Actors you forgot were in Spider-Man movies

The Spider-Man movie series has had its fair share of big-name actors amongst the cast, from Willem Dafoe, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael Keaton, to J.K. Simmons, Woody Harrelson and Tom Hardy, but what about some of the names that have slipped under radar?

Have you ever found yourself watching a Spider-Man movie, only to notice an actor suddenly appear on screen that you had completely forgotten was in the series? Well, you’re not alone – the Spider-Man movies and the various Spidey spin-offs (Venom, Madame Web, etc) are filled with famous faces, often in brief roles and cameos which get forgotten about or overlooked.

In this post, I am highlighting actors who you may have forgotten appeared in a Spider-Man movie. These are actors who either had small parts, or who blended so seamlessly into the Spidey-verse that you simply didn’t notice they were part of this expansive film series.

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David White

Let’s kick things off with the very first Spider-Man movie, 1977’s Spider-Man! This film was originally the pilot for CBS’ live-action Spider-Man show, but for those of us living outside of the US, this pilot was edited and released into cinemas as a ‘big screen’ adventure.

The actor that you probably forgot appeared in this movie was David White, who played the role of J. Jonah Jameson. White is perhaps best known for playing the role of Larry Tate on the extremely popular sitcom, Bewitched.

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Ted Danson

Before he took on the part of Sam Malone in the iconic American sitcom, Cheers, actor Ted Danson cropped up in an episode of CBS’ live-Action Spider-Man television series in the role of Major Collings. That episode was The Chinese Web, which was also edited and released theatrically (outside of the US) as the movie, Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1979).

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Elizabeth Banks

Now, onto the big budget Spidey movies, and did you remember that Elizabeth Banks was in a Spider-Man movie? Would it surprise you if I told you that Elizabeth Banks was in three Spider-Man movies?

The actress/writer/director played the role of J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary, Betty Brant in Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007). Often overlooked, but a continual presence in the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man movies.

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Bryce Dallas Howard

Here’s one you probably lost from your memory banks: Jurassic World actress, Bryce Dallas Howard appeared in Spider-Man 3 in the role of Gwen Stacy – a sort-of rival for the affections of Peter Parker. This was a one-time role, but one which could have continued if Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) had expanded to a fourth film.

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James Cromwell

Continuing the Stacy lineage, you may have forgotten that James Cromwell took on the role of Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy for a brief appearance in Spider-Man 3. Once again, this is a part which could have developed in sequels, had Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series moved beyond three pictures.

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Chris Pine

Over to animation now for this one, and there is a good chance this slipped you by, if you weren’t paying enough attention.

Star Trek actor, Chris Pine has appeared in the Spider-Man movies via the animated adventure film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Pine voiced the role of the blond-haired Peter Parker/Spider-Man who appears towards the beginning of the movie.

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Oscar Isaac

Sticking with the Spider-Verse films for this next one which leads onto Moon Knight actor, Oscar Isaac. The actor took on the role of Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 for the animated film series, first appearing in a credit scene in Into the Spider-Verse, before expanding his role with Across the Spider-Verse and Beyond the Spider-Verse.

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Macho Man Randy Savage

Recognise the wrestler who appears as Bonesaw McGraw in Spider-Man (2002), but can’t quite place him? Well, the part was played by WWF/WWE wrestler, Macho Man Randy Savage.

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Octavia Spencer

And speaking of wrestling, during the wrestling scene in Spider-Man (2002), Octavia Spencer appears in a brief role as ‘check-in girl’. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it part, but it’s there!

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Andy Serkis

In 2021, actor, director, and the man behind Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, Andy Serkis, directed Venom: Let There Be Carnage. But did you know Serkis returned to the Venom film series for the next entry, Venom: The Last Dance?

Well, he did! But not as director, instead as the voice of Knull, creator of the symbiotes.

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Emma Roberts

If you skipped 2024’s Madame Web (most audiences did), then you may not be aware Emma Roberts appears in the film playing a young Mary Parker, mother to Peter Parker.

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Adam Scott

And if you didn’t know about Emma Roberts appearing in Madame Web, then chances are you aren’t aware Adam Scott is in the movie too, playing the role of a young Ben Parker (aka Uncle Ben).

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Andy Samberg

Back to animation for this next one. And if you listen carefully you may just happen to notice Andy Samberg taking on the role of Ben Reilly in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

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Paul Giamatti

Returning to live-action, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) spent a great deal of time setting up plot threads and characters for future Spidey movies – which never came to pass. One of these characters was Aleksei Sytsevich aka the Rhino.

The character appeared at the beginning and the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, bookending the picture. Paul Giamatti took on the role.

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Felicity Jones

Another actor who appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, who you may have overlooked is Felicity Jones. Star Wars fans will know Jones as Jyn Erso, but for Spidey fans, Jones took on the part of Harry Osborn’s assistant, Felicia Hardy.

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Joe Manganiello

Back to 2002’s Spider-Man, and you may have overlooked this bit of casting during the early scenes of the movie. Yep, that’s Magic Mike star, Joe Manganiello playing the role of high school bully, Flash Thompson! And if you look carefully in Spider-Man 3, you’ll see Manganiello reprise the role of Flash for a brief cameo.

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Chris Zylka

And from one Flash Thompson to another. For 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, My Super Psycho Sweet 16‘s Chris Zylka took on the role.

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Bruce Campbell

OK, here’s someone you probably do recall, although you may have forgotten how many times he appears in the Spider-Man movies. Bruce Campbell pops up three times, in three different cameos across Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man 3.

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Lucy Lawless

Actress Lucy Lawless also appeared in a blink-and-you’ll miss it cameo in 2002’s Spider-Man. The actress had worked with director, Sam Raimi on Xena: Warrior Princess and was given a (very brief) role in Raimi’s first Spidey film.

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Macy Gray

And finally, another famous face in 2002’s Spider-Man, and one that feels somewhat shoe-horned into the movie. Either way, the face belongs to singer Macy Gray, who makes a brief cameo in the film.

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Editor/Writer/Cameo King

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about forgotten actors in Spider-Man movies on It’s A Stampede! – I hope it has proved useful. For more useful posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.