10 Actors We NEVER Thought We'd See in a Video Game

Michael Jackson

“Space Channel 5” (1999) & “Ready 2 Rumble Boxing” (1999)

Michael Jackson would have ranked higher, but he’s not the MOST unexpected to end up in one of the more (at the time) childish mediums for storytelling. I’m not making the joke, but just know how badly I want to. In 1999, Sega was in the final stages of producing Space Channel 5, a game centered around an intergalactic TV ratings conflict. During development, they received an unexpected call, Michael Jackson wanted to be part of the game, and he was. But it gets even weirder, as the same year he appeared in Ready 2 Rumble Boxing. Given Jackson's affinity for dance and the unconventional, the developers brought him in for motion capture and sound recording sessions. We recommend you try these games, because he’s not even the weirdest thing you’ll see.

Giancarlo Esposito

“Far Cry 6” (2021)

Is that Gus from Breaking Bad? You’re damn right it is. Now, it’s not always safe to assume that just because someone is older, it means they don’t love gaming… In this case however, it’s accurate, which is why we never expected to see one of our finest working actors jumping onto a Far Cry title. Far Cry is known for its diverse and intimidating villains, and if anyone excels at portraying villains, it's Giancarlo Esposito. In the latest installment of the Far Cry series, Far Cry 6, he takes on the role of "El Presidente" Antón Castillo. He is equal parts terrifying and reserved, and shows us just how far motion capture has come, as we lose nothing from his perfect subtle acting moments.

Samuel L. Jackson

“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)

Although Samuel L. Jackson did state on the record that he grew up playing video games when he said “I started out when video games first started. You know, I was around when they had stuff you don’t even know. Pong and Space Invaders,” this is hardly enough reason to think he would want to move into games. Well that all changed when he gave arguably one of the best video game villain performances when he portrayed the corrupt cop Officer Tenpenny in the hugely popular game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He and other officers in the game are part of C.R.A.S.H., a police unit under the LAPD focused on targeting gang members. The wildest part? This unit was real, notoriously corrupt, and was disbanded in 2000. C.R.A.S.H and burn!

Liam Neeson

“Fallout 3” (2008)

Big names in games weren’t that popular back in 2008, so it's easy to forget the substantial role Liam Neeson played in the third installment of the Fallout series. Liam Neeson voices James, a scientist and doctor who, after spending 19 years in an underground vault with his child (the protagonist), ventures out in search of technology needed to rebuild civilization. Guess who ends up having to go look for him? That’s right, you dumb idiots. The game gives a familiar voice to a close character, bonding you instantly. This doesn’t however change the fact that it’s WILD they were able to convince Liam Neeson to voice this, WELL before motion capture existed.

Carrie-Anne-Moss

“Mass Effect Series” (2007)

If you're like me, you might primarily remember Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity from the Matrix trilogy. And although she did appear as Trinity in both Enter the Matrix, and The Path of Neo, it wasn’t THAT uncommon for actors to voice the game equivalents of their films. Maybe it was this gig that made her realize working on games is really cool and rewarding, as she also voices Aria T'Loak in the infamous Mass Effect game series. It’s a dope role, for a dope lady, she even got to do some current gen motion capture as she joined the cast of Horizon Forbidden West.

Rami Malek

“Until Dawn” (2015)

Some actors are known for living and breathing ‘their craft’, some to an insufferable, almost arrogant amount… Usually the ones who refer to it as ‘their craft’. Rami Malek could possibly be placed in this category, which is why it’s surprising to see him reducing himself to the lowly craft of video game acting. Perhaps it was the brief of just how much cutscene was going to exist in this game. Rami Malek stars as Josh in the interactive horror game Until Dawn. Josh invites eight friends to a lodge on Blackwood Mountain, where his sisters disappeared a year earlier, and they find themselves trapped there until dawn - OHHH, HE SAID IT. The game also features an all-star cast outside of just Rami, so get on it folks, it’s dope.

Kristen Bell

“Assassin’s Creed” (2007)

Comedic improv actor, tight rom com star, serious dramatic performer, and Disney Princess. Kristen Bell is one of the most diverse actors working today, so we shouldn’t have been surprised to see her adding ‘video game actor’ to her resume, but we were! In the series, she portrays Lucy, a genetic memory researcher born into a historic order of assassins. She uses a unique device that enables individuals to relive the memories of their ancestors. And this technology STILL hasn’t been developed in real life? What the hell!?

Nicolas Cage

“Dead by Daylight”

Is there an actor more suited to video games, than Nicolas Cage? Honestly, I’d just play Nicolas Cage The Game. Throw him in a motion capture suit and just let him go crazy. Although it feels almost kismet, Nicholas Cage has never appeared in a video game, not even GHOST RIDER! That was until he played and voiced himself in Dead by Daylight. Now we’re talking! Now, let’s just get him into Silent Hill or Resident Evil and he’ll truly be able to shine. NO! GTA 6!! Make it happen, Rockstar.

Mads Mikkelsen

“Death Stranding” (2019)

Although Norman Reedus stars in the Hideo Kojima masterpiece Death Stranding, if we had to place money on who would be the gamer between him and his costar Mads Mikkelsen, we’d probably say Reedus. Mads Mikkelson, the infamously recluse luddite who cherishes the countryside took on a wild new venture by motion capturing and joining the cast of Death Stranding. His story almost carries the game's confusing plot. He portrays Captain Clifford Unger, an Army Special Forces officer who tries to rescue his newborn son from scientists intent on experimenting on the child.

Keanu Reeves

“Cyberpunk 2077” (2020)

Keanu Reeves portrays Johnny Silverhand, a rock musician and veteran in the Cyberpunk universe, who later exists as an "engram," a digital construct containing his personality and memories in holographic form. Keanu was the face of the game, the advertisement for the game, the pull for the game, and he never ever played the game. On record as not a gamer, spotting Keanu in a game that didn’t have him portraying Neo was unexpected, but very welcomed. Although his performance was met with medium praise, it was still fun to hang out with the big dog himself in our game.