Unforgettable Special Appearances
There’s nothing quite like that “wait a second—was that...?” moment in a movie. Spotting a famous face pop up out of nowhere is one of cinema’s greatest little joys. Cameos—those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances from big names—are Hollywood’s inside jokes, winks to the audience that say, “Yeah, we know you’re paying attention.”
Plenty of cameos make us grin, but a few have gone down in movie history. Here are 40 of the most unforgettable, crowd-pleasing cameos ever to hit the screen.
Keith Richards In Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End
Keith Richards, the legendary member of the Rolling Stones, took everyone by surprise with his cameo appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. But with his uncanny resemblance to Johnny Depp, Richards was a shoo-in for the role of Captain Jack Sparrow’s father.
Walt Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Hugh Jackman In Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb
Hugh Jackman plays not one, not two, but three characters during his brief time on-screen in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Jackman portrays himself, Hugh Jackman, performing in the stage play Camelot as King Arthur. But when threatened, Jackman breaks character (characters?) and pretends to be Wolverine.
Twentieth Century, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
Dan Aykroyd In Casper
“Who you gonna call? Someone else!” Dan Aykroyd reprised his Ghostbusters character Ray Stanz for 1995’s feature film Casper but did not eliminate the ghosts.
Johnny Depp In 21 Jump Street
Johnny Depp pays homage to his breakout role in a cameo in the 21 Jump Street feature film. Depp, who played Officer Tom Hanson in the 1980s television series, reprised the role for the 2012 film.
Matt Damon In Thor: Ragnarok
Matt Damon’s surprise appearance in Thor: Ragnarok was one of Marvel’s best-kept secrets—and one of its funniest reveals. Disguised under a bad black wig and some truly dramatic flair, Damon pops up as an Asgardian stage actor playing Loki in a hilariously over-the-top “play within the movie". It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that perfectly parodies the franchise’s own self-seriousness—and lets Damon show off his underrated comedy chops.
Quentin Tarantino In Desperado
Listed in the credits as “Pick-up Guy”, Quentin Tarantino has a brief cameo in Desperado. Par for the course, given Tarantino’s penchant for violence in his own films, Pick-up Guy is gunned down within a few minutes of his appearance.
Jimmy Buffett In Jurassic World
In a nod to one of his biggest hit songs, Jimmy Buffett rushes off—with a margarita in each hand—as pterosaurs swoop down on the crowd in Jurassic World. Buffett’s time on the screen lasts mere seconds and he doesn’t utter a single line of dialogue but the cameo is iconic.
Universal, Jurassic World (2015)
David Bowie In Zoolander
David Bowie brilliantly and hilariously portrays himself in Zoolander, overseeing the catwalk showdown between Derek Zoolander and Hansel. Ben Stiller created the role specifically for the English musician.
Stan Lee In The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Beloved comic book writer Stan Lee is best known for his work with Marvel. It’s no surprise that he appears in several Marvel films. But he also made an unexpected and random appearance in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Walt Disney, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)
Mike Tyson In The Hangover
At first, boxing legend Mike Tyson wasn’t interested in playing himself in The Hangover—and honestly, who could blame him? But once he found out the movie’s director, Todd Phillips, was the same guy behind his all-time favorite comedy Old School, Tyson changed his tune. The result? One of the most unforgettable—and most quoted—celebrity cameos in modern movie history.
Warner Bros., The Hangover (2009)
Tom Cruise In Tropic Thunder
Tom Cruise is virtually unrecognizable in his cameo for 2008’s Tropic Thunder. The star’s costume includes a fat suit, bald cap, bulky prosthetic hands, eyeglasses, and facial hair.
Paramount, Tropic Thunder (2008)
John Hurt In Spaceballs
John Hurt’s cameo in Spaceballs is a comedic riff on the actor’s role in Alien. As in Alien, an extraterrestrial bursts out of Hurt’s chest in Spaceballs. But in the later film, the alien breaks into a song and dance routine after its escape, performing “Hello! Ma Baby”.
Neil Patrick Harris In Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
After watching Neil Patrick Harris grow up for four years on television’s Doogie Howser, M.D., no one was prepared for his cameo in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. The actor plays himself, appearing as a hilariously bawdy hitchhiker high on ecstasy.
New Line, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Christopher Walken In Pulp Fiction
With a film career spanning almost 60 years, Christopher Walken is regarded as “one of the kings of cameos”. Of his many cameo performances, his appearance in Pulp Fiction—where he describes smuggling a watch—is among his most iconic.
Martin Scorsese In Taxi Driver
Director Martin Scorsese didn’t just make Taxi Driver—he sneaked into it. In fact, he pops up twice. His first cameo is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance, but the second? Pure intensity. After the original actor dropped out, Scorsese stepped in as a furious passenger in Travis Bickle’s cab, delivering a chilling, unhinged monologue about his wife’s infidelity. It’s short, it’s unsettling, and it proves the guy behind the camera can steal a scene too.
Bob Barker In Happy Gilmore
Legendary game show host Bob Barker appears as himself in Happy Gilmore. Paired with Adam Sandler’s titular character for a golf tournament, Barker grows increasingly frustrated with Gilmore. The two eventually come to blows in an epic—and hilarious—fistfight.
Universal, Happy Gilmore (1996)
Bill Murray In Zombieland
One of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Bill Murray has a cameo role as himself—pretending to be a zombie—in the 2009 film Zombieland. Murray is on screen for about five minutes before his character is accidentally killed during a screening of Ghostbusters.
Anna Q. Nilsson, Buster Keaton, And H. B. Warner In Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard, the 1950 film noir classic, has three legendary actors appearing in cameo roles as themselves. Norma Desmond’s bridge-playing friends, who were her silent film-era contemporaries, are the silent film stars Anna Q. Nilsson, Buster Keaton, and H. B. Warner.
Paramount, Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Brett Favre In There’s Something About Mary
Mary’s suitor Brett is mentioned throughout There’s Something About Mary but he doesn’t appear in the movie until the very end. In the final scene, the offscreen suitor finally makes his appearance—and turns out to be Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers quarterback.
Twentieth Century, There's Something About Mary (1998)
Eminem And Ray Romano In Funny People
Eminem’s cameo in Funny People is as chaotic and biting as you’d expect. Playing himself, the rapper casually chats with Adam Sandler’s character, George Simmons, before spotting Ray Romano and Seth Rogen watching from across the room. Big mistake. Eminem launches into a furious rant, tearing into Romano for “looking at him,” and the whole thing spirals into a gloriously awkward meltdown. The scene wraps with Seth Rogen’s deadpan zinger—“I thought everybody loved you”—and honestly, it’s comedy gold.
Universal, Funny People (2009)
Gene Hackman In Young Frankenstein
In a hilarious scene in Young Frankenstein, a blind hermit attempts to serve the monster some soup but unknowingly ladles the steaming hot liquid onto the monster’s lap—repeatedly. Gene Hackman’s costume was so well executed that many didn’t realize Hackman plays the hermit.
Twentieth Century, Young Frankenstein (1974)
Huey Lewis In Back To The Future
It’s well known that Huey Lewis’ music is featured in Back to the Future. It’s not as well known that Lewis has a cameo in the film. Near the beginning, Marty McFly and his band, The Pinheads, perform “The Power of Love” in an audition to play at the school dance. Lewis is the administrator with the bullhorn who cuts the band’s performance short and dismisses them with the comment, “Thank you, fellas. I’m afraid you’re too darn loud”.
Universal, Back to the Future (1985)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar In Airplane
Most people know that NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a fairly significant role in Airplane. It’s not as widely known that Abdul-Jabbar’s role was a reference to Elroy Hirsch, a professional football player who appeared in the 1957 film Zero Hour! The earlier film is heavily parodied by Airplane.
Glenn Close In Hook
With heavy makeup and a clever costume, Glenn Close is unrecognizable in her brief cameo appearance in Hook. The highly-acclaimed actress appears as a male pirate, with shaggy gray hair and a bushy beard, who gets thrown into the “boo box” by Captain Hook.
Jimmy Fallon In Jurassic World
Jimmy Buffett wasn’t the only Jimmy to pop up in Jurassic World. Late-night funnyman Jimmy Fallon also makes an appearance—as himself, of course—hosting a tongue-in-cheek safety video for the park’s Gyrosphere ride. True to form, Fallon turns a simple tutorial into a slapstick disaster, managing to hilariously injure himself while explaining how not to. It’s pure Fallon chaos, perfectly dropped into dino mayhem.
Universal, Jurassic World (2015)
Matt Damon In EuroTrip
No one expected Matt Damon to turn up in the 2004 teen comedy EuroTrip. But he literally rocks his cameo role. Tattooed and pierced, the superstar appears as the lead singer in a punk band.
Mark Hamill In Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back
Mark Hamill pokes fun at his most famous role during his cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. The actor, best known as Luke Skywalker, battles the titular characters on a movie set within the movie, where the three engage in an epic Star Wars-esque battle.
Miramax, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Danny Glover In Maverick
The top-billed star of Maverick—Mel Gibson—co-starred in three Lethal Weapon movies with Danny Glover before Maverick was released in 1994. Glover’s uncredited cameo in Maverick pays homage to the Lethal Weapon franchise. During a robbery, Gibson and Glover’s characters seem to recognize each other—while the Lethal Weapon theme music plays in the background. As Glover exits the scene, he utters his famous tagline from Lethal Weapon: “I’m getting too old for this [stuff]”.
Martin Sheen In Hot Shots! Part Deux
Martin Sheen’s cameo in Hot Shots! Part Deux references not one but two Sheen films. The nod to Apocalypse Now is subtle and relies on the viewers’ familiarity with that film. But there is no subtlety around the second reference. As Sheen’s boat floats past the one helmed by his real-life son, Charlie, the two point at each other and exclaim, “I loved you in Wall Street!”
Twentieth Century, Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
The Three Stooges In It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World doesn’t hold back when it comes to star power—Jack Benny, Don Knotts, Jerry Lewis, and a parade of other comedy legends all make appearances. But the movie’s funniest gag might belong to the shortest cameo of all. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, The Three Stooges show up as silent firefighters, standing completely motionless while everything around them descends into chaos. Five seconds. Zero lines. Total perfection.
United Artists, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Will Ferrell In Wedding Crashers
Confirmed for his part just the night before filming, Will Ferrell stole the show with his cameo in Wedding Crashers. Ferrell’s highly-improvised scenes, especially his lines about meatloaf and his mom, are iconic comedy moments.
New Line, Wedding Crashers (2005)
Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, And Tim Robbins In Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
Will Ferrell’s 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy has a star-studded cast. Although there are several cameo appearances throughout the film, audiences were surprised to see Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Tim Robbins among Ron Burgundy's foes in the epic fight scene.
DreamWorks, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Drake In Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Like the original Anchorman film, the sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is jam packed with celebrity cameos. But one of the most random and surprising appearances is by Drake. On-screen for mere seconds, the rapper’s memorable ‘70s-era costume includes an afro, mutton chops, a leather Members Only jacket, and acid wash jeans.
Paramount, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
Ed Sheeran In Bridget Jones’ Baby
English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has a memorable cameo, starring as himself, in Bridget Jones’ Baby. Starring in two scenes, Sheeran is first mistaken by Renée Zellweger’s iconic character for a barista but she later realizes her mistake when she sees Sheeran on stage.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Baby (2016)
Phil Collins, David Crosby, And Jimmy Buffett In Hook
The 1991 classic Hook is full of surprises, and not just the flying kind. Among its hidden treasures are blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos from George Lucas and Carrie Fisher, who share a quick kiss on a moonlit bridge. But the real magic comes from the rock royalty sprinkled throughout—Phil Collins, David Crosby, and Jimmy Buffett all pop up in bit parts, turning Neverland into a star-studded playground that fans are still spotting decades later.
Tom Cruise In Austin Powers In Goldmember
Every film in the Austin Powers franchise is jam packed with surprising cameos. Austin Powers in Goldmember is no exception. It’s hard to pick a standout cameo from the film but the appearance of Tom Cruise in a full Austin Powers-esque costume is definitely among the best.
New Line, Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Dustin Hoffman In The Holiday
The brief appearance of Dustin Hoffman in The Holiday was completely unplanned. The actor was driving past a DVD shop where filming was taking place and decided to stop in. The legendary actor briefly appears as himself while Jack Black’s character picks up a copy of The Graduate DVD and begins to sing the score, unaware who is standing nearby.
Billy Idol In The Wedding Singer
Set in 1985, The Wedding Singer is the perfect vehicle for a cameo by English rocker Billy Idol. While Idol appears as himself, he doesn’t sing in the film—but he’s instrumental in encouraging Adam Sandler’s character, Robbie, to go get his girl.
New Line, The Wedding Singer (1998)
David Hasselhoff In The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Riffing on his role in the long-running Baywatch TV series, David Hasselhoff jumps to the rescue in the The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. While Hasselhoff himself appears in the movie, part of his role is “performed” by a 12-foot long replica of himself that weighs nearly 1000 pounds.
Paramount, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)
Hulk Hogan In Gremlins 2: The New Batch
When the gremlins wreak havoc in a movie theater, there’s only one man tough enough to set them straight—Hulk Hogan. In Gremlins 2: The New Batch, the wrestler appears as himself, bursting onto the screen mid-chaos to scold the mischievous creatures for interrupting the show. With trademark bravado, Hogan warns the gremlins not to mess with the Hulkster, delivering a perfectly over-the-top cameo that’s pure 80s magic.
Warner Bros., Gremlins 2: The New Batch (2002)
