The 15 Most Expensive Cameos in Hollywood History

Studios frequently incorporate brief, high-profile guest roles in their films, inviting well-known figures to make an unexpected and captivating appearance. Yet, these fleeting scenes often carry substantial costs, as producers splurge on celebrity endorsements to generate excitement or elevate a movie’s status.

I’ve assembled a list featuring 15 of the priciest cameos in Hollywood history, arranged from least to most expensive. These brief appearances, sometimes lasting only seconds, demonstrate the high price studios are willing to pay for a sprinkle of stardust, with certain actors earning millions for their minimal on-screen time.

Glenn Close – ‘Hook’ (1991)

Glenn Close, famously known for her role in ‘Fatal Attraction’ (1987), had a fleeting appearance in ‘Hook’. In this movie, she portrayed a bearded pirate under Captain Hook’s punishment. Despite her brief screen time, which was less than a minute, she reportedly pocketed $250,000 for the unusual part she played.

The high-profile nature of Close’s acting career and the movie’s substantial production cost, overseen by director Steven Spielberg, made her expensive salary quite warranted. Moreover, her lively portrayal left an indelible mark on the Peter Pan storyline, demonstrating that even brief roles can carry significant weight.

Charlie Sheen – ‘Scary Movie 5’ (2013)

In a humorous nod to his notorious image, Charlie Sheen, famous for his role in ‘Two and a Half Men’ (2003-2015), made a brief appearance in ‘Scary Movie 5’. This time, he shared the screen with Lindsay Lohan. The paycheck for this one-day gig was $250,000, reflecting his reputation as a bit of a troublemaker.

He generously contributed $100,000 towards Lohan’s outstanding taxes, keeping some for charitable purposes, demonstrating his kindness beyond mere media attention. The comedic appearance, rich in his unbridled personality, proved to be an expensive yet entertaining enhancement.

Mark Hamill – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in ‘Star Wars’ (1977), made a short, silent reappearance in ‘The Force Awakens’. This fleeting cameo, which occurred towards the end of the movie, fetched him a cool $1 million.

The substantial price tag underscored his esteemed position within the cherished series, as well as the eager fans’ longing for his comeback. Just being there ignited theaters with excitement, demonstrating that a simple look could be priceless.

David Bowie – ‘Zoolander’ (2001)

David Bowie, renowned for hits like ‘Let’s Dance’ (1983), made a brief appearance as himself in the ‘Zoolander’ movie, particularly during a ‘walk-off’ scene. His one-minute role was worth $1 million, reflecting his significant cultural influence.

As a devoted fan, I found David Bowie’s iconic presence in both music and fashion perfectly suited for the satirical setting. The premium cost associated with it instantly lent an air of credibility to the humor, transforming that moment into one I’ll never forget.

Alec Baldwin – ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992)

In the movie ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ from 1990, Alec Baldwin, famous for ‘The Hunt for Red October’, played an aggressive salesman in a brief yet impactful role. His powerful five-minute speech was one of the highlights of the film, and it earned him a cool million dollars.

Baldwin’s dominating aura greatly enhanced the playfulness of the drama, and his stardom made the investment worthwhile. This particular scene is still frequently referenced in film discourse, highlighting the impact of his limited appearance.

Hugh Jackman – ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)

In the film ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2013), the main actor from ‘The Wolverine,’ Hugh Jackman, briefly reappeared as Wolverine without receiving any monetary compensation. Instead, he negotiated a charitable donation to his children’s school in lieu of payment for his 20-second appearance.

In a clever and charismatic manner, Jackman managed to make that moment historic, demonstrating his ability to secure a valuable agreement even without receiving an immediate payment. His terms effectively combined intelligence and compassion.

Sean Connery – ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ (1991)

In the film ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ (1991), Sean Connery, famously known for his role in ‘Goldfinger’ (1964), made a brief appearance as King Richard. This small role earned him $500,000, which he later donated to charity, as reported by biographer Richard Yule.

1. In a fitting conclusion to the movie, Connery’s dignified presence lent an air of royalty, making the expensive production worthwhile. His generous appearance added a touch of kindness to the costly scene, merging stardom with benevolence.

2. The film was brought to a majestic end by Connery’s weighty performance, making every penny spent on it seem justified. His act of generosity during his pricey appearance added a dash of kindness to the memory, combining celebrity status with philanthropy.

3. With a regal flourish, Connery’s solemn demeanor closed the movie in style, validating the high cost. By incorporating an act of generosity into his pricey cameo, he blended star power and goodwill.

4. The film was brought to a fitting close by Connery’s imposing presence, justifying the hefty budget. His charitable gesture during his expensive appearance added a dash of kindness to the memory, combining stardom with philanthropy.

5. In a grand finale, Connery’s serious demeanor gave the film a royal touch, proving the investment was well-spent. By performing an act of kindness in his pricey appearance, he combined star power and generosity.

6. The movie came to a majestic end with Connery’s dignified performance, making each penny spent seem justified. His charitable gesture during his costly appearance added a touch of kindness to the memory, merging celebrity status with philanthropy.

Bill Murray – ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ (2021)

Bill Murray, best known for his role in the 1984 film ‘Ghostbusters’, made a short return to the character Peter Venkman in ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’. It’s said that he pocketed $300,000 for this heartwarming throwback performance, joining other original cast members.

In me, the ardent fan, Murray’s triumphant comeback was nothing short of electrifying! His legendary prowess in comedy undeniably justified the hefty price tag for his cameo. The emotional resonance of his role in the reboot not only connected it to its origins but also made every penny spent on it priceless.

Harry Styles – ‘Eternals’ (2021)

In an unexpected turn of events, the popular musician and actor Harry Styles, who was featured in ‘Dunkirk’ (2017), made a surprise appearance in ‘Eternals’. His role as Eros was limited to just one scene. It’s said that he pocketed approximately $380,000 for his brief Marvel Cinematic Universe debut.

It was worth the investment for Styles’ worldwide recognition and burgeoning acting career, suggesting a larger part in upcoming movies. His presence generated excitement, demonstrating that even brief instances can carry immense influence.

Zendaya – ‘Dune’ (2021)

In ‘Dune’ (2021), Zendaya, renowned from ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, made a brief appearance for only seven minutes as Chani. Her $300,000 salary underscored her growing stardom and the movie’s substantial production costs.

In a small but crucial appearance, Zendaya’s performance laid the groundwork for a more significant role in the following installment. Her captivating charm proved to be a shrewd move in enhancing the appeal of the sci-fi series.

1. Zendaya’s cameo was crucial, setting up her bigger part in the sequel, while her magnetic presence made it a smart investment for the sci-fi epic’s allure.

Benedict Wong – ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)

In the film ‘Shang-Chi’ from 2021, Benedict Wong, known for his role as Doctor Strange’s sorcerer companion in the 2016 movie, appeared in several action-packed sequences. His brief yet impactful appearance in this Marvel blockbuster brought him a paycheck of approximately $2 million.

It was reasonable that Wong received a high payment due to his expanding audience base and significant part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His scenes contributed both humor and consistency, which made his salary a valuable investment for the franchise.

Julia Roberts – ‘Valentine’s Day’ (2010)

In the movie ‘Valentine’s Day’ from 2010, Julia Roberts, renowned for her role in ‘Pretty Woman’ (1990), briefly appeared as an Army captain. Her substantial $3 million salary was primarily due to her A-list standing and past collaborations with director Garry Marshall.

Robert’s charisma significantly increased the allure of the romantic comedy, making her small part a successful marketing move. Her substantial payment underscored her power to attract audiences, regardless of the limited screen time she had.

Bruce Willis – ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ (2004)

In the humorous appearance of Bruce Willis, famously recognized for his role in ‘Die Hard’ (1988), he portrayed himself in ‘Ocean’s Twelve’. The short time he spent on screen was compensated with a whopping $5 million, owing to his action-hero reputation and connections to the franchise.

Willis’ self-conscious acting brought an extra dash of stardom to the already impressive ensemble. The hefty salary underscored Hollywood’s readiness to spend lavishly for a fleeting yet impactful scene.

Dwayne Johnson – ‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001)

Dwayne Johnson, who later became famous in ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (2017), initially made his mark in Hollywood as The Scorpion King in ‘The Mummy Returns’. With just a brief appearance, he earned an impressive $5.5 million – setting a record for first-time actors in the industry.

Appearing as this character resulted in a standalone movie titled ‘The Scorpion King’ (2002), which underscored the worth of that small role. Johnson’s captivating charm and impressive physique validated the substantial investment made for his short screen time.

Ving Rhames – ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

In a nod to ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994), Ving Rhames made a brief appearance as Luther Stickell at the end of ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’. His salary for this friendly reprise was increased significantly, reaching an impressive $7.7 million – a jump from his previous earnings of $3 million.

As a devoted admirer of Rhames within the franchise, I can confidently say that his popularity significantly contributed to the substantial fee associated with his role. The impact of his limited screen time was undeniably powerful, as it skillfully bound the movie together, making the high cost a well-thought-out strategic decision for this blockbuster hit.

2025-07-15 03:15