It's exciting to see a fan-favorite rock star pop up on the screen while watching a movie. An appearance by a beloved rock musician can make an underwhelming film a must-see for fans of the musician. Many musicians prove themselves to be incredibly talented actors, while other musicians are more comfortable with split-second cameos, both types of appearances being highly entertaining to music lovers everywhere.

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While music icons are occasionally seen playing themselves in movie and TV roles, it's often more interesting to see them portray characters and step into roles they wouldn't normally assume.

Gwen Stefani - The Aviator

Today, Gwen Stefani isn't known for her stint in the world of rock music, but, before her massively successful pop solo effort "Love. Angel. Music. Baby," she was the lead singer of punk-ska band No Doubt.

In The Aviator, Stefani played screen icon Jean Harlow opposite Leonardo Dicaprio's Howard Hughes. A rare screen appearance for the singer, Stefani exudes the glamour and beauty that was the signature of Jean Harlow, nailing the essence of the blonde bombshell of the 1930s.

Guns N' Roses - The Dead Pool

Gun N' Roses making a cameo in The Dead Pool

The hard rock band once labeled the most dangerous band in the world appeared alongside Liam Neeson, Jim Carrey, and Clint Eastwood in the final installment of the Dirty Harry movies. Guns N' Roses play grieving musician friends of a deceased rock star in a funeral scene, and later, three of the five members appear in a boat scene where guitarist Slash shoots a harpoon.

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What makes this entry so great is the weirdness of it. To have the three stars of Neeson, Carrey, and Eastwood in the same movie together is an odd combination already, and then to throw in the "Appetite For Destruction" lineup of Guns N' Roses takes it over the top. As a result, an unlikely and fun appearance by the world's last great rock band takes an unmemorable movie and makes it a must-see for Guns N' Roses fans.

The Clash - The King Of Comedy

The Clash during a scene in The King of Comedy

Billed as street scum, The Clash are present in a sidewalk scene in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy. In a film about celebrity worship and the desire for fame, The Clash have a short but memorable appearance in the film as rowdy onlookers during a public street argument between the two main characters, played by Robert De Niro and Sandra Bernhard.

This appearance in Scorsese's satirical dark comedy-drama is not the last film appearance for two of the members of The Clash, with Paul Simonon acting in Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains and Joe Strummer acting in a number of films by director Alex Cox and in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train.

Lenny Kravitz - Precious

Nurse John and Precious at the hospital in Precious

In the critically lauded film Precious, Lenny Kravitz plays a nurse who befriends Precious while she's in the hospital. Kravitz's film debut is a compelling one, showing the kindness of strangers that is extremely contrary to the aggression and cruelty Precious faces at the hands of her own mother.

To have an acting debut in an Academy Award-winning film is a major accomplishment, which provides yet another accomplishment for Kravitz, who has sold millions of albums around the world. In addition to Kravitz's appearance, pop star Mariah Carey also gave a star turn in this acclaimed drama.

Jack White - Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Elvis Pressley talking to Dewey Cox in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Jack White playing Elvis Presley is as awesome a casting choice as it is weird. But, this strange casting choice actually pays off massively with a super enjoyable spoofing performance of The King Of Rock n Roll. The film is a spoof on music biopics, Walk the Line especially, with John C Reilly starring as fictional rock-country singer Dewey Cox.

When an up-and-coming Dewey Cox is waiting to perform, he's met by a sneering, karate chopping, gibberish speaking Elvis who's incredibly hostile to Dewey for no reason. The whole scene is hilarious, with Dewey's bewilderment at Elvis's behavior making it even funnier. Jack White does a fantastic job at nailing an Elvis impression while having perfect comedic sensibilities, making an unexpected but hysterical film appearance.

Flea - Back to the Future Part 2

Needles talking to Marty in Back to thr Future II

With numerous film credits, it is hard to pick just one movie appearance of the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist. However, Flea's part as Needles in Back to the Future Part 2 is a massive departure from Flea's usual punk nihilist acting parts and a big contrast to his onstage persona, making this appearance worthy of mention.

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In a bit part as Marty McFly's future coworker who causes nothing but trouble for future Marty, Flea plays Needles as a shady and pushy bad influence. As a result, Needles shows to be the cause of many of Marty's future hardships. In this small but important role, Flea makes the character of Needles stand out in an incredibly adored film.

Iggy Pop - Cry Baby

Belvedere and Ramona Rickettes in Cry Baby

John Water's sendup of 50's rebellion movies with an eccentric and weird role for Johnny Depp, Cry-Baby is the musical story of two teens, one a delinquent, the other a square, who fall in love and fight to be together despite many hurdles thrown their way by their Baltimore community.

Iggy Pop plays one of rebel Wade "Cry-baby" Walker's guardians. The often shirtless rock icon has a memorable scene, naked in an outdoor tub as square Allison stops by to meet Cry-baby's redneck family. Iggy Pop and John Waters may sound like an odd pairing, but it makes sense when considering both men have a history of shocking audiences and sometimes even grossing audiences out.

Bo Diddley - Trading Places

The Pawnbroker talking to Louis in Trading Places

The rock and roll pioneer, Bo Diddley plays a pawnbroker in the Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy comedy Trading Places. In this comedy about a rich man and a poor hustler whose life circumstances are swapped, Bo Diddley makes an appearance as a hard-to-please pawnbroker who refuses to haggle with Dan Aykroyd's newly poor Louis Winthorpe III.

With the catchy and quotable line "burnt my fingers, man" referring to what he thinks is a stolen watch, Bo Diddley gives a throwaway character noteworthy attraction and great charisma.

Debbie Harry - Tales From the Darkside: The Movie

Betty in her kitchen in Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

The Blondie frontwoman plays a suburban witch who listens to a child's scary stories while preparing to eat him in the wraparound section of this episodic horror-fantasy film. Starring in multiple movies throughout her four decades in film, Debbie Harry has multiple appearances in films that are more than worthy of inclusion on this list.

However, Harry's role in Tales From the Darkside: The Movie is far different than past roles of hers and even vastly different than many of the entries on this list. In a role that would be easy to chew the scenery on, Harry instead plays the role with her signature aloofness and coolness, providing an independent take on the witch character.

David Bowie - Absolute Beginners

David Bowie in Absolute Beginners 1986

With a career in film as lauded as David Bowie's, the pick of Absolute Beginners may be controversial, especially among fans of the legendary Starman. However, Absolute Beginners is a great film that shows David Bowie could do exceptional things with side characters and not always have to be the main character despite his headlining status.

In this little-known musical film set in 1950s London, Bowie plays sophisticated advertising exec, Vendice Partners—yes, that's actually the character's name—who takes aspiring young photographer Colin under his wing. Among other musician appearances by Ray Davies of The Kinks and singer Sade, Bowie's alluring and suave appearance in this film marks an interesting moment in Bowie's filmography.

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