10 Actors You Didn't Know Starred In Pixar Movies (2024)

Plenty of famous actors have adopted lead roles in Pixar movies over the years, but the studio has also provided some since-forgotten supporting roles for Hollywood stars in its most popular projects. Recognizing all these actors can be difficult since it’s only their voices that are included in the movies, but several of their characters have become fan favorites without audiences actually realizing exactly who plays them. These cameos and supporting roles can be a really fun way for actors to get involved in Pixar movies and play characters that they’d never otherwise get a chance to.

As a studio, Pixar has always been aware of its reputation and included plenty of Easter eggs and meta-references in its stories. They’ve even been willing to confirm several Pixar theories over the years, and these famous cameos are just another way the studio has had fun with its audience. Several of the characters are even modeled after the actor who plays them in some manner, which is an entertaining way of breaking the fourth wall without actually doing so.

10 Ashley Tisdale (A Bug’s Life)

Although her acting career didn’t really kick off until Donnie Darko in 2001, Ashley Tisdale actually had a minor role in A Bug’s Life as the voice of Lead Blueberry Scout. The character barely appeared in the movie, but the role now serves as an entertaining look back at the beginning of Tisdale’s career. She would later become famous for playing Sharpay in High School Musical and providing the voice of Candace in the Disney series Phineas and Ferb.

9 Samuel L. Jackson (The Incredibles)

Samuel L. Jackson’s filmography is an exceptionally long one, and one of his oft-forgotten movies from that list is Pixar’s The Incredibles. He provided the voice of Frozone, a close friend of Mr. Incredible, serving as the comic relief in plenty of iconic scenes and stealing the show whenever he appears. It’s such a different kind of performance for Jackson, which is why many audiences forget about his involvement in the project.

8 John Krasinski (Monster’s University)

Although the character doesn’t play a huge role in the movie, one of John Krasinski’s most entertaining roles was as Frank McCay in Monsters University. He’s one of the past employees at Monsters Inc. who inspired Mike Wazowski to become a scarer, as seen in the previous movie. Krasinski really makes the character shine in the little screen time he’s given, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

7 Michael Keaton (Toy Story 3)

Toy Story 3 is one of Pixar’s best movies for several reasons, but the most obvious is the film’s hugely entertaining ensemble voice cast. There are so many popular actors who make brief vocal appearances throughout the movie, but Michael Keaton’s turn as Ken definitely stands out. His scenes with Barbie are consistently funny and provide some reliable laughs in the film’s more lighthearted moments. It’s such an unconventional casting, but that’s what makes it so fun. Keaton subverts all expectations and transforms Ken from a pointless side character into a worthwhile addition to Toy Story 3.

6 Mindy Kaling (Inside Out)

Inside Out is another Pixar movie with a hugely famous cast, with actors such as Amy Poehler and Bill Hader playing the major roles of Joy and Fear. However, one member of the cast that’s often forgotten about — because the actress is playing so clearly against type — is Mindy Kaling, who provides the voice of Disgust. While the character undeniably has some funny moments, it’s a much less comedic role than Kaling is used to, and it really gives her a chance to shine. The fact that her involvement is often forgotten is actually a huge testament to her ability to disappear into this role.

Related: Inside Out Star Mindy Kaling Confirms She Isn't Returning For Sequel

5 Willem Dafoe (Finding Nemo)

From beginning to end, Finding Nemo is brimming with entertaining characters that appear for a couple of scenes and then disappear — but they all leave a lasting impression on the story. Willem Dafoe’s Gill is the perfect embodiment of this: he’s the leader of the Tank Gang, helping Nemo out when he’s captured by the dentist. The character doesn’t actually have that many lines in the movie, but Dafoe’s energetic performance makes him incredibly memorable anyway. Without characters like Gill, Finding Nemo would really struggle with momentum in those scenes featuring the Tank Gang.

4 Bruce Campbell (Cars 2)

Cars 2 is a family-friendly spy movie that completely switches the genre from the first movie and tries something totally new. While these changes don’t always work, there’s no denying that it features some of Pixar’s funniest characters and most surprising cameos. One of these is the American agent Rod Redline, who’s voiced by Bruce Campbell. His dedication to the role immediately makes this character stand out from the rest, but it’s often forgotten since Cars 2 is among Pixar’s worst-reviewed projects. In a more well-liked movie, this could’ve easily been one of Campbell’s best roles.

Related: Pixar Subtly Confirmed The Shared Universe Theory In One Of Its Worst Movies

3 Idris Elba (Finding Dory)

What makes Idris Elba’s role in Finding Dory stand out is just how different the character is from anything he has done before. The actor is notorious for playing intense, dramatic characters in projects such as Luther and Beasts of No Nation, so hearing him lend his voice to a lazy sea lion named Fluke is hugely entertaining. He really commits to the role and provides some of the movie’s funniest moments, helping to elevate what could’ve otherwise been a very lackluster sequel.

2 Will Arnett (Ratatouille)

Ratatouille’s cast is filled with talented actors such as Peter O’Toole and Patton Oswalt, but Will Arnett’s character might just be the movie’s biggest scene-stealer. He plays a German sous chef named Horst, and while he doesn’t have too many scenes, he really turns this character into something uniquely funny and memorable. Arnett is best known for his comedic work on shows like Arrested Development and Murderville, so it’s no surprise that he managed to bring so much effective comedy to Ratatouille too.

1 Keanu Reeves (Toy Story 4)

Duke Caboom is a rare instance of a Pixar role that feels like it was created specifically for one actor. Not only does the character model even look like Keanu Reeves, but his obsession with stunts and action seems like a direct nod towards Reeves’s greatest action movies like The Matrix and John Wick. Reeves brings so much energy and charisma to every character he plays, and Caboom is no different, stealing the show in Toy Story 4 and cementing himself as one of Pixar’s best yet sometimes forgotten supporting characters