Stan Lee‘s Second On-Screen Appearance Surprised Fans – It Wasn’t a Marvel Project
Before becoming a ubiquitous presence in Marvel Cinematic Universe post-credit scenes, Stan lee’s foray into on-screen cameos took an unexpected turn with a 1989 appearance on “Muppet Babies.” This marked only the second time the legendary comic book creator appeared in front of the camera, following his role in the TV movie “The trial of the Unbelievable Hulk” earlier that same year.
While Lee is synonymous with Marvel, his early cameos weren’t exclusively tied to the company. Though “muppet Babies” was co-produced by Marvel Animation, the appearance demonstrates Lee’s willingness to explore opportunities beyond his own creations. This willingness to branch out, coupled with his later dedication to Marvel films, cemented his status as a beloved figure for fans across multiple entertainment landscapes.
Lee had previously lent his voice as a narrator for Marvel animated shorts in the 1960s, but didn’t make a visual on-screen appearance until “The Trial of the Incredible hulk” in May 1989. Following the ”Muppet Babies” cameo, Lee continued to take on occasional roles, frequently enough playing himself, such as in Larry Cohen’s 1990 thriller “the Ambulance,” where he portrayed a comic book author.
The 1990s saw Lee increasingly integrate himself into Marvel-related projects,appearing in “X-Men,” “spider-Man,” “The Fantastic Four,” and various animated series. A standout role during this period was in Kevin Smith’s 1995 film “Mallrats,” where he offered romantic advice to jason Lee’s character, Brodie. As marvel heroes gained prominence on the big screen in the early 2000s, Lee became a regular fixture in their films, a tradition that continued throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His final on-screen appearance came in the 2021 “Star Trek” fan film, “Starship Farragut Homecoming,” released posthumously three years after his death.
