Even though most movies tend to take place in fictional worlds and settings, it's not uncommon to see tidbits of realism being implemented depending on the movie's genre. Some films tend to incorporate real-life events and people to further elevate their stories, but not all movies use fictional actors, as real-life actors already exist in cinema.
Movies that use fictional actors in their stories tend to poke fun at the profession by documenting the ridiculous situations actors can sometimes get into. However, some movies use these actors to tell compelling and convincing stories. Actor characters can be great additions to movies, but some are more iconic than others.
8 George - The Menu (2022)
The Menu, directed by Mark Mylod, follows Margot Mills and her date, Tyler, to a remote island on which they intend to enjoy some fine dining. Meticulously organized by renowned chef Julian Slowik, most guests expect their evening to consist of nothing more than an overly complex series of meals, but they slowly begin to uncover Julian's malicious intentions.
Aside from Margot, Julian hand-picked every dinner guest for a particular reason. He hopes to berate them for how they approach enjoying food before eventually killing them during the main course. George (played by John Leguizamo), however, was only invited to partake in the festivities because Julian didn't appreciate his acting performance in Calling Doctor Sunshine, a movie Julian watched on his first day off in months.
7 Daphne Kluger - Ocean's 8 (2018)
Directed by Gary Ross, Ocean's 8 follows Debbie Ocean (played by Sandra Bullock) as she attempts to put together a team of expert thieves. Her end goal is to infiltrate the Met Gala to steal the Toussaint, a Cartier diamond necklace valued at one hundred and fifty million dollars.
For her plan to work, Debbie manipulates Daphne Kluger, a world-renowned actress played by Anne Hathaway, into hiring members of her crew. As an actress, one would assume Daphne is capable of telling when people aren't being sincere, but she fails to realize Debbie's intentions until it is too late.
6 Daniel Hillard - Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Directed by Chris Columbus, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the wholesome yet somewhat creepy story of Daniel Hillard (played by Robin Williams), a man who would do anything to spend time with his children. After separating from his wife Miranda (played by Sally Field), Daniel elects to conceal his identity in order to reinfiltrate the home he is no longer a part of.
To do this, he disguises himself as an elderly British woman named Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire and applies to become a nanny for his children. Even though his identity is eventually revealed, the time he spent acting as Mrs. Doubtfire doesn't go unnoticed. Before the climax of the movie, Daniel becomes the host of a children's TV show named Euphegenia's House, in which he portrays Mrs. Doubtfire professionally.
5 Riggan Thomson - Birdman (2014)
Birdman, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, documents the life of Riggan Thomson (played by Michael Keaton). Having first amassed success as a movie superhero, Riggan hoped that a career on Broadway would revitalize his acting career.
Sadly, not everything goes to plan on opening night, so Riggan must alter his approach if he hopes to save his production. As if this wasn't challenging enough, he is also plagued by memories of his role as a superhero, further complicating what should have been a relatively smooth night at the theater.
4 Rick Dalton - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood tells the story of three unlikely individuals whose lives become intertwined thanks to the Manson family. The story mostly centers on Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), as he attempts to find acting work in Hollywood.
Having first gained success for his role in a 1950s Western, Rick struggled to find employment in 1969. Most of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood focuses on his journey to find his place again in the acting world, but Cliff Booth (played by Brad Pitt) invites a more sinister problem into their lives.
3 Rose DeWitt Bukater - Titanic (1997)
Titanic, directed by James Cameron, tells the tale of the Titanic, a British passenger liner that capsized in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912. Most of the movie focuses on the relationship between Rose (played by Kate Winslet) and Jack (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) as they fall in love prior to suffering a great tragedy.
What makes their relationship so compelling is the different backgrounds the pair stems from; Jack is an artist with very little to his name, while Rose comes from a wealthy family. In the 1920s, Rose tried to fulfill her promise to Jack by living a happy life, which led her to become an actress.
2 Truman Burbank - The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by Peter Weir, The Truman Show tells the story of Truman Burbank, a seemingly ordinary man who is unaware of his significance. Since he was a baby, Truman (played by Jim Carrey) has been the star of a hit reality TV show that has been documenting his every move.
Truman rarely questioned the authenticity of the world he lived in, but he became especially suspicious just as the show was nearing its thirtieth anniversary; unexplainable things begin happening, causing him to question the legitimacy of his life. Though Truman didn't know it, he was the most famous actor in The Truman Show.
1 Nicolas Cage - The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent (2022)
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, directed by Tom Gormican, tells the story of real-life actor Nicolas Cage's fictional financial struggle. The movie kicks off when he receives an invitation to attend a fan's birthday party, and though he doesn't want to go, he is told he will receive one million dollars if he does.
Much of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent sees Nicolas Cage paying homage to his previous acting roles. He believes he has amassed the experience required to face any danger, and he spends the majority of the story using it to his advantage.