Across many of its animated features, Pixar's beloved family films have featured some of the biggest international stars. Celebrities including Tom Hanks, Graham Norton, and Tom Holland have appeared in the studio's cinematic offerings, delighting audiences of all ages with their often colorful delivery.
Some of these global figures have boasted smaller roles within these features, however, across both U.S. and international versions of these films. These minor appearances from some of the world's biggest stars have surprised many viewers over the years, with audiences excited to hear these familiar voices on the big screen.
Sigourney Weaver
With starring roles in some of the biggest sci-fi franchises, Sigourney Weaver is one of Hollywood's most recognizable names. The actor is known primarily for her portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise, but what some viewers may not realize is that she has also lent her voice to Pixar's WALL-E and Finding Dory, as the Axiom ship's computer and herself respectively.
Sigourney Weaver's Pixar appearances bring a great sense of fun to proceedings, with the actor's warm intonations bringing these otherwise minor roles to life. As the Axiom ship's computer, Weaver delivers some basic definitions of Earth customs including dancing and hoe-downs in a hilariously deadpan manner. Meanwhile, her Finding Dory performance proves one of the film's standout moments, with the actor providing some of the film's biggest laughs.
Jeremy Clarkson
TV host Jeremy Clarkson has provided some of the best Top Gear quotes over the years, but perhaps one of his greatest media contributions comes in the form of his Pixar cameo. Clarkson can be found in the UK version of Cars, as the voice of Lightning McQueen's agent Harv.
The Top Gear presenter gives a lively portrayal of McQueen's enthusiastic agent. Clarkson's depiction of Harv's opportunistic nature, as he references taking ten percent of Lightning's winnings, is amusing to witness. Jeremy Clarkson brings plenty of personality to this feature, helping to create one of Pixar's most endearing characters yet.
Penn Jillette
As one half of the magical double act Penn and Teller, Penn Jillette has achieved a considerable amount of international fame. While the star may be more widely known as a stage magician, he has also starred in several animated projects. Penn Jillette's voice features in the Pixar movie Toy Story, where he plays the announcer of the Buzz Lightyear toy commercial.
Despite his limited runtime, Jillette plays a key part within the movie's central narrative, with the announcer's advertisement spiel finally convincing Buzz that he is a toy. Penn Jillette's excitable intonations are a perfect fit for the toy commercial, helping to create an advert that feels true to the infomercials often seen across the televisual airwaves.
Gino D'Acampo
Boasting one of the biggest Instagram followings, Italian chef Gino D'Acampo has gathered a huge global following since winning I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!. The reality star can also be heard in the British version of Luca, as the voice of the priest Eugenio.
Gino's role may be short, but it proves memorable nonetheless. Eugenio's character plays to Gino's strengths well, allowing the media personality to demonstrate his great sense of humor. Gino provides much hilarity as he voices the priest's exasperation at Luca and Alberto's antics, contributing one of Pixar's greatest star turns thus far.
Mel Brooks
Having fulfilled multiple positions within the filmmaking process over the years, Mel Brooks is one of America's most talented stars. Pixar's Toy Story 4 sees the U.S. filmmaker demonstrate his talents as a voice actor, as the star cameos as Bonnie's beloved elephant toy Melephant Brooks.
Mel Brooks proves an entertaining presence within the film, with the Hollywood legend delivering a humorous performance in his brief appearance. As Melephant, Brooks amusingly recalls how he used to play "House" with Bonnie and her vast collection of toys. It's an entertaining piece of voice work by the actor, who is clearly having a ton of fun in the role.
Kate McKinnon
Famous for her comedic portrayals, Kate McKinnon is one of Saturday Night Live's most popular stars, having delivered some of the show's most iconic characters. McKinnon has an especially large filmography since featuring on the popular sketch show, with a particularly noteworthy role coming in her Finding Dory cameo as Stan's fish wife Inez.
While on the surface Kate McKinnon's part may appear tiny, in actuality her character is an important aspect of Dory's early life. The comedy actor adds some considerable warmth to her portrayal of Stan's wife, as she tries to help a young Dory locate her parents. Kate McKinnon captures Inez's kind heart nicely, in one of Pixar's most charming characters to date.
Lewis Hamilton
The UK has produced many big names, but one of the most popular among worldwide audiences is Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. The star has also demonstrated his clear voice acting talents, with Hamilton voicing himself in the form of a sentient automobile in Cars 2.
Lewis Hamilton provides healthy competition for Lightning McQueen, as he races against the speedy roadster at the World Grand Prix. Hamilton demonstrates an impressive amount of commitment to his bit part, with the star said to have collaborated closely with Disney on his car's design. Lewis Hamilton's vocal offerings are vibrant and fun, as he imbues his animated counterpart with plenty of personality.
Jamie Oliver
With a career spanning across three decades, Jamie Oliver has built quite the fan base over the years, with many viewers believing the star to be the best TV chef. The British media personality has also appeared in one of Pixar's most famous movies, voicing the health inspector in Ratatouille.
Jamie Oliver's comedy turn as the health inspector provides one of the film's funniest moments, as he shows a clear lack of enthusiasm towards Skinner's report of a rat infestation. The chef's dry delivery allows audiences to witness a different side to the TV star, as Jamie Oliver neatly demonstrates his clear comedic capabilities.
Tracey Ullman
Host of the iconic Tracey Ullman Show, Tracey Ullman is a major name within showbiz, with a career spanning over four decades. The comedian makes a memorable guest appearance in the Pixar movie Onward, where she plays the pawn shop owner Grecklin.
Tracey Ullman commands the screen with her Pixar cameo, as her voice fully embodies the character of Grecklin. The actor's bit part as the deeply unlikeable gremlin allows her to contribute a more antagonistic performance, with Grecklin cunningly overcharging Corey and Laurel for the Curse Crusher. Tracey Ullman gives an intimidating presence in this villainous role, as she brings to life Grecklin's mischievous ways.
Jay Leno
Known primarily as a talk show host, Jay Leno entertained American households for years with NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. He has also starred in one of Pixar's most popular releases, featuring in Cars as an automobile personification of himself named Jay Limo.
Jay Leno sends himself up to absurd lengths, as he delivers a hilarious parody of his television career. The stand-up comic's sarcastic remarks about Lightning McQueen on "The Jay Limo Show" bring much hilarity to proceedings, with Jay Leno's dry delivery helping to create one of the film's funniest moments.