Part of the fun of movies and TV is spotting someone you never expected. A huge star walks in, delivers one scene, and vanishes. It creates surprise and becomes something fans replay later. These cameos range from silly to serious, and many happened because the celebrities were fans of the project. Some were favors for friends. Here are 22 Celebrity Cameos in Places You’d Least Expect.
Matt Damon in “EuroTrip.”
Matt Damon appears as the shaved-headed rock singer belting “Scotty Doesn’t Know.” Nobody expected an A-list actor in a teen comedy with a chaotic opening. The cameo wasn’t promoted, so audiences were caught off guard. He plays it without hesitation and steals the scene from everyone else. Damon did it as a favor to the producer, making the moment feel casual and spontaneous rather than planned. People still quote the song decades later. It turned into a running online joke. The movie itself didn’t gain classic status, yet Damon’s cameo became a major cultural reference.
Daniel Craig in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Daniel Craig shows up under a stormtrooper helmet during a scene where Rey tests her powers. Viewers couldn’t recognize him because the role had no visible face, no close-up, and no reference. He stands still as Rey demands his blaster and freedom. The scene became a trivia moment only after crew interviews confirmed the identity. Craig wanted the cameo simply because he grew up loving Star Wars. The idea that James Bond played a stormtrooper continues to amuse fans. It adds a hidden surprise to a franchise already filled with secrets, cameos, and worldbuilding.
Brad Pitt in “Deadpool 2.”
Brad Pitt appears for half a second as The Vanisher. The character’s big moment happens when he is electrocuted while parachuting and becomes briefly visible. Most people missed it during their first watch. Social media exploded once viewers replayed the scene. Pitt agreed to do the cameo for a single cup of coffee from Ryan Reynolds. The moment fits the movie’s chaotic humor without dragging it out. That ultra-short reveal became one of the most talked-about parts of the film. It shows how a cameo doesn’t need screen time to create impact.
Ed Sheeran in “Game of Thrones.”
Ed Sheeran sits beside soldiers in a campfire scene during Arya’s journey. He sings softly, blending into the group. Many viewers froze when they realized it was him. Fantasy fans didn’t expect a world-famous pop singer inside Westeros, so reactions were mixed. Some loved the gentle tone. Others felt it distracted from the brutal setting. Regardless of opinion, the cameo became instantly unforgettable. It proved how one surprising face could dominate online discussions even in a show filled with battles, dragons, and betrayals.
Michael Jackson in “Men in Black II.”
Michael Jackson appears as an agent hopeful who desperately wants to join the Men in Black program. He talks to headquarters through a video call and complains about not getting assigned to real missions. The humor works because he plays himself rather than a fictional character. It mixes his mysterious public image with a lighthearted joke. The scene is quick, funny, and slightly surreal. Fans didn’t expect the world’s biggest music icon to appear in a sci-fi comedy. That shock value turned the cameo into one of the movie’s most memorable moments.
Stephen Hawking in “The Big Bang Theory.”
Stephen Hawking shows up to meet Sheldon and politely corrects his equation. The delivery is dry and calm, which makes it even funnier. The writers didn’t turn him into a cartoon version of himself. They allowed him to speak like he normally would, without exaggeration. The cameo gained emotional weight because the characters admired him deeply. It felt like a genuine meeting rather than a punchline. Hawking proved that he could appear in entertainment without trying to act like an entertainer. His scene remains one of the most replayed sitcom moments related to science.
Miley Cyrus in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”
Miley Cyrus voices Mainframe during a short end-scene conversation. Most viewers didn’t notice the voice instantly. The surprise came in the credits when her name appeared. She doesn’t sing or mention anything related to her music career. She plays the character with a calm tone that fits the futuristic setting. The cameo is quick, yet it adds personality to a scene filled with minor characters returning. Fans still mention it as one of Marvel’s quietest and most unexpected celebrity moments. It shows that cameos don’t have to be loud to stand out.
Keanu Reeves in “Always Be My Maybe.”
Keanu Reeves walks into the restaurant scene as a fictionalized version of himself. He enters in slow motion and behaves in the most exaggerated serious manner possible. He plays a parody of celebrity culture, not a heroic figure. The character talks dramatically, eats dramatically, and reacts dramatically to everything. The scene became the highlight of the film and boosted its popularity online. The cameo works because Keanu leans into self-awareness without taking over the entire story. Fans still post memes of his chaotic dinner performance.
David Beckham in “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.”
David Beckham appears as a battle-weathered soldier with scars and a deep voice. He delivers a few lines with an intimidating presence that many viewers didn’t expect from a football star. His makeup and costume make him almost unrecognizable. The cameo doesn’t rely on glamour or fame. It blends into the dramatic tone of the movie without looking forced. Even though he’s in only one scene, people talked about it more than some major plot points. His unexpected participation turned into a viral topic after its release.
Donald Glover in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
Donald Glover plays a low-profile criminal who talks to Peter Parker during a parking lot negotiation. He isn’t loud, comedic, or flashy. He acts quietly, creating a scene that feels grounded compared to the rest of the superhero action. The cameo surprised fans because Glover had once been widely supported as a candidate to play Spider-Man. Instead, he appeared in a smaller role linked loosely to future storylines. It became a subtle nod to long-time supporters who wanted him in the franchise. A quick scene that carries a surprising amount of history.
Lady Gaga in “Machete Kills.”
Lady Gaga plays a mysterious assassin named La Chameleon. She walks into scenes with complete confidence and exits just as fast. Her acting style is straightforward rather than theatrical. The cameo works because she embraces the grindhouse tone without overshadowing the film. People watching didn’t expect her to appear in an action movie filled with explosions and chaotic character shifts. It remains one of her strangest film moments. The role is small, but fans still mention it when discussing unexpected musician cameos.
Stan Lee in “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”
Stan Lee appears in animated form during a busy crowd scene at the online convention. He simply walks past Vanellope without speaking. The cameo is fast, but fans instantly recognized him. It felt emotional because audiences had already grown attached to his tradition of showing up in Marvel films. Placing him inside an animated universe created a surprise connection between two very different franchises. The scene doesn’t ask for attention. It sits quietly, waiting for fans to notice. That subtle placement made it especially meaningful.
Elon Musk in “Iron Man 2.”
Elon Musk appears briefly at a restaurant, talking casually with Tony Stark about an engineering idea. The scene lasts only a few seconds. Many viewers didn’t recognize him immediately when the movie was first released. As Musk grew more famous over the years, the cameo aged in a strange and fascinating way. Rewatching the film now makes the moment feel surreal, because the real world has changed so much. It turned into a time capsule rather than a joke. The cameo stands as an unusual crossover of fiction and technology.
Bill Murray in “Zombieland.”
Bill Murray shows up disguised as a zombie to prank the main characters. The reveal is dramatic and hilarious. His dry acting style drives the scene forward. The cameo works because it interrupts the horror narrative without weakening it. It also shows that characters inside an apocalypse can still care about celebrity culture. Murray plays himself but doesn’t exaggerate anything. The scene became the movie’s biggest talking point. Audiences still refer to it whenever celebrity cameos are discussed.
Britney Spears in “How I Met Your Mother.”
Britney Spears plays Abby, a receptionist who develops a crush on Ted. The performance is simple and doesn’t look like a publicity stunt. She blends into the rhythm of the sitcom rather than trying to dominate the episode. Many viewers didn’t expect her to appear in a network comedy. Ratings went up during that storyline, proving that the cameo sparked curiosity. Instead of playing a glamorous character, she chose a grounded and ordinary one. That contrast made the appearance memorable through the years.
Paris Hilton in “Zoolander.”
Paris Hilton appears during a chaotic fashion event scene. She walks through the crowd like she belongs there, without making it into a big moment. She doesn’t demand attention from the script or the camera. The cameo matches the absurd world of the movie while still feeling random. Viewers loved the placement because it reflected real modeling culture in a humorous way. It remains a go-to example of a cameo that feels natural and bizarre at the same time.
Emma Watson in “This Is the End.”
Emma Watson enters the house carrying an axe during a tense moment. The shock works because audiences associate her with calm and thoughtful characters. Here she swears, yells, and leaves without apologizing. The cameo plays against her public image in every possible way. Fans didn’t expect her to participate in a chaotic apocalypse comedy filled with self-aware humor. That contrast helped the film gain viral popularity online. The scene continues to be quoted whenever people discuss surprising actor choices.
Ryan Reynolds in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.”
Ryan Reynolds appears as a hospital nurse for a single scene. He plays it quietly and keeps a straight face the whole time. The cameo is so subtle that many viewers noticed it only during rewatches. His dry humor makes a small moment feel bigger than it should. Reynolds later became known for surprise comedy cameos, but this one came before his peak fame. It remains an early sample of his willingness to do unexpected roles just for fun. A tiny role that people love spotting.
Ozzy Osbourne in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.”
Ozzy Osbourne appears with his family during a short joke about language and swearing. The cameo leans on his public image without exaggerating it. It fits perfectly into the unpredictable tone of the Austin Powers films. Audiences didn’t expect a real rock family to appear inside a parody spy movie. The quick scene became a fan favorite because it didn’t try too hard. Ozzy remained himself while everything around him turned chaotic. The result is a cameo that stays entertaining with every rewatch.
Stephen Colbert in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”
Stephen Colbert plays a spy in Laketown. He hides under a hood and looks nothing like his usual comic persona. Fans didn’t notice during the theatrical release. The cameo surfaced only when interviews confirmed it. Colbert is a lifelong Tolkien fan, so the role felt personal rather than promotional. It is quick, quiet, and respectful to the tone of the story. The moment shows how passion can shape cameo casting without needing attention or headlines.
Shaquille O’Neal in “Jack and Jill.”
Shaquille O’Neal appears in a fictional commercial within the movie. He behaves casually and embraces the humor without forcing it. The cameo doesn’t last long, but it remains one of the movie’s standout surprises. Shaq has a long history of unexpected appearances, and this one continues that pattern. He walks in, delivers the joke, and leaves before it gets tiring. His relaxed energy keeps the moment entertaining without overwhelming the scene. Fans still mention it when discussing unusual celebrity roles in comedies.
Ariana Grande in “Don’t Look Up.”
Ariana Grande appears as a glamorous pop star making a dramatic televised performance. The scene exaggerates the music world during a chaotic global crisis. She plays the role with surprising calmness, letting the satire speak for itself. The cameo works because it reflects real celebrity culture without becoming loud or cartoonish. Viewers enjoyed spotting her where they least expected her. The moment added social commentary that didn’t feel overdone. It became one of the most discussed parts of the film.
22 Groceries to Grab Now—Before another Price Shock Hits Canada
Food prices in Canada have been steadily climbing, and another spike could make your grocery bill feel like a mortgage payment. According to Statistics Canada, food inflation remains about 3.7% higher than last year, with essentials like bread, dairy, and fresh produce leading the surge. Some items are expected to rise even further due to transportation costs, droughts, and import tariffs. Here are 22 groceries to grab now before another price shock hits Canada.
22 Groceries to Grab Now—Before another Price Shock Hits Canada
