http://youtube.com/v/dwnhRRRQtaI cameos from dozens of stars that make this Robert Altman satire on Hollywood the memorable movie it is. Julia Roberts, Burt Reynolds, Cher, Bruce Willis, the list goes on. For the full cast list, click here.
It seems to me that cameos tend to be used in the movies in three ways:
1. As an instantly recognisable joke. Take the numerous cameos in Austin Powers in Goldmember, including Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey http://youtube.com/v/O1TQTDi6gQ4 Lou Ferrigno, the original hulk from the cult TV series, who appears as a security guard in Hulk to delight hardcore fans. Think Benny and Bjorn when they crop up in Mamma Mia! for the Abba afficionados, or the real Erin Brokovich playing a waitress in the Julia Roberts film.
3. As a Hitchcock-style 'can you spot me, I'm in there somewhere' game by the film's director.
Peter Jackson http://youtube.com/v/cEnjiGwVw6o Ricky Gervais's Extras (Kate Winslet - genius, George Michael - hilarious).
However, on film, my favourite has to be Baywatch favourite David Hasselhoff in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. Having the Hoff perceived by the cute animated sponge as one of the many mythical creatures he encounters on his Odyssean adventure is pure genius.
And of course, I can't talk about this subject without mentioning another, far more subjective cameo favourite of mine. Miss Congeniality 2 may well be a weak film, but it has a wonderful cameo moment, where Sandra Bullock gives chase to a drag queen and ends up straddling Dolly Parton. Fabulous.
The Player is showing on ITV4 tonight at 10pm
