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
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!
I also liked the Matt Damon and Ben Aflac cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.
Great List though. Love the idea.
My fav was Wayne Brady on Chappelle’s Show
“I’m Wayne Brady, *****!”
I agree Tex “what is the definition of cameo”.
The clips of Hitch*****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.
56 Bucslim, can you believe that that cameo didn’t even make this list?!?! Travesty I tell you!
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.
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.
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
That’s too funny… Hitchc*ck goes into moderation, but my comment about Bob Saget sucking dick went straight through…
It rhymes with C O C K!!!
Bonus points for whoever knows that line and where it’s from.
ooooo I’ve found a gaping unpuckered loophole in the dreaded ‘M’ formula!!!
Martin Sheen was great
Hey,how about tropic thunder so many cameo that should be #1
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!
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 Hitch*****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.
Sorry, I forgot Hitchc*ck was to be censored!
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.
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 
Cedestra, thats funny you must have written your comment when my comment (above yours) was in moderation because of the name Hitch*ock.
Peter Jackson in the LOTR films and as a ‘bad’ Santa Claus in Hot Fuzz.
What, no Neil Patrick Harris in the Harold & Kumar movies?
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.
Dr. Phil in Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail”!
And the Princess Bride is one of my fave movies
What about Ozzy in Litte Nicky?
Meant Little Nicky [not Litte]!!!!!
Chuck Norris! the only one i knew…
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?
Anon – Which tastes better? Dove or Zest? Maybe some Orbitz will wash out my dirty mouth.
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.
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?
LOL…In the 80′s there was a really *****ty 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 ***** 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
My favourite EVER cameo was Suzanne Pleshette’s appearance in the final episode of Newhart..brilliant!
toecutter…brilliant!!!
i totally forgot about that one. freakin’ hysterical.
jive ass doods ain’t got no brains anyhow!
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?
94. oouchan
jingle – “Just let you’re SOUL GLOWOWOW YEAHEAH”
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.
95. TEX: bwhahahaha! Now I got that stupid song in my head!
Bob Hope in Spies Like Us
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
What about Cannibal Corpse in Ace Ventura? (I dont even like them, just repping the metal)
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.
remember – this is about FUNNIEST cameos – not just cameos
Gee guys – I didn’t mean to kill the conversation!
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?”
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.
my favorite is david bowie as walk-off judge in zoolander. but it’s not that funny, just loved it the most.
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!
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?
Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian, GANDALF, GANDALF, GANDALF, GANDALF, Sir Ian, Sir Ian…
Me. Floor. Laughing on.
Hillarious list!
I would definitely have to add Bob Saget as himself on Entourage.
You overlooked one of the most famous movie cameos in the past 30 years — Ethel Merman in Airplane.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS in Harold and Kumar!
That was the best!
I LOVE EXTRAS! I think my favourite episode is the one with Orlando Bloom taking shots at Johnny Depp.
66. Cyn: my c*ck? ROFLMAO!
Well, you know what I meant… 
****
why’s he gotta be mean to kermit like that?
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.
segue -
indeed.
BILL MURRY IN SPACE JAM!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.