You'll Never Guess Who Showed Up: The 15 Most Unexpected Movie Cameos

Movie cameos are those unexpected, blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearances by famous folks in minor or uncredited roles. Sometimes, these celebrities even play themselves, adding an extra layer of fun for viewers.

While some directors, like Alfred Hitchcock and Stan Lee, made it a habit to appear in their movies, most cameos come as a complete surprise. Here are some of the best and most surprising cameos in film history.

1. Anna Q. Nilsson, Buster Keaton, and H. B. Warner - "Sunset Boulevard" (1950)

Starting with the 1950 noir classic "Sunset Boulevard," directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, which snagged 11 Oscar nominations. There's a scene where the main characters are playing bridge, and the camera reveals the guests are actual silent film stars Anna Q. Nilsson, Buster Keaton, and H.B. Warner. Despite being the most famous of the three, Keaton's only lines are a humorous "pass" twice.

2. Martin Scorsese - "Taxi Driver" (1976)

Taking a cue from Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese appears in his own 1976 film "Taxi Driver." Scorsese plays a creepy cab passenger planning to kill his wife. Despite his constant chatter, Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) never responds. Fun fact: this was Scorsese's second cameo in the film; he also appears earlier, watching Betsy (Cybill Shepherd) from Bickle's cab.

3. Brett Favre - "There's Something About Mary" (1998)

In the 1998 comedy "There's Something About Mary," many men vie for Mary's affection, using various schemes. One suitor, often mentioned but never shown, is revealed in the final scene to be Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Favre, playing himself, almost ends up with Mary before she chooses Ted (Ben Stiller).

4. Gene Hackman - "Young Frankenstein" (1974)

In Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy "Young Frankenstein," the monster interacts with an old blind hermit who comically spills hot soup on the monster's lap. The hermit, played by Gene Hackman, was known for dramatic roles in films like "Bonnie & Clyde" and "The French Connection," making this comedic cameo a delightful surprise.

5. Bill Murray - "Zombieland" (2009)

In "Zombieland" (2009), the characters take shelter in Bill Murray's mansion, where Murray, pretending to be a zombie, ends up hilariously killed in a prank gone wrong. This cameo provided one of the film's funniest moments.

6. Huey Lewis - "Back to the Future" (1985)

Huey Lewis and the News' music features prominently in "Back to the Future" (1985), including Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) playing "The Power of Love." Huey Lewis himself makes a cameo as the school administrator with a megaphone, famously telling McFly his band is "just too darn loud."

7. Jimmy Fallon & Jimmy Buffett - "Jurassic World" (2015)

"Jurassic World" (2015) features two notable Jimmys. Jimmy Fallon appears in a safety video for the gyrosphere ride, while Jimmy Buffett makes a small cameo, seen holding onto his two margaritas during the pterosaur attack scene.

8. John Hurt - "Spaceballs" (1987)

In "Spaceballs" (1987), John Hurt reprises his role from "Alien" (1979), dining before an alien bursts from his chest. Unlike "Alien," this time the alien dons a hat and cane, performing a rendition of "Hello! Ma Baby."

9. Mike Tyson - "The Hangover" (2009)

Mike Tyson initially hesitated to appear in "The Hangover" (2009), where he helps the main characters after they steal his pet tiger. Tyson agreed to the cameo upon learning the director had made one of his favorite films, "Old School.

10. Matt Damon - "EuroTrip" (2004)

"EuroTrip" (2004) surprises viewers with an A-list cameo by Matt Damon as the tattooed, pierced lead singer of a punk band, revealing the protagonist's girlfriend's affair through a song. Damon's cameo was a favor to his college friends, the film's writers.

11. Bob Barker - "Happy Gilmore" (1996)

In "Happy Gilmore" (1996), Bob Barker teams up with Adam Sandler's character for a celebrity golf tournament, leading to an unforgettable fistfight. Barker's unexpected aggression and comedic timing make this scene a standout.

12. "Johnny Depp - "21 Jump Street" (2012)

In the final scene of "21 Jump Street" (2012), Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise, original cast members of the TV show, reveal themselves as undercover DEA agents during a shootout, only to be immediately shot.

13. Tom Cruise - "Tropic Thunder" (2008)

Even though the paparazzi leaked the news, many viewers were still surprised to see Tom Cruise in the 2008 comedy "Tropic Thunder." Cruise plays Les Grossman, a foul-mouthed and over-the-top movie producer, complete with a fat suit, large prosthetic hands, and a bald cap. His outrageous performance, including a dance to Flo Rida's "Low," was so unexpected that some people didn't even recognize him. Cruise's portrayal was so memorable that it earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

14. The Three Stooges - "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963)

The 1963 comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is packed with cameos from nearly every major comedian of the time, including Jack Benny, Carl Reiner, and Jerry Lewis. Among these, the silent appearance of The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Joe DeRita) as firemen at the Rancho Conejo Airport stands out. Their brief but iconic presence adds to the film's comedic charm.

15. Will Ferrell - "Wedding Crashers" (2005)

In the 2005 romantic comedy "Wedding Crashers," Will Ferrell makes an uncredited appearance as Chazz Reinhold, a seasoned wedding crasher. Chazz gives Owen Wilson's character some humorous and outlandish advice after his fallout with Vince Vaughn's character. Ferrell's brief appearance, especially his lines about meatloaf and his mom, became some of the film's most quoted moments.