The phrase “There are no small parts, only small actors” is an old proverb that is commonly used in the entertainment industry. Even though it is intended to be inspirational, there are situations when it is actually accurate. For example, these extras were considered to be relatively little actors until they did something significant, which was to destroy the extremely expensive film they were working on.
30+ Movies Spoiled By Bad Extras
Thanks for the spoiler, kid (North By Northwest)
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s best thrillers, North by Northwest, kept audiences on the edge of their seats. The crop duster chase has become iconic, but the standoff at Mount Rushmore’s visitor center is almost as well-known – for all the wrong reasons. Would Eve, the movie’s main lady, really shoot Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill? Yes, based on the extra youngster in the back. Five seconds before Eve shoots, he closes his ears in preparation of the thunderous bang. Hitch should have known that when working with children, it’s important to get it right the first time.
Thanks For The Spoiler, Kid (North By Northwest)
Uh, guys? You okay there? (Everything Must Go)
Don’t dismiss Will Ferrell’s 2010 dramedy Everything Must Go. Ferrell provides a heartbreaking portrayal as a salesperson whose professional and personal lives are falling apart around him, rather than playing a loud, annoying jerk. In one scene, his character meets up with an old high school acquaintance, Delilah (Laura Dern). Delilah’s children are munching snacks in the background as the two converse. Then, one cut later, they’re locked in position, staring off into space for the remainder of the action. It’s not just distracting, but also unsettling.
Uh, Guys You Okay There (Everything Must Go)
Curse you, Coach Carter! (Coach Carter)
Based on a true story, Samuel L. Jackson played Coach Carter, the tough-as-nails basketball coach for Richmond High School’s varsity basketball team. Carter prioritizes academics over athletics, canceling the team’s big game due to his teammates’ bad grades. Except for one student, the rest of the school reacts with typical adolescent wrath. This student, who is completely unmissable, shakes his fist at Carter as if he were Grampa Simpson and threatens to regret ever crossing him, like a silent film villain.
Curse You, Coach Carter! (Coach Carter)
No wonder they can’t shoot straight (Star Wars – A New Hope)
This could be one of the most famous additional mess-ups of all time, so much so that the film was edited retrospectively to fit it. So a group of stormtroopers chase down C-3PO and R2-D2 on the Death Star. As they enter the room where the droids are, one of the soldiers knocks his head on the bottom of the blast door. Twenty-seven years later, when George Lucas remastered the films for a special edition release, he included a comical “bonk” sound effect to accompany the blow. It’s almost as funny as Jar Jar! Almost.
No Wonder They Can’t Shoot Straight (Star Wars – A New Hope)
Ghostbusters, alright! (Ghostbusters)
Just before entering Dana’s Central Park West apartment complex for their final battle against Gozer, the Ghostbusters take in the cheers of New Yorkers who had gathered to support them. One extremely apparent red-headed extra continues to shout, pump his fist, and overall act as if this is the pinnacle of his life up to that moment, providing perhaps excessive support. Recently, an online sleuth discovered his identity: he was played by Eldo Ray Estes, a makeup artist who went on to win four Emmy Awards for his work on As the World Turns.
Ghostbusters, Alright! (Ghostbusters)
Say, that guy looks familiar… (Breakin’)
Breakin’, a movie about breakdancing that could only have been made in the 1980s, would most likely be forgotten now if it hadn’t been for one thing. Of course, we’re referring to its sequel, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, whose subtitle was so absurd that it became a meme before we ever knew memes existed. Oh, there’s one more thing worth remembering. In one dance sequence, a muscle-bound goon in a spandex bodysuit busts out the motions. Wait, he looks familiar. Yes, it’s Jean-Claude Van Damme as an uncredited extra in one of his early film performances.
Say, That Guy Looks Familiar… (Breakin’)
Unintentional indecent exposure (Teen Wolf)
Teen Wolf is the archetypal 1980s teen comedy. Werewolves? Check. High school drama? Check. Michael J. Fox? Check and check. In the film, Fox’s mild-mannered Scott realizes he is a werewolf and does the obvious: become a basketball great while developing a merchandise empire. Hey, that was the 1980s. At the film’s climax, Scott’s team wins a crucial basketball game, and everyone rejoices. However, one extra celebrated a little too much, as her pants are plainly unzipped when she leaves the bleachers. She spends the rest of the scene furiously trying, and usually failing, to zip them back up.
Unintentional Indecent Exposure (Teen Wolf)
The creepiest kid ever captured on film (Future Part III)
Back to the Future Part III aspired to be a Western. The outcome, unsurprisingly, was a solid meh. By the time Doc Brown had a time-traveling train, we were eager for the film to end. Unfortunately, it would offer us one more item to ponder about. When Doc introduces Marty to his children, his youngest son Verne gestures with his hand to get closer before pointing squarely at his lower half. What’s strange isn’t that the youngster couldn’t wait until the end of the take to go potty, but that they included it in the film.
The Creepiest Kid Ever Captured On Film (Future Part III)
Don’t look at it, don’t look at it… Nailed it! (Goodfellas)
An extra’s sole purpose is to fade into the backdrop. Extras are not real individuals in the film; they are set dressing that moves. Whatever they do, they should never draw attention away from the real stars. It does not always work this way. In Goodfellas, Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro’s characters engage in a tense psychological standoff at a diner. It’s only slightly hampered by the guy behind De Niro, who was plainly advised not to look at the camera and attempts to do everything else. He only succeeds sometimes.
Don’t Look At It, Don’t Look At It… Nailed It! (Goodfellas)
Forget the kids, somebody save the ice cream! (Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back)
Star Wars is insane. Don’t get us wrong: we love movies. But the fixation with everything is a bit much. In The Empire Strikes Back, Cloud City is evacuated after being attacked by the Empire. One guy is wearing leggings and carrying what can only be described as an interstellar ice cream maker. Even with only a half-second of screentime, he was given a storyline and an action figure! He was apparently carrying his computer’s memory core, which contained critical Rebel information. Or he was just an extra with a Seventies mustache who looted the craft services table.
Forget The Kids, Somebody Save The Ice Cream! (Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back)
That first step is a doozy (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
While Tim Burton used his permanent retainer on Johnny Depp to persuade him to play Willy Wonka, nothing compares to the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, which starred Gene Wilder as the candy mogul. Aside from frightening generations of youngsters with the tunnel scenario, the film also included The Candy Man, a song that would eventually become a smash. Speaking of hits, as the creepy candy store clerk opens the hatch to let the youngsters ransack his store like barbarians, he visibly smacks a young girl in the face. Undeterred, she shakes it off and heads for early-onset diabetes.
That First Step Is A Doozy (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory)
Just fighting in World War II, NBD (Dunkirk)
It’s commonly claimed that one poor apple may spoil the bunch. The cast of Christopher Nolan’s World War II blockbuster Dunkirk was known far before the film’s release. Nolan created a brilliant teaser, generating anticipation while revealing little real action. It would have worked if not for one more. In a scene depicting Allied soldiers on a boat, everyone glances up at the sound of an approaching German plane. Unfortunately, the tangible tension is somewhat undermined by an extra who cannot stop smirking. It was so awful that for the DVD release, his visage was digitally altered.
Just Fighting In World War II, NBD (Dunkirk)
She’ll be fine (10 Things I Hate About You)
You could remember 10 Things I Hate About You as a modern-day rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, or as the film that first made audiences aware that Heath Ledger was a star. For us, however, it will always be the film in which a student is instructed to go obtain treatment for her coach, who has just been struck by an arrow. She could have ran to the end of the field, but she stops in the middle and turns to face the camera. She was never out of frame, yet we enjoy her casual laziness.
She’ll Be Fine (10 Things I Hate About You)
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be (Quantum of Solace)
James Bond’s 22nd film, Quantum of Solace, was Well, it was definitely a movie! In the plot, 007 confronts an evil green technology researcher known as… Umm… How about Dominic Greene? That cannot be correct. Anyway, in one scene, Bond rides a motorcycle on a dock. While he checks his phone, the rest of us inspect the additional on the right, sweeping a good foot off the ground. Our guess? His true sweeping was being picked up by the microphones, so they urged him to stop. Determined to deliver his Oscar-nominated performance, he swept every air molecule.
A Sweep Is As Lucky As Lucky Can Be (Quantum Of Solace)
A trialogue between me, myself, and I (The Room)
Singling out a poor performance in The Room is akin to filling a glass with ocean water and declaring it the saltiest item in the Atlantic. Tommy Wiseau’s magnum masterpiece, which inspired James Franco’s The Disaster Artist, is a film that you must see to believe it exists. We won’t even attempt to describe the plot, such as it is, so let’s move on. Despite the party scene’s reputation, one lady stands out. She is definitely engaged in intense conversation, despite the fact that she has no one to talk to.
A Trialogue Between Me, Myself, And I (The Room)
Lol, Aragon, you so crazy (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
If you didn’t leave the theater during one of The Return of the King’s 37 fake endings, you might have noticed something distracting and unusual about Aragorn’s crowning. Shortly after being anointed King of Gondor, Arwen is introduced as Aragorn’s queen. While Arwen and her father, Elrond, are unveiled, a guard behind them is simply laughing his head off. It’s extremely strange, considering there’s no obvious explanation for his laughter. Then, just as abruptly as it began, he realizes he’s laughing and stops. It stands out like a sore thumb in an otherwise dynamic environment.
Lol, Aragon, You So Crazy The Lord Of The Rings The Return Of The King
Seriously questioning his life choices (The King of Queens)
We acknowledge that this is a bit of a cheat, but it’s one of our favorites and it’s our article, so we’re adding it! Sure, Patton Oswalt appeared in The King of Queens as Doug’s friend Spence, but aren’t extras just background characters with no lines? Spence was precisely like that in one episode when Dough celebrated his 40th birthday. The entire one-minute sequence features Oswalt standing immobile, saying and doing nothing. While he claims to have no knowledge of the reason, we believe Oswalt wanted to see if anyone noticed. Clearly, nobody did.
Seriously Questioning His Life Choices (The King Of Queens)
A tackle so hard it made him change his race (Wildcats)
From Hoosiers to The Mighty Ducks, it appears that “eccentric coach helps a team of misfits and underdogs win an all-important game” is a sports movie cliché that has been used a million times. Wildcats is just another addition to that long list, notable only for having a woman, Goldie Hawn, as the aforementioned coach and being Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson’s big-screen debuts. Oh, and there’s a moment where #89, an African-American player wearing gloves, is tackled. Then, when he gets up, he is white and does not wear gloves. That was a hit!
A Tackle So Hard It Made Him Change His Race (Wildcats)
Cats gonna cat (You Only Live Twice)
Everyone has heard the old showbiz saying, “Never work with children or animals.” Adult performers are expected to be upstaged by their antics. In the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, this was true for quite different reasons. The bad guy-with-a-cat cliche originated with Bond villain Ernst Blofeld, albeit it has now become a cliché. In this film, he pets his kitten as his volcano base (ugh) erupts. The cat, clearly terrified and attempting to flee, is burying its claws deep into Donald Pleasence’s arm. That guy should have won an Oscar simply for not flinching!
Cats Gonna Cat (You Only Live Twice)
Haha, kung fu (Enter the Dragon)
We’re not sure what the “proper” reaction is to seeing a guy kick another guy in the head three times, but we have a feeling this isn’t it. Enter the Dragon is widely regarded as one of Bruce Lee’s greatest films, as well as one of the best and most influential martial arts films of all time. For us, it’ll always be the film in which a martial arts student watched Bruce Lee completely smash some random person and thought it was the funniest thing ever. It stands out since he’s dead center, while everyone else is absolutely expressionless.
Haha, Kung Fu (Enter The Dragon)
He never liked San Francisco anyway (Star Trek Into Darkness)
Star Trek Into Darkness is both a sequel to the rebooted 2009 Star Trek film and a loose retelling of the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. How’s that for confusion? Before the film was even released, the first trailer attempted to establish the stakes. In one frenzied scenario, huge spacecraft devastated a futuristic San Francisco. While the locals were terrified, one man, wearing big exaggerated specs, stared directly at the camera, beaming as if the destruction of his city was what he wanted for his birthday.
He Never Liked San Francisco Anyway (Star Trek Into Darkness)
Must’ve gotten a bit too excited (The Dark Knight Rises)
After years of Tim Burton and – Oh, Lord – Joel Schumacher, director Christopher Nolan taking over the Batman franchise was a welcome relief. His trilogy of films was fantastic, and we were all hooked until a rooftop fight involving Batman, Catwoman, and some thugs in The Dark Knight Rises. One henchman was about to throw down when he abruptly flew backwards, with no one nearby. Nolan, who famously cultivated a genuine cornfield for Interstellar because he didn’t want to use CGI, remarked, “Eh, no one’ll notice” and included it in the film.
Must’ve Gotten A Bit Too Excited (The Dark Knight Rises)
‘I mean, let’s think about this for a second…’ (The Dark Knight)
The Dark Knight will be remembered for the late Heath Ledger’s spellbinding portrayal as the Joker, for which he received a well-deserved but posthumous Oscar. The movie would be ideal if it didn’t have a press conference sequence when Harvey Dent addressed Gotham PD’s legitimate concerns about the Joker’s actions. It completely disrupts the immersion in the story. One furious cop exclaims, “No more dead cops!” and the extra sitting immediately in front of him makes a face like, “Dead cops? What about the dead cops? “I don’t know anything about that, sir.”
‘I Mean, Let’s Think About This For A Second…’ (The Dark Knight)
Yeah, guess they are pretty entertained (Gladiator)
How horrible do you have to be at your job for the director to complain about you months after the filming is over? The Gladiator extras know the answer. In the film’s first battle sequence, the Roman army struggles with Germanic tribes. Despite the grim combat going on around them, several extras were clearly having a great time. They apparently irritated director Ridley Scott to the point where he singled them out in his DVD commentary. We know Maximus questioned, “Are you not entertained?” but their response should not have been, “Yeah, absolutely.”
Yeah, Guess They Are Pretty Entertained (Gladiator)
Maybe he’s a vegetarian? (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Raiders of the Lost Ark is George Lucas’ love letter to his boyhood adventure serials, resulting in a totally new, thrilling story featuring the world’s coolest archeologist, Indiana Jones. In possibly the film’s most iconic moment, Indy confronts an Egyptian swordsman. Many fans know Harrison Ford was suffering from dysentery at the time and couldn’t stomach facing him in physical combat, as the screenplay required, instead he shot him. What most people don’t realize is that the butcher behind Indy during the sequence is the worst actor ever, using his knife so weakly that the meat can simply stand up and leave.
Maybe He’s A Vegetarian (Raiders Of The Lost Ark)
A bigger pro than the movie deserved, frankly (The Last Samurai)
The Last Samurai tells the story of how Japan needed a white guy to save it, and that guy happened to be Tom Cruise. Joking aside, the film isn’t entirely based on the screenwriters’ imaginations, as several Western soldiers did aid modernize Japanese military in the nineteenth century. Nathan Algren, Cruise’s imaginary US Army captain, seemed to have done a fine job of marshaling the Japanese troops. So superb, in fact, that when he dismounts from his horse and the animal kicks him extra right in the family jewels, he immediately falls back into formation. Now THAT is discipline!
A Bigger Pro Than The Movie Deserved, Frankly (The Last Samurai)
‘Eh, I’ve seen worse’ (The Day After Tomorrow)
The Day After Tomorrow is the catastrophe film Greta Thunberg would have created. Based on a book by two late-night radio chat show hosts who are not experts, the plot revolves around a new ice age caused by global warming. Rather of taking a lengthy time, this ice age appears to be on a tight timetable, occurring overnight. In one image, our planet is battered by a torrential storm unlike any we have seen before. Everyone is scattering like ants, except for one person who stands there doing nothing. How dare you!
‘Eh, I’ve Seen Worse’ (The Day After Tomorrow)
Now where did that pesky button go? (Star Wars – Return Of The Jedi)
Let’s face it: the original Star Wars trilogy had a serious extras problem, which George Lucas supposedly attempted to address later by making the entire ensemble CGI. Nonetheless, in the originals, real people wore costumes, which resulted in some amusing situations. Admiral Ackbar belongs to the Mon Calamari, a race of seafood-looking guys. In one Return of the Jedi scene, a Mon Calamari extra who clearly can’t see through his costume misses the button he’s supposed to press by about six inches, realizes it with a start, and walks over to where it is.
Now Where Did That Pesky Button Go (Star Wars – Return Of The Jedi)
He’s really a pacifist (The Dark Knight Rises)
Christopher Nolan might be the most severe director since Stanley Kubrick. We don’t mean he browbeats his performers with many takes, but rather that he has an unparalleled attention to detail in Hollywood. With that in mind, you could expect him to recruit only the greatest fight choreographers and stuntmen, especially since The Dark Knight Rises included multiple multi-man battle scenes. In fact, there were so many people involved in the violent Wall Street combat that several stuntmen had to be substituted with extras. You know, like the man who threw a crazy haymaker at… nothing.
He’s Really A Pacifist (The Dark Knight Rises)
Monkey see, monkey not do (Planet Of The Apes)
In the more than half a century following its premiere, the original Planet of the Apes has become something of a dystopian movie trope—”They were on Earth all along!” Nonetheless, it’s a really powerful sci-fi thriller, and you can sense Charlton Heston’s character’s uncertainty and rage. In one scene, he is pelted with stones by the monkeys, who enjoy torturing him. Yes, most of them do. One extra appears to be terrified for her own life, while the other tosses the stone so lightly that it barely clears her body.
Monkey See, Monkey Not Do (Planet Of The Apes)
Bash bash bash, bashing all day (Kingsman: The Secret Service)
Kingsman: The Secret Service, which is based on a comic book, features some outrageous moments. Perhaps none are as brutally epic as the fight that erupts in a Kentucky church. Harry Hart, a member of the eponymous private intelligence company, must defend the entire congregation in a series of one-shots. It’s difficult to see through the chaos, but one extra appears numerous times in the distance, swinging a chair as weakly as a dehydrated granny. Once you’ve noticed it, you can’t look away.
Bash Bash Bash, Bashing All Day (Kingsman The Secret Service)
Aaaand… vogue! (Jurassic Park)
Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg’s cautionary story about our obvious drive to recreate dinosaurs, features multiple villains. There are, of course, the dinos themselves, but we hesitate to term them “evil” because they are simply operating according to their biological imperatives. Then there’s Dennis Nedry, portrayed by Newman from Seinfeld. He’s obviously bad, but he only works for the truly evil person, Dodgson, who works for John Hammond’s corporate competitors. His most serious infraction, however, is failing to close cab doors. Nonetheless, his cab driver went a little crazy in his reaction, generating a diva-like flair to demonstrate his complete dislike.
Aaaand… Vogue! (Jurassic Park)
This guy ruined The Dark Knight Rises for everyone (The Dark Knight Rises)
While not as good as the first two films in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises was a decent bookend to the series. At least, if you could look over Tom Hardy’s perplexing attempt to make Bane sound like Darth Vader with an Irish accent. The outcry about Bane’s voice can be traced down to one person: an extra who captured cellphone video of the Heinz Field disaster scene. Clearly in breach of his NDA, his camera captured Hardy’s mumbled delivery over the loudspeakers, causing considerable internet worry.
This Guy Ruined The Dark Knight Rises For Everyone (The Dark Knight Rises)
Stop, seizure time! (Die Hard 2)
Quick, what is the best Christmas movie ever? If your response was not Die Hard, it was incorrect. And, while Die Hard 2 was essentially the same movie, but set in an airport rather than an office building, we still enjoyed it. Taking place at Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, John McClane must once again save his wife from terrorists. Mondays, are we correct? Anyway, when the evil guys take over the airport, it creates a panic. The reaction is understandable. However, one guy went a little too far, flopping on the floor like a fish out of water.
Stop, Seizure Time! (Die Hard 2)
Six degrees of Jesse Heiman (So many movies)
An extra’s goal is to blend into the background and provide life to a scene while not drawing attention away from the actual stars. Simple, right? Meet Jesse Heiman. He’s been dubbed the “world’s greatest extra,” and he’s appeared in numerous films and television series. His film appearances include Spider-Man, The Social Network, Catch Me If You Can, American Pie 2, Old School, and Transformers. By the way, Michael Bay handpicked him to appear in not one, but two Transformers films. With a distinguishing appearance and an IMDb page that is approximately 70 credits long, he could be the world’s WORST extra.
Six Degrees Of Jesse Heiman (So Many Movies)
Well, that’s disturbing (Forrest Gump)
Forrest Gump tells the story of a “local idiot” who finds himself in more complicated situations that put him at the heart of global events. In one of these scenarios, he is awarded a football scholarship to the University of Alabama. Then, during a game, Forrest scores a touchdown and proceeds to run straight out of the stadium. His coach jokes that he may be the stupidest so-and-so alive, but he sure is quick. Throughout the scene, his assistant coach maintains a frightening, open-mouthed grin. Finally, fortunately, he yells, “YEAAH!” and we are grateful for anything that causes him to shift his face expression.
Well, That’s Disturbing (Forrest Gump)
This dude has only one setting – 11 (The Return of the Musketeers)
Don’t dismiss “The Return of the Musketeers, or The Treasures of Cardinal Mazarin” simply because it’s a Russian film with what could be the longest title in cinema history. It also features one of the worst, hammiest extras we’ve ever seen in any film, Russian or otherwise. The Musketeers are presumably discussing jewels with a queen. We don’t know; it’s all Russian. Anyway, the person in the black hat was meant to be “listening intently.” Instead, he ended up someplace north of “too campy even for RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
This Dude Has Only One Setting – 11 (The Return Of The Musketeers)
Hey, quit stealing Data’s thunder! (Star Trek Generations)
Star Trek Generations is the film that dares to pose vital questions, such as, “What if we can stress test all of William Shatner’s toupées to see if they ever fall off?” They don’t, but the film clearly does. This extra, who should never have graduated from Starfleet Academy, makes an appearance after the Enterprise successfully destroys a Klingon Bird of Prey. As the crew cheers, one redshirt gives a limp-wristed fist pump. It wouldn’t have been so horrible if Data hadn’t instantly responded with an en-fuego fist pump. Don’t underestimate the stars, redshirt. This is why you’re always dying.
Hey, Quit Stealing Data’s Thunder! (Star Trek Generations)
Is that… is that Elvis? (Home Alone)
For nearly two decades, Home Alone was the highest-grossing live-action comedy picture of all time in the United States. That distinction was well deserved; it truly had it everything, from Joe Pesci in a children’s film to a toddler creating life-threatening traps. Oh, did we mention it also features Elvis? We apologize in advance for how ridiculous this is, but for years, it was rumored that the man circled here was The King. He isn’t, of course; Elvis lives in Barbados away from the spotlight – but we can’t watch that scene without thinking about it.
Is That… Is That Elvis (Home Alone)