Peyton Manning Has a Surprising Cameo in Bradley Cooper's New Movie
Peyton Manning has a surprise cameo in Bradley Cooper’s new movie, Is This Thing On?, and it’s a different role than the NFL commentator and former quarterback is used to playing.
Is This Thing On? Is a Feel-Good Divorce Comedy
Is This Thing On? stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as a long-married couple whose sudden separation drives Arnett’s character to try his hand at confessional stand-up comedy. Manning turns up midway through the film in a small role, playing a character named Laird who courts Dern’s character to coach his girls volleyball team; and, later, accidentally takes her on a date to the very comedy club at which her estranged husband is performing.
Manning Makes a Rare Appearance Not as Himself
Manning’s role in the film marks a first for the athlete, as he’s playing a character rather than showing up as himself for a jokey cameo. Manning has appeared as “Peyton Manning” in a number of movies and TV shows, most recently the Will Ferrell comedy You’re Cordially Invited (2025). But Is This Thing On? marks the first time Manning has appeared in a live-action feature not as himself. (He had a small voice role in the animated movie Ferdinand, which is the only other role in which he’s not playing someone named Peyton Manning.)
Searchlight Pictures
Some Critics Were Harsh on Manning's Performance
In fairness, it’s a shock to see Manning pop up without warning in Cooper’s fairly somber dramedy, which, despite taking place in the world of live comedy, eschews cameos from well-known stand-ups. Manning has two scenes in the film—the first in a restaurant, where he woos Dern’s character with a job offer; and the scene where they watch Arnett perform in the comedy club. Manning’s acting fares better in the busier, more chaotic second sequence; in the first, it often looks like he’s just waiting for Dern to finish speaking.
Searchlight Pictures
Reception to Manning’s performance has been understandably mixed, with some saying his performance was the only wrong note in an otherwise well-made movie. “The movie’s biggest fumble was having Peyton Manning play someone who wasn’t Peyton Manning,” one viewer opined on Reddit. Of course, Manning’s inclusion is hardly surprising given Cooper’s track record as an avid football fan—a point that naysayers were quick to make. “Just having Peyton Manning show up on screen was a wild, awful misstep,” another wrote. “What a jarring moment, trying to figure out if he’s supposed to be Peyton Manning. No, he’s supposed to be some former Volleyball player or something, what is this scene? Why the f–k are you casting Peyton Manning? Bradley, if you want a signed football that bad just go on eBay.”
But Arnett and Dern Praised His Turn
But, in an interview with Movieweb, Dern and Arnett praised Peyton’s commitment and his addition to the cast. “It was amazing!” Dern said. “We were so excited about him being in the movie. He’s hilarious, he’s such a natural actor, so all those things were great news for Bradley in terms of him playing this [character].”
“I love that scene between Laura and Peyton,” Arnett concurred. “It’s so great, and you learn so much about [Dern’s character] Tess in that short period of time. And within seconds, you forget that it’s Peyton. He really embodies this character, and it’s really brave.”