Horror films are notorious for including celebrity cameos in their twisted tales of horror. Some of these cameos are very well-known, others… not so much. I thought it would be fun to inform you of some cameos and then let you guys add in others on our Facebook page or even on this article itself. I had originally included Johnny Depp on this list for his role in A Nightmare On Elm Street, but I feel like he played a “role” more than a “cameo.” So here is a list of cameos in horror films. Make sure to tell me ones that you know of that I didn’t include.
Wes Craven in Diary of The Dead – Wes Craven usually includes himself in each film he makes, but did you know he appears in George A. Romero’s Diary of The Dead in 2007? Sure, the role is off-screen, but Craven lends his voice as newscaster on the radio.
*Diary of The Dead also includes cameos by Stephen King, Tom Savini, Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, and George A. Romero.
George A. Romero in The Silence of the Lambs – Speaking of Romero, did you know that George also appears in a “blink and you’ll miss it” cameo as an FBI agent holding Clarice back during one of her encounters with the sinister Hannibal Lecter in 1991.
Adrienne Barbeau in Rob Zombie’s Halloween – Being one of the best scream queens from the golden age of horror, Adrienne Barbeau is not one to shy away from roles in horror films. She has 12 horror films to her credit…errr, make that 13. Barbeau does appear in Rob Zombie’s Halloween in 2007 as a receptionist in a deleted scene. The scene does show up on the DVD of the film, although it doesn’t show up on IMDB. Hm…
Janet Leigh in Halloween: H20 – After appearing in one of the most iconic roles in horror history, Marion in Psycho in 1960, Janet Leigh had a lucrative career in film. Her career tapered off in the 1980s, but Janet made one last return to horror in Halloween: H20 back in 1998. She plays another school teacher who briefly talks to Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis, her real life daughter) outside the school.
Carrie Fisher in Scream 3 – Star Wars fans know the name Carrie Fisher anywhere, Hell, most film buffs know her name anywhere. But, did you know that Carrie Fisher appeared as a file clerk in Scream 3 in 2000. The script and scene that her character, Bianca, appears in even pokes fun at the cameo – “You look like…” “Carrie Fisher? I hear it all the time.”
*Scream 3 also contains a cameo by Jay and Silent Bob of Clerks fame.
Jane Wiedlin in Clue – Jane Wiedlin is most known as being one of the members of the Grammy nominated, platinum selling punk girl bad The Go-Go’s. It may not be so much of a “horror” film as it is “mystery” and “suspense,” but Jane appears as the singing telegram girl in 1985’s Clue.
Vanna White in Graduation Day – Ah, the attractive woman who turned the boxes on Wheel of Fortune for 29 years. Vanna White is a staple of game show talent. Vanna has acted in only 9 films, but one of them is the 1981 horror film Graduation Day. Apparently she plays a snobby school girl…
Fran Drescher in Santa’s Slay – This loud mouthed, annoying laugh-ed actress has a very long career in sitcoms. From The Nanny to Living with Fran to Happily Divorced, she’s done it all. However, in 2005 Fran dipped into the horror genre in the indie horror-comedy Santa’s Slay. I think most folks were happy to see her lit on fire and butchered.
Tiffany “New York” Pollard in Screech of the Decapitated – I saved the most obnoxious for last. Reality TV junkies like myself will remember Tiffany Pollard by her nickname “New York” which she used on VH1’s Flavor of Love and I Love New York. Before Tiffany became a reality TV legend, she made the briefest of brief cameos in an indie horror film called Screech of the Decapitated. Now, apparently, Tiffany is seeking a profession career as an actress, which is horrific within itself.
