# Celebrities who played a fictionalized version of themselves **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911 "2009-08-27T14:54:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/121 "2016-11-26T11:40:17Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > In the years since this post, Van Der Beek has of course moved on to working this schtick on _Don’t Trust The B---- in Apartment 23_; one episode had him struggling to stage a _Dawson’s Creek_ reunion with Busy Philipps (and even Frankie Muniz) until Mark-Paul Gosselaar showed up to talk some sense into the guy. In the years since this post (actually around the time) JvDB appeared as himself in a Ke$ha video. They enjoy some witty banter and then get into a laser gun fight in a nightclub full of unicorns. Very much like his real life I’m told. There is, of course, the film This is The End where Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson play fictionalized version of themselves. There are also hilarious fictionalized versions of Michael Cera, Channing Tatum and a bunch of others. Matt Damon seems to enjoy playing versions of himself as an intense maniac. [On Entourage, he had some sort of beef with the Vinnie Chase over donating to Damon’s charity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQZXnVrtpM). In House of Lies, it was strongly implied that he coerced management consultant Marty Kahn (Don Cheadle) to give him a hand job for his business. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/122 "2016-12-30T02:59:07Z")
The 1992 “Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo” had a murder victim who is a sleazy talk show host that wrote a book about the famous women he slept with. The producers sent a script to a real life sleazy talk show host who wrote a book about famous women he slept with: Geraldo Rivera. Rivera’s initial reaction was to talk with his lawyer about suing them. He read the script a second time and changed his mind, deciding to take the part. > **[Rivera's 'Perry Mason' role is his apology](https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-05-05-1992126217-story.html)** ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/123 "2016-12-30T08:12:26Z")
_Postcards from the Edge_ is a semi-autographical book by Carrie Fisher about her relationship with her mother, Debbie Reynolds. When the movie was being cast, Debbie expressed interest in playing herself in the movie. Mike Nichols, the director, replied “You’re not right for the part.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/124 "2016-12-30T14:14:47Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Wil Wheaton has a recurring role as “Wil Wheaton,” Sheldon’s arch-nemesis and later buddy, in _The Big Bang Theory_. There’ve been several other celebrity cameos on the series, including Wil’s _TNG_ castmates Levar Burton and Brent Spiner. Trivia time: That was supposed to be a one shot appearance, but the next day the Internet was buzzing with delight about “evil Wil Wheaton.” And Chuck Lorre knew a good thing when he saw it. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/125 "2016-12-30T14:41:12Z")
On The _Morecambe & Wise Show_, Peter Cushing appeared in a sketch and then spent several seasons pursuing the two comics for his money that they owed him for it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/126 "2016-12-30T15:03:08Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > The 1992 “Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo” had a murder victim who is a sleazy talk show host that wrote a book about the famous women he slept with. The producers sent a script to a real life sleazy talk show host who wrote a book about famous women he slept with: Geraldo Rivera. Rivera’s initial reaction was to talk with his lawyer about suing them. He read the script a second time and changed his mind, deciding to take the part. If we’re going there, they did a **Columbo** episode built around a hammy TV star who got his start acting on the stage sure as he came here from Canada; he gets advised that he should maybe drop ten pounds, and he wears lifts in his shoes because he’s a bit shortish for a would-be leading man, and the family name was actually Schnelling or Schnatter or something before it became more Hollywood-sounding, and he of course keeps a framed picture on display of himself clad in a Starfleet uniform. Three guesses who portrayed him. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/127 "2016-12-30T15:45:05Z")
**Tenacious D** plays **Tenacious D** in **"Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny**. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/128 "2016-12-30T17:38:38Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > If we’re going there, they did a **Columbo** episode built around a hammy TV star who got his start acting on the stage sure as he came here from Canada; he gets advised that he should maybe drop ten pounds, and he wears lifts in his shoes because he’s a bit shortish for a would-be leading man, and the family name was actually Schnelling or Schnatter or something before it became more Hollywood-sounding, and he of course keeps a framed picture on display of himself clad in a Starfleet uniform. > > Three guesses who portrayed him. George Takei? Jimmy Doohan? Jonathan Frakes? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/129 "2016-12-30T18:04:17Z")
Damn. I vaguely remember Willie Nelson playing himself, as a side character in something, but can’t remember what. Not even a little bit. There’s just a vague feeling that it was a TV series. [Looks like he did it many times.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson_filmography) (Also there’s apparently an actor named Willy Nelson. Completely different person.) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/130 "2016-12-30T19:13:02Z")
Waylon Jennings sang the theme song and was the Balladeer on _The Dukes of Hazzard_. In addition, he made an on-screen appearance as himself in one episode. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/131 "2016-12-31T01:36:04Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Chuck Norris in **Sidekicks**. About a kid who takes up karate to be like his hero Chuck Norris. He ends up in a tournament where Norris is a judge. I was an extra in that movie. It’s a Karate Kid clone, but the kid is being beaten up and he fantasizes about being Chuck Norris and takes karate lessons. Through various plot devices, he winds up with Chuck Norris competing on his side in the tournament and of course, Chuck kicks ass and takes names and the good guys come out on top. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/132 "2016-12-31T01:46:11Z")
Tripolar wrote: " Billy Dee Williams played himself on an episode of Modern Family." He did it again in an episode of “Lost”. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/133 "2016-12-31T02:58:33Z")
Werner Herzog plays himself in the mockumentary _Incident at Loch Ness_. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/134 "2016-12-31T03:24:51Z")
In _Looney Tunes: Back in Action_, Brendan Fraser played D. J. Drake, a security guard and stuntman at Warner Brothers who was fired from the set of _The Mummy_ by the actual Brendan Fraser. D. J. gets his revenge on Fraser (playing himself) at the end of the movie when he socks him in the nose. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/135 "2016-12-31T03:30:48Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > Bruce Willis, however, does count in _Ocean’s 12_. He also played “himself” in _The Player_, which also featured many other actors (including Julia Roberts) playing fictionalized versions of themselves. I believe Bruce Willis plays a version of himself in [_What Just Happened_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486674/fullcredits/) as well. Wait, I already said that in this thread, seven years ago. Freakin’ zombie. OK, I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/136 "2016-12-31T03:41:00Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Damn. I vaguely remember Willie Nelson playing himself, as a side character in something, but can’t remember what. Not even a little bit. > > There’s just a vague feeling that it was a TV series. > > [Looks like he did it many times.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson_filmography) > > (Also there’s apparently an actor named Willy Nelson. Completely different person.) Was it [Beerfest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beerfest#Plot)? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/137 "2016-12-31T14:27:14Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Wil Wheaton has a recurring role as “Wil Wheaton,” Sheldon’s arch-nemesis and later buddy, in _The Big Bang Theory_. There’ve been several other celebrity cameos on the series, including Wil’s _TNG_ castmates Levar Burton and Brent Spiner. AND Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones, who did an excellent comedic version of himself. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/138 "2016-12-31T15:06:05Z")
Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/139 "2016-12-31T15:07:08Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > AND Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones, who did an excellent comedic version of himself. It was after that episode that I learned the two never did meet while making _Star Wars_. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911/140 "2016-12-31T16:39:10Z")
Matt LeBlanc in the wonderful **Episodes** plays a fictional version of himself for all three seasons, complete with people asking him “How _you_ doin’” wherever he goes. He also got David Schwimmer and the guy that played Gunther on as themselves, the latter in a funny ep where we learn all the other cast members are still close but can’t stand _him_, so won’t do a cameo for sweeps on his new show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-who-played-a-fictionalized-version-of-themselves/507911.md?page=8)