10 Best Star Wars Cameos Everyone Forgets About

Star Wars is a massive and incredibly popular franchise that has had a huge impact on entertainment. Most people know the original movies and the many spin-off films and shows that expand the stories of iconic characters, such as the film Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The world of Star Wars has expanded far beyond the movies, now including numerous TV shows and video games. It’s become a major part of our culture, featuring a huge cast of actors. Fans especially love perfect casting choices, such as Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu and Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

People who love Star Wars are usually very familiar with the actors and their characters. However, the movies often include brief, surprise appearances by other actors. Some of these cameos are easy to spot, while others are so hidden you’d need to look them up to even realize they were there.

Star Wars is packed with cameos, and many are so quick and discreet that people forget about them. Luckily, this is often a positive thing. Cameo appearances usually work best when they’re subtle and don’t distract from the story’s established world.

The Star Wars films are known for clever cameos. Some are subtle – you might miss them unless you’re closely watching the end credits. Others are so unexpected, they aren’t even listed in the cast. Here are a few fantastic cameos you might have forgotten about.

10. Ahmed Best Was A Jedi In The Mandalorian Season 3

Ahmed Best famously played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel films. The character, a Gungan who later became a Senator, was very divisive, and some fans strongly disliked him. Best recently revealed that playing Jar Jar Binks negatively affected his mental health, and he spoke about the fan backlash in a recent interview.

Even after facing criticism for his previous role, Ahmed Best returned to the Star Wars universe in The Mandalorian as Kelleran Beq, a Jedi Master. Many viewers probably won’t even recognize him, as he has a completely different look and voice compared to his prequel character. He also has a significant part in season 3, saving Grogu during the events of Order 66.

9. Mark Hamill Voiced Darth Bane

Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill in Star Wars, is one of the most famous characters in the franchise. Beyond his live-action roles, Hamill is also a highly skilled voice actor, bringing characters to life in many popular series – including a memorable performance as The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series.

Mark Hamill is known for many roles, but surprisingly, he also appears in another Star Wars production that many fans miss. He provides the voice for Darth Bane in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Darth Bane is a powerful villain known as a Dark Lord of the Sith.

In the world of Star Wars, the character Bane created the “Rule of Two,” which limits the number of Sith to just two: a master and their apprentice. Because Mark Hamill is such a versatile actor, many people who watched The Clone Wars didn’t even realize he was the voice of the character.

8. George Lucas Briefly Appeared In The Revenge Of The Sith

Without George Lucas and his imagination, the world of Star Wars might never have been created. While he’s famous as a director, he also made a cameo appearance as a character in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and that same character appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well.

You know, it’s kind of wild – George Lucas actually appears in Episode III! I never realized it until recently, though. He plays Baron Papanoida, and he’s pretty unrecognizable – covered in a ton of blue makeup and wearing these huge robes. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment!

Baron Papanoida appears in both The Clone Wars and Episode III, but with a difference: George Lucas portrays the character in the film, while Corey Burton provides the voice for Papanoida in the animated series. Although a minor role, Papanoida has a noticeable impact in The Clone Wars.

7. Daniel Craig Played A Stormtrooper

Daniel Craig is a highly regarded James Bond, having played the iconic spy for 15 years. While he’s well-known for starring in the 2015 film Spectre, many people don’t realize he also made a brief appearance in Star Wars that same year.

Craig appeared as a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He played the character FN-1824, the stormtrooper who helps Rey escape and makes the decision to put down his blaster.

Once you know it’s Daniel Craig and listen to the scene again, his voice is instantly recognizable. You’ll notice it right away.

6. Temuera Morrison Voices Another Bounty Hunter In Star Wars Jedi Survivor

Many fans of Star Wars love the bounty hunter characters, and Jango Fett is especially popular. He’s played by Temuera Morrison in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

Temuera Morrison not only portrays Jango Fett but also provides the voice and likeness for all of his clones. He even makes a brief appearance in several Star Wars video games playing a different character. Most notably, Morrison voices Boba Fett in Star Wars Battlefront II and returned to the role in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. He also voiced the character in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.

5. Ray Park Appears In Solo: A Star Wars Story

Ray Park is a popular Star Wars actor known for playing Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Although Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) defeats him by cutting him in half at the film’s conclusion, Park later returns in other Star Wars content.

Park briefly reappears in Solo: A Star Wars Story, but not in the flesh. Fans only see him as a quick holographic image. Interestingly, Ray Park didn’t actually provide the voice for Darth Maul in Episode I – Peter Serafinowicz dubbed his lines. Sam Witwer voiced the character in Solo, meaning Park’s involvement in both films was entirely physical.

4. Doctor Who Voices Bendu

Doctor Who is a character who’s been played by many different actors over the years. It’s not surprising, given the character’s longevity, and Tom Baker is widely considered one of the most recognizable, thanks to his role as the Fourth Doctor.

Dave Filoni voices Bendu, a distinctive Force-sensitive being, in Star Wars: Rebels. After fighting Darth Maul, Bendu helps Kanan Jarrus learn to use the Force in a new way, allowing him to ‘see’ with it.

Bendu sounds powerful and enigmatic, but you can definitely recognize Baker’s unique way of speaking.

3. Keira Knightley Was Padme’s Handmaiden

As a huge film buff, I always get a kick out of spotting familiar faces in movies. And in Star Wars: Episode I, Keira Knightley actually plays one of Padme’s handmaidens! It’s not just a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo – once you know it’s her, she’s pretty noticeable when you rewatch the film.

You know, Keira Knightley was pretty young when she was in Star Wars: Episode I, but she actually pops up quite a bit. I always remember her playing Queen Amidala, especially the scene where she’s pleading with Boss Nass for help while the Trade Federation is taking over. It’s a key moment!

2. Warwick Davis Plays Several Star Wars Characters

Warwick Davis is a well-established actor with a long and successful career in film and television. He’s actually appeared in several Star Wars movies, often in roles that aren’t immediately recognizable, so you might miss him unless you look at the cast list.

I remember when Return of the Jedi came out – Davis was just a kid then! He actually was one of the Ewoks in the movie, and it was amazing to see him come back to the Star Wars universe over ten years later. It’s so cool to see someone grow up with the franchise like that.

Davis appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as Wald, a friend of Anakin. He also had small roles as Weazel in both The Phantom Menace and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

1. Tom Hardy Is In The Last Jedi

Here’s a fun fact that’s easy to miss: Tom Hardy, known for playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, actually had a brief, uncredited role in a Star Wars film. It was cut from the final movie, but it’s still surprising to learn!

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the character Hardy appears as a stormtrooper and has a brief scene with Finn, who is disguised. Hardy jokingly says, “I never took you for captain material.” This lighthearted moment was actually filmed for The Force Awakens but didn’t make the final cut, likely because of its playful tone.

As a big Tom Hardy fan, I always pick up on his voice in things, but you’d never know it was him just by looking! It’s interesting to hear that his part was ultimately cut from the film, especially given how important that scene was, but it’s still a cool little bit of Star Wars trivia, don’t you think?

2026-04-16 17:20