Twelve actors you forgot were in the Spider-Man movies

The Spider-Man movie series has had its fair share of big-name actors, from Willem Dafoe and Michael Keaton, to J.K. Simmons, Woody Harrelson and Tom Hardy, but what about some of the names that have slipped under radar?

In this post, I am highlighting twelve actors who you may have forgotten appeared in a Spider-Man movie. These are actors who either had small parts, or who blended so seamlessly into the Spidey-verse that you simply forget they were part of the film series.

Do you remember all of these?

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David White

Let’s kick things off with the very first Spider-Man movie, 1977’s Spider-Man! This film was originally the pilot for CBS’ live-action Spider-Man show, but was released into cinemas for audiences who lived outside of the US.

The actor that you probably forgot appeared in this movie was David White, who played the role of J. Jonah Jameson. White is best known for playing the role of Larry Tate on the sitcom, Bewitched.

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Ted Danson

Before he took on the part of Sam Malone in the extremely popular American sitcom, Cheers, actor Ted Danson cropped up in an episode of CBS’ live-Action Spider-Man television series in the role of Major Collings. That episode was The Chinese Web, which was later edited and released theatrically as the movie, Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1979).

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Elizabeth Banks

Did you know that Elizabeth Banks was in a Spider-Man movie? Would it surprise you if I told you that Elizabeth Banks was in three Spider-Man movies?

The actress/writer/director played the role of J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary, Betty Brant in Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007).

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Bryce Dallas Howard

Jurassic World actress, Bryce Dallas Howard appeared in Spider-Man 3 in the role of Gwen Stacy – a sort-of rival for the affections of Peter Parker. This was a one-time role, but one which could have continued if Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) had expanded to a fourth film.

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James Cromwell

Continuing the Stacy lineage, you may have forgotten that James Cromwell took on the role of Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy for a brief appearance in Spider-Man 3. Once again, this is a part which could have developed in sequels, had Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series moved beyond three pictures.

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Chris Pine

Over to animation for this one and there is a good chance this one slipped you by, if you weren’t paying enough attention.

Star Trek actor, Chris Pine has appeared in a Spider-Man movie and it was via the 2018 animated adventure film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Pine voiced the role of the blond-haired Peter Parker/Spider-Man who appears towards the beginning of the movie.

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Oscar Isaac

Sticking with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse for this next one and it is Star Wars actor, Oscar Isaac. The actor took on the role of Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 during the movie’s post credit scene.

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Macho Man Randy Savage

Recognise the wrestler who appears as Bonesaw McGraw in Spider-Man (2002), but can’t quite place him? Well, the part was played by WWF/WWE wrestler, Macho Man Randy Savage.

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Octavia Spencer

And speaking of wrestling, during the wrestling scene in Spider-Man (2002), Octavia Spencer appears in a brief role as ‘check-in girl’.

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Paul Giamatti

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) spent a great deal of time setting up plot threads and characters for future Spidey movies – which never came to pass. One of these characters was Aleksei Sytsevich aka the Rhino.

The character appeared at the beginning and the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, bookending the picture. Paul Giamatti took on the role.

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Felicity Jones

Another actor who appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, who you may have overlooked, is Felicity Jones. Star Wars fans will know Jones as Jyn Erso but for Spidey fans, Jones took on the part of Norman Osborn’s assistant, Felicia Hardy.

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Lucy Lawless

And finally, actress Lucy Lawless appeared in a blink-and-you’ll miss it cameo in 2002’s Spider-Man. The actress had worked with director, Sam Raimi on Xena: Warrior Princess and was given a (very brief) role in Raimi’s first Spidey film.

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How many did you remember? Sound off in the comments about other forgotten Spider-Man movie stars.

And for further Spider-Man movie-related posts, feel free to read through one of the recommended reads below. These will offer you additional insights into the movie series.

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