmos. A cosmos of chaos where only the strong shall survive! Ha ha... Ha ha... Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!
-->'''Rukifellth''': (5 second pause) It's not much fun making speeches about my plans without an audience... (pause) Ha ha... Ha ha... Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!
*** Verbal tic or not, his laugh is still awesome.
* Dark Samus in ''{{Metroid Prime}}'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBVrEObtRf8#t=0m55s 2]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNSS4VQLktY#t=2m40s 3]] is an EvilTwin made of ToxicPhlebotinum and has an appropriately distorted laugh.
* The final boss of ''GradiusGaiden'' is the only one in the series to possess one. He laughs at the player while taunting him, though he's as powerless as every other final boss.
* Kira Daidohji of ''ArcanaHeart''. A [[ImprobableAge pre-pubescent]] LargeHam MadScientist with dreams of [[TakeOverTheWorld World Domination]]? This trope is practically required!
** Actually, as with the WickedWitch, an evil laugh is also traditional for a MadScientist character (though not all of them).
* RecurringBoss Fassad in ''{{Mother}} 3'' has an especially unique one, indicated in his text boxes to be, "NWE-HE-HE-HE-HE-HEEE!"
**"That's one 'Nwe', and eight '-he's."
* Ghaleon in the PS1 version of ''Lunar: The Silver Star Story''. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySESWeKO7TM#t=04m19s Tell me this isn't the coolest laugh ever]]
* The evil AI CABAL in ''[[{{CommandAndConquer}} Command & Conquer]]: Tiberian Sun'' and the expansion pack ''Firestorm'' will, occasionally, do the mechanized EvilLaugh in the middle of a mission for no apparent reason.
* The Commodore 64 port of the 1984 computer game ''Impossible Mission'' is one of the earliest examples of digitized speech in a game. The villain's evil laugh signified that the clock had run out and the game was over. (Conversely, if the player successfully completed the game, he gave a kind of BigNo.)
* Leopold Charles Anthony Weasleby the Third from HenryHatsworthInThePuzzlingAdventure is unique in the fact that his [[SpeakingSimlish Simlish Speak]] is ''mostly compromised'' of variation of his maniacal cackle and sneer. [[spoiler:Cole actually has a similar one, not surprising since Weasleby is actually a robot that Cole created to antagonize Henry.]]
* In BaldursGate, [[spoiler: [[BigBad Sarevok]] from the first game is available in the final expansion as an optional party member.]] His maniacal laughter is one his battlecry and he'll sometime throw his evil laugh when you give him orders.
* In ''PokemonMysteryDungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky'', most of the villains have a unique EvilLaugh.
** Zubat: "Heh heh heh"
**Koffing: "Whoa ho ho"
**Skuntank: "Chaw haw haw"
**[[spoiler:Dusknoir]]: "Uwhoo hoo hoo"
** Sableye: "Weh heh heh"
* In ''ChronoTrigger'', if you choose to sit down on the evil-looking throne in the Giant's Claw, [[spoiler:really the Tyranno Lair long after Azarla's defeat,]] the character in the front of the party will do an evil laugh, proving just how ''fun'' it is, to good guys and bad guys alike.
* Evil Witch/Warlock Sims in TheSims 2 had idle sequences in which they would cackle and ClaspYourHandsIfYouDeceive. (It became even more amusing when this troper had a Sim of [[{{Disney/Aladdin}} Jafar]]. Finally, he was in character!)
* [[RoboSpeak A-no-ther ex-am-ple is the Wi-zard of Wo-r]] in WizardOfWor. Ha-ha-ha-ha.
** Not only that, but an extended version occurs during one of the Wizards "Game Over" quotes:
--->Hee-hee-hee ho-ho-ho ha-ha-ha-ha. That-was-fun.
** It also occurs in {{Gorf}} which also came out at around that time; it even has the exact same synthesised voice.
* Grandmaster Meio does this in {{Strider}} (the arcade game) both when you start the game, AND when you lose all your lives.
* Of course, Richard Hawk makes a habit of this in MetalWolfChaos.
* This troper is shocked to see no mention of [[{{LegacyOfKain}} Kain]] from the LegacyOfKain series. Ever the maniacal genius, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV0ZTchRRJw#t=7m18s this laugh]] from SoulReaver embodies all that he is.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0097.html this]] ''OrderOfTheStick'' strip, in which [[EvilOverlord Xykon]] declines to join [[TheDragon Redcloak]] and [[TheFaceless the Monster in the Dark]] in an evil laugh, because he can't quite deliver one properly since becoming a skeletal (and thus lung-less) lich.
** [[spoiler: Vaarsuvius]] gets a very straight one in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0635.html this strip]], though they can't quite help it.
* The more villainous and/or powerful "Sparks" ([[GadgeteerGenius genius gadgeteers]] and [[MadScientist mad scientists]]) in the [[SteamPunk gaslamp fantasy]] world of ''GirlGenius'' ("Adventure! Romance! Mad Science!") are remarkably prone to this. But then, frankly speaking, every Spark is prone to ranting and raving and overdramatic gestures (often involving blowing things up, or sometimes, [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotAwesome coffee]]) when "in the Madness Place" (sparking at full throttle). "Forward, my minions! Mhuahahaha!"
* Damien from ''ElGoonishShive'' does one of these. Not because he's just done something evil, or because OurHeroes are falling into his diabolical trap, but because he thinks it's genuinely hilarious that Grace could ever be a threat to him.
** Likewise, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-04-09 Raven]] has a pretty well-developed evil laugh about him.
* Khrima indulges in evil laugh in [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/0068.html this]] ''{{Adventurers}}!'' strip.
* While not quite the most evil of the lot, Rocky and his cousin from ''LackadaisyCats'' tend to [[http://www.lackadaisycats.com/comic.php?comicid=21 laugh]] [[http://www.lackadaisycats.com/comic.php?comicid=49 hysterically]] whenever they cheat death.
* ''{{Narbonic}}'' loves this trope.
* ''{{Bob and George}}'', per se. Quote from Dr Wily and the [[spoiler:Helmeted Author]]: "I think I'm supposed to laugh maniacally now."
* In ''[[EightBitTheater 8-bit Theater]]'', when the Light Warriors hand over the last [[MacGuffin orb of light]], Sarda does one of these. Red Mage dismisses it as allergies and Sarda goes along with that.
* In ''{{Erfworld}}'', [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0155.html Wanda's maniacal laugh]] upon [[spoiler: acquiring and attuning to the Arkenpliers]] was a break from her previous [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0023.html complete lack of laughter]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* The [[DrHorriblesSingAlongBlog Dr. Horrible]] from the quotes section opens Act I with his unbelievably artificial maniacal laughter. Hey, he's working on it (with a voice coach).
** He gets it ''extremely'' right in Act III.
** And then there's Bad Horse, the leader of The Evil League of Evil, with his "terrible death whinny".
*** InformedAbility. However, he does "neigh" when he was said to vote "nay."
* The best use of YouTube yet is broadcasting an [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_BUg_jG5nM Evil Laugh competition]].
* In the Halo 3 machinima, Deus Ex Machina, a villain starts laughing because [[spoiler:he's supposed to be a robotic time-gasbomb, when it turns out to be a dud, he plays a looping laugh sound. Yes, it is creepy as hell.]]
** Another earlier villain chuckles to himself in a completely normal manner. Since he is laughing about the hero's imminent doom, it still feels very evil.
* From GaiaOnline. [[http://www.gaiaonline.com/newsroom/index.php?type=manga&id=984135209&page=1&start=2#reading Johnny. K. Gambino.]] Lampshaded in a later story update where Johnny, stuck in a rut, says he just doesn't have the passion for the Bwahaha stuff anymore.
** Among the site's staff, Qixter, the main dev for zOMG! Makes himself out as an EvilOverlord, complete with Evil Laughter. His trademark quote is "Can I get a Bwuhahaha?" This quote makes it into the description of the item at the end of the game.
* In the 'Mental Floss' web animation ''Be Amazing!'', around 3:12 - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0dYPnui3rM "Maniacally, I said! MANIACALLY!"]]
* The [[TheSpoonyExperiment Spoony]] [[ThatGuyWithTheGlasses One]] has a pretty, well, insane laugh when he's portraying the diabolical [[MadScientist Doctor Insano]].
* Parodied by Adam in ''MaddisonAtkins'' episode 9, and also demonstrated by Maddison in episode 38.
* Although he's [[EnsembleDarkhorse gone a long way since his villain status]], Strong Bad from ''HomestarRunner'' has a pretty neat - if seldom used - laugh (seen in "dragon" and "Most In The Graveyard").
* [[YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries Mwhahaha... in America!]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* The Joker from ''BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' has the most distinctive version of the Joker's trademark insane laugh. Mark Hamill does an excellent job of conveying just how damn ''creepy'' the guy can really be. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb8fWUUXeKM Here's some examples]] of just how awesomely creepy it is.
** Also ''The Creeper'' does a pretty good job on this.
** In TheMovie of BatmanBeyond, even Terry (Batman II) gets in one of these, beating the Joker to the punch.
** Batman himself performs one on Harley Quinn when she tells him about her plans to settle down.. and then proceeds to give a HannibalLecture about Joker's MultipleChoicePast.
*** Should be noted that said laugh scares the daylights out of Harley.
** Mark Hamill and some people from Batman: TAS talking about [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gBWpWwIBKw the art of his laugh]]
** David Warner's mad laughter as Ra's al Ghul was creepy enough after he rose from the Lazarus Pit.
* [[TheSimpsons Bart Simpson]]'s laugh is pretty evil, even when he's laughing about something innocent.
** Mr. Burns has a pretty good one too.
** Sideshow Bob has one Hell of a EvilLaugh.
** After elaborating a scheme against Bart, Lisa has an evil laugh which was comically followed by their monkey helper's own evil laugh, creeping out Lisa.
* The sheer ''creepiness'' of Megatron's laugh in the original ''{{Transformers}}'' animated series is in and of itself NightmareFuel.
** The Quintessons during the "Five Faces of Darkness" [[StoryArc arc]] were initially so overcome by their moment of triumph, they were at a loss as to how to go about celebrating it. Then one of them suggests a quite chuckle. And so they do, and rather creepingly.
** Because of his normally almost emotionless demeanor, Soundwave very rarely laughs in the original series. When he does, though—with his flanged, echoing voice—it is awesome creepy.
** ''BeastWars'' has a number of the Predacons do this, including but by no means limited to: [[MagnificentBastard Megatron]] when he's feeling smug, [[PsychoForHire Rampage]] when he's inflicting pain, and [[MadScientist Tarantulas]] almost constantly... They're always the third sort, and always a pro at it.
*** Lampshaded near the end of "Other Visits Part 1", where both Megatron and Tarantulas begin cackling at the same time after coming together to work on the same EvilPlan. Hard to describe on paper, but plays out very nicely.
** Almost every Decepticon in ''TransformersArmada'' indulges in this at least once, most often PsychoForHire Cyclonus.
*** Megatron in ''TransformersArmada'' is the biggest offender, though: he laughs ''a lot,'' never passing up an excuse to do so, to the point that it becomes {{Narm}}ish. As the BigBad, he has that right, but the ''Cybertron'' version, played by the same voice actor, (who also played the ''BeastWars'' Megs) doesn't laugh nearly as much. (This troper hasn't seen ''Energon.'')
* Kilokhan in ''SuperhumanSamuraiSyberSquad'' tried to do this, but being an [[AIIsACrapshoot AI]] who spoke in a monotone, it basically came out to "A-heh, heh, heh. Heh, heh. heh, heh, heh. *beat* A-heh."
* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in ''KimPossible'' when Señor Senior Senior turns to crime and decides that - as all great villains - he needs an EvilLaugh. There's even an episode that ends with him saying, "Come, son, let us return to our lair and practice our evil laughs together." This troper and HIS son still say that line to each other.
** When turned evil, Ron Stoppable combines the laugh with his CatchPhrase: "Ah-BOOYAH-''hahahahaha!''"
** It's note pointing out that [[DangerouslyGenreSavvy Shego]] strictly discourages the use of EvilLaugh while being the EvilMentor to Señor Senior, Jr.
* Parodied in ''{{Freakazoid}}'': the villain Guitierrez is not only prone to evil laughs, but asks people around him to laugh along.
** Also [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] with Dr. Mystico, who bursts out in a fit of evil laughter and then explains, "Sorry, I just thought of something funny."
* Few villains rock the EvilLaugh harder than EvilChancellor Jafar on ''{{Disney/Aladdin}}'', especially at the end of his song. On the CartoonCrossover with ''Hercules'', Hades [[LampshadeHanging calls him up on it]].
** Of course, when Jafar actually convinces Hades to give it a shot, the big blue guy admits that "It's cleansing."
* Darla Dimple from ''[[CatsDontDance Cats Don't Dance]]'' manages to [[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PbWblYZC3U8 laugh diabolically]] pretty well (she is, after all, an actress); when her BattleButler tries to join in, she snaps, "Shut up, Max."
** [[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=y3rtXkJuulo The German version]] is actually ''[[NightmareFuel scary]]''.
* Scar in ''TheLionKing'' lets out a particularly great one at the end of his VillainSong, "Be Prepared".
** Well, when your henchmen of choice are hyenas, you've got a lot to live up to.
* Ratigan from ''TheGreatMouseDetective'' after his [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown attack on Basil]]. Voiced by Vincent Price. Can't get much greater than that.
* Aku from ''SamuraiJack''. They also parodied this: in one episode Aku orders an assassin to kill the samurai and then laughs evilly into the phone, then he looks confused as they hang up.
* A [[LampshadeHanging lampshade was hung]] on this in at least one episode of ''TheFairlyOddparents'', in which the arch-enemy of the Crimson Chin; the Nega-Chin looks at his watch and says "Oh. Time for my ''EvilLaugh''!" He then engages in said evil laugh on cue.
** Norm the Genie also {{Lampshaded}} it:
-->Norm: That's my evil laugh. How is it, huh? I've been practicing.
* On ''{{Avatar}}'', "Melon Lord" Toph's EvilLaugh basically consists of '''saying''' "Mwa ha hahahaha!"
** Then later on there is Azula's deranged laugh, which is one part evil, two parts crazy, and [[NightmareFuel creepy as hell]]. It is ''not'' a NoblewomansLaugh.
*** This troper saw TheDarkKnight just two days before watching the finale, and swore up and down that Heath Ledger and Grey [=DeLisle=] must have compared notes...
* In ''{{Beetlejuice}}'''s AnimatedAdaptation, the eponymous {{trickster}}'s rather ''spectacular'' cackle features prominently in the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_vvQ4uq_o opening sequence]]. "It's ''showtime!''"
* A childhood favorite of this troper's was the EvilLaugh of Culinary Quint on ''[[TheLionKing Timon and Pumbaa]]'s [[RecycledTheSeries Wild Adventures]]'', which was literally "Le HAH! Le HAH! Le HAH!" [[SoYeah He was French]]...
* Mandark of ''[[DextersLaboratory Dexter's Laboratory]]'' had a whole episode dedicated to his laugh. The only dialogue heard was his laugh ("HA haha! HA haha haha!"), and all the sound effects were set to the same meter.
** It can be viewed [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge1nIOSgcME here.]]
*** He even says "Chew chewchew! chew chewchewchewchew!" when eating.
* In ''{{Cyberchase}}'', the Cybersquad is reading a note sent by the BigBad, Hacker. At the end of the note, he had written "Ha, ha, ha, ha."
* [[DannyPhantom Danny's]] [[BadFuture future]] [[FutureMeScaresMe self]] has a very nice one ''indeed''.
* ''{{Invader Zim}}'' has Tak, Zim's far more competent and villainous rival, giving an evil laugh that lasts more than ten seconds, followed by still more evil laughter as she goes over her [[MyBrilliantEvilPlan evil plan]]. Zim doesn't quite get it, despite having his own evil laugh, and responds with "yes, yes, I'm a master of comedy".
** Zim himself plays it straight; after a plan to get rid of Dib appears to be successful, he struggles to find a sufficiently evil way to end his monologue.
-->'''Zim''':"Now Dib, I leave you to your... eh..."
-->GIR whispers "say 'moosey fate'!" Zim follows the suggestion, looks like he can't believe he just said that, then nonetheless bursts into explosive evil laughter.
** In this troper's opinion, Zim's evil laugh at the end of the opening sequence of every episode is priceless.
* Ren of {{Ren and Stimpy}} has a particular insane laugh after he's lost his mind or accomplished something.
* MadScientist Dr. Cockroach of ''MonstersVsAliens'' has a tendency to do this on a whim, to which Susan asks if he could please stop doing that.
* ''{{Stripperella}}''. Mad plastic surgeon Dr Cesarean gives an evil laugh...then stops when he realises he's doing it in a waiting room full of wide-eyed onlookers.
** This shouldn't be surprising as he's voiced by Mark Hamill.
* In [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney's]] ''Snow White'', the wicked queen uses an Evil Laugh as an ''ingredient'' of her disguise potion.
* In the TomAndJerry short ''Solid Serenade'', Tom traps Jerry in Spike's doghouse and gives the audience an Evil Laugh as he closes the door. Then Jerry emerges, being safely escorted out of the enclosure by Spike himself...who utters an Evil Laugh of his own as he shuts the door again. HilarityEnsues, natch.
** In ''Jerry and the Lion'', Tom traps Jerry in a closet and again gives one of these to the audience as he closes the door...not realizing that Jerry is accompanied by the escaped circus lion who he's befriended. Hilarity once again ensues.
* The Saturday-Morning ''[[SatAMSonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' cartoon's version of Dr. Robotnik had a distinctive, unsettling laugh that sounded more like a weird ecstatic ''shudder''.
* Dr. Zin's laugh was particularly evil in the ''JonnyQuest'' episode "The Robot Spy".
* Has everyone forgotten about Jack Spicer's obsession with his evil laugh in XiaolinShowdown?
* Ursula from TheLittleMermaid lets out an evil laugh so friggin' scary while Ariel turns into a human that it shames the Wicked Witch, Jafar, and Maleficent put together.
* Speaking of Maleficent, she lets out many memorable evil laughs, notably when she turns into a dragon.
* Also in the final battle scene in ''[[Film/BeautyAndTheBeast Beauty And The Beast]]'' Gaston does an evil laugh before he taunts the beast.
*The Dark Lord Chuckles the Silly Piggy of {{Dave the Barbarian}} has one of the most excellent evil laughs ever. He can incorporate an entire taunting sentence into one.
* We went this whole page without mentioning [[PowerpuffGirls Mojo Jojo]]? For shame!
* Hexxus from ''Ferngully: The Last Rainforest'' has a laugh at the end of his extended song, that ends with a dry cough. Can be seen as a satire, but actually justified, as Hexxus is the embodiment of pollution.
* In ''ReBoot'', Megabyte and Hexadecimal each have their own EvilLaugh: Megabyte, a rich, throaty chuckle; and Hexadecimal, a raspy, psychotic cackle; and neither of them are ''ever'' shy about using them.
** Hexadecimal's laugh, in particular, is ''so'' popular with the fans, that Shirley Millner (Hex's VA) frequently gets [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3JbywqYQTk requests]] for it at conventions (starts at 6:30).
* Don't forget Dick Dastardly in WackyRaces (and everything else he's been in for that matter). In this case though, it doesn't make him threatening at all.
* Skeletor in both versions of ''HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse''. In fact, in the remake, there's even a scene-change sequence built around it.
** Unlike Skeletor's, Hordak's laugh in SheRaPrincessOfPower actually sounds like "bwa-ha-ha", whereas Skeletor's is more like "heh-heh-heh".
* Even "The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak", [[StrawberryShortcake Strawberry Shortcake's]] only real "arch-nemesis" has one, although it's more subdued, and we don't really hear it that often. I know the 1980s version does this, but I don't think the 2000s version does.
* ''TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' has both straight and subverted use of the Evil Laugh. Oogie Boogie laughs evilly at the end of his VillainSong, and our ''hero'', Jack Skellington, laughs evilly no less then ''four times'' in the film - just to remind you he's a member of {{Halloweentown}}. Of course, DarkIsNotEvil.
[[/folder]]


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Muahaha...