Some actors and public figures become so famous and well-recognized that they end up portraying themselves in film: the most obvious examples are television personalities such as Larry King, Jay Leno, and David Letterman. Most of these self-portrayals are forgettable but others — whether large roles or merely cameos — stand out memorably from the rest. In this list we present the top 10 funniest and most essential in film.
10. Ryan Seacrest – Knocked Up (2007)
A difficult choice in a film full of terrific cameos, Ryan Seacrest mocks himself and delivers some hilarious lines in only a matter of minutes of onscreen time with his over-the-top caricature of a self-involved and self-important media “personality”. This cameo topped even Steve Carrel’s straight-faced delivery that made him look like a total jerk.
9. Howard Stern – Private Parts (1997)
The only self-portrayal in this list who starred in his own biography, Howard Stern played himself like nobody else could: rowdy, randy and irreverent. Most of the film features Stern in the radio booth so it wasn’t a touch act for him to pull off. However, as an amateur actor he did a decent job appearing reasonably sympathetic — at least, until the viewer learns that Stern’s marriage, the focal point of much of the film, ends in divorce soon after the film’s release.
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Last Action Hero (1993)
This film, a rare box office bust for Arnold, featured the Governator as two characters: the super-hero from the film and the actor, Arnold himself, who portrayed him. It was an excellent premise but failed to win over many fans and ended up virtually ignored by, well, everyone. In an interesting twist, we soon see Arnold playing a political figure in a cameo in Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming The Expendables.
7. Lance Armstrong – Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Here we go again, with the legion of Norris lovers getting pissed off about this obviously intentional omission. Although Norris is funny in his momentary thumbs up, that scene pales in comparison to the marvelous cameo by Lance Armstrong. In it, Armstrong tells the story of his own triumph over cancer and the Tour De France. This story inadvertently ridicules Peter (Vince Vaughn), as well as other quitters, and illustrates how much a man can overcome when he puts his mind to it. This epitomizes the subtitle of the film, ‘A True Underdog Story.’
6. Meryl Streep – Stuck On You (2003)
Meryl Streep’s role in is also a cameo but it is not a one time appearance like most others. At first, she appears simply as a celebrity (herself) at having lunch in L. A. Then, Walt Tenor (Greg Kinnear) connects with her, and she ends up appearing in the musical finale. This Bonny and Clyde musical within Stuck on You may have set the stage for her role in the popular film version of the musical Mama Mia and is the icing on the cake of another hilarious and dirty film by the Farrelly brothers.
5. Bill Murray – Zombieland (2009)
SPOILER ALERT! Oops, I guess I was a bit late with that one. Don’t worry, I’ll save the best part of Murray’s cameo as a surprise, but I’ll give away enough, so skip the description if you don’t want anything ruined.
In Zombieland, Bill Murray portrays himself as a survivor of a zombie pandemic. In his role, he woos the audience into thinking that he is just as loveable and funny in real life as he seems to be. His scenes are easily some of the funniest in the film (a very funny film for those who haven’t seen it) — they include a great montage that features both Murray and Woody Harrelson reenacting scenes from the original Ghostbusters.
4. Neil Patrick Harris – Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Neil Patrick Harris, or ‘NPH’ to his adoring fans, cemented his cult-fan status in the disturbing portrayal of himself in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. In the film, Harold and Kumar are initially delighted to meet NPH, but soon realize they are in way over their heads with this drug addicted psycho. NPH take self-mockery to an unprecedented level with his degrading and uber-masculine self-representation. The irony to the viewer, of course, is that NPH portrays himself as a ladykiller who chases after every skirt he sees — something of a departure from his real life.
3. Bruce Campbell – My Name is Bruce (2007)
Bruce Campbell, known primarily for roles in ‘B’ movie horror flicks, takes a familiar turn in the genre that earned his fame. This time, however, playing himself, he pokes fun not only at himself but also his die-hard fans. The title itself implies that his fans have a hard time distinguishing his identity from the character that made him famous.
Also, it must be said that anyone who doubts Campbell’s acting ability must see Bubba Ho-Tep. I’m trying to think of a list to include it, but since I haven’t been able to, I’m just going to mention it here.
2. Jean Claude Van Damme – JCVD (2008)
Jean Claude Van Damme shocked critics and audiences with his stunning self-representation as an over-the-hill, straight-to-DVD actor and miserable father. JCVD captivates the audience and impresses on them the sense that Van Damme’s entire career was a buildup for this film. The finale, a six-plus minute soliloquy, reveals a remorseful Van Damme whose performance is so flawless, the audience cannot tell whether the character or the actor himself is speaking.
Some readers of The Pulp List were disappointed about my inclusion of Van Damme in the greatest martial arts stars list , but inclusion on this list cannot be challenged by any true critic or fan.
1. John Malkovich – Being John Malkovich (1999)
Though the top choice was difficult, there should be little argument that John Malkovich (along with Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman) created the greatest self-portrayal in film history. Malkovich convincingly mocks himself (a trait that seems essential when portraying oneself) and creates a character so in love with himself that the audience feels little remorse for his unfortunate fate. The most impressive part about this self-portrayal (and why it tops our list) is that Malkovich had to play himself as played by several other characters in the film that hijack his onscreen persona. No small feat, to be sure. And yet he masters these other characters-as-himself, which include women and a professional puppeteer.
In a creepy twist, Malkovich himself jumps into the portal inside his own head and ends up in a strange place where everyone is John Malkovich. The ultimate scene of an actor playing himself, is a this moment when everyone in the room is John Malkovich, including the woman who sings in a red dress on top of the piano.
The radical screenplay that Jonze and Kauman created challenges mainstream storytelling in a way that has become typical for these trailblazing filmmakers. With his portrayal of himself, John Malkovich has proved instrumental in their growing success and popularity. We doubt anybody can top Malkovich being John Malkovich.
Willie Nelson and Jon Stewart in Half Baked was classic!
Great list! As a sports fan I like the inclusion of Lance Armstrong. No matter how cardboard his acting may have been, there is just something great about a man with one testicle telling you to man up.
If I were to try and think of a memorable self-portrayal must admit: I liked Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore. http://www.hulu.com/watch/24405/happy-gilmore-bob-barker-beat-down
Agree with #1 but would have Neil Patrick Harris at #2 and Bob Barker at #3 in my own list.
Good list.
Yeah Bob Barker was classic, I think it was forgotten.
Another honorable mention… a great verbal stand-off between Eminem and Ray Ramano in Funny People.
Loved NPH is White Castle. Hilarious!
Loved NPH is White Castle. Hilarious!
How about Audie Murphy playing himself in “To Hell and Back”?
I thought about Audie Murphy and “To Hell and Back” when I saw the title of the list. It must be a generational thing, still, it should be on the list.
I've gotta give props to Elizabeth Shue in Hamlet 2.
I’ve gotta give props to Elizabeth Shue in Hamlet 2.