When it comes to seeing people portrayed on the big screen, most audiences have become relatively used to the status quo. Therefore, it sometimes takes a little more than a decent plot to get people excited about a movie that is designed to tell the story of a particular person’s life. One way that Hollywood gets people excited is by having the real individual who is being portrayed in the movie show up for a cameo. More often than not, these people will play a character that is so deeply entrenched in the background that most people scarcely even notice their presence. However, these cameos make a lot of people more interested in seeing a particular film, especially if those people have a vested interest in the life of the individual who is being portrayed.
Below is a list of some of the most popular movies to feature cameos of real people. You just might be surprised who actually shows up in some of these films.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Most people are familiar with this movie because it stars Johnny Depp as Hunter S. Thompson. Some people might not recognize anything beyond that fact, but the most interesting thing to note is that Thompson actually appears for a short stint in the movie.
Erin Brockovich
Most people have seen this movie and some can claim seeing it several times over without compromising a shred of truth. While Julia Roberts has become largely known for this role, to the point that she is often considered to be synonymous with it, the real Erin Brockovich also had a cameo in the film. It goes by so fast you might not have even noticed her, but she plays a waitress by the name of Julia.
The Basketball Diaries
Jim Carroll, the writer of his autobiographic story is in the film and plays a drug dealer. The role of Jim Caroll was brilliantly played by Leonardo DiCaprio. If you haven’t had a chance to see this film then you should. It’ll go to show you just how great an actor DiCaprio’s been since a very early age.
United 93
Without a doubt, this is one of the saddest and most intensely emotional movies that has ever been made. Detailing the final moments of the passengers of United Flight 93 on September 11th, 2001, this movie attempts to piece together what likely happened on the airplane, as well as what was going on in the lives of the individuals who were closest to the passengers. In the movie, FAA Operations Manager Ben Sliney plays himself. You can see a video at http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2749366553
As you can see, a lot of movies go out of their way to integrate the individuals who are being portrayed into the script in one way or another. Sometimes the individuals in question play themselves and other times they show up as additional characters, almost in the form of extras, while an A-list star depicts their real life. Either way, the very idea of including the people who are really involved in some of the most pivotal moments in history makes it a lot more interesting to watch movies, even if they are only on the screen for a few seconds.
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