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We’re all used to seeing movies with huge stars and ensemble casts, but there’s something about our favorite celebrities randomly popping up in a film that makes everything that much better. Whether they show up in a movie playing themselves or an outrageous character that’s nothing like them, fans eat up unexpected celebrity cameos each and every time.
From David Bowie’s hilarious appearance in the first Zoolander film to the Jonas Brothers making a small cameo as some cherubs in Night At The Museum, check out 12 of the best celebrity movie cameos in the history of film.
David Bowie in ‘Zoolander’ (2001)
The late singer made a cameo in the first Zoolander film, playing who else but himself! He showed up to challenge Derek Zoolander (played by Ben Stiller) and Hansel (played by Owen Wilson) to a good old-fashioned walk-off.
Matt Damon in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)
Marvel fans will never forget the hilarious cameo from Matt Damon in the third installment of the Thor franchise. The vet surprised fans in the film in a scene where Loki (disguised as his father, Odin) stages a play about his own heroic “death.” To viewers’ surprise, that fake-Loki was played by Matt Damon.
Bill Murray in ‘Zombieland’ (2010)
Fans love the cult-classic film Zombieland for a number of reasons, one of them being a surprise cameo from Bill Murray. The actor even plays himself, pretending to be a zombie in order to survive the apocalypse.
Dolly Parton in ‘Miss Congeniality 2’ (2005)
In Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, Dolly Parton makes a brief appearance as herself when FBI agent Gracie (played by Sandra Bullock) chases her down, thinking she’s a Dolly impersonator. Nope, it’s the real Dolly Parton! To make things even more special, Sandra apparently wrote a letter to the legend begging her to take the role.
Brad Pitt in ‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)
Brad Pitt’s appearance in Deadpool 2 might go down as the shortest celebrity film cameo in history. The star makes a fleeting appearance as a superhero named the Vanisher, whose superpower is invisibility. Unfortunately, he gets electrocuted and his face is briefly revealed.
Channing Tatum in ‘This Is The End’ (2013)
This Is The End is a film full of celebrity cameos, and that’s on top of all the stars who appear throughout the entire film. One of the best surprises in the movie, though is Channing Tatum’s cameo, who hilariously appears as Danny McBride’s sex slave.
Neil Patrick Harris in ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’ (2004)
Neil Patrick Harris had a hilarious cameo in one of the Harold and Kumar flicks as an exaggerated version of himself. Another unexpected cameo in the movie is Ryan Reynolds, who plays an OR nurse in another scene.
Madonna in ‘Die Another Day’ (2002)
Not only did she provide the title track for the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, Madonna also made a brief appearance in the movie as a character named Verity, a fencing instructor who gives James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) a fencing lesson.
Tom Cruise in ‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)
We’re used to seeing Tom Cruise play the leading man in action films, so his role in Tropic Thunder was a surprise to all. He hilariously protrayed studio executive Les Grossman in the film, almost unrecognizable under a bald cap, chest hair, and a fat suit.
Trevor Noah in ‘Black Panther’ (2018)
While we didn’t actually get to see Trevor Noah in Black Panther, we definitely heard him. The Daily Show host voiced the ship Martin Freeman’s character piloted during the film’s final sequence.
Will Ferrell in ‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)
Will Ferrell makes a quick appearance in Wedding Crashers, appearing in just one scene. Still, he made his mark, having some of the most quoted lines from the film. He appears as a middle-aged man who still lives with his mom and likes to meet women by crashing funerals.
The Jonas Brothers in ‘Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ (2009)
Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas make an unusual cameo in Night At The Museum, appearing in the film as an animated version of themselves as statues. Only the most eagle-eyed viewers notice dthat three angelic cherubs in the film bear a striking resemblance to the pop trio.