Top 10 Movie Cameos That Were Short but Iconic

There are only a few people that are as cool as Keanu Reeves and his unique charisma lays the groundwork for a perfect gag in “Always Be My Maybe.” A seemingly-normal double date becomes extraordinary with his surprise cameo. Reeves steps out to reveal himself as the special guest in one of the movie’s best moments, an entrance made even more memorable by the amusing use of slow-motion. Taking over the room, the performer only needs a look and a few lines to make his presence known. An already chaotic night becomes even funnier and physical thanks to Reeves’ fantastic cameo.

What if somebody like Matt Damon stole your girlfriend? “EuroTrip” takes this concept to the extreme with a high-profile cameo. Taking time in between Bourne films, the actor briefly appears as a character named Donny. In a major low point for the hero Scotty, the protagonist has to hear about his ex’s new romantic pursuits. To make matters worse, he hears it in a song that Donny shares at a large party. It all feels like a fever dream that the Oscar-winner handles with fearless energy. You could’ve cast any number of people in this evil part, but using a Hollywood A-lister really hammers home the comedic point. It wasn’t the only time he made a memorable cameo either, providing some gravitas to “Thor: Ragnarok.”

It’s not everyday that you see an actor directly parody his previous work. John Hurt steps out of his comfort zone in “Spaceballs,” showing up for a bad meal at a space diner. His character’s fate mirrors Kane’s death in “Alien,” but it’s a little less scary in Mel Brooks’ film. This accurate send-up of the frightening moment works because of Hurt’s dedication. There’s also a song and dance number, turning the whole sequence into a wonderfully absurd scene. Not many serious performers would make fun of themselves like this, making the cameo all the more endearing.

You were probably as shocked as we were when we first saw this rocker in a “Pirates” movie. During “At World’s End,” Keith Richards makes an appearance as an important figure known as Captain Teague. He just so happens to be Jack Sparrow’s father as well. Richards’ laidback performance fits the universe perfectly, while also being something of an inside joke. Johnny Depp actually based various elements of Sparrow on the Rolling Stones guitarist. You couldn’t ask for a better stunt casting than this one, watching as a legendary musician keeps the energy light. His wardrobe doesn’t look that different from an average night on stage either.

Most people are used to seeing this TV personality as the host of “The Price Is Right.” Considering his place in game show history, Bob Barker might seem out of place in “Happy Gilmore.” Luckily, he proves an inspired choice, exhibiting perfect comedic timing. Partnering up with Adam Sandler’s character, the presenter joins in on a fight that’s become iconic. Barker proves he has a few boxing moves in him for this chaotic brawl. Just when you think it’s over, the scuffle continues in hilarious fashion. This cameo might just be the best part of the entire movie.

You might’ve not even realized that Tom Cruise was in this movie at all. The star completely becomes Les Grossman in one of his funniest performances, shedding his usual persona to become a total villain. Leaning into the absurd script, the actor relishes every line as the over-the-top executive. Cruise drops some choice insults and swears that might as well be modern Shakespeare. To top it all off, the character even dances in his final moments on screen. It’s extra special to see him in this kind of role considering he doesn’t do comedy very often.

For fans of “SNL” in the 1990s, Chris Farley embodied the best of physical comedy. He also made classic appearances in movies like “Billy Madison.” Playing a crazed bus driver, the performer couldn’t be more entertaining in his limited screen time. His character seems to go through almost every emotion while taking kids on a field trip. Chief among them is anger, a state of mind that Farley perfectly captures like a method actor. You don’t know whether to laugh or cry at certain points due to the intensity of his performance. Whether he’s joking with Adam Sandler or yelling at children, Farley has all the skills you could want from a comedy legend.

Nobody delivers a line quite like Christopher Walken. For this one-scene cameo, the actor gives the young Butch an unusual gift. Thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s dialogue, Walken shines in an incredibly funny monologue about a gold watch. It could’ve been a glorified flashback, but this moment takes a particular performer to really nail. In a film of career-defining performances, “Pulp Fiction” works so well that it lets somebody like this guy come in and steal the show. We don’t know if we would take the watch, but we’d definitely listen to him tell stories all day.

Already an amusing take on the zombie genre, this movie gets supercharged by an iconic cameo. The survivors hold up in Bill Murray’s mansion, but they don’t realize that the comedian is still there. The funny man has been living it up in the post-apocalypse. It’s a hilarious surprise that allows for Murray to make fun of himself and add a few priceless jokes. Just when he couldn’t be any better, the actor even has a darkly-funny death scene. In his last moments, the legend mentions a few of his regrets that work like the perfect punchline to this appearance.

The filmmakers behind the MCU saluted one of the most important figures in comics by putting him in movies. Appearing in everything from “Captain America” to “The Incredible Hulk,” Stan Lee brightens up any superhero adventure. His natural gift for comedy works in an eclectic array of films. From being mistaken for Hugh Hefner to driving a bus, Lee seemingly fits into any situation. He can even steal the show while chatting up a woman in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” It’s nearly impossible to narrow down his cameos to just one. On top of his Marvel roles, he also makes his mark in comedies such as “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.”

Did we forget another amazing cameo? Let us know in the comments below.