Unexpected Celebrities in Movies: Carrie Fisher, Dolly Parton, and More

With less than two weeks to go to the big day, it’s the time where Christmas movies are on TVs all over the country. As well as the classics, some of the weird festive favorites also get an outing. Not so long ago, we saw Carrie Fisher pop up in a Christmas movie and had no idea that she had even appeared in one. This got us thinking; who else unexpectedly appears in Christmas movies?

Carrie Fisher (It’s Christmas, Carol)

Firstly, this is where it all started for us when she appeared in It’s Christmas, Carol. Although she is immortalized into Hollywood legend for her role in the Star Wars franchise, Fisher also played the role of Eva in this seasonal film. As a Hallmark Channel movie, it’s (sort of!) based on A Christmas Carol and tells the story of a woman who is obsessed with work (only to get a visit from three ghosts).

Dolly Parton (Unlikely Angel)

Next up, we find a movie that was made for TV back in 1996. Parton plays Ruby Diamond, a country singer, and suffers a nasty car crash where she dies. Don’t worry, her role doesn’t end here. Instead, she goes to heaven where the story continues.

Reba McEntire (Secret for Giving)

While on the topic of country singers, Reba McEntire combined the release of her second album with a movie. While the album, Secret of Giving is remembered, the movie made for TV, Secret for Giving, is often forgotten. It was released on CBS just before the new millennium.

Peter Dinklage (Elf)

Of course, Peter Dinklage is known for Game of Thrones these days. However, back in 2003, he played the ‘angry little elf’ (according to Buddy) in Elf. In reality, he was actually a big writer hired in by Buddy’s father to save his job.

David Hasselhoff (The Christmas Consultant)

That’s right, he’s hung up the surfboard and trunks to play Owen, a character hired by Maya Fletcher (previously in Sabrina the Teenage Witch) to plan a family event. With a green bow tie and a wide smile, Hasselhoff tries to save the holiday period.

Neil Patrick Harris (The Christmas Blessing)

Much like others in this list, The Christmas Blessing went straight to TV (so you can be forgiven for not noticing this one back in 2005). If you get the time, you can see a pre-How I Met Your Mother Neil Patrick Harris. As a doctor, he decides to leave his career and spend the holidays with his father. In case NPH wasn’t enough, you’ll also see Rebecca Gayheart, Angus T Jones, Rob Lowe, and Blake Shelton.

President Donald Trump (Home Alone)

Finally, in terms of cameos not making sense, perhaps the biggest of all for Christmas movies is our current president, Donald Trump. If you’re wondering why it was included, rumor suggests it wasn’t actually in the original script. Instead, any production company hoping to film in his famous building has to write Trump a part in the film (we wonder if this is still the case!).