11. Robin Williams in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
The only way to describe Robin Williams’ role as the “King of the Moon” is Williams being Williams. He talks so fast adlibbing and doing impressions and floating around as just a head through the weird world of Baron Munchausen through a lot of the scene, he is almost hard to understand at times.
He took the role from director Terry Gilliam which was originally supposed to be played by Sean Connery who backed out when most of the role was cut. Williams was credited as “Ray D. Tutto” in the end credits which means “King of Everything” in Italian which is how his character is introduced to the Baron. Another memorable performance by Williams who was given no credit or pay for this film. His soul is still so sorely missed.
12. Mike Tyson in The Hangover
Who knew Mike Tyson was such a Phil Collins fan? If you have a bad night and need desperate help who are you going to ask other than the former heavyweight champ?
Tyson has never been afraid of poking fun at his strange, over-the-top personality and does so to perfection in “The Hangover”. While not full of laughs throughout, the first film gives us enough sustained laughter which makes it worth watching. Can’t say the same for the rest.
13. Will Ferrell in Wedding Crashers
Honorable Mention: Will Ferrell in Zoolander and every other cameo he has done
Saturday Night Live has given us many great comedic performers, Will Farrell being the latest. Unfortunately there has not been anyone who has met his high standards since he has left the show. He could probably have his own list of film where he is not the main star and has completely taken over the scene(s) he is in so it is hard to choose just one, his characters are always so extreme in every way you can see why he has endured.
If only he knew how to pick a script as t seems he has been in just as many duds as successes. His scene in “Wedding Crashers” is memorable as “Chazz” for the same reasons. Who knew you could pick up chicks at a funeral?
14. Sam J. Jones in Ted
If your author had to make a list of “Movies he had seen more times before the age of 10”, “Flash Gordon” from 1980 would be #2 (behind Star Wars of course). The Queen soundtrack was played more in my house probably than Freddy Mercury himself. Seth MacFarlane has always had the knack of finding those extremely obscure, off-the-wall film and television gems that make watching his material much more unexpectedly awesome.
In Ted, John Bennett’s (Mark Wahlberg’s) idol is the “Savior of the Universe”, “Flash Gordon” played by Sam J. Jones. When John has the opportunity to meet him at a party, this results in the most intense laughter in a film in quite some time. Not only is the music and style similar, but he actually gets to fly on the Hawkman rocket cycle as “Flash” is sporting the same outfit he had worn in the film over 30 years before. Funny, funny stuff!
15. Samuel L. Jackson in Iron Man
“The Avengers” was probably the most set up film in history. By the time is was released in 2012, there had been talk on screen through other films of its development for nearly 4 years. Marvel has become famous for its “end credits” scenes, none bigger than this one. This is the one where Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) meets Nick Fury Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Jackson).
There is not much to it other than to say he is there to “talk to you about the Avenger” initiative”. Marvel ending up doing everything right as the additional “tease” scenes at the end of subsequent film all came to a head with “The Avengers” and Marvel has never looked back since. It will be interesting after Downey “retires” from playing Stark which direction Marvel will go or if they let the character rest before a reboot. Doubtful!
16. Danny Glover and Margot Kidder in Maverick
In the 1980s and 1990s, director Richard Donner, actors Mel Gibson and Danny Glower teamed up for four “Lethal Weapon” films, so it’s no surprise when Donner and Gisbon joined together again for an updating of the television show, “Maverick”, Glower would have to make an appearance.
Glover barges in and robs Geoffrey Lewis and Maverick is curious about he identity of their assailant so he pulls down his bandana mask to reveal Glover’s face. The two exchange multiple glance with glimmers of “recognition” but dismiss it casually. Glower is even heard saying the “Weapon” catchphrase “I’m getting to old for this shit” as he makes his escape.
17. Robert Patrick in Wayne’s World
Having actors reappear in different films playing the character that made them famous has always been cause for laughter. Such is the case here when Robert Patrick’s T-1000” character which he played so convincingly in “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” released the years before “Wayne’s World” in 1991.
While driving Wayne (Mike Myers) is pulled over by a motorcycle officer. The officer reveals himself to Wayne by leaning down and asking the familiar phrase, “Have you seen this boy?” to which Wayne screams into the camera. “Wayne’s World” has several memorable cameos including rock legend Alice Cooper giving us a lesson about the origins of the city of Milwaukee.
18. Keith Richards in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Actor Johnny Depp had always made it known the primary influence in Depp creating his character Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films was Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards. He had been asked many times to appear in one of the films, but was always busy touring until it finally worked out for him to appear in “At World’s End” as Sparrow’s father.
The two got along famously while shooting their scenes together and have formed a great relationship since. While filming, Richards had shown up on set intoxicated which gave director Gore Verbinski a hard time. Richards had to be assisted in even getting to his marks and sitting and saying his dialogue. Richards said “If you wanted straight, then you got the wrong man”.
19. Tim Robbins, Harrison Ford, Sacha Baron Cohen, Will Smith, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Carrey Liam Neeson among many others in Anchorman & Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Nothing more can be said here other than if you have not seen the two “fight” scenes between rival news teams in the “Anchorman” films, you need to see them. There are many cameos here and they are all very funny. The rivalries between the differing news factions are on display and are the comic equivalent to “Gangs of New York”.
20. Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein
Throughout his career, Gene Hackman was definitely not known for his cameos; however, he does show up randomly as a blind man who talks with Frankenstein’s monster (Peter Boyle) in a classic comedy scene. The blind man shows the monster “fire is good” in a direct parody of an almost identical scene from the original “Frankenstein”.
Hackman and Boyle were both right on point and play off each other masterfully. Hackman’s last line “I was gonna make espresso” was adlibbed. The crew thought it was so hilarious the scene is immediately cut as to not hear their loud cries of laughter.