Why cast B. Meyer in such a tiny role?

When I first saw Breckin Meyer as the starving artist, I thought for sure the character would come back later. They could have cast any actor for scale for those few lines (probably one who wouldn't have to do much to look starving).

Maybe BM knew one of the producers and did it as a favor.

"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns