Directors Who Surprised Us by Appearing in Each Other’s Films!

It’s quite common for film directors to act in their own productions, with Alfred Hitchcock and Quentin Tarantino being notable examples who frequently made appearances in their films. However, it’s less common for a director to appear in another director’s movie. Although it doesn’t happen often, there are some fascinating instances of this collaboration. So, let’s dive right into our list of directors who have acted in other directors’ movies.

Steven Spielberg – The Blues Brothers

Prior to the unfortunate incident on the filming location of ‘The Twilight Zone’, John Landis and Steven Spielberg were quite close friends indeed. In fact, their friendship was so strong that Spielberg made a brief appearance in one of Landis’ iconic productions, ‘The Blues Brothers’. Here, Spielberg portrayed the Cook County Accessor, handing over payment to Jake and Elwood at the end of the movie.

David Lynch – The Fablemans

In an intriguing twist, David Lynch portrays the role of renowned director John Ford in Steven Spielberg’s film, “The Fablemans“. Not commonly seen on screen, even within his own productions, it’s an engaging scene featuring a cinematic titan, playing another icon, as another legend.

John Landis – Spider-man 2

John Landis, on two occasions, made appearances in films directed by Sam Raimi, each time portraying a doctor. Notably, he starred as a physician who met an untimely end at the hands of Doctor Octopus following a surgery scene in Spider-Man 2. This brief instance is effortlessly overlooked and passes by swiftly.

David Fincher – Being John Malkovich

David Fincher sometimes makes brief appearances in his own films, such as providing the voice of John Doe on the phone to maintain a surprise later. Additionally, he has made cameos in other directors’ works, most notably appearing as a puppeteer in Spike Jonze’s film “Being John Malkovich.

Roger Corman – The Silence Of The Lambs

Notably, Roger Corman, famed for his B-movie directing, often appears in other directors’ projects. This practice makes sense given his status as an influential figure for numerous filmmakers who were inspired by his films. In Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” Corman can be spotted playing the FBI director in a single scene.

George Lucas – Beverly Hills Cop III

The third installment of Beverly Hills Cop isn’t very good, but it was eventually made up for with Axel F. However, there’s a particularly amusing appearance in the film when George Lucas, surprisingly, shows up as an upset visitor at the amusement park that plays a significant role in the plot.

Tim Burton – Singles

Tim Burton, who isn’t typically seen acting in front of the camera, has only a handful of acting appearances to his name, one of which is in Cameron Crowe’s movie “Singles.” Interestingly enough, Crowe also makes a brief appearance in this film as well.

Sam Raimi – Miller’s Crossing

Sam Raimi is a versatile director who has acted in numerous films, some of which are his own productions and others from directors he’s close with. For instance, you may recognize him in the Coen Brothers’ film “Miller’s Crossing.” Similarly, he also appears in another Coen Brothers production titled “The Hudsucker Proxy.

Gus Van Sant – The Canyons

As a cinephile reflecting on bygone cinematic moments, I must mention Gus Van Sant’s notable role in The Canyons, a film that, upon its 2013 release, seemed to elude the limelight. In stark contrast to his usual brief appearances, Van Sant, in this production, donned the role of a psychologist with lines aplenty, setting him apart from many others on this list.

Quentin Tarantino – Sleep With Me

Quentin Tarantino often enjoys acting in his self-directed films, but long before he became a top Hollywood director, he made appearances in movies not under his direction. For instance, in the film “Sleep With Me,” directed by Rory Kelly and released a month prior to “Pulp Fiction,” Tarantino played an entertaining character who offered an unconventional analysis of the movie “Top Gun.

Martin Scorsese – Quiz Show

One of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic on-screen appearances is as a passenger in the taxi driven by Travis (Robert De Niro) in his own film, “Taxi Driver.” Additionally, he can be seen in the movie “Quiz Show,” which was directed by Robert Redford.

Tobe Hooper – Sleepwalkers

Tobe Hooper is renowned as a horror movie icon, best known for directing the groundbreaking slasher film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, during the 1970s. Interestingly, in 1992, he made a brief appearance in a cameo role, collaborating with Stephen King on the movie adaptation of King’s novel, Sleepwalkers.

John Waters – Something Wild

As a cinephile, I’ve had the pleasure of starring in several of my own films, but every now and then, I find myself appearing in other directors’ works too – like the 1986 gem “Something Wild” directed by the brilliant Jonathan Demme. In this movie, I took on a shady car dealer role that was simply electrifying and added a dash of excitement to the film.

Amy Heckerling – Into The Night

1985’s “Into the Night” marked John Landis’ comeback to directing, following his acquittal from manslaughter charges stemming from the unfortunate incident during the production of “The Twilight Zone” film. Interestingly, director Amy Heckerling made a brief appearance in the movie, playing a waitress.

Jonathan Demme – That Thing You Do!

In a fitting twist, Jonathan Demme, known for including other directors in his movies, takes on the role of a film director in “That Thing You Do!“. It’s a minor part, as expected, and it’s one of the rare instances where Demme acted in another director’s production. Another such instance is his appearance in John Landis’ “Into the Night“.

Roger Corman – The Godfather Part II

Roger Corman, a highly influential film director throughout history, made brief appearances in various productions during his career. One of his most notable cameos occurred in “The Godfather Part II,” where he portrayed one of the senators interrogating Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, in the renowned Francis Ford Coppola movie.

Spike Jonze – The Game

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must confess that it was quite intriguing when Spike Jonze reciprocated his debut collaboration with David Fincher, following their groundbreaking work on “Being John Malkovich”. Interestingly enough, before this exchange of favors, Jonze graced the screen in one of Fincher’s often overlooked masterpieces – “The Game”, a testament to the directorial prowess of a heavyweight filmmaker.

Wes Craven – Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back

24 times, as per IMDB, the late Wes Craven made appearances in films or television shows, predominantly in his own productions. However, an exception was when he starred in Kevin Smith’s “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” portraying a character resembling himself, directing a comical adaptation of “Scream.

Frank Oz – Spies Like Us

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at Frank Oz’s diverse acting career, spanning iconic films like “The Blues Brothers,” “Trading Places,” and “Knives Out.” But let’s not forget his puppet and voice work that have brought us timeless characters. One of my favorite instances was when he made a memorable cameo in the hilarious “Spies Like Us,” where he played the witty proctor of a civil service exam. It’s a classic moment and, without a doubt, one of the funniest scenes in the entire movie!

Cameron Crowe – Minority Report

Cameron Crowe briefly appears as a man on public transportation in Steven Spielberg’s film “Minority Report.” If you blink or aren’t familiar with his appearance, you might miss him. Remarkably, Cameron Diaz can also be spotted in the backdrop during the same scene.

Robert Downey, Sr. – Boogie Nights

Back in his time, Robert Downey Sr. had quite a reputation. Although his son has since outshone him in terms of fame, it’s important to note that he maintained a significant level of respect within the industry until the end of his life. For instance, Paul Thomas Anderson chose to include him in a cameo role in the movie “Boogie Nights.

Frank Darabont – King Kong

Many people consider “The Shawshank Redemption” from the 1990s as their top movie pick. Unlike other works by its director, Frank Darabont, who is known for not appearing in his films, he does make a fleeting appearance in Peter Jackson’s “King Kong”. This role, similar to others, can easily be missed if you blink.

Lawrence Kasdan – As Good As It Gets

Known primarily for penning the scripts for “Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan has also directed films such as “Grand Canyon,” “The Big Chill,” and “Silverado.” Occasionally, he’s stepped into acting roles like his part in “As Good As It Gets,” which was directed by James L. Brooks, creator of the popular TV series “The Simpsons.” In this movie, Kasdan portrayed a psychologist.

James Cameron – The Muse

In The Muse, helmed by Albert Brooks, you’ll spot several notable directors such as Martin Scorsese and Rob Reiner making brief appearances. Interestingly, even behind the lens for a change, you can find director James Cameron, who doesn’t have many acting roles under his belt.

Mel Brooks – The Muppet Movie

It’s no wonder to catch Mel Brooks on the big screen, but it’s uncommon to find him in a film where he didn’t pen or direct the script. This is what makes his appearance as the wicked Professor Krassman in The Muppet Movie, an enjoyable twist. It’s worth mentioning that while his role was charming, it didn’t add to his EGOT achievements.

Eli Roth – Inglourious Basterds

Eli Roth is equally known for his acting skills as he is for his directing, but he’s primarily focused on directing lately. While he does make appearances in his own movies, he has also worked with Quentin Tarantino a couple of times. Their first collaboration was in the movie “Death Proof,” followed by a more significant role in “Inglourious Basterds.

Jim Jarmusch – Sling Blade

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the distinct directorial flair of Jim Jarmusch, so it comes as no surprise that he would lend his talents to a film with an equally unique perspective, “Sling Blade,” directed by and starring Billy Bob Thornton. In this movie, Jarmusch takes on the role of a food truck server, dishing out crispy French fried potatoes.

David Cronenberg – Jason X

David Cronenberg boasts a notable association with the Friday The 13th series, as he directed an episode of Friday the 13th: The Series back in 1988. Later on, he made a brief appearance in Jason X.

John Sayles – Malcolm X

I’ve had the pleasure of admiring the exceptional filmmaking skills of John Sayles throughout my life, with notable works such as “Eight Men Out” and “Passion Fish.” While he’s predominantly known for his directorial prowess, he’s also dabbled in acting, often appearing in brief yet impactful roles, like the unforgettable FBI agent in Spike Lee’s timeless masterpiece, “Malcolm X.

Werner Herzog – Jack Reacher

The German filmmaker is not hesitant to be on camera, frequently featuring himself in his films and occasionally taking on roles outside of them, such as his captivating portrayal in The Mandalorian on Disney Plus. He also delivers a memorable cameo in the 2012 film Jack Reacher, which stars Tom Cruise.

Martin Brest – Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Prior to becoming a renowned director of ’80s films like “Beverly Hills Cop” and the less-acknowledged gem “Midnight Run, Martin Brest initially had a minor acting part as a coroner in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” directed by Amy Heckerling.

Orson Welles – The Muppet Movie

In “The Muppet Movie,” Mel Brooks plays a significant part, but he’s not the only director to make an appearance. The legendary Orson Welles is also in the film. Notably, Welles was a fervent admirer of Jim Henson and the Muppets, collaborating with them on multiple occasions as well.

2025-03-01 09:09