30 Surprising Celebrity Cameos In Marvel Movies — How Many Did You Spot In Theaters?
Between the crazy battles, multi-verse storylines, and numerous characters, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might have missed a celebrity cameo (or two!). There was Seth Green playing the iconic Howard the Duck, Ken Jeong playing a security guard, and so many more.
Keep reading through, and you might be surprised at these blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos. Did you catch any of these the first time around?
Donald Glover As Aaron Davis In Spider-Man: Homecoming
Actors Donald Glover took on the role of Aaron Davis, a small-time crook and the uncle of Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
While his appearance in the movie is brief, it is a great moment, as Glover actually voices Miles Morales in the animated series The Ultimate Spider-Man for two episodes!
Luke Hemsworth Playing Thor In Thor: Ragnarok
In one of the most meta scenes in the MCU, Luke Hemsworth dresses as the God of Thunder and plays Thor during a production of Loki's life.
What is so funny about the scene is that Hemsworth's brother, Chris Hemsworth, is the one who actually plays the role of Thor throughout the MCU.
Robert Redford Cameos In Two Movies
Robert Redford's MCU cameos add an extra layer of prestige to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he plays Alexander Pierce, a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. official who serves as the film's primary antagonist. His performance is a standout moment in the film and highlights his talent as an actor.
Redford's presence in the film is a nod to his status as a Hollywood icon and adds an extra layer of credibility to the superhero genre. His return in Avengers: Endgame provides a fitting send-off for the character and a reminder of the impact he made on the franchise.
Joe Manganiello, The OG Flash Thompson
Joe Manganiello played the bully Flash Thompson in the 2002 film Spider-Man. He is seen bullying Peter Parker, picking on him for being a nerd. Of course, that is before Parker gets his Spidey powers.
Something fans might not know, though, is Manganiello appears as Thompson again in Spider-Man 3, sulking in the background in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment at Harry Osborn's funeral.
Olivia Munn As A Reporter In Iron Man 2
Olivia Munn's cameo in Iron Man 2 is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in the film. She appears briefly as a television reporter, Chess Roberts, who interviews Tony Stark during a scene. Despite her limited screen time, Munn brings a confident and authoritative presence to the role, making a memorable impression.
Munn would go on to play the role of Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Ving Rhames As Charlie-27
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Ving Rhames makes a brief but impactful cameo appearance as Charlie-27, a member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team from the comics.
Although his screen time is limited, Rhames brings a commanding presence to the character, lending credibility to the notion that Charlie-27 is a veteran warrior. His appearance adds an extra layer of depth and nostalgia to the film, delighting both fans of the comics and casual moviegoers.
Danny Pudi In Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Danny Pudi's cameo in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a fun moment for fans of the actor. He plays a small role as a S.H.I.E.L.D. technician who assists Captain America with a favor.
Pudi's signature comedic timing shines through, providing a brief moment of fun in the otherwise serious spy thriller. It's a clever nod to fans of his work on Community and other comedic projects, adding an extra layer of entertainment to an already thrilling film.
Nathan Fillion As An Alien In Guardians Of The Galaxy
Nathan Fillion's cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy is a fun Easter egg for fans of the actor and the comics. He plays the role of Monstrous Inmate, a character from the comics who is briefly shown during a scene in the Kyln prison.
Fillion's appearance is so brief that it's easy to miss, but it's a clever nod to his previous collaborations with the film's director, James Gunn, and his comic book roots. It's a small but memorable moment in an already entertaining film.
Yvette Nicole Brown In Avengers: Endgame
Yvette Nicole Brown plays a S.H.I.E.L.D. employee back in the 1970s in Avengers: Endgame. She's actually the one who raises the alarm when Tony Stark and Steve Rogers infiltrate the base, looking for Pym Particles for their time heist.
Even though the two heroes are wearing S.H.I.E.L.D garb, Brown's character still believes them to be hippies!
David Hasselhoff In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
David Hasselhoff's cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 was a fun surprise for viewers. He played a version of himself in the film, a campy, exaggerated version of his iconic character Michael Knight from Knight Rider. It was a scene-stealing performance that showed off his sense of humor and charisma.
His singing and dance moves brought the house down, and he was definitely the star of the show. His appearance brought nostalgia to long-time fans and new fans alike. Seeing the Hoff in the MCU was a delight and the perfect way to end the Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2.
J.K. Simmons Reprising His Role In Spider-Man: Far From Home
J.K. Simmons' cameo in Spider-Man: Far From Home is a surprise delight for fans of the original Spider-Man trilogy. He reprises his role as J. Jonah Jameson, the acerbic editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle.
Simmons' return to the role is pitch-perfect, and his presence is a nostalgic nod to the beloved Sam Raimi films. It's a standout moment in the film and a thrilling tease for what's to come.
Ken Jeong In Avengers: Endgame
Ken Jeong's cameo in Avengers: Endgame is a hilarious moment in the film. He appears as a security guard who catches Scott Lang stealing the Tesseract during the time heist. Jeong's comedic timing and delivery make the scene unforgettable, and his presence adds an extra layer of humor to an already entertaining film.
It's a clever nod to the actor's comedic background, and his ability to steal a scene is on full display. Despite his short screen time, Jeong's cameo is a standout moment in the film and a memorable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Brad Pitt's Eight Frames In Deadpool 2
Playing the role of Vanisher in Deadpool 2, Brad Pitt is invisible aside from when his character gets electrocuted on wires. His face is visible for a solid eight frames!
Pitt agreed to be in the movie since his kids loved the first, and his payment was nothing more than a cup of coffee.
Matt Damon & Alan Tudyk In Deadpool 2
Matt Damon and Alan Tudyk's cameo in Deadpool 2 is a hilarious and unexpected moment in the film. They appear as two simple country folks discussing the merits of toilet paper while Cable travels through time in the background.
Their comedic timing and chemistry are on full display, providing a memorable moment of fun during the action-packed film.
Michelle Yeoh In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Michelle Yeoh's cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a small but impactful moment in the film. She appears as Aleta Ogord, a member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team from the comics.
The Academy Award-winning actress only has two lines and is on the screen for mere seconds.
Seth Green As Howard The Duck In Guardians Of The Galaxy
Seth Green's cameo as Howard the Duck in Guardians of the Galaxy is definitely a standout moment. His devilish comedic timing and unique voice acting make the character come to life.
It's a reminder of the classic Howard the Duck, to which Green certainly pays homage to. He delivers great banter between Rocket and Star-Lord, which really showcases his acting abilities. All in all, Seth Green's cameo as Howard the Duck in Guardians of the Galaxy is truly a memorable and fun experience.
Kate Mara Giving Tony Stark A Subpoena In Iron Man 2
Kate Mara made a brief yet memorable cameo in Iron Man 2 as the US Marshall accompanying Agent Coulson.
Her portrayal of the tough and determined US Marshall was compelling and a true testament to her acting prowess. Despite the brief appearance, Mara used her limited screen time to instantly make an impact and create an intriguing story for the character.
Chris O'Dowd's Brief Time In Thor: The Dark World
For a split second, Chris O'Dowd plays the love interest of Jane Foster in Thor: The Dark World. His time onscreen is so brief that the actor even forgot he was technically part of the MCU!
During an interview, he couldn't even remember the film's name, calling it "Thor-ier" and "Age of Ultron: This Time Things Are Thor-ny."
Trevor Noah's Voice In Black Panther
Trevor Noah's cameo in Black Panther is a clever and unexpected moment in the film. He appears as the voice of the Wakandan ship's A.I. system, providing comedic relief during a tense moment. Noah's humor and wit shine through in his performance, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the film.
The cameo is a fun nod to Noah's status as a prominent South African comedian and commentator, and his presence adds to the film's celebration of African culture and talent. It's a standout moment in the film and a memorable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
David Bradley Protecting Tesseract In Captain America
At the beginning of Captain America: The First Avenger, actor David Bradley is seen in a Tønsberg, Norway church, protecting what fans soon realize in the Tesseract from Johann Schmidt, aka Red Skull, and his HYDRA followers.
People might recognize Bradley for his role as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter franchise.
Jennifer Connelly's Voice Is In Spider-Man: Homecoming
Jennifer Connelly's cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming is a small but significant moment in the film. She voices the role of Karen, the A.I. system in Peter Parker's upgraded Spider-Man suit.
Connelly's calming and soothing voice is a perfect match for the character, providing a supportive presence for Peter during his missions.
Lana Condor's First-Ever Role Was In X-Men: Apocalypse
Known for To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Lana Condor's first-ever role was actually a cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse.
The actress is hardly on the screen long enough to give her character an actual storyline, but at least she was a fan-favorite comic book character, playing the role of Jubilee.
Michael Rosenbaum In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Ditching his DC Lex Luthor garb for a bit of CGI, Michael Rosenbaum cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Martinex, a Pluvian alien with crystal skin.
Honestly, if fans didn't bother to read the end credits, they probably would not have known Rosenbaum had switched over to the MCU!
Natalie Dormer's Lip-Locking Cameo In Captain America
Natalie Dormer's cameo in Captain America: The First Avenger is a brief but memorable moment in the film. She appears as Private Lorraine, a member of the U.S. Army who shares a flirty and lip-locking exchange with Steve Rogers.
As it would turn out, Dormer would go on to appear in numerous high-profile tv show and films, including Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games franchise.
Elon Musk Plays Himself In Iron Man 2
Elon Musk's cameo in Iron Man 2 is a fun Easter egg for fans of the entrepreneur and the film. He appears briefly as himself during a scene where Tony Stark unveils the "Stark Expo" to showcase his inventions.
Musk's presence adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film's futuristic technology and is a clever nod to his own work in the field of engineering and innovation. While his screen time is brief, Musk's cameo is a memorable moment in the film and a fun addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Garry Shandling Appears In Two MCU Films
Playing the role of U.S. Senator Stern, an undercover HYDRA agent, actor Garry Shandling appears in not one but two MCU films -- Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
While his appearances are brief, the character is dead set on trying to get the American public to believe Tony Stark is a menace to society.
Justin Theroux Plays A Cop In Iron Man 2
While Justin Theroux co-wrote the script for Iron Man 2 with Jon Favreau, Theroux also cameos in the film.
In an uncredited role at the end of the film, Theroux can be seen as a cop escorting Pepper Pots out of a building after he arrests the villain Justin Hammer.
Annabelle Wallis As Prof. X's Date In X-Men: First Class
Actress Annabelle Wallis might be known for her roles in Peaky Blinders and The Tudors, but she also had a very, very small role in X-Men First Class.
While she didn't actually get a name, Wallis plays Professor X's date, the one where he explains that her two different colored eyes are also a pseudo mutation.
Lucy Lawless's Random Cameo In Spider-Man
Arguably one of the most fun and yet random cameos in the MCU is that of Lucy Lawless in the 2002 film Spider-Man.
When the camera is panning through New Yorkers talking about Spider-Man, Lawless comes on the screen as a punk rocker with orange hair, saying, "Guy with eight hands? Sounds hot."
Miley Cyrus Is A Robot Head In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Actress and singer Miley Cyrus voices the character of Mainframe, a sentient computer program that aids the Guardians during their mission.
The cameo is literally a second long, saying nothing more than, "I missed you guys so much!" Cyrus landed the role because director James Gunn liked her voice when she was a coach on The Voice.
