Most unexpected cameos

If you're an actor looking to increase your fanbase, land an Oscar nomination or give your career the kiss of life, then a surprise cameo is the thing for you.
Proving that less is indeed more, we looked at some of the most unexpected cameos on the big screen. (And no, Mike Tyson's appearance in 'The Hangover' isn't included because it was in the trailer. Same goes for Alec Baldwin's barnstorming speech in 'Glengarry Glen Ross'.)
 
William Shatner — 'Airplane II: The Sequel'
Shatner at his finest, which sees the 'Star Trek' actor attempting to oversee the rescue of an out-of-control space shuttle.
Nifty sight gags abound, Shatner overacts with his unique delivery and there is also this brilliant exchange:
Shatner:  "Who's in control of that rocket Lieutenant?"
Lieutenant: "Some guy by the name of Ted Stryker, sir."
Shatner: "Ted Stryker?"
Lieutenant: "You know him, sir?"
Shatner: "Never heard of him. That's not exactly true. We were like brothers."
 
Bill Murray — 'Zombieland'
One of the greatest cameos of all time shouldn't really have happened.
Various famous actors were approached to feature as the owner of the mansion that the main characters break into.
An unnamed actor agreed to do it, but dropped out two weeks before shooting. Luckily, one of the film's stars, Woody Harrelson, knew Murray and managed to get him on board.
Thank heavens for that, because his fleeting appearance was one of the best scenes of last year — even though it pretty much derails the entire film. Try watching the climax without thinking that it needs more Murray. Impossible.
 
Chuck Norris - 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story'
Vince Vaughn's dodgeball team Average Joe's Gym are facing an exit from the competition over a technicality - unless the final judge on the panel hands them a reprieve.
The camera pans to the last judge, revealing a craggy and bearded Chuck Norris, who promptly delivers a solid thumbs up to the team.
Cue whoops of delight from half the audience, while the other half whisper 'Who is the old man?'
 
Kevin Spacey — Se7en
Kevin Spacey was just starting to make a name for himself in the mainstream thanks to roles in 'Swimming with Sharks' and 'The Usual Suspects', so the fear was that if audiences saw his name in the opening credits it wouldn't take them long to work out who the killer was.
So instead we had an uncredited and bloodied Spacey walk calmly into the police station announcing to a shocked Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, and indeed the film's audience, that he was the mastermind behind all the killings.
 
'Charlton Heston' — 'Wayne's World 2'
A very funny cameo this.
Mike Myers' Wayne drives to a gas station to ask for directions.
However, annoyed at the actor's delivery of an emotional speech, he turns to the camera and asks 'Can't we get a better actor?'
Cue the bemused actor being shuffled away by a crew member, and replaced with Charlton Heston.
"Gordon Street? Ah, yes, Gordon Street. I once knew a girl who lived on Gordon Street…."
One of Chuck's finest screen moments.
 
Matt Damon - EuroTrip
Not a particularly funny cameo in a not particularly funny film, but Matt Damon's appearance as a tattooed and shaven-headed rock singer was certainly unexpected, as well as being extremely odd.
 
Tom Cruise — 'Tropic Thunder'
Before 'Tropic Thunder' there were mutterings that Tom Cruise's movie star halo was slipping, following a couple of flops.
However, his role as foul-mouthed studio mogul Les Grossman changed all that.
Bald, spectacled and buried beneath a fat suit, he's almost unrecognisible. The opening scene is an absolute delight, as Grossman seethes with anger, ordering one of his crew members to punch his nervous director in the face.
Director Ben Stiller would use more of Cruise's character towards the end (we're still declaring it a cameo, however), ensuring that despite Robert Downey Jr's best efforts, Cruise walks away with the film.
 
Gene Hackman — 'Young Frankenstein'
The 'blind man meeting Frankenstein' scene is arguably the best moment in this classic comedy. And it also has one of the funniest and unexpected cameos ever.
Like Cruise in 'Tropic Thunder', Hackman is barely recognisable as the blind man, showcasing some comedic chops no one had really seen before at that point.
 
William Hurt — 'A History of Violence'
David Cronenberg's studied and serious action drama jolts into life with the introduction of William Hurt's gangster. His measured conversation with his younger brother (played by Viggo Mortensen) slowly allows Hurt to loosen up more and more, resulting in a demented climax ("When mom brought you home from the hospital I tried to strangle you in the crib. I guess all kids try to do that," cackles Hurt.)
 Hurt nabbed a deserved Oscar nomination for this. 
 
Ned Beatty - 'Network'
Appearing on screen for only five minutes, Ned Beatty's show-stopping role as the head of the TV network that Howard Beale works at earned him an Oscar nomination.
Rightly so, as well. A somewhat underused actor of late (although he does feature in 'Toy Story 3'), this one scene shows exactly why he is one of the greats.
 
Will Ferrell — 'Wedding Crashers'
It's arguable that a Will Ferrell cameo in these types of movies shouldn't be unexpected, but his role as the original wedding crasher, and now funeral crasher, is a sheer delight, as his typical Tasmanian Devil type performance blows everyone else away.