The genre of crossing live-action movies with animation has been around since the 1940s. But the late 80s and mid-90s introduced a lot of iconic cross-breed movies, as they experimented with much more advanced technology. Movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit took over Hollywood, introducing animated characters to the real world like no one before them.
RELATED: These Upcoming Movie Sequels Are Hardcore Nostalgia Trips
The second best live-action/animated movie is Space Jam, which once again took Hollywood by storm. Now that Space Jam 2 is just around the corner, people are feeling nostalgic and dusting off that 1996 VHS. There's no better time to explore the ups and downs this movie had to offer, including some amazing cameos that brought to life the actual experience on the field.
10 Sharone Wright
Sharone Wright is one of those cameos who only huge fans recognize. He's a retired basketball player, with his best years in the late 90s and early 00s.
People who followed basketball at that time know his name and face, and surely were surprised by his presence. He was one of those throwback cameos for the real basketball fans out there. While not everyone in the theatre understood the excitement, it was a great moment for many.
9 Jeff Malone
Everyone is familiar with the name Jeff Malone, but not a lot of people know exactly why he's famous. With his golden years in the 90s, some younger audiences didn't understand Jeff Malone's presence. But true fans of the sport were happy to see his face, appeared even if just for a short time.
Malone later became a coach in the early 2000s and is remembered as a coach by most people today. His presence in the movie is for those true die-hard fans who actually know his life and name.
8 Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal was a coach, commentator, and basketball player. He was one of the most well-known players in the 70s, being a five-time All-Star selection.
RELATED: The 10 Best Old School Basketball Games Ever Made
After his career playing, he started coaching in universities and was the head coach of a number of well-known teams. Basketball fans everywhere remember him as a legend of American basketball and were pleased by his short cameo in Space Jam in 1996.
7 Patricia Heaton
Patricia Heaton is an American actress and comedian, and a well-known face in America. Fans of Everybody Loves Raymond lost their minds when they saw her in the Space Jam movie. A lot of movies paid tribute to her fantastic talent by adding her as a surprise cameo.
Her golden years were in the late 90s, so people who were familiar with pop culture from the era know exactly who she is. Younger generations still know her name and see her face from time to time, but it's the parents who instantly start smiling when she appears on the screen.
6 Horace Grant
Horace Grant was another treat for the biggest fans out there. He's the twin brother of former NBA player Harvey Grant, making them a power duo in the field of American basketball.
Horace Grant became a four-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. Those following the world of sports in the late 1900s know his name all too well, and surely got teary-eyed when seeing his face appear in Space Jam.
5 Del Harris
Delmer William Harris is the iconic basketball coach. He's also the current vice president of the Texas Legends and the NBA-D League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. A legend in American basketball history, many consider his career as an aspiration in this field.
He briefly appeared in Space Jam as himself. Those who recognized him were immediately floored, and likely spent the entire night explaining to the family who he was.
4 Charles Oakley
Another basketball legend, Charles Oakley is ranked constantly as one of the best rebounders in the NBA. He played for the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards, the Houston Rockets, and the Toronto Raptors.
He was one of the most legendary players when Space Jam came to theatres, so every parent taking their children to this game had an exciting surprise coming their way. As far as cameos went, he was one of the best players the filmmakers could score.
3 Ahmad Rashad
Reaching into non-basketball territory, Ahmad Rashad was a surprising cameo. His career consisted mostly of professional football. Later he became a sportscaster for NBC Sports.
RELATED: 10 Things Football Manager 2021 Changes From The Previous Game
Rashad's appearance quickly divided the audience. Some people instantly rejoiced when seeing him, while others were lost and thought of him as just another side character in the movie. But just to be clear, the movie was made for those who started slapping the arm of the person next to them when seeing his face.
2 Derek Harper
Derek Harper is a huge deal, and those who don't know who he is shouldn't be watching Space Jam. He spent 16 seasons in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Lakers. His presence in the movie, while brief, is understandable, as he's one of the most legendary players out there.
Most people who follow American basketball know his name, even if they didn't actually see him play. Harper is widely regarded as one of the best players to never have been selected to an All-Star game, leaving a lot of fans disappointed.
1 Dan Castellaneta
Not many people know his face, but everyone in the world knows his voice. Dan Castellaneta is an American actor, screenwriter, comedian, and voice actor, and the legendary voice of Homer Simpson and a lot of other beloved characters in The Simpsons.
But those who don't know him from there can recognize his voice in Futurama, Batman, Back to the Future: The Animated Series, Aladdin, Hey Arnold!, and many more. A lot of movies pay tribute to his amazing career by featuring him, like Super Mario Bros, The Simpsons Movie, and, of course, Space Jam. Not a lot of viewers caught this cameo, because Castellaneta's most well-known feature is his voice. However, fans of the industry and fellow actors and filmmakers surely appreciated his presence.