It’s easy to assume that superstars take everything too personally or can’t laugh at themselves. Many celebrities today defy this by starring in cameo parts on tv or in movies. Famous guest appearances are pretty common on television. A film, on the other hand, requires better patience than a television program. As a result, if a celebrity cameo appears in a film, it must be carefully chosen otherwise the film will hinder its effectiveness. Interestingly, it’s been done successfully several times. Here’s a list of famous actors who have played themselves in films:
1. Bill Murray in Zombieland
Bill Murray has an extensive guest role in this film, playing himself as a zombie. This hypothetical version of Murray figures that the easiest way to escape the deadly apocalypse and move around Los Angeles without being assaulted is to begin mimicking one of the staggering hordes. His strategy succeeds, perhaps a little too well. Murray’s zombie performance is so effective that one of the characters kills him thinking he’s a real monster.
2. David Bowie in Zoolander
David Bowie is a music legend as well as a fashion icon and he wants to show it off. Ben Stiller portrays a senior model in the fashion industry satire “Zoolander,” who is often overshadowed by fresher “hot right now” star Hansel. Who evaluates the whole show when the two decide to have a competition? Of course, it’s none other than David Bowie. A few other guest appearances, including Billy Zane, Winona Ryder, Tyson Beckford, Fabio, and others also play themselves in the movie.
3. Keanu Reeves in Always Be My Maybe
In Netflix’s new chick flick Always Be My Maybe, Keanu Reeves plays a fictitious avatar of himself. The guy yearning after the girl who is overshadowed by her new boyfriend is a rom-com cliché. As a result, the film subverts the stereotype by casting a ludicrous, airheaded, and self-obsessed Keanu Reeves as the outranking new boyfriend. The show’s producers were concerned that Reeves would not be ready. He did, however, turn out to be a big fan of Wong’s stand-up and was delighted to feature in the film.
4. Neil Patrick Harris in Harold & Kumar Saga
When Harris first appears in Harold & Kumar, high on ecstasy and begs Harold and Kumar for a ride, he takes center stage. After that, he steals their car and generally acts like a bad version of himself. In reality, Harris is a husband and a father of two children, who has never had an ecstasy habit. Harris’ popularity today can be directly related to his role in the film. So we wouldn’t have had Barney Stinson if “Harold & Kumar” hadn’t existed.
5. Stan Lee in Mallrats
Even the most amateur Marvel Cinematic Universe viewer will recognize Stan Lee as the reigning king of cameos. Lee had an appearance as himself in the legendary Kevin Smith picture Mallrats, in addition to his flashing moments in innumerable superhero movies. Lee’s appearance also finds him portraying himself, delivering his lines for Mallrats, adding to the ironic geekiness.
