21 musicians who have made cameos in TV shows and films

Who knew there were so many!

Fergie, Kanye West & Britney Spears

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

There's nothing better than a cameo 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. Enjoy!

Gallery

RADIO singers that made cameos in movies STACKED

cameo1 of 21
CREDIT: David Bowie in Zoolander u00a9 Paramount Pictures

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.

cameo2 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Paramount Pictures

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.

cameo3 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Warner Bros. Pictures

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.

cameo4 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Lions Gate Films

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."

cameo5 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Warner Bros. Pictures

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.

cameo6 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Paramount Pictures

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.

cameo7 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Warner Bros. Pictures

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.

cameo8 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Warner Bros. Pictures

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."

cameo9 of 21
CREDIT: 20th Century Fox

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."

cameo10 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

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.

cameo11 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 New Line Cinema

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."

cameo12 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

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.

cameo13 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

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.

cameo14 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

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.

cameo15 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

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.

cameo16 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

Jennifer Lopez, How I Met Your Mother

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

cameo17 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 CBS

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.

cameo18 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 Columbia Pictures

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.

cameo19 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 ABC

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.

cameo20 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 HBO

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!

cameo21 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 ABC

Adele, Ugly Betty

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

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio."

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us