The present Hollywood climate is loaded with reboots and remakes of popular movies and TV shows that try to introduce fan-favorite characters to a new audience or make a better version out of the original premise.
It's always a pleasure to see our favorite actors years later, especially when they return to the films we all enjoy. And it appears that movie filmmakers enjoy these cameos just as much as we do. Why? Because actors from the original cast really offer something special to remakes - especially when there's a really fascinating parallel with the original version.
Movie remakes almost always recast the main character of the original film or series. This can sometimes cause problems with the original actors. However, while some may be irritated, others may approve of the decision, and some even return for a cameo in the remake. Below is a list of 18 actors who cameoed in their movie remakes years later.
#1 Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed), 1956 — 2018
Source: The Bad Seed / Warner Bros., The Bad Seed / Lifetime
In 1956's The Bad Seed, Patty McCormack played Rhoda, an 8-year-old killer. She also had a role in Rob Lowe's adaptation in 2018 - and it was a rather surprising one! She played Emma's therapist (this time Emma is the murderer) and informed her, "I did the same same things as you at your age," which was a great nod to the original film.
#2 Marc McClure (Freaky Friday), 1976 — 2003
Source: Freaky Friday / Walt Disney Pictures, Freaky Friday / Walt Disney Productions
Marc McClure, who played Annabel's neighbor, Boris, whom she admired, made another unexpected cameo in Freaky Friday. In the remake, he plays the minor character of Boris, a postman. We don't know if he's the same Boris, but it's certainly intriguing.
#3 Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), 1979 — 2009
Source: Star Trek: The Motion Picture / Paramount Pictures, Star Trek / Paramount Pictures
Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original Star Trek films, returned as...Spock in the 2009 reboot. Although Zachary Quinto plays Spock in the reboot, Nimoy became Spock Prime – Spock from the future.
#4 Bojesse Christopher (Point Break), 1991 — 2015
Source: Point Break / Twentieth Century Fox, Point Break / Alcon Entertainment
In the original 1991 version, Bojesse Christopher played Grommet the robber, respectively, and appeared briefly in the 2015 film on the other side of the action – as an FBI agent.
#5 James Le Gros (Point Break), 1991 — 2015
Source: Point Break / Twentieth Century Fox, Point Break / Alcon Entertainment
James Le Gros also made an appearance as an FBI agent after playing a robber in the original film.
#6 Henry Silva (Ocean’s Eleven), 1960 — 2001
Source: Ocean's Eleven / Warner Bros, Ocean's Eleven / Warner Bros
In case you missed it, Ocean's Eleven, which starred George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and others in 2001, is a remake of the 1960s classic of the same name. Unfortunately, not many of the original cast members were still alive when the 2001 remake was released. Henry played Roger Corneal.
#7 Angie Dickinson (Ocean’s Eleven), 1960 — 2001
Source: Ocean's Eleven / Warner Bros, Ocean's Eleven / Warner Bros
Angie played Danny Ocean's wife, Beatrice in the original film. Both Angie and Henry appeared briefly in the remake as boxing spectators during the robbery.
#8 Linda Harrison (Planet of the Apes), 1968 — 2001
Source: Planet of the Apes / Twentieth Century Fox, Planet of the Apes / Twentieth Century Fox
Linda Harrison, who played Nova in the original Planet of the Apes film, also appears in the 2001 sequel. She had a brief appearance in the beginning as one of the captured persons being transported to Ape City in a wagon cage. The woman says nothing, which is a reference to Nova's muteness.
#9 Charlton Heston (Planet of the Apes), 1968 — 2001
Source: Planet of the Apes / Twentieth Century Fox, Planet of the Apes / Twentieth Century Fox
In the 1968 original film, Planet of the Apes, Charlton Heston played the principal character of George Taylor. He played Zaius in the 2001 remake.
#10 Gene Barry and Ann Robinson (War of the Worlds), 1953 — 2005
Source: The War of the Worlds / Paramount Pictures, War of the Worlds / Paramount Pictures
You've probably seen Steven Spielberg's film War of the Worlds (2005). However, you may be unaware that it is a remake of the 1953 film The War of the Worlds. Rachel and Robbie's grandparents, who feature in the 2005 version, are played by Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, the original 1953 version's two key characters, Dr. Forrester and Sylvia.
#11 Sigourney Weaver (Dana Barrett) as Jillian’s mentor, Rebecca Gorin
Source: Ghost Busters / Columbia Pictures Industries, Ghostbusters / Columbia Pictures Industries
Sigourney Weaver appeared in a cameo role in the Ghostbusters remake as Jillian's mentor.
#12 Ernie Hudson (Winston) as Patty’s Uncle Bill
Source: Ghost Busters / Columbia Pictures Industries, Ghostbusters / Columbia Pictures Industries
Ernie Hudson also cameoed as Patty's Uncle Bill.
#13 Annie Potts (Janine) as a receptionist
Source: Ghost Busters / Columbia Pictures Industries, Ghostbusters / Columbia Pictures Industries
Annie Potts, who played the Ghostbusters' secretary in the first film, reappeared in the 2016 remake as a hotel desk receptionist, answering phones with all the fun of the first film and even repeating her line from the first film, "Wadda ya want?"
#14 Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters), 1984 — 2016
Source: Ghost Busters / Columbia Pictures Industries, Ghostbusters / Columbia Pictures Industries
Dan Aykroyd was another original Ghostbusters cast member who appears in the remake. He was changed into a cab driver by Dr. Raymond Stantz, and while his presence is brief, it is amusing. He refuses to give one of the Ghostbusters a ride in his scene.
#15 Bill Murray (Ghostbusters), 1984 — 2016
Source: Ghost Busters / Columbia Pictures Industries, Ghostbusters / Columbia Pictures Industries
Murray portrayed Dr. Peter Venkman, one of the key characters in the first Ghostbusters film (1984). While he fought ghosts in 1984, he now appears as a supernatural skeptic attempting to disprove the new Ghostbusters in 2016.
#16 Jerry Stiller (Hairspray), 1988 — 2007
Source: Hairspray / New Line Cinema, Hairspray / New Line Cinema
In the 1988 film, Jerry Stiller played Tracy's father, and he reappeared in 2007 as Mr. Pinky, the owner of a women's apparel business who wanted Tracy to be his spokesman. And it appears that he is the only one who hasn't changed in 19 years!
#17 Ricki Lake (Hairspray), 1988 — 2007
Source: Hairspray / New Line Cinema, Hairspray / New Line Cinema
Ricki Lake, who played Tracy in the 1988 film Hairspray, appears at the end of the 2007 version, watching the last performance. And, while she had altered, her hair remained the same.