Six surprisingly successful pop star movie cameos

While some might balk at the news that Lady Gaga is set to cameo in Robert Rodriguez's Sin City follow-up, A Dame to Kill For, it's worth remembering that sometimes an unexpected pop star cameo can turn out great.

For example...

Eminem in Funny People (2009)
"You know what? I think you f**ked up."

Struggling to cope with a terminal illness and in need of some advice? Do yourself a favour and never, ever, turn to Eminem.

The rapper returned to the big screen for this scene replete with gallows humour as he tells Adam Sandler that perhaps death would be better than Hollywood fame.

The comedy might've been too close to the bone for some, but director Judd Apatow was more than happy with Eminem's performance, telling MTV: "He was really funny, willing to say anything. I thought if I pitched him certain jokes, he'd say, 'No, no that's too far.'

"Apparently, you can't shock Eminem with anything you have to say. To make him laugh super hard was really, really fun, and he's great in the movie. I'm glad that his scene kills, and so it's really exciting."

Michael Jackson in Men in Black II (2002)
"I could be Agent M."

Jacko turned up twice in Barry Sonnenfeld's blockbuster as an alien MIB wannabe. Though he was on screen for mere seconds, the scene went down well with audiences and critics alike who appreciated the King of Pop's sense of humour about himself.

Will Smith told Launch at the time: "You know, when he comes on the screen, people are really happy. It's as if Michael is saying to the world, 'OK, all right. I'm human just like everyone else. I appreciate a good joke just like everyone else does,' but the thing that I loved so much is he kept wanting to play it serious. You know, he was, like, 'You know, I'm a Man In Black, I just want it to be really serious.'"

Billy Idol in The Wedding Singer (1998)
"How you doin', sir - chicken or fish?"

Who knew the punk rocker had a heart? Idol's cameo in the 80s-set romcom was perfectly pitched, as he helped Adam Sandler's hapless hero to woo Drew Barrymore on a plane in his own inimitable style complete with rude hand gestures.

Even more heart-meltingly, the singer revealed that he did it for his son, telling Contactmusic: "It was another way of getting through to young people but that wasn't the reason I did it. My son loved Adam Sandler and I thought: 'I'm going to have to see it anyway, so why not be in it?'

"It was a great 1980s spoof and I thought it was very funny - they had me at the Boy George impersonation. I gained a number of diehard teenage fans through doing it, who are adults now and are still turning up to my gigs."

David Bowie in Zoolander (2001)
"I believe I might be of service."

Bowie's no stranger to the big screen, having appeared in movies as diverse as The Last Temptation of Christ, The Prestige and Bandslam. But his guest appearance in Zoolander is one of his most enjoyable contributions to cinema - even if he is playing himself.

As the impartial judge for a walk-off between Ben Stiller's Zoolander and male model rival Owen Wilson's Hansel, Bowie gives a beautiful range of facial expressions and lots and lots of charisma.

Fergie in Nine (2009)
"So you little Italian devils, you want to know about love?"

Rob Marshall's follow-up to Federico Fellini's seminal 8 1/2 might be an unmitigated disaster on many levels, but Fergie's appearance is definitely a high point.

Of course, there's not much acting required as the part of prostitute Saraghina is largely a musical one, but her accent's not half bad and she gets the best song of the movie by far.

Justin Timberlake in The Social Network (2010)
"A million dollars isn't cool, you know what's cool?"

Ok, so JT's take on Sean Parker for David Fincher's Oscar-winner is more meaty than a simple cameo, but it's nonetheless a lesson in what can happen when a pop star gets a movie role right.

Though the real Parker doesn't agree that it's an accurate portrayal, even he didn't deny that Timberlake holds his own alongside seasoned pros Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, handling Aaron Sorkin's fast-paced dialogue with ease.

The singer-turned-actor might not be hitting the nail on the head with every film choice, but he's definitely got what it takes to maintain an acting career.

Now we just have to wait and see whether Gaga can do the same...