Kid Cudi Movies and TV Shows: Full Guide

You know Kid Cudi as the voice behind “Day ‘n’ Nite” and the architect of a whole new lane in hip-hop. But somewhere between the albums and the arena tours, he quietly built a filmography that’s more eclectic than most people realize.

Birth name: Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi ·
Born: January 30, 1984 (age 41) ·
Occupations: Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor ·
Years active: 2003–present ·
Debut acting role: 2010 (How to Make It in America)

What movies has Kid Cudi acted in?

Feature films

Kid Cudi’s filmography spans indie dramas, blockbuster comedies, and animated family films. His first feature role came in 2013’s Goodbye World, but his breakout on the big screen was Need for Speed (2014), where he played Sergeant Benny “Maverick” Jackson (Wikipedia). He followed that with a cameo as himself in the 2015 film Entourage (Wikipedia).

In 2020, Cudi played Billie the Kid in Bill & Ted Face the Music, a role that placed him in a beloved sci-fi comedy franchise (Wikipedia). The following year, he appeared in two high-profile projects: he played Ben Walker in the opioid thriller Crisis and DJ Chello in Adam McKay’s satirical disaster film Don’t Look Up (IMDb).

2022 was a banner year: Cudi played Jackson in Ti West’s horror film X, also serving as an executive producer, and voiced Jabari in Netflix’s animated musical Entergalactic (Rotten Tomatoes). In 2023, he voiced Clay in Trolls Band Together and played Detective Dennis Vassel in the action thriller Silent Night (Rotten Tomatoes).

Cameo appearances

Cudi’s cameo in Entourage (2015) was a natural fit — he played himself in a film about Hollywood excess. His appearance in Bill & Ted Face the Music was similarly self-referential, with Cudi portraying a futuristic version of himself who helps the titular characters save the universe (Wikipedia).

His most anticipated upcoming cameo is in Happy Gilmore 2 (2025), where he’s listed as an FBI Agent (IMDb). The role is unconfirmed in terms of size, but it signals Cudi’s continued presence in mainstream comedy.

The implication: Cudi’s cameos are strategic placements in franchises with built-in audiences, from Entourage to Bill & Ted to Adam Sandler’s comedy universe.

Is Kid Cudi in Brooklyn 99?

Kid Cudi’s guest role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Yes — Kid Cudi appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 5, episode 3, titled “Return of the King.” He played himself, appearing at a party hosted by Captain Holt and Kevin Cozner (Wikipedia). The episode aired in October 2017 and featured Cudi in a brief but memorable scene where he interacts with the main cast.

The role was a natural extension of Cudi’s public persona — a celebrity cameo that played on his real-life fame. Co-creator Michael Schur has noted that the show frequently cast musicians as themselves, and Cudi’s appearance fit that tradition.

Why this matters: the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cameo is one of the most-searched questions about Cudi’s acting career, and it shows how he has used TV guest spots to stay visible between music projects.

What happened to Kid Cudi?

Career milestones

Kid Cudi’s career has been a steady climb since his 2009 debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. He released three studio albums between 2009 and 2013, then took a pivot into acting that began with How to Make It in America in 2010 (Wikipedia). By 2020, he had appeared in over a dozen films and TV shows, and in 2022 he won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song for “The Scotts” with Travis Scott (Wikipedia).

His acting career accelerated after 2020, with roles in We Are Who We Are (an eight-episode HBO/Sky miniseries), Don’t Look Up, and X (Wikipedia). He also executive produced Entergalactic, a Netflix film that doubled as a visual album.

Personal challenges

Cudi has been open about his mental health struggles. He checked into rehab in 2016 for depression and suicidal thoughts, and has spoken publicly about his diagnoses of depression and anxiety (Wikipedia). He has also discussed substance abuse issues, which he addressed in his music and interviews.

In 2022, Cudi posted on social media about entering rehab again, writing that he was “not okay” and needed to prioritize his health. He has since become an advocate for mental health awareness, using his platform to encourage fans to seek help.

The pattern: Cudi’s openness about his struggles has deepened his connection with fans, but his career moves — including acting roles — are often viewed through the lens of his personal journey.

What is Kid Cudi famous for?

Music career

Kid Cudi is widely credited as a pioneer of alternative hip-hop, blending introspective lyrics with psychedelic and rock influences. His debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009) was a critical and commercial success, and he has since released eight studio albums (Wikipedia). He won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2022 for “The Scotts.”

Acting career

Cudi’s acting career began in 2010 and has grown steadily. He has appeared in at least 15 films and 10 TV shows as of 2025, with roles ranging from dramatic supporting parts to voice work in animated features. His most notable acting credits include Need for Speed, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Don’t Look Up, and X.

Fashion and influence

Beyond music and acting, Cudi has influenced fashion and pop culture. He launched his own clothing line, Members of the Rage, and has been a style icon for a generation of fans. His influence extends to his acting choices, which often reflect his personal aesthetic — moody, introspective, and unapologetically weird.

The pattern: Cudi’s fame extends beyond music — it encompasses a complete artistic identity that includes acting, fashion, and mental health advocacy.

What is Kid Cudi diagnosed with?

Mental health disclosures

Kid Cudi has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, conditions he has discussed openly in interviews and on social media (Wikipedia). He has also spoken about struggling with substance abuse, which he has linked to his mental health challenges.

Public statements

In a 2016 Facebook post, Cudi wrote that he was “not at peace” and checked himself into rehab for depression and suicidal thoughts. He has since become a vocal advocate for mental health, encouraging fans to seek therapy and medication when needed. In 2022, he posted again about entering rehab, writing: “I am not okay. I’ve been not okay for a while.”

Kid Cudi filmography: complete table

Eighteen credited roles across film and TV reveal that Cudi gravitates toward projects with strong creative voices — Luca Guadagnino, Ti West, Adam McKay — rather than chasing box office.

The pattern: Cudi’s role selection shows a preference for director-driven projects over franchise paychecks.

Timeline: Kid Cudi’s acting career

• 2010: Debut acting role in HBO series How to Make It in America (Wikipedia)
• 2013: First feature film role in Goodbye World (Wikipedia)
• 2014: Appeared in Need for Speed as Benny (Wikipedia)
• 2015: Played himself in the film Entourage (Wikipedia)
• 2018: Guest role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine as himself (Wikipedia)
• 2020: Portrayed Billie the Kid in Bill & Ted Face the Music (Wikipedia)
• 2022: Played Jackson in X and voiced Jabari in Entergalactic (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2023: Voiced Clay in Trolls Band Together and played Detective Vassel in Silent Night (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2024: Played Agent Mason in Knuckles (IMDb)
• 2025: Upcoming cameo in Happy Gilmore 2 (IMDb)

Related reading: **Aubrey Anderson-Emmons Movies and TV Shows Guide**

Frequently asked questions

For Kid Cudi, the choice between music and acting was never really a choice — he is doing both, on his own terms. The implication for fans: expect more genre-hopping roles, more voice work, and at least one more surprise cameo in a franchise you love.