Subscribe to Listverse
Cameos are often used in movies to add a touch of humor – and as the contributor of this list (ThatGuy) pointed out, listverse is presently lacking a list of the best. So, here is our first (and hopefully not last) list of the best (and funniest) cameos in movie history. If you can think of other great cameos, be sure to tell us in the comments (include a youtube link if you can).
What really makes this cameo funny is not necessarily the lewd dialogue, it’s the story behind how the slacker duo got involved in Scream 3. They were both given 300 dollars per diem while on set, and a free shirt. Jason Mewes (Jay) was a bit more excited about it than Kevin Smith (Silent Bob), saying: “We should do this all the time. We can pop up in every horror movie, and get three hundred bucks a day and a shirt!” Smith told him he could make a lot more money in a starring role, and Mewes respectfully pondered the idea.
Dr. Gonzo appears very briefly in Terry Gilliam’s classic film that is based off Thompson’s book. During the flashback/Jefferson Airplane scene. Depp walks by him and narrates: “There I was… Mother of God, there I am. Holy fuck.” Fear and Loathing is known for many great cameos, including Gary Busey, Tobey Maguire, and director Gilliam.
There isn’t much I can say besides Thank You Chuck Norris.
In this war film parody, Martin Sheen steals his son Charlie’s thunder by interrupting his narration with a little voice-over of his own. It concludes with one of the funniest lines in spoof history.
Nick Cage appears as Fu Manchu in the fake trailer “Werewolf Women of the S.S.” directed by Rob Zombie for the movie Grindhouse. I don’t think I am alone when I say that the fake trailers were probably the best part of Grindhouse, and include such gems as Machete, Thanksgiving, and Don’t! Cage’s cameo is short and sweet, and it gets me every time.
This film is both greatly loved and severely detested. Those who support it point out its campy qualities, and claim that it’s so bad it’s good (like the Wicker Man remake, right? Or does it just suck?) Letterman’s cameo was his first role in a feature film and it is a lot like the rest of the movie, so bad it’s good. See for yourself.
The Muppet Movie is known for its parade of cameos, but Martin’s role as the ‘insolent waiter’ combines his bizarre sense of humor with the universal appeal of the muppets. What ensues is a fantastic fusion of dry humor and soaking wet slapstick.
The best part about this cameo is how Bob is in great shape. You really believe that he could kick some ass if taunted. Apparently Barker accepted the role after learning that he would win the fight. I’m sure he felt even more vindication after winning the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. The best part of the clip begins around 00:58.
This cameo is as perfect as the movie itself. I wouldn’t say that Crystal and Kane make the movie, but they do serve as the cherry-on-top of a hilarious sundae. The decrepit yet spry married couple were so funny that Rob Reiner had to leave the set because he was laughing so hard.
Extras, a sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and his writing partner Stephen Merchant, is one of the funniest TV shows of all time. It was hard to believe that they could live up to the comedic brilliance that was The Office, but they did it with Extras, which aired on HBO. Every episode has at least one celebrity appearance, all of them playing themselves. The words that Gervais puts in their mouths are usually so insensitive and vain that it is unfathomable how they all agreed to it. To name a few: David Bowie, Ian McKellen, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller, Chris Martin, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert De Niro.
This clip shows David Bowie’s hilarious cameo. My personal favorite has to be Ian McKellen explaining his stage play to Gervais. The timing and delivery is so spot-on it brought me to tears the first time I saw it. If you have not seen this show please, please, PLEASE try and watch it. It does not disappoint.
Contributor: ThatGuy
March 20th, 2009 at 1:23 am
nice list! Cameos are very cool!!…
March 20th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Bang on with extras as number one that show is great, its just not quite as good as the office but its brilliant. Happy gilmore is great too.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:32 am
what about the cameos in friends they are pretty funny too
March 20th, 2009 at 1:36 am
the simpsons would be in mine
March 20th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Nice list. The bit with Steve Martin was a hoot, as was the scene from The Princess Bride.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Loved Steve Martin in “The Muppett Movie”
“Don’t you want to smell the BOTTLE CAP???”
March 20th, 2009 at 2:04 am
tom cruise…tropic thunder.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Extras and The Office (in its English guise) are proof positive that English comedy is superior to the comedy of any other nation.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:16 am
I think your forgot the funniest of all, Lance Armstrong in Dodgeball. Much better than the Chuck Norris one.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:18 am
uhhm, as much as i ADORE billy crystal’s and carol kane’s performances in the princess bride, i don’t think they count as “cameos.”
both are credited for their performances, and both are on screen for more than a moment. i’d say this takes them out of the realm of “cameo’ and into “minor-or-supporting characters.”
hell, they both come up in the “name-over-the-face -shot listing of actors” before the “real” credits of text-over-neutral-screen with music even begins at the end of the film. (at least crystal does, have to watch it again to confirm if kane gets equal billing.) and both are on the imdb main page cast listing for the film.
so, yeah, more than a cameo. but awesome none the less.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:30 am
I loved Kate Winslet on Extras, so screwed up and hilarious.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:17 am
My favourite cameos are Bruce Campbell’s in Sam Raimi movies and some Coen brothers movies. He’s the cameo king!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Yeah you forgot Charlton Heston in Wayne’s World. This list is incomplete.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:52 am
Didn’t Alfred Hitchcock make an appearance in all his films? Do they count as cameos?
March 20th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Oh god, I love Sir Ian McKellen on the Extra “Wizard Wizard THOU SHALL NOT PASS.” every time I saw it, I would crack up. XD
March 20th, 2009 at 4:23 am
One of my favorites was Neil Patrick Harris in “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle.” Priceless!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Matt damon in team america?
March 20th, 2009 at 4:38 am
You should do a list on the most cameo-filled movies. Like Around the World in 80 Days, Zoolander and The Pick of Destiny.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Clearly we will be able to make a second list based on the comments – and maybe a third or fourth!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:41 am
You are so right about Ian McKellen,
It really is the funniest thing I have ever seen on TV/Film
“she tries frantically to cover up but I have seen everything”
March 20th, 2009 at 5:08 am
7. donald
Not to mention Cruise’s appearance in the beginning of Goldmember.
13. Tony R
Also, in the 2001 Planet of the Apes where in a role reversal Heston plays an ape. “Damn you, damn you all to hell!” Well, ok, it wasn’t funny, but memorable.
A few more:
Dan Marino in “Ace Ventura”.
Brett Farve in “There’s Something About Mary”.
Kurt Vonnegut in “Back to School”.
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach in “Austin Powers”.
BTW, I just recently viewed the segment from the Jimmy Kimmel Show that featured a clip of Sarah Silverman singing, “I’m F**king Matt Damon” featuring none other than Matt Damon. That was hilarious. It was meant as an anniversary gift.
But what really blew me away is Jimmy Kimmel’s video response called “I’m F**king Ben Affleck”. I just couodn’t believe how many cameos were in that video. Harrison Ford, Huey Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Robin Williams, Don Cheadle,Meat Loaf, Lance Bass, Joan Jett, and Josh Groden (of all people) all singing “I’m F**king Ben Affleck”. And check out who the FEDEX delivery man is.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:36 am
My favorite Extras celeb appearance has got to be Patrick Stewart. He is brilliant!
March 20th, 2009 at 5:41 am
I love Kate Winslet’s cameo on Extras. What I love more is that she won an Oscar doing exactly what she said in the show! Classic.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:52 am
neddie – American comedy has pulled English comedy’s pants down and is laughing at it’s shame. Sorry pal, you have no match for George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Mitch Hedberg Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld or Bill Hicks. Only the Python boys come close. And even if you do come up with something funny, we’ll steal it, dumb it down, slap a label on it, make it more popular, and give you the finger while you bitch and moan about us stealing it.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Tricia – he’s going to rummage around my basement while I polish his Oscar.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Steve Martin in The Muppet Movie was during his very peak of brilliance. That scene was flat out the funniest part of the movie. Lots of other great cameo in that film as well.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Stephen Fry in A Fish Called Wanda.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Stan Lee (the creator of many classic Marvel comic characters) has done cameos in nearly every comic movie from Fantastic Four to X-Men
March 20th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Sorry to correct you on #9 – Dr. Gonzo was a pseudonym for Oscar Zeta Acosta, not Hunter S. Thompson. He was the side kick in Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. Refered to as a 400lb Samoan, he was actually a Hispanic activist, played by Benicio Del Toro in the film, Depp of course was Thompson.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:33 am
you could do several from the arrested development series.
julia louis dreyfus as the bling lawyer maggie lizer (as in maggie lizer ass off)
andy richter as a set of wildly different quadruplets
carl weathers as himself (add a little water and you got yourself a stew)
the entire save the bluths episode
what a brilliant comedy!!
March 20th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Got ahead of myself – the cameo in the clip #9 is the real pre-suicide Hunter S. Thompson. Acosta disapeared in 1974 under strange circumstances. It is suspected he was offed by some coke smugglers and dumped at sea. Thompson put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger in 2005. As requested in his will, the funeral was a private party, the climax of which was the blasting of his ashes from a fireworks mortar atop a 150ft tower financed by Johnny Depp. Thompson was truly stranger than his fiction.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:44 am
WIZARD YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
March 20th, 2009 at 6:46 am
@Amber
Neil Patrick Harris’ role in Harold and Kumar wasn’t a cameo.
And The Princess Bride should be no. 1.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Bob Saget in the movie Half Baked was pretty hilarious.
Hearing the once beloved American TV dad admitting he sucked dick for coke had me rolling.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:19 am
bruce willis in “four rooms”-not even credited
stephen king in many of his films-green mold guy in the original “creepshow”, truckdriver in “creepshow 2″, presiding priest in “pet sematary”
March 20th, 2009 at 7:19 am
I thought the following cameo’s where great:
Matt Damon in Eurotrip
The A’nold in the rundown
March 20th, 2009 at 7:25 am
damien_karras – have you seen his comedy special? Apparently people who recognize him say that to him all the time. He was walking down the street with his daughter one day and a van full of rowdy guys drove by and yelled that at him.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Scary Movie IV: Dr.Phil & Shaq.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:35 am
buc: If you can find a vid of that it would make my weekend!
I looked on YouTube and I can’t find the clip.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Sorry, but Lo is correct. Billy Crystal and Carol Kane’s performances in The Princess Bride are not cameos.
However, Marshall McLuhan’s appearance in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, certainly is and I’m a bit surprised it wasn’t included.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Another funny example, though it predates all of these, is Marshall McLuhan’s cameo in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall. You can find it on YouTube.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:49 am
the extras one cracked me up – we love extras in this house – incredibly funny!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Pheral: is that the scene where Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are standing on line at the movies while the guy behind them is giving the film critique?
March 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am
damien_karras – your weekend is made – Saget’s “That Ain’t Right”
That’s part one, I noticed there are other parts. I have no idea where that bit is in his routine. I suggest you watch the whole thing and report back to me personally with your analysis. Particularly the bit about ‘Nick Bag.’
peace.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:05 am
14. scrumpy beat me to my favorite cameos. Everyone got to know that old Hitchie was going to appear sooner or later and would be watching the backgrounds and extras, not the main action, waiting to spot him. When he became aware of this, he started to make his appearance in the first few seconds of the movie, so the audience could pay attention to the movie.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Rob Reiner’s mother in When Harry Met Sally
March 20th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I think the best cameo ever is Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Thank you so much for the Extras Bowie skit! I always crack up watching it. Bowie is god. If you want to watch another funny Bowie parody find the Bowie Flight of the Concords episode from their first season.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Batman wall-climbing cameos:
http://tinyurl.com/deroby
(pssst. . . they weren’t actually climbing)
March 20th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I see the argument is going to be – “what is the definition of cameo”.
I decided to go down the list and separate what was a brief appearance and what was a cast character – then it became time of appearance, scripted dialog – character part? – why a cameo? – relation of the cameo to the director, request of the performers for cameos, paid, not paid, credited, not credited??? Is it a cameo driven picture like the “Screams“, which means none are true cameos.
forget it
But I would remind the list title is “Funniest Cameos” – not just a cameo.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:31 am
All time funniest cameo is Barbara Billingsley (AKA June Cleaver) Talking “jive” in the movie Airplane. “Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit”
March 20th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Steve Martin was pretty good in The Muppett Movie
# 50 TEX – Good comment
March 20th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Nice idea for a list that guy, looking forward to more of them.
Here is nicely put together clip of Hitchcock’s cameos in his own movies.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:45 am
50. TEX: you are absolutely right…*funniest* cameo…I don’t remember if it was Rope or Strangers on a Train, but it was that period…Hitchcock, in his trademark bowler hat, with his portentous belly proceeding him, carrying an upright bass, entering a bus.
It was as if everything about him was round, and he was attempting to get into a rectangular bus. It was a wonderful sight joke.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:48 am
ok, my comment is, for reasons I can’t imagine, awaiting moderation! egads!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:48 am
toecutter – Just hang loose blood, she gon catch you on the rebound on the med side.
What it is big momma, my momma din raise no dummies, I dug her rap.
Cut me some slack Jack! Chump don won no hep, don get no hep. Jive ass doods anyhow.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Wow I found an even better clip Hitchcock’s cameos that goes way back to his early movies.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:52 am
brilliantr list…i remember maverick when danny glover robbed the bank that mel gibson was in, they gave each other a quick glance , then glover left with gibsons cash, exclaiming “im too old for this shit”, one of his lethal weapon lines
March 20th, 2009 at 8:53 am
its Hitchc*ck, got it? if ever in doubt about a word or part of a word putting comment into automatic moderation…use * in the part that might do it & np.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I’m disapointed in #5. Not that it shouldn’t be on the list but that anyone has actually seen the movie Cabin Boy.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Cyn, mea culpa! I know better, too. I should have used the Hichcoq ~sigh~, or your c*ck., but I got lazy and preoccupied by an appraiser who was coming through just then (we are re-negotiating our mortgage to a much lower %), so I was talking and typing at the same time. A feat I can barely pull off looking at the keyboard!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I also liked the Matt Damon and Ben Aflac cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.
Great List though. Love the idea.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:04 am
My fav was Wayne Brady on Chappelle’s Show
“I’m Wayne Brady, bitch!”
March 20th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I agree Tex “what is the definition of cameo”.
The clips of Hitchcock I just posted I don’t consider cameo’s even though the you tube title describes them as such. I think they are more like signature appearances.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:06 am
56 Bucslim, can you believe that that cameo didn’t even make this list?!?! Travesty I tell you!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
my c*ck? ROFLMAO!
btw – some sites put all comments into moderation prior to publication. course they either have more ads, sponsors or paid moderators. keep in mind this site is not moderated continously only when an admin or J is available. so think about your word choice if any doubt use * or your comment will be in moderation until someone is available to release it.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:14 am
well, i’m glad to see Hunter S. Thompson on here, but Flea (the bassist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers for the uninformed amongst us) is definitely the best part of that scene.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Wikipedia uses Hitch*ock as an example for cameo appearances so I guess I’m wrong.
A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games[1] and television. Short appearances by film directors, politicians, athletes, musicians, and other celebrities are common. These roles are generally small, and most of them non-speaking. As an example, director Alfred Hitch*ock enjoyed inserting himself, often as a passive by-stander, in scenes of his films
March 20th, 2009 at 9:17 am
That’s too funny… Hitchc*ck goes into moderation, but my comment about Bob Saget sucking dick went straight through…
March 20th, 2009 at 9:23 am
It rhymes with C O C K!!!
Bonus points for whoever knows that line and where it’s from.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:25 am
ooooo I’ve found a gaping unpuckered loophole in the dreaded ‘M’ formula!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Martin Sheen was great
March 20th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hey,how about tropic thunder so many cameo that should be #1
March 20th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Hey speaking of my post #70, I just thought of Mark Hamill in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. His character name was c o c k knocker!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:36 am
From the Great Wiki God:
A cameo “is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts… These roles are generally small, and most of them non-speaking. As an example, director Alfred Hitchcock enjoyed inserting himself, often as a passive by-stander, in scenes of his films.”
There are different kinds of cameos. I feel that the truest form of a cameo, in spirit of what an actual cameo is (profile brooch), a cameo role should be brief and silent. The best example from the given list would be Hunter S. Thompson.
Carol Kane and Billy Crystal’s roles were technically cameos, since the roles were rather small and in only one scene.
I think there should have been some more thought put into what kind of cameos, since this ranges from small, silent parts to plot-important, credited roles.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Sorry, I forgot Hitchc*ck was to be censored!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:38 am
56. bucslim…..hahaha! Airplane! That was a funny movie! I think the first time I saw that was when I was 10! What were my parents thinking?
Great list! Loved Bob Parker in Happy Gilmore and anything that has Jay and Silent Bob.
What about M. Night Shyamalan? He wasn’t really that funny (except Lady in the Water) but he did appear just like Hitchc*ck.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Moderation is all to coq, c o c k, cxck, *ock, c*ck, C O C K, male hen.
It’s a dead duq, d u c k, dxck, *uck, d*ck, D U C K, female drake.
Do you read me? Over!
* posted a thread in forums re: moderation stating anyone mucking about for funsies w/ this would be deleted. which is just me not a site policy. but you i will forgive due to your advanced age
ROFLAMO!* Cyn the evil admin 
March 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Cedestra, thats funny you must have written your comment when my comment (above yours) was in moderation because of the name Hitch*ock.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Peter Jackson in the LOTR films and as a ‘bad’ Santa Claus in Hot Fuzz.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:16 am
What, no Neil Patrick Harris in the Harold & Kumar movies?
March 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Crystal/Kane were not cameos. Quote all the “Wikis” you want.
Might as well say that James Stewart had a cameo in “Rope” since it was technically one scene.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Dr. Phil in Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail”!
And the Princess Bride is one of my fave movies
March 20th, 2009 at 11:18 am
What about Ozzy in Litte Nicky?
March 20th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Meant Little Nicky [not Litte]!!!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Chuck Norris! the only one i knew…
March 20th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Prince Akeem on a N.Y. street at night sees two homeless guys squatting on a sidewalk – Mortimer and Randolph Duke.
(Eddie Murphy, cameos by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche)
Anyone remember?
March 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Anon – Which tastes better? Dove or Zest? Maybe some Orbitz will wash out my dirty mouth.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
buc (88),
“Anon – Which tastes better? Dove or Zest? Maybe some Orbitz will wash out my dirty mouth.”
If it’s really filthy and persistent, I was recommended a gargle of carbollox, d’oh, carbolic.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Anon – yeah, apparently some think it is really filthy. Guess I need to cut down on the course jesting and general grabassery and start quoting the Bible. Wait . . .that gets tossed out too. Ahh Fiddlesticks! Gosh durn it and doody cakes!
(heee-haaaaw, just joshing Cyn) *bucslim ducks and heads for cover!
Does that carbolic come in lemon or mint flavor?
March 20th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
LOL…In the 80’s there was a really shitty series of break dancing movies called Breakin-Electric Boogaloo. Jean Claude Vandamme is in a spandex outfit clearly dancing in the background in on scene looking like a total homo. Funniest shit ever.
I think this is the link (bottom), but I can’t check it because my work blocks youtube. If it doesn’t work just type this into google and it will be the first thing that pops up:
(jean claude van damme cameo in breakin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xga-W7-2os – 94k
March 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My favourite EVER cameo was Suzanne Pleshette’s appearance in the final episode of Newhart..brilliant!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
toecutter…brilliant!!!
i totally forgot about that one. freakin’ hysterical.
jive ass doods ain’t got no brains anyhow!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
87. TEX: That was from Coming to America. I love that movie! Remember the jerry curl spray they used? It left marks on the back of the couch. And McDowells?
March 20th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
94. oouchan
jingle – “Just let you’re SOUL GLOWOWOW YEAHEAH”
March 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder”? I guess this could be more like a whole role than a cameo though, but non the less it was hilarious.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
95. TEX: bwhahahaha! Now I got that stupid song in my head!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Bob Hope in Spies Like Us
March 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Ricky Gervais is a genius of comedy.
As is Lee Mack. (LOVE!)
And Alan Carr.
Americans will never understand the appeal of James Corden.
XD
March 20th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
What about Cannibal Corpse in Ace Ventura? (I dont even like them, just repping the metal)
March 20th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Heh, I was always a little tickled by Lucy Lawless (Xena) in the first Spiderman movie… http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-nXmVr9krlqI/lucy_lawless_3_seconds_in_spiderman/
now that was a quick, and well disguised cameo.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
remember – this is about FUNNIEST cameos – not just cameos
March 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Gee guys – I didn’t mean to kill the conversation!
March 20th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Alice Cooper in “Wayne’s World” had to be one of the funniest cameos I’ve ever seen, with Wayne and Garth bowing down and saying, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” and Cooper holding his hand out for them to kiss.
Yeah, and the Marshal McLuhan one was sadly missing too. “Don’t you wish real life was like this?”
March 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
i’m sticking with my comment way up at 10. -”miracle max and his wife” from the princess bride are not cameos, they’re just small comedic roles, one of which was played by a very well known comedian.
from wisegeek: “Cameo appearances generally are done simply for publicity or novelty value, rather than to advance the plot.”
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-cameo-appearance.htm
miracle max was vital to the plot -bringing wesley back to life and all- not just an appearance where crystal himself was the gag.
if crystal had played “the albino” in the same film it would have been a cameo, but a distracting one.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
my favorite is david bowie as walk-off judge in zoolander. but it’s not that funny, just loved it the most.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I absolutely love this list. Usually, I want to pick a fight ‘cos there are a few that just don’t belong. This was just fantastic though!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
bucslim, (90),
Of course!
Ideal here would be that pink camayo soap. No idea what it tastes like (soap, I imagine), but I do recall it comes associated with some beatiful naked woman suggestively soaping a lovely lower limb. Now with a cameo like that, who needs it to be funny?
March 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian, GANDALF, GANDALF, GANDALF, GANDALF, Sir Ian, Sir Ian…
Me. Floor. Laughing on.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Hillarious list!
I would definitely have to add Bob Saget as himself on Entourage.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
You overlooked one of the most famous movie cameos in the past 30 years — Ethel Merman in Airplane.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS in Harold and Kumar!
That was the best!
March 20th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I LOVE EXTRAS! I think my favourite episode is the one with Orlando Bloom taking shots at Johnny Depp.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
66. Cyn: my c*ck? ROFLMAO!
Well, you know what I meant… 
****
March 20th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
why’s he gotta be mean to kermit like that?
March 20th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Marshall McLuhan was the cameo in Annie Hall – Woody Allen & Diane Keaton on line for the movies. Another great one is Kurt Vonnegut in Back to School. Age might be a factor in this list, methinks – Scream 3 and Grindhouse were pretty crappy. There must be better cameos out there. How about Marcel Marceau in Silent Movie – the only one who speaks. Or more recently, Stan Lee in Iron Man and Incredible Hulk? And actually, I loved that Incredible Hulk had Lou Ferrigno and worked in Bill Bixby in the episode of Courtship of Eddie’s Father, in the background.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
segue -
indeed.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
BILL MURRY IN SPACE JAM!!!!!!!!!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Of course Bob Barker can handle his business, he was trained in Karate by none other than #8 on this list, the beard itself Chuck Norris. For real. Look it up.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
hate to be pedantic but that is not Dr Gonzo in Fear and Loathing but Roaul Duke/HST. Dr Gonzo would of been Oscar Zeta Acosta.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I think James Brown in the Blues Brothers should be added to this list, also Chuck Norris’s appearance in Yes Dear was pretty funny
March 20th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
i love you happy!
March 20th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Rudy Giuliani in “Anger Management”!
March 21st, 2009 at 12:40 am
Damien – I watched the whole series of Bob Saget’s HBO special (which was pretty funny, BTW), and I found the part where he talks about Half Baked. It’s very close to the beginning of this one:
March 21st, 2009 at 3:55 am
Oh man I totally forgot about Affleck and Damon in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
“Lion face ARRRGHH! Lemon face mmmmm!”
March 21st, 2009 at 7:51 am
Great list! But my favorite Extras cameo has to be Patrick Stewart. It’s hilarious!
March 21st, 2009 at 8:39 am
Neil Patrick Harris in both Harold & Kumar movies? Anyone? And Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder? This list is lacking…=/
March 21st, 2009 at 3:08 pm
meryl streep
March 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hulk Hogan made a cameo in Gremline 2.
I just saw it the other day.
It totally knocked me over.
I don’t have a link as I am at work.. but look it up!
Funny!!
March 21st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Gremlins 2 even.. stupid typos!
March 21st, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Tom Hanks
March 21st, 2009 at 6:25 pm
One could argue that the whole of Cannonball Run IS Cameo like the Wart to the Hog.
(dont get me started on the “entire movie as cameo” history which procedes this like a mushroom-like field of smelly cheese warts)
and
One could also argue that the concept of The Cameo has only grown in the olfactory nerve of pungent BAD cheese, with the advent of The College Film Student Director/Film Fan Boy.
but I shall do no such useless arguing with myself.
this all aside..david letterman has me remembering Tony Randall who always made a funny cameo/walk on Late Night with D.L.–for years up until the end. Still with the Letterman Show,
Chris Elliot’s guest appearences were always off the wall, so much so that I would consider his cameo in The Abyss as Funny, because its supposed to be serious. How many bigwigs owe Chris Elliot I wonder?.
before the High End Glamour of The Cameo , there was the down and out actor who would take any bit role for a buck.
In the early days it has been said by Mingus that west side jazz muscians of the 50’s(?) would play the sterotyped african tribsmen as extras in cheep Hollywood flics/capers/serials . You know the ones.
some other thoughts:
Andy Wharhol as cameo commodity.
and
“Paging Mr. Herman.”
A whole crappy high school essay could be written about The Pee Wee cameo. ie:the actor playing a character in a movie watching within the movie a movie about his character inwhich another actor makes a cameo as the actor who is watching the movie, whereby a cameo by the the actor watching the movie about himself makes an appearence as a hotel pager paging himself, who isn’t really himsef but an actor who is making a cameo as the actor..ect ect.
March 21st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I liked the Orlando Bloom cameo on Extras, it was inspired.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pm
i loved bob barker in happy gilmore, and chuck norris showed his complete awesomeness in dodge
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Now, before I get castrated for mentioning this, I will say, I already know that Harold and Kumar go to White Castle ISN’T a great movie. Nevertheless,
No thizzed-up Doogie Howser? C’mon, man! Really?
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 am
Shortly after Airplane, was a TV show called Police Squad! It was the introduction of Lt. Frank Drebin, and the foundation of the Naked Gun movies.
A trademark of the show was the Guest Star. These included Florence Henderson, Lorne Greene, and William Shatner. In each of the six episodes, the Guest Star was killed in the opening sequence.
I’d say that qualifies as a cameo.
BTW, an opening sequence for an episode was filmed using John Belushi, but he met an untimely end in real life, and the footage was canned.
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:43 am
no curb your enthusiasm?
March 22nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
jack black in anchorman?
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
where is the cameo of neil patrick harris from the Harold & Kumar movies? Those make me laugh everytime! “Yea, it was a dick move on my part,” lol.
Laaaaap Dance!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 am
I just don’t have time to read all these comments! Wow! I agree with > johncoates – March 20th, 2009 at 2:16 am: I think your forgot the funniest of all, Lance Armstrong in Dodgeball. Much better than the Chuck Norris one.
And Zoolander is one of my favorite comedies and it had so many cameos.
Beautiful list!
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
dustin hoffman in the holiday. stupid movie, GREAT cameo
March 24th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Hey Guys,
So a buddy of mine informed me that my list was on here; thanks for letting me know listverse. The comments are amazing, and I know that the list is lacking, I probably should have done 20. I also realized after submitting the list that I didn’t include any “notable omissions”. Most of these you guys have already pointed out, but here are a few that almost make my cut (in no order).
Kurt Vonnegut in Back to School
Bob Saget in Halfbaked
Ethel Merman in Airplane!
Hulk Hogan in Gremlins 2
Mcluhan in Annie Hall (sorry guys)
I would have to strongly disagree with anyone who thinks Tom Cruise’s role in Tropic Thunder is a cameo. Very funny; not a cameo. Same goes with NPH in Harold and Kumar. They make multiple appearances throughout the films.
As for Billy Crystal and Carol Kane, I figured I would get more flak for leaving it out then putting it in. Plus it’s hilarious.
My last apology is for Extras being the only TV show on the list. I wanted to add a Simpsons cameo, but there are SO many that I found it impossible to choose. I might do a Best Simpsons Cameos list to make up for it. Also Arrested Development needed a mention; Carl Weathers probably.
But you guys are awesome for commenting. I’ll try and squeeze out another list soon.
March 26th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
John Wayne made a cameo appearance on Rowen & Martin’s Laugh-In, a comedy show of the 60’s. John Wayne wore a furry bunny costume.
March 26th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Danny Glover’s cameo in Maverick…AWESOME!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
The extras is the best one. i have the complete set on DVD
. seriously, david bowie making up a song about andy’s misery was beautimous.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
christopher walken in pulp fiction anyone???
May 25th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I totally agree with Sandra – Patrick Stewart’s cameo is/are the most priceless scene(s) I have seen in quite some time. It is in fact he (not Sir Ian) whose screenplay includes the “but I’ve already seen everything” lines.
@ 20. nils – Sir Ian McKellen is quite outspokenly homosexual and likely has no interest in “seeing everything” that a naked lady would show. But I can see where the confusion lies. Both men sound and look quite similar (if you discount the whole baldness thing), and both star in the X-Men series. They are also apparently quite good friends!
For future reference, Patrick is the bald one.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
“Now you’re going to get it Bobby!”
June 16th, 2009 at 5:39 am
August 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Ah, it was so nice to see Jay and Silent Bob in Scream 3. i love Dogma