Whenever A-list actors appear in a movie, they command tons of attention. That’s because they’re typically placed on the poster and promoted heavily, but that’s only sometimes been the case for some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Whether they had a cameo appearance in a blockbuster movie or were starting out in their careers, there have been plenty of occasions when top acting stars appeared in movies without people realizing.
Kevin Hart – Along Came Polly
Nowadays, whenever Kevin Hart is in a movie, he tends to be front and center on the poster because he’s become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Regarding comedy, few names are more well-known and respected than him. But he had to earn that with some cameo roles, which led to him appearing as the sound guy in Along Came Polly and popping up in various scenes.
Rami Malek – Night at the Museum
Rami Malek has become one of the biggest stars in the world due to his roles in Bohemian Rhapsody and Mr. Robot. But many people will forget that he had a role in Night at the Museum, as he played Pharaoh Ahkmenrah. It’s easy to overlook him when the likes of Ben Stiller and Robin Williams command so much attention, but Malek does put in an excellent performance.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Critters 3
Leonardo DiCaprio has been in some of the biggest movies of all time and is highly regarded as an actor. Nowadays, when his films come out, there’s instant excitement, but back in 1991, there wasn’t any buzz around him as an actor. He was a young talent just breaking into the business, but he instantly showcased his qualities and potential.
Ryan Gosling – Remember the Titans
This Disney movie features a brilliant cast, with Denzel Washington as the lead. However, it also features Ryan Gosling, which many might not realize. Gosling has been in some massive projects throughout his career, leading to this one being underrated and overlooked by most.
Hayden Panettiere – A Bug’s Life
Hayden Panettiere is best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, or the Scream franchise, but long before that, she was in A Bug’s Life. This Pixar classic is often overlooked, but even those who know it well are likely unaware Panettiere is part of the film. That’s because she was just a child when taking on this role, as she voiced the character of Dot.
Jennifer Aniston – Leprechaun
Jennifer Aniston became one of the most well-known actors on the planet due to her role as Rachel in Friends. Since then, she’s thrived in television and movies, but her first major movie was Leprechaun. It wasn’t a strong start for her in terms of quality, as reflected by the 4.8/10 rating by IMDb, but it opened up the doors for her.
Jimmy Fallon – Fever Pitch
Regarding Jimmy Fallon, people instantly think about The Tonight Show, a role in which he thrived. But Fallon did dip his toes into the acting world before that, which saw him star alongside Drew Barrymore in Fever Pitch. It’s not one of the most talked about romantic comedies, but it shows Fallon differently than most know him.
Simon Pegg – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Star Wars franchise features many cameo appearances from well-known actors that fans might not be aware of. One of those came in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where popular British actor Simon Pegg played Unkar Plutt. He was the Junkyard dealer whom Rey deals with, but because of the heavy makeup, many people don’t know it’s him.
Timothée Chalamet – Interstellar
Timothée Chalamet has become one of the hottest names in the movie industry in recent years, which has led to him landing significant roles, such as his part in the Dune franchise. However, much earlier in his career, he portrayed Tom Cooper, who was one of the sons of Matthew McConaughey’s character. Most of the film focuses on the journey into space, so people often forget Chalamet’s role.
Scarlett Johansson – Home Alone 3
When people think about the Home Alone franchise, Macaulay Culkin springs to mind, as he was the young talent who made his name from this. But when the third movie rolled around, he was replaced by Scarlett Johansson. She’s gone on to become a huge star, but this film is often forgotten as it wasn’t as strong as the original two, which is why Johansson’s performance gets overlooked.
Natalia Dyer – Hannah Montana: The Movie
Natalia Dyer has become a huge star due to her role in Stranger Things, which has brought her tons of attention. But her performance in Hannah Montana: The Movie isn’t discussed much. Miley Cyrus is the focal point, but Dyer showcases her acting skills at a young age in this one.
Christian Bale – Pocahontas
Disney often brings huge names to add their voices to help bring the films to life. But because their faces aren’t shown, people can usually be unclear about who is involved in them. That’s the case with Christian Bale’s performance in Pocahontas, where he plays Thomas. He might not be the lead character, but he has a fantastic story arc as he grows confident.
Johnny Depp – A Nightmare on Elm Street
Johnny Depp was just a young teenager when he was involved in A Nightmare on Elm Street, and because of his appearance, many people did not notice it was him. The movie also focuses on Freddy Krueger over any other characters. Still, Depp does put together a memorable performance that shows how much potential he had at that point.
Florence Pugh – The Falling
Florence Pugh has been involved in a wide variety of projects spanning different genres throughout her career so far. She’s been highly praised for her acting abilities and has risen in Hollywood, but this role in The Falling is one many people aren’t aware of. Starring alongside Maisie Williams, Pugh makes her film debut and instantly proves her skills in this eerie mystery.
Regé-Jean Page – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Regé-Jean Page became a significant star due to his role in Bridgerton, which opened up many opportunities for him as an actor. But in 2010, he took on an uncredited role in the Harry Potter franchise. He is one of the wizards at the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour in a blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it cameo.
Will Arnett – Ratatouille
Ratatouille is one of the best Pixar movies of all time, featuring a unique concept that is fascinatingly brought to life. With brilliant characters, there’s someone that everyone can enjoy, and that includes Horst. He’s the German sous chef who often brings a grumpy attitude, and Will Arnett brings that to life in a fantastic manner.
Martin Freeman – Love Actually
Love Actually has a fantastic ensemble cast featuring huge names such as Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. Another major star in the movie is Martin Freeman, who people often forget about. His storyline is one of the smaller ones in the film, which usually leads to his role being forgotten despite how funny he is in the movie.
Paul Rudd – Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
Whether it’s memorable comedies or his role as Ant-Man, Paul Rudd has been part of some incredible movies throughout his career. One that gets forgotten is his part in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, which isn’t one of his most prominent roles. He plays Tommy Doyle in this, but considering it’s not one of the most memorable in the Halloween franchise, it’s not a shock that it’s overlooked.
Alan Tudyk – Moana
Motion Pictures.
Alan Tudyk has voiced many different animated characters, showcasing his versatility as a performer. However, his role in Moana is overlooked because he plays Heihei, a chicken. The character doesn’t talk but just makes noises, which is why few people would’ve guessed Tudyk was the person responsible.
John Krasinski – The Holiday
The Holiday is a popular festive movie with an incredible cast featuring the likes of Jude Law, Jack Black, and Cameron Diaz. However, it also has John Krasinski in a brief role as part of the editing team employed by Diaz’s character. He only makes a quick appearance, but it’s a role that fans enjoy seeing.
Matt Damon – Thor: Ragnarok
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought some of the biggest names in Hollywood to life, bringing some fantastic characters to life. However, one name that people might not be aware of as being part of the MCU is Matt Damon. He portrays Loki in Asgard in some of the funniest scenes in Thor: Ragnarok. These scenes represent Thor and Loki’s adventures in a comedic manner, and Damon’s performance works perfectly to bring that to life.
