7 Most Surprising Film Cameos

The most unexpected appearances from actors not present on the cast list!

We all love a good cameo, don’t we? Not only are they unexpected, but they’re good fun and a wink for the audience! Sometimes they’re so hidden you could never tell without the help of a director’s commentary. Sometimes they’re in plain sight. But how surprised are you by some of them?

We at ScreenHeads have put together a list of our 7 favourite, most surprising cameos on the big screen. Here’s a big one to kick off with for number 7…

7. Stan Lee in all Marvel films (1989-2019)

Stan Lee’s Marvel appearances started all the way back in 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Though, they only really becoming a recurring thing and staple of the company name from 2002’s Spider-Man and onwards.

It maybe didn’t stay surprising as time went on, but there was always wonder of how he would pop up. Sadly after Lee’s death in 2018, we will no longer see those little nuggets of the famed comic book writer.

6. Matt Damon as a Loki actor in Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

You’ll notice this one as also including various other cameos in the same scene! Damon appears as an Asgardian actor playing Tom Hiddleston’s Loki in a staged production depicting the life of god of mischief.

In the same scene you will find Luke Hemsworth (yes, the brother of Chris Hemsworth who plays Thor) as an actor portraying Thor in the production, and Jurassic Park‘s Sam Neill as an actor playing Anthony Hopkins’ Odin.

5. Billy Idol as Billy Idol in The Wedding Singer (1998)

A cameo that brought a couple of laughs to whoever seen the film. Idol portrays a fictionalised version of himself who happens to be on the same plane as Adam Sandler’s Robbie Hart as he races to tell Drew Barrymore’s Julia Sullivan that he loves her.

Needless to say, Barrymore is on the same plane as them and Idol assists Sandler in winning his woman back, also immortalises the line “don’t you talk to Billy Idol that way!” at the same time.

4. Tom Cruise as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder (2009)

He may not like his face on merchandise but he’ll lend himself to the odd cameo or two. Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder brought us Tom Cruise in his most unexpected appearance on screen yet. Cruise appears almost unrecognisable as the film’s Less Grossman, an anger-filled, foul mouthed executive of the studio that is producing the film Tropic Thunder, starring characters played by the likes of Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.

3. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in Iron Man (2008)

The cameo that opened up the MCU in a way no one saw coming. The character of Nick Fury in his modern comic book appearance is based off Jackson, so naturally Marvel thought it would be fun to bring in the actor as his live-action version.

Iron Man featured a post-credits scene the brought us Nicholas J. Fury, something that was unforeseen by most and started the excitement/expectation of future unexpected appearances in the credits of Marvel movies.

2. Johnny Depp as Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street (2012)

Depp’s character appears here and there throughout the 2012 film adaptation of the 80’s tv show, however with all of that make-up, you’d never guess it was him.

In the third act of the story, Depp finally unveils himself as Tom Hanson, his character from the 21 Jump Street show that he starred in in his youth. A good bit of fun for people who know Depp’s connection to the show.

1. Glenn Close as Gutless the pirate in Hook (1991)

Taking the top spot is the most in-your-face cameo in film that makes it hard to believe who you are watching. Yes, thanks to the invention of the internet, we now all know that Glenn Close portrays Gutless the pirate in Steven Spielberg’s Hook. Close’s character only appears in one scene but is front and centre as Dustin Hoffman’s Captain Hook as him crammed into the “boo box”.

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Surprised by any of these yourself? Think you know any that are more unexpected? let us know in the comment section below!