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8 Surprising Hulk Cameos Outside the Superhero Genre

BBG News

One intriguing manner of rephrasing: The Hulk, one of Marvel’s most lasting and well-known figures, has made an appearance in some unanticipated non-superhero TV shows throughout the years. Although many are familiar with him from comic books, animated series, or blockbuster movies, the Green Goliath has broken through into some amusingly unexpected realms. Ranging from self-parody to comedic usage, or even sudden appearances in settings unrelated to superheroes, the Hulk boasts a history of cameos that extend far beyond the Marvel Universe.

Starting from his 1962 introduction, the Hulk has evolved from a tragic comic book antihero into a common fixture of popular culture. Many of his significant portrayals – such as those within the Marvel Cinematic Universe or animated Avengers series – primarily focus on heroic narratives. However, his widespread fame has led to cameos that serve purposes other than expanding lore, often employing Hulk as a symbol, joke, or even a humorous backdrop. What’s intriguing is how frequently these appearances tap into the Hulk’s fundamental concept: transformation triggered by anger. Whether they parody or reinterpret his outbursts, these instances retain impact even in the most unconventional scenarios.

8. Hulk Appeared In 6 Different Saturday Night Live Sketches

Played By John Belushi, Idris Elba, Chris Farley, And George Foreman

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you, I’ve always found it amusing how Saturday Night Live has managed to transform the legendary Hulk into hilarious gold throughout the years. From way back in 1979 when John Belushi brought the live-action Hulk to life at the “Superhero Party”, to the late 90s where Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson graced our screens as a Hulked-out Barack Obama. Even more memorable is the sketch featuring Idris Elba, portraying Bruce Banner, who would transform into an entitled white woman in a twist that never fails to crack me up!

Chris Farley portrayed the Hulk, delivering a moving eulogy at Superman’s funeral before becoming enraged. Saturday Night Live doesn’t just satirize the Hulk’s strength; it pokes fun at his emotional instability, limited vocabulary, and awkward demeanor in everyday situations. These skits demonstrate how deeply ingrained the Hulk is in American pop culture consciousness – even when used for comedic effect on live TV.

7. Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes Animated Series

Season 1, Episode 3

In an unexpected blend from the 1990 episode “Tomato from the Black Lagoon,” the movie “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” showcased a character resembling the Hulk. During a particular airport scene, protagonist Chad Finletter observes a man becoming progressively irritated due to flight delays. As the man’s annoyance escalates, he changes color to green, gains mass, and metamorphoses into a towering, muscular figure, serving as a humorous take on the Incredible Hulk.

The situation is fleeting, dreamlike, and utterly unforeseen, in a sequence that’s already brimming with mutated tomatoes and absurdity. Although it’s not explicitly identified as the Hulk, the parody is clear: it heavily references the classic “you wouldn’t want to see me when I’m angry” transformation scene. For a cartoon featuring intelligent vegetables, incorporating a wink to Marvel’s angriest character was both amusing and surprisingly fitting.

6. Hulk Appeared In 2 Episodes Of The Simpsons

Season 20, Episode 1 & Season 13, Episode 18

In “The Simpsons,” I’ve seen them take jabs at almost every pop culture icon under the sun, and that includes the mighty Hulk! In the 20th season episode titled “Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes,” they introduced two characters inspired by Marvel comics: “Mulk” and “The Thung.” These comic relief fighters engaged in a hilarious brawl right in the middle of a public park, all while the main plot unfolded elsewhere. The parody really amped up the Hulk’s destructive side, seamlessly integrating it into Springfield’s already chaotic environment.

In “I Am Furious (Yellow),” Homer, who had held his anger in check all day, unleashes it spectacularly when he’s splashed with green paint. This transformation sees him tearing through Springfield, clothes torn and eyes blazing with fury – a clear reference to Hulk’s iconic transformation sequence. It’s an apt portrayal of Homer’s fiery temperament, demonstrating that The Simpsons have a knack for poking fun at popular legends effectively.

5. Hulk Appeared In Several Episodes Of South Park

Season 11, Episode 12 & Season 16, Episode 12

South Park has never hesitated to incorporate pop culture references, and the Hulk has been humorously integrated into the chaos on numerous occasions. For instance, in the Emmy-winning “Imaginationland” trilogy, the Hulk is part of an army of fictional characters summoned from the depths of human imagination. Although his appearances are brief, he joins other icons in a ludicrous fight to the finish in an absurd battle.

In the episode “A Nightmare on FaceTime,” Cartman dons a Hulk costume for Halloween, but instead of merely wearing it, he embodies the character, exhibiting similar rage-fueled outbursts, mimicking the Hulk’s anger and channeling it into his usual underhanded tactics. These portrayals are less about paying tribute and more about satire, demonstrating how the iconic Hulk image can be twisted for crude humor, shock value, or simply to add spice to South Park’s diverse pop culture references.

4. Hulk Appeared In Two MadTV Sketches

Season 3, Episode 17 & Season 9, Episode 19

MadTV produced two hilariously over-the-top spoofs of the Hulk character in season 3, episode 17, where Will Sasso adopts a diminutive, surprisingly timid version of the Hulk, played by Alex Borstein. The humor lies in the contrast between anger and impotence in size, creatively reimagining typical Hulk scenarios for pure amusement.

In season 9, episode 19, an unusual take on the parody emerges as Ike Barinholtz’s portrayal of Bruce Banner attempts to rid himself of Hulk transformations, but instead, he accidentally becomes a flamboyant, pink-skinned variant of the Hulk (portrayed by Paul C. Vogt). This sketch is filled with over-the-top exaggeration and questionable stereotypes, reminiscent of the edgy humor typically found on MadTV. Although it may not be subtle, these sketches demonstrate how the Hulk’s transformation can be reimagined for bizarre and satirical comedy, straying far from his traditional superhero identity.

3. Amazing Stories (1985)

Season 1, Episode 10 “Remote Control Man”

In the 1985 episode “Remote Control Man” from Amazing Stories, Lou Ferrigno unexpectedly and joyfully appeared as the Hulk, reminiscent of the initial live-action series. This episode, part of Steven Spielberg’s anthology, centered around a man overly engrossed in television. As events unfolded, the Hulk, along with other beloved pop culture figures, mysteriously emerged into reality.

The resemblance was undeniable, though unacknowledged – it seemed like a heartfelt tribute to the TV icons of that era. Ferrigno’s comeback as the Hulk in such a playful, non-superhero setting emphasized his deep connection with the character, despite The Incredible Hulk having ended years ago. For viewers in the mid-’80s, witnessing the Hulk return in a fantastical sitcom produced by Spielberg was both nostalgic and surprisingly appropriate, solidifying Ferrigno’s Hulk as an enduring symbol transcending comic book platforms.

2. Billy (1979)

Season 1, Episode 5 “Camping Trip”

One of the earliest and unusual appearances of the Hulk was in an episode of the nearly forgotten sitcom called Billy, which aired in 1979. The series centered around a teenage boy with a vivid imagination, and one episode saw his fantasies manifesting the Hulk breaking into his house. Lou Ferrigno played this version of the Hulk, who had no links to the The Incredible Hulk TV show; instead, it symbolized the boy’s tumultuous bond with his father in a dreamlike fashion.

The instant was fleeting yet impactful, as Ferrigno, instantly recognizable in his green form, made a dramatic entrance akin to the Hulk. Regrettably, Billy has been mostly forgotten over time, with only scant clips remaining. Nevertheless, this brief appearance represents an early instance of Ferrigno’s Hulk crossing into other television realms, showcasing the character’s popularity and cultural influence by the late 1970s.

1. The Fall Guy (1981)

Season 1, Episode 9 “License To Kill: Part 1”

In “The Fall Guy,” Lou Ferrigno took on the role of a fictionalized version of himself, depicting the Hulk on a film set – an amusing blend of reality and acting. This 1981 action-adventure series, which centered around a stuntman who worked as a bounty hunter in his spare time, was known for its celebrity appearances and jokes about Hollywood. Ferrigno’s cameo occurred during the filming of a movie where he played the Hulk, showing him fully made up in green makeup.

Instead of a direct reference to him as a superhero, the show playfully acknowledged Ferrigno’s fame and the practical challenges of portraying the Hulk in real life through a witty nod. It humorously addressed stunt work, genre acting, and television’s fascination with larger-than-life characters. Though short, the cameo served as a reminder that Ferrigno was more than just an actor playing a superhero; he had transformed into the Hulk in popular culture’s shared fantasy.

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2025-06-07 06:32

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