Miami Vice Had Way More Cameos Than You Remember, See The Video
Miami Vice aired on NBC for just five seasons between 1984 and 1990. Still, in that short timeframe, this crime drama TV series managed to rack up an impressive collection of guest appearances from actors who were famous at the time or would go on to become some of Hollywood’s hottest stars. From Liam Neeson to Julia Roberts, the official Miami Vice YouTube channel has compiled a list of the 55 biggest stars to appear in the series.
The 9.5-minute clip showcases some of the guest stars you’d expect to see on television shows of the late 80s. There’s Lou Diamond Phillips, known for Courage Under Fire, Pam Grier from Jackie Brown, John Turturro from O Brother, Where Art Thou, and classic actor of the 40s and 50s, Ed O’Neill. Additionally, Richard Jenkins, Dennis Farina, and Michael Richards make notable Miami Vice appearances.
Julia Roberts’ career was just beginning when she played an art gallery manager/drug dealer’s assistant in Miami Vice Season 4.
Then there’s the people who were nobodies at the time but went on to become some of the biggest actors Hollywood has ever seen. Bruce Willis initially launched his television career through Miami Vice, portraying the remarkable arms dealer Tony Amato during the show’s inaugural season.
Just four months later, he transitioned to the role of the witty private investigator David Addison in Moonlighting, a performance that not only marked Willis’s shift to the small screen but also secured him his inaugural and sole Golden Globe Award.
Before Steve Buscemi became best buds with Adam Sandler, took up the mantle of Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs, or portrayed a hapless kidnapper in Fargo, he served as the intermediary for a Bolivian drug lord in Miami Vice. The role involved him taking a bit of a beating from another celebrity cameo: Willie Nelson.
With more than 55 now-famous actors appearing in the show, that averages a cameo about every other episode.
Julia Roberts’ career was just beginning when she played an art gallery manager/drug dealer’s assistant in Miami Vice Season 4. She was only in one episode and joined the show at a point when the series was losing itself and experimenting with some not-so-good storylines like giving Crockett amnesia. Still, the part helped launch Robert’s career and just two years later, she starred in Pretty Woman with Richard Grere.
As a show situated in South Florida during the 1980s, Miami Vice predominantly revolves around stories involving South American drug and arms dealers. This makes the third-season premiere, “When Irish Eyes Are Crying,” stand out as a bit of an anomaly.
In this episode, Detective Gina Calabrese (Saundra Santiago) finds herself drawn to an Irish philanthropist, portrayed by Liam Neeson, only to discover that he is a former IRA member turned current terrorist.
Bruce Willis initially launched his television career through Miami Vice, portraying the remarkable arms dealer Tony Amato during the show’s inaugural season.
But Liam Neeson isn’t the only famous actor who jumped across the pond for a cameo on the crime series. Helena Bonham Carter was in two episodes of Miami Vice as a heroin-addicted ER doctor and Sonny’s love interest. The series was only the fourth project on the actress’s filmography, though it came after her big break, which was A Room With A View in 1985.
Miami Vice released a total of 114 episodes over its five seasons. With more than 55 now-famous actors appearing in the show, that averages a cameo about every other episode. The list goes on and on, with other actors like Ben Stiller, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock, Benicio Del Toro, and Viggo Mortenson all making appearances in this now classic crime drama.
