The 8 Best Celebrity Cameos in Cartoons & Animation

Seeing one of your favorite stars appear on the television or movie screen is already exciting, but something about them popping up in one of your favorite cartoons is even more so. What’s even better is that this isn’t something that happens once in a blue moon—many shows, including ones like The Simpsons and Family Guy, frequently have guest appearances from celebrities, ranging from top Hollywood actors and award-winning singers to hilarious late-night talk show hosts. Famous athletes are even known to sometimes grace the screen.

If you love cartoons and are looking to watch more that have some of your favorite stars in them, then read ahead. From Ryan Reynolds’ sidesplitting role in an episode of Family Guy to Cher’s multiple Scooby Doo appearances, here are eight of the best celebrity cameos in cartoons and animation.

Betty White - Family Guy

Betty White, the beloved actress and comedian whose career lasted over seven decades, not only appeared in fan favorites like The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but made cameos in cartoons, too. In fact, she played herself in a handful of Family Guy episodes, including a season four one, titled “Peterotica.” In it, she angrily shows up to the Griffin house after Peter gets sued for an erotic book he wrote.

Lady Gaga - The Simpsons

In “Lisa Goes Gaga,” a season 23 episode that aired in 2012, the famous performer appeared on the show as herself to help Lisa work on her self-esteem. “We just recorded and she was fantastic,” Simpsons executive producer, Matt Groening said in a 2012 interview with Interscope Records. “She was so good that we ruined many takes by laughing out loud.” Other guest stars that season included Michael Cera, Glenn Close, and Bryan Cranston.

Stephen Colbert - Rick and Morty

On Rick and Morty, the funny late-night talk show host lent his voice to Zeep Xanflorp, an alien scientist who creates his own mini planet. Although he didn’t play himself, fans were still excited to have Colbert's voice on the buzzy Adult Swim program.

Ryan Reynolds - Family Guy

Peter Griffin and Ryan Reynolds is the unlikely pairing you didn’t know you needed. In a season ten Family Guy episode, “Stewie Goes for a Drive,” the Hollywood actor becomes close with Peter after asking him and Lois for directions.

Cher - Scooby Doo

Cher has done it all, including having a cameo on Scooby Doo. Her most recent episode aired in 2021, but her first appearance on the show actually happened over 50 years ago.

Snoop Dogg - Futurama

The rapper and actor appeared on an episode of Futurama—well, his head did at least. In the episode, “Into The Wild Green Yonder,” Snoop Dogg acts as a Supreme Court justice alongside other recognizable names, like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Paula Abdul, and Bjork.

Lizzo - The Simpsons

You may remember when Lizzo dressed up as Marge for Halloween, but did you know that the star also recently appeared on The Simpsons’ season 34 finale? In it she plays both herself and an elf doll that acts as a spirit guide. The Grammy-award winning performer also jammed out with Lisa on her flute before the episode ended. “Every icon has been on The Simpsons, now I can add my name to the list!” Lizzo posted on her Instagram. “Thank you to the whole team for making this a dream come true.”

Justin Bieber - Family Guy

Justin Bieber transformed into the cartoon version of himself for a season 11 episode of Family Guy. In the episode, Lois decides to do more youthful things and change her personality after becoming self-conscious about getting older. As part of her mid-life crisis, she dresses differently and becomes a huge Bieber fan—she even bribes a security guard with frozen yogurt to meet the singer backstage during one of his concerts.

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