6 Best Ozzy Osbourne Movie Appearances

There are very few musicians of Ozzy Osbourne‘s caliber, having pioneered a unique sound that serves as the starting point for the heavy metal genre and has influenced countless others worldwide. His vocal style — unparalleled, distinct, powerful, and emotive — is equally influential on many who have tried to capture a portion of his unique timbre. As an integral part of music and pop culture, everyone has a memory of seeing Ozzy Osbourne for the first time. For me, it was a mix of semi-horror and fascination at the sight of him on the cover of the record Bark at the Moon from my dad’s collection that tempted me into listening to him for the first time, not yet comprehending what I had stumbled upon.

Ozzy’s passing marks the end of an era in more ways than one, as people say goodbye to one of the last few musicians that people could point to as a living legend who created something wholly original. Of course, this prominence has led to many wanting to work with him, and in a few cases, Ozzy Osbourne would appear in movies, often as himself.

Here are all 6 movies that featured a cameo or full performance from “The Prince of Darkness​​​​​.”

‘Trick or Treat’ (1986)

Bullied high school student Eddie Weinbauer is devastated after the death of his favorite metal musician, Sammi Curr. After receiving the only copy of Sammi’s last album, Eddie learns that when he plays it backwards, he can communicate with the singer’s ghost. Eddie uses this connection to get revenge on those who bullied him, but Sammi’s spirit soon wants more than just those who picked on him.

Ozzy Pokes Fun at his Critics and Censors in this ’80s Horror Movie

In the slew of standout ’80s horror movies, Trick or Treat is often overlooked, as it falls short of many elements that make up the era’s classics, with its lack of violence and more darkly comedic approach. However, for fans of metal, the movie is a fun throwback to ’80s culture around the genre. Through both its metalhead protagonist and poking fun at the censorship battle raging against the genre in the face of ‘Satanic Panic,’ Trick or Treat is an interesting time capsule.

Ozzy Osbourne would play the role of Reverend Aaron Gilstrom, a TV preacher speaking out against the influence of metal music. This casting choice was a brilliant move, given that Ozzy himself was the constant target of cultural backlash during the period the film was released. Ozzy’s brief performance adds a gleeful layer of irony and an enduring cult appeal to Trick or Treat.

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‘The Jerky Boys’ (1995)

The Jerky Boys

Release Date

February 3, 1995

Runtime

82 minutes

Director

James Melkonian

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  John G. Brennan

  Himself / Frank ‘Rubberneck’ Rizzo

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• 

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  William Hickey

  Don ‘Uncle Freddy’ Frederico

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Prank callers and low-lives hailing from Queens, Johnny B. and Kamal, known as “the Jerky Boys,” get more than they bargained for when one call lands them in serious trouble with a Chicago mob boss. The duo then must use their prank-calling talents to avoid both the gangs and the police that are now after them, after they get roped into committing crimes for the mod.

Ozzy Osbourne Steals the Show

Many of a certain age will ask, “Who are the Jerky Boys?” as the duo became popular for making and recording harassing phone calls. They were a product of their time, with a comedy-style that has aged poorly, much like the movie itself. Still, there was a period when it was a well-known pop-culture phenomenon, so it would only make sense that the filmmakers would work to get Ozzy Osbourne involved in the production to further add to its appeal.

In honesty, Ozzy Osbourne’s brief appearance as a band manager is the highlight of the movie. What makes it so great is that after the Jerky Boys trick him into letting them into a show, there is a concert with the band Helmet performing a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Symptom of the Universe.” It’s a wonderful nod to the metal icon, in an otherwise abysmally bad ’90s theatrical flop.

‘Private Parts’ (1997)

Private Parts

Release Date

March 7, 1997

Runtime

109 Miuntes

Director

Betty Thomas

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• 

A biopic of Howard Stern’s rise in the world of radio. Starting from a troubled upbringing with a desire to be a DJ, which was suppressed by an abusive father, to his first big break in the industry, to the numerous notable controversies that arose from his career, the movie chronicles Stern’s transformation over the years in a candid style, while also chock-full of crude humor.

Two Once Controversial Figures Meet

Howard Stern’s career is now far removed from the outrageous antics that first pushed him to stardom, but there was a point when shocking others was his bread and butter. Stern, who, as a shock jock, has spoken with countless celebrities and oddball personalities over the years, certainly had a significant influence in bringing big names to appear in cameos in the movie about his rise in the entertainment industry; Ozzy Osbourne being one of them.

Ozzy makes an appearance as one of the witnesses to one of Stern’s most embarrassing moments in his career, his painful attempt to make a movie based on his character, ‘Fartman, when he introduced him at the MTV awards. Ozzy Osbourne, feigning shock, will never not be funny, and here is no exception. It’s a minor role, but a fun one nonetheless.

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‘Little Nicky’ (2000)

Little Nicky

Release Date

November 10, 2000

Runtime

90 minutes

Director

Steven Brill

Little Nicky follows the son of Satan, Nicky (Adam Sandler), who is one of three siblings being considered to take over hell. Yet, when Satan changes his mind, deciding none of them are ready, two brothers head to Earth to cause chaos. It then becomes up to Nicky to stop them, restore hell, and claim the throne.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Most Memorable Film Appearance

To many, Little Nicky is memorable mainly for one Hitler gag and having one of the most painful product placements in film history. To others, the movie is seen more favorably, as an oddball comedy that presents an imaginative and bizarre comedic world. Yet one thing that everyone can agree on is that Ozzy Osbourne’s appearance in the film marks the musician’s most memorable.

How can you have a movie that takes place in hell and not have The Prince of Darkness show up? Ozzy Osbourne plays himself in Little Nicky, but there is more to it than that, as he gets to poke fun at his past and plays an internal role in the plot. Notably, the movie pays homage to the controversy surrounding Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a bat at one concert (a misunderstanding on his part, as he thought it was a prop, but infamous nonetheless), where he gets to deal the final blow to the movie’s villain by biting his head off; A real fun and memorable conclusion to the film.

‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’ (2002)

The third movie in the popular comedy franchise, Austin Powers in Goldmember, follows the ‘Shagadelic,’ ‘International Man of Mystery’ as he faces off against a new villain in Goldmember. To stop the villain, Austen Powers must travel back to 1975 to Goldmember’s roller disco club in New York, adding another layer of absurdity to an already absurd franchise.

Ozzy and His Family Appeared For a Part in a Running Gag for the Comedy Franchise

Austin Powers was known for a running gag, where, in order to tell a series of crude jokes, they would cut between various parties saying inoffensive words turned offensive, building on what the previous one said. Ozzy Osbourne and his family, fresh from the success of their show The Osbournes, appear briefly in the Mike Myers-led comedy, as part of the recurring gag throughout the series; here Ozzy even pokes fun at the filmmakers for recycling the same old joke.

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‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

A remake of the beloved 1980s comedy, Ghostbusters follows an eccentric group of outcasts who start a ghost-catching business in New York after paranormal events begin to occur. When the group discovers a mad scientist, Rowan North, is behind the phenomena and planning to plunge the city into a ghostly apocalypse scenario, they become the only ones who can stop him.

An Apt Appearance From The Prince of Darkness

Not going to lie, there is some humor in Ozzy Osbourne appearing in what, oddly enough, would become one of the most controversial and debated films of the 2010s. For a man whose early career was marred by social scorn from the mainstream, it is apt that he appeared in Ghostbusters. In Ghostbusters, Ozzy Osbourne once again plays himself… sort of. ‘

Credited as “Famous Rock Star,” Ozzy appears as the lead singer of the fictional band Beasts of Mayhem, whose show is interrupted by havoc-wreaking ghosts. There is a big line here. He is speaking with his real-life wife, Sharon Osbourne, as he looks on from the sidelines, asking her, “Am I Dreaming?” As this would mark the last time Ozzy would appear in a live-action movie, it is all the more bittersweet to see.