Top 10 Times Extras Stole the Show in Movies
#10: The 7-Eleven Customers
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“Dumb and Dumber” (1994) This movie is full of incredibly quotable lines. But one of the most beloved was completely ad-libbed by Jim Carrey. As Lloyd comes out of a 7-Eleven, he sees two men holding Big Gulps, and can’t help but comment on their drink choice. According to director Peter Farrelly, the scene was so spontaneous that the two guys in it weren’t even real extras. They were just innocent bystanders watching the production, and Farrelly roped them into being on screen. Although it’s Carrey’s line that makes the scene memorable, the guys’ ability to keep a straight face deserves serious recognition.
#9: “Ghostbusters, Alright!”
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“Ghostbusters” (1984) If any movie extra ever succeeded at standing out in a crowd, it was this guy. As the Ghostbusters arrive to take on Gozer the Gozerian, they’re greeted by a cheering mass of people, and no one is more enthusiastic than the red-haired man in the purple tie. Believe it or not, that’s Eldo Ray Estes, who would go on to win multiple daytime Emmys for his work as a makeup artist. Estes was pursuing acting at the time and was hired to be an extra on “Ghostbusters” for four days. Considering how little of his career has happened in front of the camera, he’s certainly made an impression on generations of fans.
#8: Margarita Man
“Jurassic World” (2015) Many fans of the massive dinosaur franchise noticed this extra – who clearly has his priorities in order – protecting his margaritas during the pterosaur attack. But they might not have realized that it’s actually a man known for his love of margaritas, Jimmy Buffett. The late singer’s Margaritaville restaurant sponsored the film, and a location is featured on the park’s promenade. Buffett, who was friends with producer Frank Marshall, got a chance to hang out on set and make this short but hilarious cameo. Sadly, the Margaritaville gets destroyed during the final dino showdown. We’re glad Margarita Man wasn’t around to see that.
#7: The Surprised Fisherman
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“Caddyshack” (1980) This poor guy just wants to have a relaxing day of fishing on his boat. But when wealthy country club member Al Czervik takes over steering his own huge yacht, he immediately begins wreaking havoc, crashing through other boats, jet skis, and almost hitting a plane. This fisherman’s amazing bug-eyed reaction to the out-of-control vessel instantly won him a place in viewers’ hearts. The actor in the scene is Matthew Burch, who only made one other film appearance in 1979’s “Hot Stuff,” where he also got to show off this unique facial expression.
#6: Woman Running
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“The Avengers” (2012) This extra clearly understood the assignment. As Loki and the alien Chitauri descend on New York, the Avengers swoop in to save the day. Of course, Loki immediately shoots their plane out of the sky, which crashes onto the street. If you were a pedestrian in the middle of all this, wouldn’t you be running for your life? While most of the extras casually trot out of the way, the woman in the striped shirt actually runs like her life depends on it. It’s safe to say she more than earned her day rate.
#5: The Charge of the Rohirrim
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“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003) During filming in New Zealand, the production team sent out press releases calling for as many horse riders as possible for this scene. The result was a massive group of around 220 extras – including some women in beards – that was digitally enhanced to look like an army of thousands. Despite the danger of having so many horses galloping at full speed in such close proximity, everyone came out unscathed, including an incredibly lucky man who fell off his horse right in the middle of the charge. After Bernard Hill’s rousing speech as King Théoden, the extras had no trouble charging forth as if they were heading into a real battle. Their intensity in this scene gives new meaning to the word “epic.”
#4: The Laughing Roman Guards
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“Monty Python's Life of Brian” (1979) Pontius Pilate can’t understand why everyone finds his friend’s unfortunate name so funny. After seeing their comrade get hauled away to be turned into a gladiator as punishment for laughing, the other soldiers do their best to keep a straight face. Of course, between the name and Pilate’s absurd speech impediment, that’s no easy task. It becomes completely impossible when Pilate reveals the name of his friend’s wife. We don’t know how much of this scene was improvised by Michael Palin. But this extra in particular deserves a medal for his valiant efforts to stifle his laughter.
#3: The Clumsy Stormtrooper
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“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977) This unusually tall extra had no idea he’d have such an impact on cinema history. In a scene on the Death Star, a group of stormtroopers enters a room through a vertical door, and one of them accidentally hits his head. It’s clearly a goof, but the take made it into the final cut of the movie anyway. In the 2004 DVD release, a sound effect was even added to the scene. And while these stormtroopers aren’t clones, it’s still interesting to note that in “Attack of the Clones,” Jango Fett, whose DNA was used to create the cloned soldiers, hits his head on the door of his own ship.
#2: Man Throwing Dog
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“Mr. Nanny” (1993) This Hulk Hogan-starring family comedy is eminently forgettable. But one background moment is completely unforgettable. Hogan’s character has agreed to take a job providing security for a rich man’s young kids. He then sets out on his motorcycle to ride from his rural, lakeside home into the big city. Along the way, he passes a beach, and for just a split second, we see a man in the background cavalierly tossing a large brown dog into the water. This moment raises so many questions. Why is this man throwing his dog? Why did the editor leave it in the movie? Perhaps most importantly, was the dog okay? Sadly, we’ll probably never know.
#1: The Beer Can Thrower
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“Being John Malkovich” (1999) If you’ve never seen this movie, well, strap in. When a file clerk discovers a portal to the inside of John Malkovich’s head, he decides to exploit the experience for cash. But Malkovich soon catches on and enters the portal himself. The experience is unnerving. After the portal spits him out on the side of the New Jersey turnpike, he and the clerk argue over closing it, culminating in this hilarious moment. The real Malkovich has dispelled the rumor that a drunk extra ad-libbed the line. In reality, Spike Jonze almost skipped filming the scene because he didn’t think anyone could nail the throw. But he gave one of the writers a chance, and the man landed the shot on his first try.
