While the idea of basing an entire movie on fictionalized versions of celebrities is something we’re more used to now, there are plenty of precedents for actors who play themselves in movies. In most cases, they are happy to make fun of themselves, and we can even say that most of them are pretty well played.
But what happens when an actor doesn’t play a role? What if he introduces himself as himself? Or at least a version of himself. Maybe more dignified, maybe exaggerated, but still about his true personality.
And it seems that some actors have overdone this concept, starting to embody their characters even when they are off the screen and off the stage. without leaving the character.
We leave you with a few films in which famous actors made cameos (even starring) and played themselves instead of a character.
7 movies in which the actors played themselves
- David Bowie (Zoolander)
- Cate Blanchett (Coffee and Cigarette)
- John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich)
- Bill Murray (Welcome to Zombieland)
- All cast (Play till the end)
- Joaquin Phoenix (I’m Still Here)
- Neil Patrick Harris (Harold and Kumar)
David Bowie (Zoolander)
David Bowie is technically a music legend rather than an actor, but he has appeared in countless movies. However, his performance in the 2001 comedy film Zoolander, starring and directed by Ben Stiller, is notable.
And while you’re watching the movie, at a certain moment Bowie himself appears on the screen as “Let’s Dance” is played over the speakers.
David Bowie is not only remembered for his influence on the glam rock genre, but also made a huge impact in the fashion industry with his androgynous suits. Therefore, she was the perfect person to judge a fashion contest between Zoolander and Hansel on the runway.
Cate Blanchett (Coffee and Cigarette)
Eleven years after Jim Jarmusch’s short film “Coffee and Cigarettes” won the Palme d’Or, in 2003 he produced several shorts in which celebrities portrayed themselves.
Each of them, of course, shows the characters, smoking and drinking coffee at a table, discussing very banal topics. Episode with Cate Blanchett considered the most unique of them all (Although Bill Murray also appears).
This episode is, without a doubt, another testament to the chameleon talent of the two Oscar winners, because it makes it so easy to forget that she’s making her own interpretation.
John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich)
If you like all things surreal, you’ll love this movie. Spike Jonze’s whimsical black comedy Being John Malkovich is the definitive satirical movie. starring John Malkovich (clearly).
He’s understandably shocked and frightened to learn that a Manhattan puppeteer (John Cusack) has used a magical portal to hover over his body for 15 minutes in this two-time Oscar-nominated crazy and bizarre comedy.
You can enjoy it on Prime Video.
Bill Murray (Welcome to Zombieland)
Whenever we find Bill Murray in a movie, we can say that we see him or a version of him with Bill Murray’s unique sense of humor. But we’ve already warned that in Ruben Fleischer’s apocalyptic comedy Welcome to Zombieland, Bill Murray literally looks like himself.
At one point in this funny movie, Our heroes enter Murray’s mansion. Believing that he is also a victim of the zombie plague, they first catch him by surprise. However, that will come later when they discover she’s wearing zombie makeup just to go unnoticed and occasionally play golf.
When Murray’s fear of Columbus proves to “fail”, he is bloodied as he ponders the moments and regrets of his life on the brink of death. Even now we can see how funny this person is.
Here’s what most people think of Bill Murray’s surprise appearance in Welcome to Zombieland: one of the best camcorders of his career.
Available on Netflix.
The entire cast (Party till the end)
This movie is special because it doesn’t just have one celebrity cameo. Not even a handful. The entire cast plays comedic versions of themselves as they attend a party at James Franco’s house. You’ll see familiar faces like Emma Watson, Michael Cera, Channing Tatum, Kevin Hart, Rihanna… crazy.
As the apocalypse is about to come, Franco and his usual co-stars – Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, etc. – they find themselves trying to “survive” in their home in Los Angeles.
let’s see everything: a villainous, demon-possessed Jonah Hill, a cocaine-inducing Michael Cera, an axe-wielding Emma Watson, and a Channing Tatum used as a sex slave by cannibal Danny McBride.
Netflix has this crazy movie.
Joaquin Phoenix (I’m Still Here)
Casey Affleck’s mockup of “I’m Still Here” basically recorded Joaquin Phoenix’s public breakup… or so we viewers suspect.
The movie takes place after Phoenix announces his “retirement” from acting., with a smoking habit and a stubble while trying to break into the hip-hop industry. When director Casey Affleck was asked at press conferences and interviews whether the movie was real or a hoax, he didn’t give a very clear answer.
Joaquin Phoenix entered rehab five years ago and has continued to build an impressive filmography since the release of I’m Still Here. So it’s hard to say how much of this whole party spiral is real and how much is fake.
Neil Patrick Harris (Harold and Kumar)
Similar to “Ride To The End”, Neil Patrick Harris appeared as a caricature of himself: Harold & Kumar, a drug-addicted, womanizing former child star on Get The Munchies.
In its sequels, Harold & Kumar was popular enough to return in Escape From Guantanamo Bay and A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, and revived his career as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother.
Harris’ performance in all three films is also great., but he is the one that stands out the most in the latter, although the rest seems random at some points. Even when Harris is not on screen, other characters are talking about him.
Ironically, Harris didn’t come out as gay until 2006, meaning the playboy character had to be changed in the third movie to reveal that he was just “faking” as straight. His real-life partner, David Burtka, also makes a self-referential cameo.
Source: Computer Hoy
