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10 Most Famous Movies Where Actors Portray Themselves

Lucas Aquino

The first and foremost requirement to be a Hollywood actor is that you must be able to portray someone other than yourself, and breathe life into them. However, in some extremely rare cases in movies, actors get to play themselves. 

No, we’re not talking about situations where actors like The Rock play the same kind of role in every movie. In these films, performers get to play their real-life selves, without donning the identity of a different character. Whether it’s just a small cameo role or a prominent part of the cast, it’s always a refreshing and hilarious sight to see these actors just be themselves on the big screen.

#1. David Bowie In Zoolander

David Bowie In Zoolander Source: IMDb

Ben Stiller is the main star in the Zoolander franchise, but the legendary singer David Bowie manages to steal the spotlight in the few frames that he appears in. In the iconic runway scene, he briefly judges Derek and Hansel’s abilities in the most dramatic fashion possible, making his appearance even more memorable than ever.

Fun fact, besides Bowie, other performers such as Christian Slater and Cuba Gooding Jr. also get to portray themselves in Zoolander.

#2. Bruce Willis & Julia Roberts In Ocean’s Twelve

Bruce Willis & Julia Roberts In Ocean’s Twelve Source: IMDb
The much-anticipated sequel lived up to the expectations from fans, and it also features the interesting cameo role of Bruce Willis, who encounters the group in the middle of the movie. The actor stars as himself, obviously, and he even mistook Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts) as Julia Roberts herself! If this is not one of the most creative breaking-the-fourth-wall jokes ever in movies, I don’t know what is.

#3. Liam Neeson In Daddy’s Home 2

Liam Neeson In Daddy’s Home 2 Source: IMDb
Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson star together again in Daddy’s Home 2, a comedy film with full of in-jokes and bizarre moments. And of course, the moment where a cardboard cutout of Liam Neeson is put on the screen to promote his made-up movie when the two visit the theater takes the cake.

#4. Nicholas Cage In The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent

Nicholas Cage In The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent Source: IMDb
Nicholas Cage is a walking meme himself, and he even transitions that status onto the big screen, starring as himself in The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent. Portraying himself, this version of Cage tries to rebuild his acting career from scratch, only to be swooped away by the CIA to help them with a special mission about one of his biggest fans, who turns out to be a criminal mastermind.

#5. James Franco, Channing Tatum, Emma Watson, Michael Cere & More In This Is The End

James Franco, Channing Tatum, Emma Watson, Michael Cere & More In This Is The End Source: IMDb
This Is The End is such a chaotic movie, it features not one, but multiple cameo roles where actors portray themselves. In the movie, the likes of James Franco and Emma Watson play exaggerated versions of themselves. The film hilariously navigates a group of celebrities facing an apocalypse while attending a party at James Franco's house.

#6. Bill Murray In Zombieland: Double Tap

Bill Murray In Zombieland: Double Tap Source: IMDb
While Zombieland: Double Tap couldn’t possibly match the prequel’s reputation, it still has the interesting self-portrait cameo role of Bull Murray. His appearance is brief, though, as he’s put to rest by Columbus after an innocent prank gone wrong. In his dying breath, the actor even expresses his regret playing in Garfield, making his passing even more comedic.

#7. John Malkovich In Being John Malkovich

John Malkovich In Being John Malkovich Source: IMDb
Well, the title says it all, right? In this rather bizarre movie, John Malkovich spends most of the time playing himself, but in fact, he’s controlled by Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) and his wife (Cameron Diaz), who found a way to enter his mind and use him for his own benefit. Besides Malkovich, Charlie Sheen also gets to portray himself in the movie, albeit in a much smaller role.

#8. Jean-Claude Van Damme In JCVD

Jean-Claude Van Damme In JCVD Source: IMDb
Just like Nicholas Cage, action star Jean-Claude Van Damme gets to star as himself in a movie about him. However, JCVD is a much darker movie, as this version of Van Damme is involved in a custody battle, gets robbed, and has to protect multiple hostages from criminals inside a post office. However, as it turns out, Van Damme is the real mastermind all along?

#9. Ben Affleck & Matt Damon In Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Ben Affleck & Matt Damon In Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Source: IMDb

The unorthodox movie centers around Jay and Silent Bob, who embark on a cross-country odyssey to sabotage a film adaptation of a comic book based on their lives. What adds an extra layer of hilarity is the involvement of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who play exaggerated versions of themselves caught up in the cinematic chaos. 

Affleck, in particular, delivers a scene-stealing performance, poking fun at his own career and the intricacies of Hollywood fame.

#10. Michael Jordan In Space Jam

Michael Jordan In Space Jam Source: IMDb

Well, Michael Jordan isn’t exactly an actor, and he isn’t a good one either, but the athlete’s popularity should secure him a place on this list. Playing himself in a basketball-themed movie, Michael Jordan must make full use of his abilities and team up with the Looney Toons squad to challenge the Monstars - a bunch of aliens who want to invade Earth - through a basketball match.

In the sequel, LeBron James also gets to play himself, but let’s not talk about his atrocious acting here.

Which self-portrait role above do you like the most? Let us know in the comments.

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