There is nothing fans love more than seeing their favorite actors being able to make fun of themselves; that’s part of the appeal of watching people host Saturday Night Live, after all. The postmodern, self-referential irony of playing oneself in a performance shows an audience that the actor is a real person and is able to joke around; it paradoxically increases a celebrity’s likeability when they can be seen less like a celebrity and more like a ‘regular’ person. Fans adore having the knowledge that their favorite actor is even slightly down-to-earth, and it in turn colors the perception people have of their acting performances. This is why the roles that require an actor to play themselves can sometimes be their most well-known or beloved.
Techincally, people play themselves everday, but some actors take playing themselves to a whole new level. While the idea of playing yourself in a movie seems simple, it can be done in ways in which the actor is challenged for the role. In order for people to play themselves well in a movie, they must be able to laugh at themselves and be the butt of the joke, requiring thick skin and the ability to recognize one’s public persona and make fun of the image the public associates with it. Nicolas Cage undoubtedly has this skill; in the upcoming The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Cage is set to literally and figuratively play himself in a way that emulates all of his most famous roles in the past. This kind of meta performance often seems easier than it actually is, which may be why many actors never do it. However, it often reaps many creative awards, as attested to in the following films. Until The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is released, here are some great films in which actors play themselves.
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4 John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich
John Malkovich plays the titular role of himself in Being John Malkovich. In this film, Malkovich not only plays himself but also somehow plays many other characters in the film. The setting of the film is the conciousness of actor John Malkovich, and characters in the film (John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and others) find a way to enter into it and attempt to control it. In Malkovich’s mind, he sometimes plays every character– men, women, and children all have John’s face, and simply say the word “Malkovich!” The film may not be a laugh-out-loud comedy to many, but is instead a meta-fictional think-piece. This role would have been extremely challenging for most actors in Hollywood but Malkovich appears like he doesn’t even try, tapping into his weird public persona as one of the most well-known character actors in Hollywood who is able to thrive on playing challenging parts. Malkovich is what makes this film, and his ability to shift performances based upon the characters who control his consciousness is utterly brilliant. If this film were about anyone but Malkovich, well, it wouldn’t have a title.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
3 Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
New Line Cinema
Neil Patrick Harris’ role in the original Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle may have been very minimal, but was monumental for Harris as an actor. Up until this film, Harris was known as a child actor and was lovingly referred to as “Doogie” in refernce to his childhood role. However, in the first Harold and Kumar, Harris plays a version of himself who is the polar opposite of his Doogie persona in every way– this version of Harris is dirtier, messier, and constantly seeking out coke and strippers. This satirical version iof himself allowed Harris to shed the childish persona he previously had and move into adult acting, allowing Harris to get his infamous role in How I Met Your Mother and hilarious, extended performances in the ensuing Harold and Kumar films. Without Harris being able to play himself here, he may have never had an acting career after Doogie Howser MD.
2 Bill Murray in Zombieland
Sony Pictures Releasing
Bill Murray’s cameo in Zombieland is one of the most iconic cameos and a brilliantly bried and memorable example an actor playing themselves. When people think of an actor playing themselves, this particular role is the one which comes to mind. In this film, Murray plays himself but is able to do so in a very comical manner. Murray’s version of himself pretends to be undead in order to survive the zombie apocalypse, hanging out in his massive mansion and having a grand ol’ time. Not only is this objectively hilarious but it is also something that many fans could see Bill Murray doing in real life. As per usual, Murray’s comedic timing is impeccable and, despite not being a main character in the film, he makes a major impact on all who watch. His exit from the film is just as funny.
1 The Entire Cast of This is The End
In most films where actors appear as themselves, it’s usually a singular cameo, but This is The End allows every actor to play heightened, insane versions of themselves. The film’s basic plot revolves around a large group of celebrities who have come together to have a debauched party, when suddenly the apocalypse strikes. The cast all plays satirical versions of themselves but the most impressive part of the film is how the actors are able to build off one another in improvisatory ways. The cast was very tightly knit, so the actors on set not only worked well together but were able to comedically bounce off of each other. This made the film a million times funnier and allowed the cast room to create hysterical, realistic banter. The best part about this film is being able to glimpse the amount of fun that such a large group of actors had being able to make fun of the personas which they (and society) had crafted.
