The Foo Fighters' Studio 666 gathers an eclectic blend of rock stars, character actors, and guest cameos to round out its hilarious cast. First released domestically on February 25th, 2022, Studio 666 opened to a mixed bag of reviews, with critics praising the movie's overt use of gore while taking issue with the film's at times juvenile-centric humor. At the center of the plaudits for director B. J. McDonnell's supernatural horror-comedy is Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who plays a fictionalized version of himself with devilish aplomb.
Based on a short story from Grohl, Studio 666 follows the Foo Fighters as they struggle to record their tenth album at a spooky Encino mansion. Things take a turn for the worse, however, when their frontman and de-facto leader is forced to battle supernatural forces within the house, leading to ample scenes of gore and rock-induced carnage. Studio 666 marks the first film to feature the Foo Fighters that is not a documentary, with the Seattle-based six-piece previously the subjects of 2011's Foo Fighters: Back and Forth and 2014's Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways.
Reportedly a quarantine passion project turned full-blown Gonzo horror movie by Dave Grohl; it is little surprise that Studio 666 features a wealth of acting and musical talents. Stars such as the newly crowned scream queen Jenna Ortega and Westworld's Jimmi Simpson line up alongside The Foo Fighters to make Studio 666 a zany, surprise-filled proposition. One cameo that Studio 666 ultimately failed to secure, however, is Riddick star Vin Diesel, with the actor flat-out refusing Dave Grohl's offer to take part in the movie. As a result, here's every character and cameo in Studio 666, as well as where you know each actor from.
The Foo Fighters As Themselves
Dave Grohl: Foo Fighters' frontman, founder, and the brains behind Studio 666 naturally takes on the leading role in his own bizarrely enjoyable movie. Grohl plays a fictionalized version of himself that becomes obsessed with creating a new note and making the perfect tenth studio album, allowing an ancient entity to take control of his body and wreak havoc. In addition to his 28 years being the Foo Fighters' focal point, Grohl is also well known as the second drummer for Nirvana on their smash hit album Nevermind and touring with Queens of the Stone Age.
Taylor Hawkins: Foo Fighters' second drummer, Taylor Hawkins, has been a part of the influential rock band since 1997 after impressing Grohl during a studio recording session. Hawkins plays a classic straight-man role in Studio 666, taking the brunt of Grohl's primadonna-like ire before eventually clashing with his possessed frontman. Outside of his time with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins has been the touring drummer for Sass Jordan and Alanis Morissette, respectively, while forming several successful side projects.
Nate Mendell: Nate Mendell is the Foo Fighters' long-serving bassist and one of the band's founding members dating back to October 1994. Like Hawkins before him, Mendell also acts as a check and balance to some of his other bandmate's more zany performances in Studio 666, although he still accepts his fate rather sportingly mid-way through the movie. In addition to his work with the Foo Fighters, Mendell is best known as the bassist for the emo band Sunny Day Real Estate.
Pat Smear: Alongside Grohl and Mendell, Pat Smear is the other founding member of the Foo Fighters and the band's rhythm guitarist. Smear proves to be an excellent foil and offbeat supporter for the other Foo Fighters' antics in Studio 666, with his constant snacking and high-pitched screams providing ample laughs throughout the movie.
Chris Shiflett: Foo Fighters lead guitarist Chris Shiflett is one of the newer band members, joining the outfit in 1999 ahead of their third studio album, There Is Nothing Left To Lose. Shiflett is perhaps the most wooden of the band's performers in Studio 666, although he still delivers a couple of good one-liners as Grohl battles with possession in the midst of a recording session.
Rami Jaffee: The last band member to be inducted into the Foo Fighters is keyboard player Rami Jaffee, who joined the band on a full-time basis in 2005. Unlike some of his more seasoned bandmates, Jaffee excels throughout Studio 666, with his crunchy, spiritualist character portrayal feeling akin to Matthew Lillard's Shaggy in Scooby-Doo. Jaffee has been credited on over 50 studio albums to date for various bands, with his career stretching back to The Wallflowers' debut record in 1992.
Studio 666's Supporting Cast
Whitney Cummings as Samantha: Samantha is the Foo Fighters' Encino neighbor who quickly displays an affinity for long baths, exhibitionism, and the band members themselves. Samantha is played by American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, director, producer, and podcaster Whitney Cummings.
Will Forte as Restaurant Delivery Guy: It speaks volumes to Will Forte's hilarious role that his character is relegated to unnamed status, with the Restaurant Delivery Guy an unwitting victim of Studio 666's demonic forces. Will Forte is best known for his ongoing stint on Saturday Night Live, having also starred in numerous films and TV series since 1997.
Jeff Garlin as Jeremy Shill: The Foo Fighters' fictional label boss Jeremy Shill exists to exert pressure on the band, with Shill demanding a tenth studio album from the beleaguered musicians. Shill is played by Jeff Garlin, best known for playing Murray Goldberg on ABC's The Goldbergs and Jeff Greene on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Leslie Grossman as Barb Weems: Barb Weems is another unwitting victim of the Encino house in Studio 666, with the chirpy real-estate saleswoman quickly becoming embroiled in Grohl's possession-based antics. Weems is played by Leslie Grossman, who is recognizable for her performances as various characters across the FX anthology series American Horror Story since 2017.
Jenna Ortega as Dream Widow Member: Dream Widow is a band exclusively created for Studio 666 by Foo Fighters, with Grohl and company recording a full album to flesh out the mythical band that kicks off Studio 666's runtime. Jenna Ortega plays the only shown band member of Dream Widow in the movie, with Ortega now a household name after her turn in the slasher reboot Scream 2022.
Every Studio 666 Cameo Explained
Lionel Richie: In one of the zanier Studio 666 cameos, soul legend Lionel Richie appears from the ether to clamp his hand down on Dave Grohl's shoulder as the band attempts a rendition of "Hello." Richie's line "That's my f***ing song, you understand what I'm saying?" is a jump-scare of the highest order and a bizarre horror appearance that Grohl reportedly secured after texting the singer on a whim.
Jimmi Simpson: Westworld star Jimmi Simpson appears in a surprise cameo at the end of Studio 666 that needs to be seen to be believed. Yet Simpson's brief appearance in the horror-comedy is much more complex than just his single scene, with Simpson originally brought in to be the Foo Fighters' acting coach. Simpson was present at the Studio 666 table read, as well as being on call for Grohl and company for any acting advice they needed while filming.
Kerry King as Krug: Slayer guitarist Kerry King also makes a hilarious cameo as Krug, the Foo Fighters' cable grunt and low-level sound technician. A long-time friend of Dave Grohl, King's character is quickly accosted by a possessed Grohl following a less-than-satisfactory recording session with the band in Studio 666.
John Carpenter: Studio 666's final cameo is John Carpenter, a horror legend best known for creating the Halloween franchise. In addition to his brief appearance in the movie, Carpenter also composed Studio 666's main theme that harks back to Carpenter's seminal compositional work on multiple horror projects.