Celebrities who appeared in music videos

Courteney Cox – Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)

Before Monica Geller danced her way into our hearts on “Friends,” Courteney Cox was already making moves on stage with The Boss himself.

The 1984 music video for Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” became Cox’s big break when she was randomly selected from the audience to dance with the rock legend.

Director Brian De Palma chose Cox precisely because of her shy, genuine energy that worked perfectly for the video’s concept. The iconic moment launched Cox’s career and became one of the most memorable music video cameos in MTV history.

Alicia Silverstone – Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” (1993)

Alicia Silverstone became the undisputed star of music videos before “Clueless” made her a household name. Her first appearance in Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” showcased her as a rebellious teenager seeking revenge after discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity.

The video won multiple MTV Video Music Awards including Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice. This was just the beginning of what Rolling Stone calls “the greatest rock video trilogy of all time.”

Christopher Walken – Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” (2001)

Christopher Walken shocked audiences by trading his intense movie persona for mesmerizing dance moves in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice”. Director Spike Jonze discovered that the notoriously serious actor had actually trained as a dancer early in his career.

The performance was completely authentic – Walken did all his own dancing and wire work. The video won multiple awards at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards and earned a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.

Keanu Reeves – Paula Abdul’s “Rush Rush” (1991)

Keanu Reeves channeled James Dean in Paula Abdul’s “Rush Rush,” a shot-for-shot homage to “Rebel Without a Cause”. The video premiered during Reeves’ breakthrough year of 1991, helping transform his image from comedy goofball to serious leading man.

This music video appearance came at a pivotal moment in Reeves’ career, sandwiched between “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and his later action roles. Many fans consider this the moment when Keanu became a true Hollywood heartthrob.

Tom Hanks – Carly Rae Jepsen’s “I Really Like You” (2015)

In one of the most unexpected music video cameos ever, Tom Hanks volunteered himself to star in Carly Rae Jepsen’s bubbly pop anthem. The Oscar winner approached Jepsen’s manager Scooter Braun with the idea, proving that even A-list actors sometimes just want to have fun.

Hanks’ deadpan expression against the song’s sugary lyrics created perfect comedy gold. His enthusiastic performance, complete with dancing in the streets, showed a playful side rarely seen from the typically serious actor.

Michael Jackson’s – “Remember the Time” (1992)

Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” featured an incredible ensemble cast including Eddie Murphy as the Pharaoh and supermodel Iman as the Queen. The nine-minute John Singleton-directed video was promoted as a “short film” and featured elaborate special effects set in ancient Egypt.

The video represented Jackson’s flair for grand, cinematic visuals combined with cutting-edge choreography. It featured Jackson’s first on-screen kiss with Iman as Nefertiti, making it a landmark moment in his videography.

Megan Fox – Eminem & Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie” (2010)

Megan Fox brought her trademark intensity to Eminem and Rihanna’s explosive domestic violence narrative. The video depicted Fox in a tumultuous relationship alongside actor Dominic Monaghan, perfectly capturing the song’s themes of toxic love.

Her appearance in the video came during the height of her Hollywood fame following the “Transformers” franchise. The video’s raw emotional content allowed Fox to showcase her dramatic acting abilities beyond her typical action roles.

Johnny Depp – Tom Petty’s “Into the Great Wide Open” (1991)

Johnny Depp starred as Eddie Rebel in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ cinematic music video masterpiece. Directed by Julien Temple, the video also featured Gabrielle Anwar as Eddie’s girlfriend and Faye Dunaway as his manager.

The video was so well-crafted that Tom Petty later commented it was “one of the only times I’ve ever felt fulfilled by a video”. The collaboration showcased Depp’s natural charisma and helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men.

Macaulay Culkin – Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” (1991)

Macaulay Culkin appeared as a rockstar kid in Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking “Black or White” video. The video was released when both Culkin and Jackson were at the absolute peak of their fame, making it a meeting of two of the world’s most famous entertainers.

The video featured cutting-edge morphing technology that was revolutionary for its time. Culkin’s presence helped bridge the gap between Jackson’s adult fanbase and younger viewers who knew the actor from “Home Alone”.

Scarlett Johansson – Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around… Comes Around” (2007)

Scarlett Johansson brought her dramatic talents to Justin Timberlake’s epic seven-and-a-half-minute music video. The cinematic production is widely regarded as one of the greatest music videos of all time, featuring Johansson as Timberlake’s love interest.

Timberlake had reached such superstar status that he could attract A-list Hollywood talent like Johansson to his projects. The collaboration showcased both stars at their creative peaks, with Johansson’s performance adding gravitas to the video’s dramatic storyline.

Angelina Jolie – The Rolling Stones’ “Anybody Seen My Baby?” (1997)

Angelina Jolie was not quite a household name when she appeared in The Rolling Stones’ 1997 video. Jolie had recently shaved her head for the HBO movie “Gia” about model Gia Carangi, and she rocked this bold look.

The collaboration with rock legends The Rolling Stones demonstrated Jolie’s willingness to take creative risks early in her career. Her magnetic screen presence was already evident, hinting at the Oscar-winning performances that would follow.

Matt LeBlanc – Bon Jovi’s “Miracle” (1990)

Before asking “How you doin’?” on “Friends,” Matt LeBlanc appeared in Bon Jovi’s classic 1990 music video “Miracle”. The appearance came several years before LeBlanc would become a household name as Joey on the hit sitcom.

LeBlanc’s early career included several music video appearances as he worked to establish himself in entertainment. The Bon Jovi video demonstrated his natural charisma and screen presence that would later make him perfect for comedy.

Emma Watson – One Night Only’s “Say You Don’t Want It” (2010)

Fresh off her “Harry Potter” fame, Emma Watson appeared in British band One Night Only’s music video “Say You Don’t Want It”. Watson met the band’s frontman George Craig during a Burberry photo shoot, leading to this unexpected collaboration.

This appearance came before Watson honed her musical talents in Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast”. The collaboration demonstrated her willingness to explore different creative mediums beyond acting.

Daniel Radcliffe – Slow Club’s “Beginners” (2012)

Daniel Radcliffe surprised fans by appearing in Slow Club’s 2012 music video for “Beginners”. The band revealed that Radcliffe was already a fan of their music, which led to his enthusiastic participation.

The collaboration showed Radcliffe’s commitment to supporting independent artists and exploring creative projects beyond his film career. His appearance brought significant attention to the relatively unknown indie band.

Robin Williams – Cobra Starship’s “You Make Me Feel…” (2011)

Robin Williams made a brief but unforgettable appearance in Cobra Starship’s party anthem “You Make Me Feel…”. Set in a buzzing nightclub with people taking turns in a photo booth, Williams appears sporting his signature mischievous grin.

Williams was joined by his daughter Zelda in the video, creating a sweet father-daughter moment as they pulled goofy dance moves together. The appearance showcased Williams’ spontaneous, playful nature that made him beloved by fans worldwide.

Ben Affleck – Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block” (2002)

During the height of “Bennifer” mania, Ben Affleck made a notable appearance in Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block”. The video was stylized to look like paparazzi footage, reflecting the couple’s real-life experience with intense media scrutiny.

The collaboration represented the blending of their personal and professional lives during one of Hollywood’s most watched romances. Their appearance together became a time capsule of early 2000s pop culture and celebrity obsession.

Lady Gaga’s Star Cameos – “Paparazzi” (2009)

Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” featured Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård as her lover who attempts to murder her. The seven-minute mini-movie served as a prequel to her later video “Telephone” and explored themes of fame and obsession.

The video marked one of Gaga’s earliest explorations into long-form visual storytelling. Her collaboration with established actors like Skarsgård demonstrated her commitment to creating art rather than simple promotional material.

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Hugh Laurie – Annie Lennox’s “Walking on Broken Glass” (1992)

Hugh Laurie underwent a complete transformation for Annie Lennox’s period piece-inspired “Walking on Broken Glass”. Wearing an elaborate wig and pale makeup, the future “House” star was nearly unrecognizable as he portrayed royalty.

Laurie’s appearance demonstrated his versatility as a performer, seamlessly adapting to the video’s baroque aesthetic. This early music video work foreshadowed the creative risks that would later define his most memorable performances.

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