Hollywood Stars Who Had Uncredited Cameos in Massive Blockbusters

Movie fans often enjoy spotting famous faces in small roles that go unmentioned in the final credits of major film productions. These surprise appearances range from heavily disguised characters to brief background moments that require a keen eye to notice. Directors frequently include these secret cameos as internal jokes or as a way to feature their celebrity friends in a project without formal billing. Uncredited cameos add an extra layer of entertainment for viewers who enjoy discovering hidden details in their favorite movies.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon makes a memorable and humorous appearance in ‘Thor Ragnarok’ as an Asgardian actor performing a play. He portrays the character of Loki in a theatrical reenactment of the events from the previous film while the real Loki watches from the audience. Damon also appears in ‘Deadpool 2’ wearing heavy prosthetic makeup and a prosthetic belly as a redneck character who discusses personal hygiene. These roles demonstrate the willingness of the actor to participate in brief and comedic moments for his friends in the industry.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt filmed a blink and you miss it cameo for the superhero sequel ‘Deadpool 2’ as the invisible mutant known as Vanisher. The character remains unseen for the majority of his screen time until he is accidentally electrocuted by power lines while parachuting. Pitt is visible for only a fraction of a second during this scene which was filmed over the course of a single afternoon. The actor famously requested only a cup of coffee as his payment for participating in the production.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig took a break from his role as James Bond to play a stormtrooper in ‘Star Wars The Force Awakens’ during a pivotal scene. He is the First Order soldier designated as JB 007 who is tasked with guarding Rey while she is being held captive. Rey uses a Jedi mind trick on him which eventually forces him to release her and drop his weapon. Craig remained entirely behind his helmet throughout the performance and his involvement was only confirmed after the film was released.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett appears in the action comedy ‘Hot Fuzz’ as the former girlfriend of the lead character Nicholas Angel. She plays Janine who is a crime scene investigator dressed in a full forensic suit including a mask and goggles. Her eyes and voice are the only identifiable features during the scene where she breaks up with the protagonist at a crime scene. Blanchett chose to do the role because she was a fan of the previous work done by the director and the lead actors.

Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson makes a very brief and aggressive appearance in ‘Hot Fuzz’ as a man dressed in a Santa Claus costume. He is seen early in the film as a criminal who stabs the main character in the hand during a montage of police work. The director of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy is almost unrecognizable behind the beard and holiday attire. This cameo serves as a fun nod to the friendship between Jackson and the creative team behind the movie.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close is completely hidden under layers of makeup and facial hair in the fantasy adventure ‘Hook’ directed by Steven Spielberg. She plays a male pirate named Gutless who is punished by Captain Hook for losing a wager. The character is placed inside the boo box which is a small chest filled with scorpions as a form of pirate discipline. Most viewers are unaware that the terrified pirate is actually a multiple Oscar nominated actress.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman makes a surprising appearance as himself in ‘Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb’ during a scene set in a London theater. He is performing in a stage production of ‘Camelot’ as King Arthur when the magical characters from the museum interrupt the show. Jackman humorously breaks character and even mimics his famous Wolverine claws to intimidate the intruders. This brief role plays on his real life status as a major Hollywood star and Broadway performer.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans provides a quick and hilarious reaction shot in the action comedy ‘Free Guy’ which stars Ryan Reynolds. He appears in a real world setting watching a live stream where the main character uses a Captain America shield during a fight. Evans looks up from his phone with a shocked expression before the scene cuts away. This moment was a highlight for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was filmed while the actor was in the same city for another project.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus provided her voice for a character in the cosmic sequel ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2’ during one of the post credits scenes. She voices Mainframe who is a robotic head and a member of the original Ravagers team led by Stakar Ogord. Her voice is distinct but many fans did not realize it was her until the director confirmed her involvement on social media. The role suggests her character could potentially return in future installments of the cosmic franchise.

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff appears during a critical emotional scene in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2’ when the character Ego the Living Planet changes his shape. Ego briefly transforms his physical appearance into the likeness of Hasselhoff to appeal to his son Peter Quill. The actor wears his iconic outfit from his television days and speaks a single line before transforming back into his primary form. Peter had previously told people that the famous actor was actually his real father.

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie has a long standing tradition of providing voices for the films directed by James Gunn including the first ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movie. He voices the Ravager GPS system that provides navigational directions and information to the various space crews. His gritty and recognizable voice fits the rough aesthetic of the Ravager technology seen throughout the film. Zombie has contributed similar vocal cameos to multiple entries in this specific superhero series.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz makes a very subtle appearance in the science fiction thriller ‘Minority Report’ directed by Steven Spielberg. She is seen as a passenger sitting behind Tom Cruise on a futuristic train during a tense sequence where he is trying to evade capture. Diaz was visiting the set and agreed to sit in the background as an extra for the day. Her presence is a well known secret among fans of the director who often includes celebrity friends in his crowd scenes.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise returned the favor to his friends by appearing as an uncredited extra in the western film ‘Young Guns’ during the final shootout. He wears a cowboy hat and a fake mustache while portraying one of the many outlaws involved in the massive gunfight. He is seen briefly getting shot and falling from a roof as the battle reaches its climax. This cameo occurred when Cruise was already a massive star and was done simply for the enjoyment of participating in a western.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd appears in ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ for only a few seconds as a character named Weber. He is an airport official who helps Indiana Jones and his companions secure a flight out of Shanghai at the beginning of the movie. Aykroyd wears a tuxedo and speaks with a slight accent which makes him difficult to recognize at first glance. The actor was a close friend of the filmmakers and was happy to film the tiny role during the production.

George Harrison

George Harrison provided financial backing for the comedy ‘Life of Brian’ and also appeared in the film as a character named Mr Papadopolous. He is seen in a crowd scene wearing a red hat and offering a small greeting to the main character. His company was responsible for ensuring the movie was completed after the original financiers pulled out due to the controversial subject matter. Harrison jokingly described his cameo and his funding as the most expensive cinema ticket ever purchased.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton delivers a powerful performance in the historical epic ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ without ever showing his face. He plays King Baldwin IV who suffers from leprosy and must wear a decorative silver mask at all times to hide his condition. Norton requested that his name be removed from the credits so that audiences would focus on the character rather than his celebrity status. His physical presence and voice acting were highly praised despite his identity being kept secret during the initial release.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is completely unrecognizable in the thriller ‘Hannibal’ where he plays the vengeful and disfigured Mason Verger. He spent several hours in the makeup chair each day to achieve the look of a man who had survived a horrific self inflicted injury. Oldman chose to remain uncredited to maintain the mystery of the character and to surprise the audience when they eventually discovered his identity. The actor is known for his transformative abilities and this role remains one of his most extreme physical changes.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt voices an alien character in ‘Star Wars The Last Jedi’ who identifies the protagonists to the local authorities on Canto Bight. He voices the character named Slowen Lo who is upset that a resistance ship has been parked on a public beach. The actor used a specific southern accent for the role which made it difficult for most viewers to identify him. Gordon Levitt has collaborated with director Rian Johnson on nearly every project the filmmaker has produced.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon makes a quick appearance in the comedy classic ‘Planes Trains and Automobiles’ during the opening sequence in New York City. He plays a businessman who competes with Steve Martin for a taxi during the rush hour scramble. Bacon wins the race for the cab leaving the protagonist stranded on the sidewalk. This minor role was filmed shortly after the actor had worked with the same producer on another successful film.

Frank Oz

Frank Oz is primarily known for his work as a puppeteer and voice actor but he often takes small roles in the films of his colleagues. In the animated hit ‘Monsters Inc’ he voices the character Fungus who serves as the nervous assistant to the villainous Randall Boggs. Fungus is constantly being bullied by his boss while they attempt to break the scare record at the factory. Oz brings his signature comedic timing and vocal range to the small but essential part.

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito provides the voice for an animated character in the meta action film ‘Last Action Hero’ starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He voices Whiskers who is a cartoon cat detective that exists within the fictional movie world the characters inhabit. The cat appears during a police station scene and offers a few lines of dialogue to the live action protagonists. This cameo added to the surreal and self aware nature of the film which blended various genres and styles.

Phil Collins

Phil Collins appears in the movie ‘Hook’ as a police detective named Inspector Good who investigates the disappearance of the Darling children. He is seen at the beginning of the film in the London house wearing a hat and coat while speaking with the adult Peter Pan. Collins was primarily known as a legendary musician but he occasionally took small acting roles in major Hollywood productions. His character provides a grounded contrast to the magical elements that follow in the story.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher and her friend George Lucas appear together in a brief scene at the beginning of the fantasy film ‘Hook’. They are seen as a couple kissing on a bridge when Tinker Bell sprinkles fairy dust over them which causes them to float into the air. This moment is very quick and both figures are seen from a distance making them difficult to identify without prior knowledge. Fisher also worked as an uncredited script doctor on the film to help refine the dialogue.

George Lucas

George Lucas makes a cameo in ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’ as a man who is waiting in line at an amusement park. He is seen as the disappointed patron who is told that the Spider ride is closed for repairs just as he reaches the front. Lucas appears for only a few seconds and has no lines of dialogue during the comedic exchange. This role was a favor for the director of the film who had worked closely with Lucas on previous projects.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani portrays the legendary Hollywood actress Jean Harlow in the biographical drama ‘The Aviator’ directed by Martin Scorsese. She appears on the red carpet during a premiere scene alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who plays Howard Hughes. Stefani was chosen for the role because of her classic look and her ability to capture the glamour of the golden age of cinema. Her appearance is brief and serves to establish the high society world inhabited by the main character.

David Bowie

David Bowie appears as himself in the fashion comedy ‘Zoolander’ to serve as the judge for an underground walk off between two rival models. He steps out of the crowd and removes his sunglasses while his name appears on the screen to announce his authority on style. Bowie adjudicates the competition with a serious demeanor as the models perform increasingly ridiculous fashion maneuvers. This cameo is considered one of the most iconic moments in the film due to the star power of the musician.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan appears in ‘Gremlins 2 The New Batch’ during a scene where the movie itself seems to break down in the theater. The Gremlins take over the projection booth and start playing a different film until Hogan stands up in the audience to confront them. He tears his shirt and threatens the creatures until they agree to put the original movie back on the screen. This fourth wall breaking moment was specifically designed for the theatrical release to entertain the live audience.

Chris Martin

Chris Martin of the band Coldplay appears in the zombie comedy ‘Shaun of the Dead’ in two different ways. He is seen briefly as a zombie wandering outside of a pub during the climax of the film. Later he appears as himself on a television news segment as a supporter of a charity called ZombAid. Martin was a fan of the filmmakers and agreed to participate in the production along with his bandmates.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell provided the voice for Elvis Presley in the Academy Award winning film ‘Forrest Gump’ during a scene set in the main character house. A young Elvis is seen staying as a guest and practicing his famous dance moves while Forrest plays the guitar. While another actor provided the physical performance Russell recorded the dialogue to match the distinctive voice of the King of Rock and Roll. Russell had previously played Elvis in a television movie which made him the perfect choice for the vocal cameo.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger appears for only a few seconds at the beginning of the action film ‘The Rundown’ as he passes Dwayne Johnson in a nightclub. He walks by the lead actor and tells him to have fun which serves as a symbolic passing of the torch between action stars. The cameo was kept secret and surprised audiences who were not expecting to see the star in a rival studio production. This brief interaction remains a notable moment in the careers of both actors.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson returned to the world of uncredited cameos by providing the voice for a bank robber in the movie ‘Free Guy’. He voices the digital avatar of a player who is constantly trying to complete a heist in the background of the main story. His voice is deep and recognizable but the character he portrays looks nothing like his real life appearance. This vocal role allowed Johnson to participate in the film without the need for physical filming on set.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum has a hilarious and uncredited role in ‘Free Guy’ as a character named Revenjamin Buttons. He is a high level player avatar who performs elaborate dance moves and speaks in a flamboyant manner while interacting with the protagonist. Tatum spent several days on set to film the motion capture and live action segments for the character. His presence was a major surprise for viewers as his involvement had not been announced during the marketing of the film.

Luke Hemsworth

Luke Hemsworth joins Matt Damon in ‘Thor Ragnarok’ to play the role of Thor in the Asgardian stage play. He wears a costume and wig that mimic his real life brother Chris Hemsworth to create a comedic version of the god of thunder. The scene features the actor delivering dramatic lines about the supposed death of Loki to a grieving audience. This bit of meta casting was a favorite detail for fans who enjoyed the nod to the real Hemsworth family.

Sam Neill

Sam Neill rounds out the cast of the theatrical play in ‘Thor Ragnarok’ by playing the role of Odin. He wears the golden eye patch and robes of the Allfather while delivering a dramatic speech from the stage. Neill had previously worked with the director on the film ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ and joined the production as a favor. His serious delivery of the exaggerated dialogue adds to the humor of the entire sequence.

John Cena

John Cena appears in the global blockbuster ‘Barbie’ as a merman version of Ken who lives in the ocean of Barbie Land. He is seen briefly interacting with the mermaid version of Barbie while wearing a long blonde wig and a prosthetic tail. Cena was filming another project nearby and agreed to join the cast for a few hours to complete the cameo. His unexpected appearance became a popular talking point among fans of the movie and the actor.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray appears in the comedy sequel ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ as a character named Ice Pick who is Harry new roommate. He is seen wearing a full hazmat suit while working in a room filled with blue smoke and chemical equipment. Murray never shows his face during the scene and his voice is muffled by the protective gear he wears. The credits list the character as Ice Pick but do not mention the famous actor by name.

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion provides the voice and motion capture for a large blue inmate in the first ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ film. The character confronts the protagonists when they first arrive at the Kyln prison and is quickly dealt with by Groot. Fillion is a frequent collaborator with the director and has appeared in various hidden roles throughout the filmmaker career. He also filmed a cameo as a different character for the sequel but the scene was ultimately cut from the final version.

Bill Hader

Bill Hader served as a vocal consultant and provided the initial voice for the droid BB 8 in ‘Star Wars The Force Awakens’. He worked alongside fellow comedian Ben Schwartz to create the expressive beeps and boops that define the character personality. While the sounds were eventually processed through a synthesizer the foundation of the performance came from Hader vocal work. His contribution was essential in making the new droid a beloved part of the modern trilogy.

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller appears in the sports comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’ as a cruel and nursing home orderly named Hal L. He intimidates the elderly residents and forces them to work in a clandestine quilting room while the protagonist is away. Stiller reprised the role many years later for a brief appearance in another film starring Adam Sandler. The actor was uncredited for the role which allowed the character to remain a surprise for the audience.

Madonna

Madonna appears in the James Bond film ‘Die Another Day’ as a fencing instructor named Verity who introduces the hero to his rival. She also performed the title song for the movie and her appearance was a major marketing point despite her role being quite small. She shares a brief and icy exchange with Bond before he engages in a high stakes sword fight. Her character is sophisticated and mysterious which fits the tone of the long running spy franchise.

Mike Myers

Mike Myers is heavily disguised under prosthetics and a wig in the Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ as a record executive named Ray Foster. The character famously rejects the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ because he believes it is too long and that teenagers will not headbang to it in their cars. This is a direct nod to Myers own history with the song in the movie ‘Waynes World’. Many viewers did not recognize the actor until the credits or through online discussions.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds makes an uncredited appearance in ‘Fast and Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw’ as a CIA agent named Locke. He is a former colleague of Hobbs and shares a fast paced and comedic dialogue with Dwayne Johnson during their scenes together. Reynolds brings his signature humor to the role and provides a lighthearted contrast to the intense action of the film. His presence suggests a history between the characters that could be explored in future spinoffs.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart appears in ‘Fast and Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw’ as an air marshal named Dinkley who wants to become a secret agent. He encounters the main characters on a plane and attempts to impress them with his supposed tactical knowledge and desire for adventure. Hart and Dwayne Johnson have a well known comedic chemistry and his inclusion was a surprise for fans of their previous collaborations. His character eventually provides some assistance to the heroes during their mission.

Christian Slater

Christian Slater appears in ‘Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country’ as a junior communications officer on the starship Excelsior. He is seen waking up Captain Sulu and delivering a message about a detected explosion in space. Slater was a massive fan of the series and his mother was the casting director for the film which helped him secure the small role. He wore his own personal ‘Star Trek’ uniform which he had purchased at an auction.

Danny Glover

Danny Glover makes a surprise appearance in the western comedy ‘Maverick’ alongside his former co star Mel Gibson. He plays a bank robber who pulls down his mask during a heist and shares a long look of recognition with Gibson character. The ‘Lethal Weapon’ theme music plays briefly in the background as they stare at each other before Glover rides away. This cameo was a delight for fans of their famous partnership and included a classic catchphrase from their previous films.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman appears in the classic comedy ‘Young Frankenstein’ as a blind man who welcomes the monster into his home. The scene is a parody of a serious moment from the original ‘Frankenstein’ story and involves Hackman accidentally spilling hot soup on his guest. The actor was a friend of the lead star and asked for the role because he wanted to try his hand at comedy. He is almost unrecognizable behind a thick beard and his identity was kept a secret during the film release.

Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner provided the husky and seductive voice for the character Jessica Rabbit in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. She was not credited for the role because she wanted to maintain the illusion that the animated character was a real person. Turner performance became one of the most famous aspects of the movie despite her name being absent from the screen. She worked closely with the animators to ensure her vocal delivery matched the movements of the character.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro appears in the crime drama ‘American Hustle’ as a dangerous and influential mob boss named Victor Tellegio. He is seen in a single intense scene where he meets with the main characters to discuss a potential business deal. De Niro was uncredited for the role to surprise the audience when he suddenly appeared on screen during the middle of the film. His presence adds a sense of genuine threat and gravitas to the high stakes situation.

George Clooney

George Clooney makes an uncredited appearance in the family adventure ‘Spy Kids’ as a character named Devlin who is the leader of the secret agents. He appears on a screen to give instructions to the main characters and later meets them in person at the end of the film. Clooney had previously worked with the director and was happy to take on the small role for the enjoyment of the project. He eventually reprised the character for the third film in the series with a larger role.

Share your favorite hidden celebrity moments from the list in the comments.