21 musicians who have made cameos in TV shows and films

Who knew there were so many!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 20th Apr 2021
Last updated 20th Apr 2021

There's nothing better than a cameos by a celebrity in a TV show or a film. Even better when it's only for a brief moment - so you're not really sure whether it was them, and end up frantically trawling through IMDb to check you didn't make it up.

Over the years, plenty of famous people have made cameos and guest starred in various television series and movies - but what about musicians and singers, who are more used to showing off their musical talents rather than trying out acting on their favourite show?

We've rounded up a list of singers who have tried their hand at a cameo in one way or another.

21 musicians who have made cameos in TV shows and films:

David Bowie, Zoolander

Legendary singer David Bowie played a crucial part in the original Zoolander film, briefly starring as himself to judge the "walk-off" between Derek and Hansel. Actor Ben Stiller later said he was "in shock" that David agreed to be in it.

Justin Bieber, Zoolander 2

Biebs also starred as himself in sequel Zoolander 2, but didn't last very long as he got killed pretty early on in the film.

Gwen Stefani, The Aviator

No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani portrayed 1930s actress Jean Harlow in the film starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Director Martin Scorsese cast her as his daughter was a huge No Doubt fan.

Alanis Morissette, Dogma

'Ironic' singer Alanis Morissette portrayed the character of God in the Ben Affleck/Matt Damon flick, with director Kevin Smith calling her "otherworldly" and "ethereal."

Fergie, Poseidon

Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie was actually a child actor, so it's no surprise that she returned to the screen as an adult. She starred as lounge singer Gloria in the 2006 remake Poseidon starring Kurt Russell.

Kanye West, The Love Guru

Yeezy has actually had cameos in many films and TV shows, but 2008 film The Love Guru is probably his most well-known cameo, as he starred as himself, exclaiming, "I love hockey!" whilst watching a hockey match.

Jarvis Cocker, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the lead singer of wizarding band The Weird Sisters, who perform at the Yule Ball. The band also featured Jarvis' Pulp bandmate Steve Mackey as well as Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway from Radiohead.

Ian Brown, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The Stone Roses singer Ian Brown had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the third installment of the Harry Potter films as a wizard stirring his drink with magic whilst reading 'A Brief History of Time' by Stephen Hawking sat in the Leaky Cauldron pub in the fictitious village of Hogsmeade.


Brown told NME, "The director is a friend of my girl and he said, 'I've got a part if you want it. I asked my sons, and they were like, 'Do it!' I did it for my sons. My brief was to be a romantic, bohemian wizard. I was into that."

Madonna, Die Another Day

After providing the title track for 2002 James Bond flick Die Another Day, Madonna also appeared in the film very briefly as fencing coach Verity who tutors Olympic hopefuls and tells Pierce Brosnan's Bond, "I see you handle your weapon well."

Dave Grohl, The Muppets

Nirvana and Foo Fighters musician Dave Grohl starred in the 2011 reboot film The Muppets as a drummer in rival band the Moopets named Animool. He later had a drum-off with Animal a few years later in the TV series.

Britney Spears, Austin Powers in Goldmember

It turns out that Britney's appearance as herself in the third Austin Powers film was all down to Beyoncé. She told the Calgary Sun, "She called me. She said she desperately wanted to be in the movie and wanted to wear a bra that shot bullets. We managed to accommodate her requests."

Britney Spears, How I Met Your Mother

But our Brit also appeared in three episodes of US sitcom How I Met Your Mother as Abby the receptionist who is obsessed with main character Ted Mosby and ends up dating his best friend, Barney Stinson.

Katy Perry, How I Met Your Mother

The TV show is no stranger to a celebrity cameo, also featuring Katy Perry as Honey – a very gullible character that Ted briefly dates.

Nicole Scherzinger, How I Met Your Mother

Pussycat Doll Nicole starred as Jessica Glitter, Robin's fellow teen popstar friend who she grew apart from after Jessica had a baby.

Enrique Iglesias, How I Met Your Mother

Enrique starred in the series as Robin's exotic lover Gael who incites jealousy from Robin's ex-boyfriend Ted.

Jennifer Lopez, How I Met Your Mother

JLo had a brief cameo as a love interest for Barney Stinson, an author named Anita.

Carrie Underwood, How I Met Your Mother

The last of our HIMYM cameos, country singer Carrie Underwood starred as a love interest for Ted, a pharmaceutical representative who kept him hanging on.

Macy Gray, Spider-Man

'I Try' crooner Macy Gray featured very briefly as herself performing at a concert in the first Spider-Man film in 2002 starring Tobey Maguire as the main man.

Demi Lovato, Grey's Anatomy

Singer Demi Lovato was a child actor, starring in plenty of shows on the Disney Channel. She guest starred in an episode of Grey's Anatomy playing Hayley, a girl who could hear everything that was going on inside her body. Scary stuff.

Ed Sheeran, Game Of Thrones

Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran had a very brief spot in TV juggernaut Game Of Thrones as a soldier who was, of course, singing!

Adele, Ugly Betty

Adele starred in beloved American sitcom Ugly Betty back in 2009 as herself taking part in a photoshoot for Betty.

Who knew?!

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