People Are Talking About "Small Role" Actors Who Stole The Scene Or Entire Movie, And It's A Really, Really, Really Good List

Buzz Feed

10-02-2025

We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community, "Which actor do you think had a big impact on a particular scene or movie despite having a relatively small role in the overall film, and basically stole the show?" Here are their A+ responses:
Note: Some spoilers ahead.
1. Lil Rel Howery in Get Out (2017) — "Rod is honestly such a great character. He adds some levity to a pretty horrifying story and has relevance to the plot in the best possible way. He also pulls off the best fakeout I've seen in some time. Lil Rel Howery is the GOAT."
2. Bronson Pinchot in Beverly Hills Cop (1984) — "He played Serge, and his small scene with Eddie Murphy was hilarious. I saw the outtakes on that scene, and Eddie Murphy couldn't hold it together. The guy was cracking him up so much. Eddie is a comic genius, but Pinchot stole that scene completely. Kudos to Eddie Murphy for sharing the glory with him."
3. Kimberly Adair Clark in The Incredibles (2004) — "Need I even say it? Frozone's wife Honey in The Incredibles! 'Greater good? I am your WIFE! I am the GREATEST GOOD you are ever gonna get!' Not even a moment on the screen and she's maybe the most iconic moment in all of Pixar."
4. Hank Azaria in The Birdcage (1996) —"Agador is a smaller character, but he steals the scenes from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane when they're together! Those two are GREAT actors, but Hank Azaria shines in every scene, in my opinion."
5. Beatrice Straight in Network (1976) — "Less than 6 minutes of screen time but absolutely ate up every second of it. Probably the most realistic character in the entire film. Totally deserved the Oscar!"
6. Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — "While definitely not a role I would consider 'small,' Anthony Hopkins was only on screen for about 16 minutes in The Silence of the Lambs. I can't imagine anyone else in that role having that big of an impact."
7. Donnie Wahlberg in The Sixth Sense (1999) — "His turn as Vincent Grey is an unbelievably stunning performance in a matter of seconds. Hands Down!"
8. Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road (2008) — "He was in only three scenes, but he OWNED every one of them. He richly deserved his Best Supporting Actor nomination, as he stole every scene he was in. Such an underrated actor!"
9. Hugh Grant in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) — "He's only there for 26 seconds, but I nearly cheered out loud in the cinema."
10. Channing Tatum in Bullet Train (2022) — "I feel like Channing Tatum really excels at being a surprise cameo in a stacked film, like in Bullet Train. You never know where or when he'll show up, but you'll know that, somehow, he just fits."
11. Karan Soni in Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018) —"He is hilarious as Dopinder and has great chemistry with Ryan Reynolds! His not being in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) was so disappointing!"
12. Gilbert Gottfried in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) — "Gilbert Gottfried as the accountant! When they came into his office claiming he had all these unpaid parking tickets, then he picked up the phone and starts yelling!"
13. Denis Ménochet in Inglourious Basterds (2009) — "That opening scene was absolutely perfectly acted."
14. Mike Myers in Inglourious Basterds (2009) — "I was not expecting Mike Myers to play a British general in the film. He usually plays comedic roles, but this one was more on the serious side. Had no idea it was him until the scene was over!"
The Weinstein Company / Via youtube.com
— jupiter_in_suburbia
15. Dennis Hopper in True Romance (1993) — "His scene with Christopher Walken. Walken is a godfather who wants his $1,000,000 of cocaine back from Christian Slater's character, who accidentally stole it. Hopper is Slater's father, an ex-cop. After being tortured by Walken and his men, Hopper knows he is a dead man. He asks for a cigarette from Walken, and he obliges. Hopper then gives a racial history of Sicilians that is epic, both in Walken's expressions and Hopper's delivery!"
Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com
— majorh
16. Barry Corbin in No Country for Old Men (2007) — "When he tells Tommy Lee Jones that he can't stop the coming onslaught of changing times and it's vanity to think he could. The lack of incidental music, with just the wind in the background, is the cherry on top."
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com
— fierceminion141
17. Jeremy Piven in Rush Hour 2 (2001) — "Buttercream, buttercream, buttercream!"
New Line Cinema / Via youtube.com
— kate3
18. Marlon Wayans in Beverly Hills Cop (1984) — "When he handed Eddie Murphy the bananas! Yes, he stole the scene with just three words!!"
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
— glitterycomet14
19. Viola Davis in Doubt (2008) — "Viola Davis is always amazing."
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com
— jaimecw
20. Salma Hayek in From Dusk till Dawn (1996) — "Salma is the GOAT and I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL!"
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com
— jaimecw
21. Katherine Hahn in We're the Millers (2013) — " She's definitely not a main cast member, but not small either. She absolutely nailed the accent and that over the top personality we've all encountered at some point. My sister and I still say Oklahoma in her accent when we try to be conscious of our swearing in front of her kids."
Warner Bros. Pictures / Via youtube.com
— monikap6
22. Nicolas Cage in Longlegs (2024) — "That movie was subpar, but his performance was definitely amazing. Should have been in it waaaaayyyyyy more."
Neon / Via youtube.com
— savannahg4e56476eb
23. Rami Malek in Oppenheimer (2023) — "He's truly magnetic. He only has a handful of scenes, yet you remember every single one; he absolutely grabs your attention."
Universal Pictures / Via Prime Video
— eststar
24. Eugene Levy in American Pie (1999) — "Him as Jim's dad!!! I love that man."
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
— dh00dz0
25. Elijah Wood in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) — "His cameo as the Guy in the third Spy Kids movie will never cease to be legendary."
Dimension Films / Via youtube.com
— ljvincent
26. Don Cheadle in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) — "He should have gotten an Oscar nom for that performance."
Sony Pictures / Via youtube.com
— jennibird
27. The Backstreet Boys in This is the End (2013) — "They were at the very end of the movie, but they owned every second and made Heaven look like a blast."
Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com
— diamond_girl_7
28. Robert De Niro in Brazil (1985) — "His surprise appearance in that movie will always stick in my head."
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
—Anonymous
29. Michael Biehn in Tombstone (1993) — "He played Johnny Ringo. Of course, this movie is amazing because of the legends Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, but they needed a villain! Val needed someone to say, 'I'm your huckleberry' to! Biehn was AMAZING!!! Not only is he one of my favorite villains, but he had my favorite facial hair in the movie, and I strive for a mustache like his (Yes, I saw Kurt Russell's)."
Buena Vista Pictures / Via youtube.com
— lazygamer141
30. Ke Huy Quan in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) — "This isn't really a 'small' role, but he was a supporting character. I mean, obviously, Harrison Ford is the star, but Short Round MADE that movie. It wouldn't be the same at all, and he was spectacular! Ford and Quan are absolutely adorable, and he definitely made the movie the awesomeness it was! Perfect duo."
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
— lazygamer141
31. Finally, Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love (1998) — "Judi Dench famously pointed out she was only in Shakespeare in Love for a few minutes (8, to be exact) when she accepted her Oscar."
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com
— singingeachtoeach
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
What do you think? Do you agree, disagree? Do you have other suggestions you wanna share? Tell us all about it in the comments below or via this totally anonymous form and you may be featured in a part two!