cameo appearance
Star's quick pop-in
A cameo appearance is a brief, often uncredited appearance by a notable person in a film, television show, or other production.
The appeal lies in the surprise of recognition—a famous director appearing as a bartender, a beloved actor from an earlier version of a franchise.
Stan Lee's cameo appearances in Marvel films became a tradition fans anticipated.
The term extends beyond entertainment: any brief, memorable appearance by someone notable.
Often shortened to cameo.
Small acting role
- walk-onSmall nonspeaking role
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- momentaryLasting very briefly
background actor · extra · day player · spear carrier · bit player · small part · minor role · uncredited
Duration on digital displays
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- movieRecorded visual narrative
- cinemaMotion picture theater
- creditsUnits toward graduation
Stan Lee · end credits · post-credits scene · blockbuster · sequel · franchise · cinematic universe · silver screen
Not anticipated beforehand
- shock valueCapacity to disturb
- Easter eggConcealed surprise in media
- hiddenKept out of sight
- fan serviceGratuitous audience-pleasing material
reveal · twist · planted · unannounced · post-credits · delightful · wink · inside joke
Serialized content unit
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
- guest spotLimited engagement for outsider
sweeps week · finale · reunion episode · variety show · talk show · sketch · SNL · late night
Top-tier famous person
- famous faceWidely recognized public figure
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- megastarExceptionally famous entertainer
VIP · notable · luminary · public figure · personality · dignitary · fan favorite · household name
Leaving a performed identity
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- self-deprecatingBelittling one's own abilities
bit part
Small acting role
momentary · background actor · extra · day player · spear carrier · bit player · small part · minor role · uncredited · passing
screen time
Duration on digital displays
credits · Stan Lee · end credits · post-credits scene · blockbuster · sequel · franchise · cinematic universe · silver screen · feature film
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- shock valueCapacity to disturb
- Easter eggConcealed surprise in media
- hiddenKept out of sight
fan service · reveal · twist · planted · unannounced · post-credits · delightful · wink · inside joke · treat
episode
Serialized content unit
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
guest spot · sweeps week · finale · reunion episode · variety show · talk show · sketch · SNL · late night · soap opera
A-lister
Top-tier famous person
- famous faceWidely recognized public figure
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
megastar · VIP · notable · luminary · public figure · personality · dignitary · fan favorite · household name · marquee name
breaking character
Leaving a performed identity
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- self-deprecatingBelittling one's own abilities
- anime tropesyandere, magical girl, catgirl, cat girl, chibi
- plot twistsplot twist, twist ending, surprise ending, unexpected turn, final reveal
- spoilersspoiler alert, spoiler warning, plot twist, twist ending, character death
cameo appearanceleading role
Principal character's part
starring role · title role · principal role · main character · protagonist
appear, camera, appearance, appeared, reappear, appearing, cameo, reappearance, disappearance