10 Surprising Actors You Didn’t Know Were In The Scream Movies!

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The Scream movie series is known for featuring well-known actors subtly hidden among the cast, much like the enigmatic Ghostface Killer. Re-watching these films can offer delightful surprises. Since its inception in 1996, the Scream series has excelled at strategically using celebrities for brief appearances, a technique that was first employed when Drew Barrymore was dramatically killed off at the start of the original film. Over time, the franchise has expanded to include many recognizable faces that can surprisingly slip one’s mind.

In many Scream films, well-known actors manage to blend into the background, making their presence subtly elusive. Some actors’ screen time is fleeting and their roles date back so far in the Scream movie timeline that it becomes disconcertingly simple to overlook them entirely. On other occasions, character actors with faces we think we recognize from past works can appear, lingering on the fringes of the action. Despite these familiar features, they remain hard to place. In essence, most Scream movies often include at least one actor who is easily forgotten.

10. Wes Craven

Scream

Wes Craven, much like many directors, enjoys the age-old practice of making brief appearances in his movies, often as unassuming background characters. In the movie Scream, he can be spotted fleetingly as Fred the Janitor, a character easily missed if not paying close attention, as he’s seen mopping the floors at Woodsboro High School. His attire – a striped sweater and fedora – is a nod to his iconic slasher villain, Freddy Krueger, who dons a claw-tipped glove and terrorizes people by infiltrating their nightmares as a supernatural serial killer.

Wes Craven’s horror films solidified him as a legendary figure within the genre, placing him among the greats who have ever graced it, and even hinting at his famous character in a subtle way. Later on, Craven appeared in minor roles in subsequent Scream movies, such as a doctor in Scream 2, a videographer in Scream 3, and a coroner in a cut scene from Scream 4. Interestingly, many people are unaware that Craven’s involvement with the franchise extended beyond his duties as a director.

9. Linda Blair

Scream

It’s not surprising that Wes Craven isn’t the only horror legend to make an appearance in the original “Scream.” In the 1996 movie, Blair is listed as “Obnoxious Reporter,” a title that suits her character well since she boldly queries Sidney Prescott about how it feels to be viciously murdered. Beneath her striking black-and-white tiger-striped attire, it’s hard to recognize her.

Linda Blair is primarily recognized for playing the demon-possessed character Regan MacNeil in the Exorcist series. It’s appropriate that she receives a tribute in the movie Scream, although her appearance as an adult might not be immediately recognizable. Unfortunately, Blair didn’t have many other notable roles later in her career; however, her undeniable acting talent shines through even in brief scenes. Regardless, it remains challenging for those unfamiliar with her work to identify her.

8. Kristen Bell

Scream 4

As a dedicated cinephile, one aspect I absolutely love about the Scream series is how self-aware and meta it becomes, seamlessly incorporating and subverting classic slasher movie tropes on the spot. A key element of this uniqueness lies in the Stab movies, an in-universe film series that mirrors the actual crimes of the Ghostface Killer. In the opening scene of Scream 4, Kristen Bell takes on the role of Chloe, the seventh Ghostface Killer portrayed within the Stab franchise.

Initially, Kristen Bell gained popularity due to her role as the spirited lead in the TV series titled “Verionica Mars.“. More recently, she captivated television viewers once more with her portrayal of Eleanor Shellstrop, a morally ambiguous main character in the fantastical sitcom “The Good Place“. Interestingly, in “Scream 4“, it’s shown that the earlier “Stab” movies are part of the same universe as “Stab 7“, creating a complex layering of films within films. Given these intricate storylines, it’s understandable why Bell might be overshadowed in the cast of “Scream 4“.

7. Heather Graham

Scream 2

In the “Scream” series, the “Stab” films served as a platform for bringing in popular actresses ahead of “Scream 4,” with their cameos dating back to “Scream 2.” Interestingly, “Scream 2” mimics the opening scene of its predecessor by depicting the on-screen adaptation of the Ghostface Killer’s initial murder of Casey Becker. Heather Graham delivers a subtle portrayal of Casey Becker in this Stab adaptation that might be overlooked.

In her acting career, Graham boasts a diverse collection of roles, spanning from comedies such as “The Hangover,” “Bowfinger,” and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” She’s also gained recognition for her appearances in television shows like “Twin Peaks,” “Scrubs,” and “Californication.” Although she may not yet be a name that everyone recognizes, her face is certainly familiar to many viewers, even if they can’t immediately recall where they’ve seen her before, unless they’re fans of the “Scream” series.

6. Patrick Warburton

Scream 3

A well-known actor, Patrick Warburton, takes on a supporting role in the Scream series as Steven Stone. In Scream 3, Stone is depicted as Jennifer Jolie’s bodyguard, a budding star in the Scream‘s Hollywood scene due to her success in the Stab films. Stone meets an untimely end in Scream 3, becoming the fourth victim of the Ghostface killer while guarding Jolie’s residence.

Patrick Warburton is more recognized for his distinctive voice than his physical appearance. He gained fame with roles like Kronk from “The Emperor’s New Groove” and Joe from “Family Guy.” Moreover, Warburton has an extensive resume in animation, spanning shows such as “The Batman” and “The Bee Movie.” However, he is also experienced in live-action acting, starring as the peculiar protagonist of “The Tick” and David Puddy on “Seinfeld.” Even those who may recognize his face might find it difficult to identify him with sunglasses in “Scream 3.

5. Sarah Michelle Gellar

Scream 2

In the shocking opening scene of Scream, Drew Barrymore’s character was brutally killed, a daring move that left viewers stunned due to Barrymore’s popularity at the time. Similarly, Scream 2 surprised audiences by killing off Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, Casey “Cici” Cooper, who plays a film major student at Windsor College and is the third victim of the new Ghostface Killer. Cici meets her untimely end while fulfilling her “sober sister” duty.

For a number of years, Sarah Michelle Gellar captivated television viewers as the lead character slaying vampires in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a popular and enduring supernatural high school drama series. Interestingly enough, Gellar has a close connection to the “Scream” movie franchise – her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., was mentioned in “Scream 3”; her “Scooby-Doo” co-star, Matthew Lillard, portrayed one of the initial Ghostface Killers; and Sarah herself was referenced as an actress within “Scream 3.

4. Carrie Fisher

Scream 3

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me remind you of an illustrious name often overlooked when discussing the Scream series: Carrie Fisher. Despite being a household name, her role in Scream 3 can easily slip one’s mind amidst the bustling cast. In this film, she portrays Bianca Burnette, a Sunrise Studios archivist and former actress residing in Los Angeles, California. Bianca expresses her regret over nearly securing the role of Princess Leia in the Star Wars films, which ultimately went to someone else famously known for their relationship with George Lucas.

Without a doubt, I’m referring playfully to the iconic character Carrie Fisher portrayed in both the original Star Wars trilogy and the initial two films of the sequel series under Disney. Besides her remarkable performances in Star Wars, Fisher was a cherished figure in the creative world, penning the best-seller “Postcards From the Edge” and the autobiography “Wishful Drinking.” Her self-deprecating humor on display in Scream 3 truly encapsulates her one-of-a-kind wit.

3. Tony Revolori

Scream VI

Instead of only the prior “Scream” films, it’s also common for them to cast actors whose faces are almost but not quite familiar. Case in point: Tony Revolori plays Jason Carvey, a student at Blackmore University who initially serves as an adversary in “Scream VI”. In this film, Carvey becomes one of the early victims during the New York murders depicted in “Scream VI”, making him one of the rare villains from the series to be swiftly eliminated by a more powerful figure.

Tony Revolori initially gained prominence by playing Zero in Wes Anderson’s cherished movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” holding his own against seasoned actors like Ralph Fiennes, despite his youth. In addition, he is recognized for portraying Flash Thompson, the school bully of Peter Parker, in the Spider-Man films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Revolori brought a fresh take to the traditional high school jerk character. Unfortunately, he was replaced prematurely as the antagonist in “Scream VI.

2. Timothy Olyphant

Scream 2

Timothy Olyphant adds another shining talent to the impressive ensemble of Scream 2, although his unique visage can easily get lost amidst the multitude of characters. In this movie, Olyphant plays Mickey Altieri, a student at Windosr College and the third Ghostface Killer in the Scream series to be officially unveiled. Just as in the original film, he’s an expert at avoiding suspicion initially, making it surprisingly challenging to recall Olyphant’s role even after his identity as the killer is revealed.

Timothy Olyphant is particularly recognized for his TV roles, such as Seth Bullock in Deadwood, Danny Cordray in The Office, and Raylan Givens in Justified. More recently, he shared the screen with Drew Barrymore from the Scream series in the now-canceled horror comedy series Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix. Despite Mickey often appearing behind the Ghostface mask accompanied by Roger L. Jackson’s chilling voice, it’s surprisingly simple to overlook Olyphant’s presence altogether.

1. Anthony Anderson

Scream 4

In many horror films, such as the “Scream” series, the ineffectiveness of the police is a common theme. This is humorously illustrated by Anthony Anderson’s portrayal of a character reminiscent of Anthony Perkins. Perkins, one of two officers tasked with protecting Sidney Prescott following threats, ultimately fails to keep her safe, just like many others who fall victim to the Ghostface Killer when it matters most.

Anthony Anderson, a versatile comedic actor with numerous appearances across various productions, is often recognizable but not as easy to recall by name. Famous for his humorous roles, he played the comic relief hacker Glen Whitmann in Transformers, one of the co-leads in Kangaroo Jack, and starred as the lead father in the ABC series black-ish. Anderson is among the many lesser-known stars who have been enlisted for their comical talents in the Scream franchise.

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2025-05-31 21:01