It’s one thing for an actor to disappear into a role, but it’s another thing entirely for them to play the most challenging character of all: themselves. When an actor appears on screen as a fictionalized, often ridiculous, version of their public persona, it can either fall completely flat or be a stroke of comedic genius. It’s a high-wire act that requires a great sense of humor and a willingness not to take oneself too seriously. Here are ten actors who took on the role of "themselves" and absolutely nailed it.

1. John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich (1999)

This is the gold standard for an actor playing themselves. In Spike Jonze’s surreal masterpiece, a puppeteer discovers a small portal that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The film is a bizarre, hilarious, and strangely profound exploration of identity and celebrity obsession. Malkovich plays a version of himself that is both completely normal and utterly strange, a serious actor who is frustrated by people shouting "Malkovich!" at him on the street. He leans into his reputation as a respected, somewhat eccentric artist, which makes the film’s absurd premise work perfectly. The peak is a sequence where Malkovich enters his own portal and finds himself in a world where everyone looks like him and can only say "Malkovich." It's a legendary performance in self-parody.

2. Neil Patrick Harris in the Harold & Kumar Series (2004)

Before he was the beloved Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris was best known as the wholesome child actor from Doogie Howser, M.D. He completely shattered that image with his appearance in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. In the film, he plays a debaucherous, wild, and completely unhinged version of "Neil Patrick Harris" who steals the duo's car and goes on a chaotic adventure. The performance was so unexpected and hilarious that it single-handedly revitalized his career, paving the way for his adult comedic roles. He subverted his own clean-cut persona so effectively that it became an iconic comeback story.

3. Bill Murray in Zombieland (2009)

In a movie filled with memorable moments, Bill Murray’s surprise cameo is arguably the best part. The main characters take shelter in a lavish Hollywood mansion, only to discover it belongs to Bill Murray, who has survived the zombie apocalypse by pretending to be a zombie himself. He plays a relaxed, bathrobe-wearing version of himself who enjoys reenacting scenes from Ghostbusters with his new houseguests. The cameo is a brilliant tribute to his legendary status as a comedy icon, and his deadpan delivery is perfect. His ultimate demise is both shocking and hilariously on-brand, making it one of the greatest cameos in movie history.

4. Keanu Reeves in Always Be My Maybe (2019)

When Sasha (Ali Wong) starts dating a new man, the last person her best friend Marcus (Randall Park) expects it to be is Keanu Reeves. Playing a comically pretentious and overly intense version of himself, Keanu steals every scene he's in. He delivers absurdly philosophical lines during a high-end dinner, wears glasses he doesn't need, and cries on command. The performance is a masterful send-up of the "deep, soulful actor" persona that sometimes surrounds him. Reeves is clearly having the time of his life, and his willingness to poke fun at himself makes the character an unforgettable, scene-stealing force.

5. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

In Kevin Smith's meta-comedy, Jay and Silent Bob find themselves on the set of Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season. There, they encounter Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, playing exaggerated versions of their newly famous selves. Damon is portrayed as a serious actor trying to expand his range, while Affleck (who has appeared as other characters in Smith’s universe) is just there for the paycheck. Their bickering and self-referential jokes about their careers are hilarious, perfectly capturing a snapshot of their public personas at the time. It’s a great example of actors returning to their roots to poke fun at the Hollywood machine they had just conquered.

6. Michael Cera in This Is the End (2013)

This Is the End is a masterclass in celebrities playing themselves, but Michael Cera’s performance stands out as particularly shocking and brilliant. Known for his awkward, sweet-natured characters, Cera shows up at James Franco's party as a loud, obnoxious, drug-fueled maniac who harasses everyone in sight. His behavior is so over-the-top that it completely subverts audience expectations. His brief but unforgettable appearance sets the tone for the entire film, proving that even the most typecast actors have a dark side they’re willing to show for a good laugh.

7. Al Pacino in Jack and Jill (2011)

While Jack and Jill is widely considered one of the worst films ever made, Al Pacino’s bizarre and committed performance as himself is a strange, shining beacon in the darkness. In the film, Pacino becomes infatuated with Adam Sandler's female character, Jill. He plays a desperate, lovesick version of himself, culminating in a cringe-worthy "Dunkaccino" rap for a fake Dunkin' Donuts commercial. It’s a baffling performance, but Pacino commits to it with such gusto that you can't look away. He is so willing to look completely ridiculous that his role becomes a piece of surrealist art in an otherwise terrible movie.

8. LeBron James in Trainwreck (2015)

Who knew one of the greatest basketball players of all time was also a gifted comedic actor? In Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, LeBron James plays a surprisingly sensitive and frugal version of himself, acting as a supportive best friend and life coach to Bill Hader's character. He insists on splitting the bill for lunch down to the cent and gets overly invested in his friend's romantic life. James shows incredible comedic timing and a natural, easygoing charm that makes his scenes some of the funniest in the movie.

9. Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

This film is the ultimate love letter to an actor's career. Nicolas Cage plays "Nick Cage," a washed-up, debt-ridden version of himself who agrees to appear at a wealthy superfan's birthday party for a million-dollar payday. The film is a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt journey through Cage's own filmography. He also plays "Nicky," a younger, egomaniacal version of himself (a figment of his imagination) who constantly badgers him. Cage fully embraces his own mythos—the intense performances, the wild off-screen stories, and his status as an internet icon—delivering a performance that is both a parody and a celebration of his unique career.

10. Cate Blanchett in Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

In Jim Jarmusch’s collection of black-and-white vignettes, Cate Blanchett performs an incredible acting feat: she plays both herself and her fictional, jealous cousin Shelly. As "Cate," she is the glamorous, successful movie star, while Shelly is resentful and awkward. The two sit together in a hotel lounge, making stilted conversation. Blanchett’s ability to create two completely distinct characters who are supposedly related, and to act opposite herself, is astounding. She subtly portrays the complex dynamics of fame, family, and jealousy in a single, brilliant segment.