Ian Holm
Why was Sir Ian Holm not credited? He's a very famous actor; surely the studio would have played up the fact they had another "name" in this picture?
Politics? Money? Any ideas?
Mojo
It is custom, a very well known or important actor not to be credited when he does a cameo appearance...
shareThis was much more than a cameo appearance by Ian Holm.
shareHis name is listed as a cast member and then says unaccredited along with another actor. Sometimes people ask their name be taken off because they are unhappy about the results and sometimes because its only a favor and something of a lark.
Recently some people spotted George Clooney in The grand Budapest Hotel. He was in another movie being shot there and the casts of both movies palled around. I think he was in Monuments Men. There is a big comedic shoot out of people firing wildly in the atrium of the hotel from their rooms. He is one of the people who pop their heads out and fire personal pistols and then slam their door shut. There is no dialogue in this scene.
I don't know everything. Neither does anyone else
It sounds like there's some attempt to game the system when an actor has his name removed because he's not happy with the film – much like when a director uses the pseudonym Alan Smithee because he's embarrassed by a turkey. As far as this site goes, I find the cast listings fairly comprehensive and credible – and it has a cross-reference from Alan Smitheee to the real name.
I'm glad to see Ian Holm's name is listed here, as it should have been all along regardless of the film's credits. He should be proud to include this film in his credits regardless of the small role.
Regarding the George Clooney sighting in "The Grand Budapest Hotel," I have not seen that film yet, but I would think that if it's actually him, he should be listed in the credits here (probably as "uncredited") regardless of whether he has dialogue.