Top 10 unexpected movie cameos by musicians

Musicians have been making cameos in popular films and franchises for decades. Most of the time they’re small roles that aren’t out of the ordinary, such as Halsey’s appearance in the latest adaptation of A Star Is Born. 

From Fall Out Boy landing in Amish country to Billie Joe Armstrong yelling “Shut the fuck up,” we’ve gathered some of our favorite yet weird cameos featuring musicians. Check out the list below!

1. Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens – Corey Taylor 

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor is no stranger to disguise. But he was hard to miss in his brief cameo in the sci-fi disaster film Sharknado 4. Taylor can be seen in the 2016 movie giving an urgent warning that demanded an immediate reaction. He deserves an Oscar for his overdramatic facial expression in his short moment of movie fame. 

2. Sex Drive – Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy end up in Amish country in the 2008 comedy film Sex Drive. The Chicago pop-punk favorites play a small set, including “Fame < Infamy” and “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy” at a Rumspringa party. The band can also be seen during the credits (which hears “I Don’t Care”) arguing over a running gag that’s heard throughout the movie. 

3. This Is 40 – Billie Joe Armstrong 

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong plays himself in the 2012 movie This Is 40.

He attends a show after being invited by Pete (Paul Rudd) but just wants to enjoy the gig rather than act as a marketing tool. Armstrong’s This Is 40 cameo comes just four years before his first starring role in the 2016 film Ordinary World, which was titled after the Green Day track of the same name from Revolution Radio. 

4. Boy Erased – Flea

From The Big Lebowski to Baby Driver, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has had plenty of cameos. His role as a camp counselor at a conversion-therapy camp in the painfully true story of Boy Erased, though, is not one we saw coming. Flea has been a public ally to the LGBTQ+ community for years, so seeing him take on such a negative role was a plot twist for the ages. Nonetheless, his performance in the gut-wrenching film was phenomenal, showcasing a more serious side to the comedic bass player.

5. Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny – Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl has been referred to as a music god by many, but what about a music devil? Ironically, Grohl portrays Satan in Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny, who Tenacious D challenge to a rock off. Without completely spoiling the ending, Tenacious D turn one of Satan’s horns into a “Bong of Destiny” to end the movie and celebrate their satanic victory. Tenacious D and Grohl’s history goes back years, including Grohl’s assisted drumming on all of the duo’s albums and Tenacious D’s cameo in Foo Fighters’ music video “Learn To Fly.” 

6. American Pie – blink-182

blink-182 became a staple for every teenager and early 20-something in the ’90s, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they appeared in the 1999 classic movie American Pie. During one of the most famous scenes, blink-182 can be seen viewing in with the rest of the town to Jim Levenstein’s (Jason Biggs) embarrassing sexual encounter that was broadcast through the use of a webcam. Besides their brief cameo, “Mutt” from 1999’s Enema Of The State can be heard in the classic film. 

7. The Aviator – Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani made a brief cameo in the 2004 Martin Scorsese adaptation of Howard Hughes’ life that stars Leonardo DiCaprio. The No Doubt singer appeared as the 1930s actress Jean Harlow in an early scene next to DiCaprio. This Oscar-winning film isn’t the only on-camera experience she’s had. Stefani also appeared in Zoolander, King Of The Hill and Gossip Girl, to name a few. We have our fingers crossed for more from Stefani in the future. 

8. Dogma – Alanis Morissette 

The Jagged Little Pill queen can be seen in the 1999 Kevin Smith (Jay And Silent Bob series) star-packed, controversial comedy classic Dogma as Alanis Morissette takes on the role of God. The singer’s track “Still” appeared in Dogma as well. Morissette returned to her role of God in a post-credit scene in the 2001 Smith film Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, giving us hope for another Morissette/Smith appearance in the future.

9. Zoolander – David Bowie

Having a known acting ability under his belt, David Bowie sat in as himself to judge the odd walk-off scene between Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel McDonald (Owen Wilson) in the 2001 comedy hit Zoolander. After a strange attempt at winning, Bowie disqualifies Zoolander, crowning McDonald the victor.

10. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – Paul McCartney

The Beatles great Paul McCartney can be seen (and heard singing) in the fifth installment of the Pirates franchise as Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) Uncle Jack. McCartney isn’t the only famous musician to portray a relative of the well-known pirate. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards can be seen in the third film as Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague. 

What’s your favorite cameo from an artist? Let us know in the comments below!