5 Best Celebrity Cameos in Video Games (2023)

Every now and again, the worlds of gaming and filmmaking collide with a celebrity cameo. Sometimes it's because celebrities are fans of the game and manage to persuade producers to sneak them in. Other times it could be that an actor's role from a certain film or TV show would make for a perfect crossover DLC. Alternatively, the cameos in the game are simply an easter egg or a surprise to the players. In any case, we have five of the best celebrity cameos for you right here.

This should go without saying, but because some of the cameos mentioned are intended to be a surprise, let it be known that there are spoilers in this list!

5. Dead By Daylight – Nicolas Cage

We guess “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” never really goes away, as Nicolas Cage's celebrity stardom carries him all the way into the video game Dead By Daylight. However, there is good reasoning as to why. Recently, Nicolas Cage played Conde Dracula in the new horror/comedy movie Renfield. The movie is based on vampires and Cage happens to play the King de Kunta himself – Mr. Dracula. So there is still good reasoning behind the celebrity's cameo. Nonetheless, we still can't help but chuckle a bit at the thought of it.

We still have to wait until July 5th to find out if Nicolas Cage is coming to the game as himself, or if he'll be portraying his role as Conde Dracula and becoming another playable killer. Our guess would be as a killer in the form of Conde Dracula. Either way, he'll join a long line of other notable horror movie characters, such as Michael Myers and Freddy Kreuger, if he does. So, in the good spirit of horror movie history, we think this is one of the best celebrity cameos in video games.

4. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Temuera Morrison

Despite being a galactic bounty hunter who is constantly attempting to assassinate our favorite Jedi, Boba Fett, and his father before him, Jango Fett, are beloved Star Wars characters. That's why it's a nice surprise once you find out that Boba Fett actually makes an appearance in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

After defeating 16/16 bounty hunters in the “bounties” rumor chain, players will encounter the 17th secret bounty hunter, Caij. He is, however, merely a pawn in the hands of the true guest of honor, Boba Fett. That's right, the iconic bounty hunter swings in and kills Caij, claiming the bounty and threatening Cal Kestis with a similar fate if he doesn't depart.

So, how is this one of the best celebrity cameos if there is no celebrity? Well, you may be surprised to know that Boba Fett is actually voiced by Temuera Morrison, the original actor of Jango Fett in The Clone Wars movie. Still, over 20 years ago, Morrison is keeping the father-son bounty hunter roles alive. Not only in Jedi: Survivor but also in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+. As a result, we'd easily have to consider this one of the best celebrity cameos in video games.

3. Marvel's Spider-Man – Stan Lee

Everyone is familiar with Stan Lee's cameos in Marvel films. As long as the superhero is Marvel-based, the famed comic book writer always finds a way to sneak himself into their film. In fact, he was even able to make his way into Marvel's Spider-Man by Insomniac Games.

While progressing through the main storyline, players come across a cutscene in which MJ and Peter meet at a restaurant. The two characters are adorable as usual, but the entire situation is topped off when Stan Lee – the restaurant owner – walks in to note how this couple used to be his favorite back when they were dating. It's not all that surprising of a cameo, but for poking fun at the MJ and Peter love drama, we still consider it to be one of the best celebrity cameos in video games.

2. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – Idris Elba

With his performance as Johhny Silverhand, Keanu Reeves will always be the poster child for Cyberpunk 2077. However, another famous actor is looking to join Johnny Silverhands' prominence in the metropolis that is Nightlife City, this time in the Phantom Liberty DLC. Unveiled in the gameplay trailer, we now know that Idris Elba will be playing sleeper agent Solomon Reed in the new Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty DLC.

This will be Idris Elba's fourth and most prominent video game appearance. Previously, he had done voice acting gigs, however, none of them were significant enough to garner media attention. Nonetheless, seeing the famous actors' face emerge in Cyberpunk 2077 was a pleasant surprise for everyone, and will most definitely make for one of the best celebrity cameos in video games in 2023.

1. Death Stranding – Conan O'Brien

Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding may hold a record for celebrity cameos in a videogame. There's no denying that the game has a star-studded cast, including The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus as protagonist Sam Porter Bridges, Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff Unger, Léa Seydoux as Fragile, and others. But that's not who we're talking about. There are 12 celebrity cameos in the game for players to uncover, all in the form of holograms that Sam Porter Bridges interacts with.

The best of all those celebrity cameos, however, has to go to none other than famous talk show host Conan O'Brien – someone we never thought would make a cameo in a video game. Nonetheless, his appearance in Death Stranding is brief and packed with one-liners. He also sends players on a side mission that rewards them with an Otter hat. The entire exchange is weird, but we wouldn't expect anything less from the comedic host himself. In any case, because of how unexpected it is, this has to be one of the best celebrity cameos in video games.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other celebrity cameos in video games you think are best? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!