Image via Complex Original
The music video cameo adds a much-needed star power punch to trash music, but—little-known fact—it can also be a purposeful complement to a decent record as well. Most cameos aren't all that shocking: basketball star likes rapper part 2,032, celebrity couple banks off of celeb status part 3,084, etc. But there are also the random celebrity cameos that genuinely shake the ground we stand upon.
OK, maybe nothing that radical, but still, the more unexpected cameos are fun reminders that the entertainment industry is not just a machine for self-perpetuation of celebrity and self-congratulation—although it is that too—but a chance for artists to show their good (or bad) tastes, or a place for a yet-to-be-famous actor to look back on with bemused embarrassment. Here, we take a look at some of the more strange and unexpected celebrity cameos from the past 25 or so years of popular music culture.
Stacey Dash in Kanye West's "All Falls Down"
Stacey Dash's appearance in Kanye West's 2004 video for "All Falls Down" was somewhat unexpected; after all, the high point of her filmography to that date was 1995's Clueless, almost a decade earlier. But the "Dash" is no coincidence: Stacey was first cousins with Damon, then heading up Roc-A-Fella Records, the label to which Kanye was signed. Her allegiance to her cousin almost makes you wonder if her interest in Jayonce's trip to a communist regime was motivated by more than politics.
Aaron Paul in KoRn's "Thoughtless"
Believe it or not, KoRn was insanely popular in 2002, and Breaking Bad didn't even exist. Since that time, everything's flipped upside down: Everyone has spent 225,000 hours practicing Aaron Paul's trademark explicative in a mirror while KoRn is as old today as INXS was when KoRn released "Thoughtless." Probably—we haven't actually done that math. But it feels right. Just like Jesse Pinkman starring in a KoRn video feels right.
Frodo Baggins in the Beastie Boys' "Make Some Noise"
That's right, the loveable, irascible hobbit Frodo Baggins, who is a real person and celebrity not in any way portrayed by Elijah Wood, appeared in a Beastie Boys video. Although you won't recognize his trademark furry feet or dangerous addiction to a powerful magic ring, he's joined by definitely real human celebrities Kenny Powers and that guy from Knocked Up. Unexpected? I'd say so—I thought hobbits were fictional characters. Quite a cameo!
Barry Bonds in David Banner's "Get Like Me"
In 2007, Kanye West and Lil Wayne recorded the single "Barry Bonds" for his album Graduation. The hook? "Here's another hit, Barry Bonds." Was it a hit? No. In fact, it was never even released as a single, though five other tracks off the album were. Barry Bonds, no doubt infuriated about missing his shot at a music video cameo, ended up on David Banner's "Get Like Me," a pseudo-Young Joc track (featuring Young Joc and Chris Brown) instead.
Ben Affleck in Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny From the Block"
OK, so this isn't surprising because the two were obviously dating. But it is surprising that Ben would turn on the Beatnuts—whose original "Watch Out Now" Enoch Light sample the Trackmasters ganked for "Jenny From the Block"—considering how fire the original is. It is also surprising that Ben was in this video because he is not from the proverbial block.
Danny Bonaduce in Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride"
An eagle-eyed Yahoo! Answers poster identified Danny Bonaduce—that's right, Danny Partridge from lauded '70s sitcom The Partridge Family—as making a cameo appearance at 3:33, 4:53, and 5:03 in Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride" video. We do not have official confirmation, but it feels right. Either that or Louis C.K. has a time machine.
Anna Kournikova in Enrique Iglesias' "Escape"
It would be extraordinarily confusing as to why Anna Kournikova, a third-rate tennis player who never even won a WTA singles title, would be treated to "cameo" status in a high-profile Enrique Iglesias video, except for the fact that they are dating. She didn't even continue to play after turning 21 years of age due to severe back injuries. It’s very unexpected to have such a low-ranking tennis player take a star turn on such a popular record, but, as it turns out, love conquers all.
Sofia Coppola in Madonna's "Deeper and Deeper"
Sofia Coppola is now celebrated as a director of films like Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides. But before that, she was merely known for her genetic similarities to the director of The Godfather, her father, Francis Ford Coppola. Perhaps Madonna saw something in the young director-to-be, as she gave her a scant several seconds (check the 1:10 mark) in Madonna's underrated "Deeper and Deeper" music video.
George Wendt in Michael Jackson's "Black or White"
Everyone knows MacaulayCulkin was the big-name cameo of Michael Jackson's epic "Black or White" music video. But did you know that the music video also starred celebrated barfly Norm Peterson of television's long-running sitcom, Cheers? This is a true story, and Cheers is on Netflix, so it's worth getting caught up with it. Some of our younger readers may recall actor George Wendt (who played Norm) as the piggy bank character from Toy Story—where he also excelled.
Christopher Walken in Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice"
This one was so surprising when it happened that it almost doesn't feel shocking any more. Nonetheless, it's the archetypal unexpected music video cameo for a reason: Watching Walken's prancing performance makes this song work, to the extent that you can't really talk about "Weapon of Choice" without thinking of the video. It was the cameo that made the song, rather than the other way around.
