10 Celebrities You Probably Missed in Their ‘Star Wars’ Cameos

Star Wars stands as one of the most iconic franchises in history. Whether you’re a fan or not, its influence is undeniable, propelling some actors to stardom while turning veterans, who sometimes hesitated at first, into beloved icons synonymous with their Star Wars roles today.

However, there are celebrities whose brief appearances in the franchise may have gone unnoticed. Some were recognizable from the start, while others remained hidden until their roles were revealed later on.

This article highlights the 10 significant celebrity cameos in the Star Wars franchise, many of which you likely missed during your viewings of the movies or TV series. Fiction Horizon is here to uncover these hidden gems for you! (Note: This list is not in any particular order.)

1. Tom Hardy as a Stormtrooper

This is just one of numerous Stormtrooper cameos throughout the series, and there have been many. Identifying Tom Hardy under that mask was impossible, so it’s understandable if you missed it, though it’s widely known now. Tom Hardy is a renowned actor, recognized for his roles in blockbuster films like Inception, Legend, and The Dark Knight Rises, as well as the acclaimed TV series Peaky Blinders.

Keira Knightley as Sabé

Keira Knightley’s cameo in The Phantom Menace probably went unnoticed by many fans. Not because she was impossible to spot like Stormtroopers, thanks to effective makeup, but because she was a young, relatively unknown actress at the time. Later, she rose to fame with roles in Pride and Prejudice and the Pirates of the Caribbean series, making this Star Wars project one of the earliest major undertakings in her career.

3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Slowen Lo

Ah, here’s another cameo that was virtually impossible to spot—Slowen Lo, being an alien character, completely obscured Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s appearance under that mask. Despite this challenge, his role in The Last Jedi remains one of the more intriguing Star Wars cameos. It highlights how well-known actors are willing to take on minor roles in significant projects. While we know who Slowen Lo is, trying to find any resemblance to JGL won’t be easy!

4. Daniel Craig as a Stormtrooper

As we promised, there are plenty of Stormtroopers making appearances on this list, and Daniel Craig is another notable addition. Craig is a highly esteemed and versatile actor known for his early success in films like Munich, and for solidifying his star status as James Bond in several movies until Spectre. Currently, fans can see him portraying private investigator Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series.

5. Ed Sheeran as a Stormtrooper and Engi Golba

Most celebrity cameos are limited to one role, but renowned award-winning singer Ed Sheeran pulled off two in a single movie. Sheeran, a global pop sensation, made an uncredited appearance as both a Stormtrooper and the miner Engi Golba in The Rise of Skywalker. His dual roles make his inclusion on this list particularly noteworthy, as such occurrences are relatively rare in the franchise.

6. Sofia Coppola as Saché

Similar to Keira Knightley’s role, Sofia Coppola’s cameo in the film occurred when she was already quite well-known. As the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, a legendary filmmaker, Sofia had established herself as a filmmaker in her own right. She is renowned for directing captivating films such as The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, both of which are known for their artistic complexity and depth. Sofia’s cameo in The Phantom Menace, much like her earlier appearance in The Godfather Part III as a child, reflects her longstanding connection to the world of cinema and doesn’t come as a surprise given her family background and artistic achievements.

7. Princes William and Harry as Stormtroopers

Yes, yet another group of Stormtroopers (we’re at number 4 now!), but this time, the cameo isn’t from a famous actor but from two significant celebrities and political figures. When they made their appearance in The Last Jedi, both princes were well-known celebrities despite having limited political power at the time. Including them on this list was a must, considering their status. It’s also one of the more intriguing cameos in the Star Wars universe, in our opinion!

8. George Lucas as Notluwiski Papanoida

The director himself also made an appearance in his own film, portraying a political dignitary in The Revenge of the Sith. Covered in heavy costume and blue makeup, he’s not easy to recognize at first glance, but with a keen eye, you might spot him. Directors appearing in cameo roles in their own movies is a common practice, but it’s notable that Lucas took six films before making his own appearance in the Star Wars franchise. It adds an intriguing layer to the series!

9. Simon Pegg as Unkar Plutt

Simon Pegg’s portrayal of Unkar Plutt in The Force Awakens was completely unrecognizable. Unlike many others on this list, Pegg’s character played a somewhat crucial role in the film as the unscrupulous junk dealer whom Rey encounters. Known for roles different from this, Pegg’s effective voice acting for the alien added an intriguing layer to the Star Wars universe, making his cameo a noteworthy addition to our list.

10. Richard Armitage as a Naboo fighter pilot

We conclude our list with Thorin from The Hobbit, Richard Armitage, who had a subtle cameo in The Phantom Menace as a fighter pilot visible in the background of a scene. It’s an intriguing cameo because Armitage went on to achieve significant recognition later in his career, making his appearance in Star Wars a notable piece of trivia.

That wraps up our compilation. While many other actors and actresses made brief appearances in the series, we focused on the most notable and interesting ones. Did you spot a cameo we missed or particularly enjoyed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!