Top 10 Movie Extras Who Were a Little Too Extra
#10: Layla Sarakalo
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
San Francisco native Layla Sarakalo could relate to the Starship Enterprise crew when they were transported to 1986. She was herself stranded after her car was impounded during a shooting day for Star Treks fourth film. Instead of a nuclear reactor, though, she collected money to get home by playing one of the bystanders Uhura and Chekov ask for help. But instead of brushing them off like everyone else, Sarakalo tried to politely give directions. This dialogue, a comedic highlight in The Voyage Home, was totally improvised by Sarakalo. Though she passed away in 2025, that one initially bad day in 86 would ensure the show-stealers place well into the future.
#9: Taking a Dive
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Hey, who wants to pick a fight with Batman and Catwoman anyway? They take down a whole hoard of Banes henchmen in The Dark Knight Rises. Granted, the baddies weirdly take turns attacking, with one embarrassingly missing an opportunity to strike Batman from behind. He instead briefly shuffles around, before falling back like he was knocked out. This blooper has baffled Bat-fans ever since, with no explanation of this masked extras identity or why he reacted to a fight that hadnt yet reached him. Maybe the stunt performer really did think his character would be wise enough to play dead in this melee. Or maybe he just blew the choreography in a memorable way.
#8: Man Throws Dog
Mr. Nanny (1993)
Let me tell you something, brother: the family comedy Mr. Nanny didn't win Hulk Hogan any fans. At least there was one memorable wrestling move during a motorcycle montage. As the Hulkster rides across Palm Beach, Florida, a man can be seen throwing a dog into the water in a seaside background. Audiences who bothered to watch the movie that closely were shocked. The Easter egg took Mr. Nanny viral years later. People can't figure out if this was animal cruelty or just someone swimming with his pet. Was he even an official extra with such a fast-paced sequence? Certainly, opening a shot with such a distracting visual says a lot about the movies campy ineptitude.
#7: In Need of a Bathroom Break
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
What would you change if you could go back in time? We can guess the answer from Dannel Evans, who briefly appeared as Dr. Emmett Browns son Verne at the end of the Back to the Future trilogy. As Doc gives Marty McFly one last speech before traveling through time with his family, Verne is visibly uncomfortable behind him. Evans winces, gestures for attention, then points down to indicate that it's time for a potty break. This distracts from a crucial and emotional scene that was reportedly too tricky to reshoot. It by no means ruins the ideal ending of Back to the Future III, though Evanss awkward communication could indicate why Verne wasn't a speaking part.
#6: Jolly Beachgoer
Jaws (1975)
The biggest threat to Amity Island is firmly established when the shark attacks a child at the beach. Well, maybe not so much for one visitor. As people help others get to the shore, one man in front of Martin Brody is smiling. It even looks like he's skipping into the water. Feigning panic admittedly had to have been fun for the nonprofessional actors in Jaws. A later beach frenzy scene even features a smiling extra in a party of people wearing buttoned shirts and ties. The more noted first guy is just particularly well-placed. While Steven Spielbergs seminal thriller overcame some huge technical difficulties, you can't catch all the distracting extras in the sea.
#5: Alright!
Ghostbusters (1984)
If this guy wants to call someone, he probably wouldn't need a phone. Certainly, all of Manhattan is enamored with the Ghostbusters as they arrive at the scene of a paranormal attack. But through the roaring crowd of fans, one upfront can be clearly heard shouting, [Ghostbusters! Alright!] That was Eldo Ray Estes, a makeup artist who went on to win four Emmys for his work on As the World Turns. He has since confirmed that he was the Alright! extra in Ghostbusters, and that he was actively trying to get attention. It must have worked if he was frequently recognized after the films release. As successful as Estes has been behind-the-scenes, that one moment on-camera made him immortal.
#4: Diner Patron
Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorseses Goodfellas boldly exposes the workings of the Mafia. It's a wonder how they kept it a secret if mob meetings caught this much attention from bystanders. During the iconic scene in which Henry Hill and Jimmy Conway talk at a diner, a patron behind Jimmy struggles to look nonchalant. In fact, he often seems startled when he looks up from his food and cases the joint. Once you see him, you can't not see him in every shot of Jimmy. It doesn't help that the man looks directly at the camera at one point. Robert DeNiro and Ray Liottas dialogue is apparently just that captivating. Still, whether that diner patron heard something he shouldnt have, his actor was suspiciously shifty.
#3: Nervous Kid
North by Northwest (1959)
Its believed that W. C. Fields said you should never work with children or animals. They may be particularly tough to tame in scenes of suspense, even for the master of it. In one of the most shocking scenes in Alfred Hitchcocks North by Northwest, Eve Kendall shoots Roger Thornhill with blanks at a Mount Rushmore cafe. Its less shocking if you spot the kid in the background plugging his ears before the gun goes off. Maybe he clocked the weapon when he was staring at the actors, though that's distracting enough. As impeccably crafted as this tense scene is otherwise, that boy has become an icon of unprofessional extras. That may be unfair given his overly curious age.
#2: Think Fast!
Being John Malkovich (1999)
This extra in Spike Jonzes postmodern masterpiece sure thought fast. John Malkovich is already furious when he discovers a portal into his own mind that exits onto a roadside. As he storms off, a man in a passing car throws a beer can at his head while shouting, [Hey, Malkovich! Think fast!] This painfully funny gag was made more iconic by a 2007 YouTube video featuring Jonzes commentary on the scene, which claimed that this extra improvised the toss. The thing is the commentary track was fake. In a Reddit Q&A in 2013, Malkovich revealed that the gag was in the script, though he wasnt necessarily supposed to get hit. That extras expert marksmanship is nonetheless the stuff of legend.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Fly Is Down, Teen Wolf (1985)
The Final Basketball Game Ends in Triumph & a Wardrobe Malfunction in the Bleachers
Scaredy Cat, You Only Live Twice (1967)
Apparently, Blofelds Furry Companion Didnt Know the Headquarters Explosion Was Fake
A Shake of the Fist, Coach Carter (2005)
One Sports Fan Condemns a School Gym Closure with a Most Cinematic Gesture
A Superfan, Million Dollar Baby (2004)
A Man in Maggies Corner Gets a Bit Too Hyped for Such a Solemn Boxing Drama
#1: The Centurions
Monty Pythons Life of Brian (1979)
It must have been hard to keep a straight face as an extra in a Monty Python movie. Never mind those who were cast as Roman centurions in Life of Brian, with orders to not laugh during Pontius Pilates interrogation of Brian Cohen. They were also not briefed on the scene, as actor Michael Palin wanted an authentic reaction as he pushed them to their limits. When the centurions finally broke over a reference to Pilates unfortunately named friend, Palin improvised a turn in the interrogation. Now thats how you do deadpan during a ridiculous scene. Of course, his victims continued, futile professionalism is what makes this gag so iconic. Never underestimate the creative talent lurking in the back of a scene.
Who are some other movie extras who got extra attention from the audience? Point them out in the comments.