29 Most Epic Movie Cameos
What's a major motion picture without a movie star cameo (or two)? Boring, that's what. Here are 29 surprise celebrity appearances from some of your favorite (non-boring) movies.
Harrison Ford and More in 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' (2013)
It's perhaps the most cameo-filled scene of all time when rival news teams prepare to do battle in a city park. Besides Harrison Ford as a legendary anchorman (who's also a were-hyena), there's Liam Neeson, Will Smith, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jim Carrey and Marion Cotillard as very polite Canadians.
Neil Patrick Harris in 'Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay' (2008)
NPH's cameo in "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" was already mind-blowingly funny, but he takes it to the next level in the sequel: While tripping on mushrooms, he envisions himself riding off on a unicorn into a swirling rainbow.
Bill Murray in 'Zombieland' (2009)
When our heroes come across a seemingly abandoned mansion in a zombie-infested world, they're stunned to discover it home to actor Bill Murray, who's made up like a zombie so he can "blend in." Excellent time for a practical joke on the one guy who doesn't realize Murray's not a zombie.
Johnny Depp in '21 Jump Street' (2012)
Was Johnny Depp upset that his breakthrough '80s TV show was being made into a movie? Not at all: He even made a cameo as his undercover character, Tom Hanson, during a shootout scene that goes very, very wrong.
Bob Barker in 'Happy Gilmore' (1996)
The good-natured game show host unleashed an unexpectedly violent side in this Adam Sandler comedy. After losing patience with his newbie golf partner, Barker and Sandler get into one of comedy's greatest smackdowns. The duo reprised their fight in a new video for charity this year.
Every Music Legend in 'The Blues Brothers' (1980)
Where to start? R&B legends Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles all drop in for some of the greatest musical scenes of all time in this beloved cult classic.
Tom Cruise in 'Austin Powers in Goldmember' (2002)
Tom Cruise is Austin Powers in the "Hollywood" version of Austin Powers, where Gwyneth Paltrow is "Dixie Normous," (snigger), Kevin Spacey is Dr. Evil and Danny DeVito is Mini Me. Oh, and the director is Steven Spielberg, of course.
Billy Idol in 'The Wedding Singer' (1998)
You never know who you'll encounter in first class, like rock star Billy Idol, who comes to the aid of Robbie (Adam Sandler) in wooing Julia (Drew Barrymore) in this comedy set in the '80s. Who cares that Billy's now more than a decade older than he was in the '80s? Sadly, he never sings "White Wedding."
Mike Tyson in 'The Hangover' (2009)
What's scarier than waking up in a Vegas hotel to find a tiger in your bathroom? Having pissed-off owner Mike Tyson show up to get it back. The boxing champ displays his air-drumming skills, then knocks Zach Galifianakis cold. "He's still got it," raves Ed Helms.
Matt Damon in 'EuroTrip' (2004)
A raunchy teen comedy is the last place you'd expect to see "Bourne-"era Matt Damon, especially since he's playing a tattooed, pierced douchebag rocker who sings about sleeping with the main character's girlfriend.
David Bowie in 'Zoolander' (2001)
When supermodels Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and rival Hansel (Owen Wilson) prepare for an epic walk-off, they need someone to decide the winner. Enter none other than David Bowie, who announces, "I might be of assistance."
Michael Jackson in 'Men in Black II' (2002)
The King of Pop gamely appeared as, what else, an alien in this so-so sci-fi sequel.
Backstreet Boys in 'This is the End' (2013)
Yes, the Rihanna, Michael Cera, Channing Tatum and Emma Watson cameos are all great in this end-of-the-world comedy. But the biggest laughs are when Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and Craig Robinson get to heaven and are greeted by The Backstreet Boys, joining them in a chorus of "Backstreet's Back." C'mon, you know those moves!
Gene Hackman in 'Young Frankenstein' (1974)
Oscar-winner Gene Hackman makes an uncredited appearance in this Mel Brooks classic, playing an old blind man who welcomes (and inadvertently keeps injuring) his mute new friend. Here, he proves he's just at great at comedy as he is at drama.
Bruce Springsteen in 'High Fidelity' (2000)
The Boss himself appears as music-obsessed John Cusack's conscience in this romantic comedy based on the Nick Hornby novel.
Charlie Sheen in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)
As "Boy in Police Station," Sheen's cameo is so classic, he returned to the role when '80s-set sitcom, "The Goldbergs," did a "Ferris Bueller" tribute episode. Here, Sheen groaned, "Feels like I've been sitting here 30 years."
Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts in 'The Player' (1992)
Plenty of stars appear as themselves in Robert Altman's Hollywood satire, but getting Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts to appear in the movie-within-a-movie was a real coup. It's where Roberts met musician Lyle Lovett, whom she married in 1993.
John Hurt in 'Spaceballs' (1987)
Hurt gamely lampoons his famous scene from "Alien" (1979) where the alien bursts out of his chest. "Not again," he moans as the little critter scampers off, this time with a top hat and high-kicking as it sings "Hello My Baby."
Alfred Hitchcock in All of His Films
Alfred Hitchcock, an expert at self-promotion, was so famous for cameoing in his own films that he had to put them near the beginning so audiences would stop looking for him. In "Strangers on a Train" (1951), he boards a train as Farley Granger exits. Most cleverly, in "Lifeboat" he appeared in a newspaper ad for a weight loss pill.
Dave Grohl in 'The Muppets' (2011)
Wait -- is that Dave Grohl as "Animool," the less-talented fill-in for regular Muppet drummer Animal? Yes, yes it is. It's hard to pick a favorite in this cameo-stuffed comedy but this one was just too perfect.
Luke Wilson and More in 'Anchorman' (2004)
Ron Burgundy's rumble in the alley gets interesting when competing news teams led by Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, curly-haired Tim Robbins and a whip-wielding, mustachioed Ben Stiller join the fray, with Wilson losing an arm to Robbins. Ouch!
Robert Patrick in 'Wayne's World' (1992)
The year after he appeared as the scary T-1000 in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Robert Patrick was still looking for John Connor. No wonder Wayne (Mike Myers) screams and drives off when he sees who's pulled him over.
Charlton Heston in 'Wayne's World 2' (1993)
When Mike Myers complains that a bit player isn't good enough, in steps Oscar-winner Charlton Heston -- as a gas station attendant -- to deliver a few lines that move Myers to tears. We have to wonder how Myers talked the star of "The Ten Commandments" and "Ben-Hur" into appearing in his comedy.
Marshall McLuhan in 'Annie Hall' (1977)
Most people wouldn't recognize the philosopher who coined the term "the medium is the message," but wow, how handy is it for Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) to produce him when someone starts spouting off about his theories while in line for a movie. McLuhan tells the loudmouth, "You know nothing of my work!" "If life were only like this," says Alvy.
Glenn Close in 'Hook' (1991)
Did you realize that bearded pirate in "Hook" was actually Glenn Close? Yep, years before she played a man in "Albert Nobbs," she played this unlucky pirate who ends up locked in a wooden chest with live scorpions.
Stan Lee in 'Mallrats' (1995)
Before Marvel movies and Stan Lee cameos became a regular thing, the comics legend appeared in Kevin Smith's second film as himself, where he chats up comic book fan Brodie (Jason Lee) and notes that the lad is "really hung up on superheroes' sex organs."
George Clooney in 'Spy Kids' (2001)
Clooney removes the black bar "hiding" his identity in this cameo in which he tells the Cortez family they're wanted on a new mission. Lest you forget, director Robert Rodriguez gave Clooney one of his first leading roles in "From Dusk Till Dawn".
Bruce Willis in 'Ocean's 12' (2004)
Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts team-up again for this very meta sequel. When Willis meets Danny Ocean's wife, Tess, he thinks she is the real Julia Roberts. The latter's reaction to meeting the "Die Hard" star, and a gag between Willis and Matt Damon's character over the ending of "Sixth Sense," are some of the film's best moments.
Hugh Jackman in 'X-Men: First Class' (2011)
Somehow, the filmmakers managed to keep this cameo a secret -- much to the joy of squee-ing fanboys everywhere when Wolverine showed up at a bar to tell Xavier and Erik to go "eff" themselves.
