Favorite Movie-TV Cameo

McLuhan in Annie Hall was the first one I thought of.

But I think the all-timer from a sports perspective is Xavier McDaniel in Singles (language slightly NSFW):

Cameron Crowe-written and/or directed movies always have good sports cameos, actually. Stu Nahan in Fast Times at Ridgemont High was great, as were many of the ESPN guys and pro athletes in Jerry Maguire.

 

One of the great crimes of the last 20 years is that Baldwin wasn't even nominated for an Oscar for Glengarry Glen Ross.

That scene, as well as Gary Oldman's scene in True Romance are two of my favorite scenes ever.

 

Ray Charles and James Brown in The Blue Brothers

 

All of the above are great - but I think there is a difference between an actor playing a short part (like Baldwin) and when just the appearance of someone IS the point. (Like Mike Tyson in The Hangover).

Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore is top 10 - easily. Throw in Jack Nicholson in Broadcast News.

 

Marlon Brando in The Freshman. Not a real cameo but Brando as Carmine Sabatini as Don Corleone

Kareem and Barbara Billingsly in Airplane

 

Barbra popping up at the end of Linda Richman's show ... with Madonna and Roseanne sitting there.

"LIKE BUTTER!!!"

 

Nice call on Barker in Happy Gilmore.

 

Ethel Merman in Airplane II

 

The absurdity of SNL's Janet Reno's Dance Party was capped when Reno herself showed in the last skit.
And Mel Brook's Silent Movie is nothing but cameos.

 

With mime Marcel Marceau --- who had the only speaking part in the film --- being the most notable.

 

Bill Murray in Zombieland. Hands down.

 

Speaking of Bill: Mary Lou Retton and Lee Majors in Scrooged. And I don't know if his turn in Wild Things qualified, but it was a nice turn.