Death Stranding 2: All 13+ Celebrity Cameo List (March 2026)
Hideo Kojima’s legendary practice of including celebrity cameos in his games reaches new heights in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Following the tradition established by the first game—which featured everyone from Conan O’Brien to Junji Ito—the sequel packs even more famous faces into its post-apocalyptic world. As I’ve explored both Mexico and Australia throughout my 100+ hour journey, I’ve encountered directors, musicians, VTubers, and more. Here’s every celebrity cameo I’ve discovered in Death Stranding 2 so far.
Why Death Stranding 2 Has So Many Celebrity Cameos
Before diving into the full list, it’s worth understanding why Kojima’s games are packed with famous faces. As a self-proclaimed cinephile, Kojima regularly invites celebrities from around the world to visit Kojima Productions. These visits often result in the guests being scanned into his games as Preppers—the isolated survivors Sam connects throughout his journey.
Interestingly, Kojima revealed in March 2026 that he actually had to start turning down cameo requests for Death Stranding 2. The studio ran out of space after scanning so many people, with each Prepper taking about 15 minutes to scan. Despite this limitation, the final game still features an impressive roster of celebrity appearances.
Main Cast vs. Cameo Appearances
While Death Stranding 2’s main cast includes A-list actors like Norman Reedus, Elle Fanning, and Léa Seydoux, this article focuses on the celebrity cameos—those special appearances by directors, musicians, and other notable figures who appear as Preppers and side characters throughout the game.
Complete List of Death Stranding 2 Celebrity Cameos
1. Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) – Samson Hook
The first celebrity you’ll encounter is South Korean action star Ma Dong-seok, who operates the F2 South Distribution Center. Known internationally for his roles in Train to Busan and Marvel’s Eternals, he plays Samson Hook—nicknamed “The Golden Fist” for his legendary punching power. His character provides Sam with melee combat upgrades, perfectly matching the actor’s tough-guy persona.
2. S.S. Rajamouli – The Adventurer
Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, director of the globally acclaimed RRR and Baahubali films, makes his gaming debut as “The Adventurer.” You’ll need to rescue him from an Armed Survivalists’ base during one of the main missions. Kojima publicly expressed his love for RRR before inviting Rajamouli to the studio, making this cameo a true East-meets-East collaboration.
3. Mamoru Oshii – The Pizza Chef
Legendary anime director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor) appears as The Pizza Chef in one of the game’s most memorable encounters. Increasing your connection with him unlocks the Pizza-Do Karate technique—a perfect blend of Kojima’s humor and Oshii’s legendary status.
4. Mike Flanagan – Northern Environmental Observatory
Horror maestro Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) leads the Northern Environmental Observatory. You’ll encounter him naturally through the main story, where his character provides crucial environmental data for Sam’s journey.
5. Kate Siegel – West Fort Knot (F1)
Flanagan’s wife and frequent collaborator, actress Kate Siegel, runs the West Fort Knot facility. While the couple doesn’t appear together in-game, their inclusion shows Kojima’s appreciation for their collaborative horror work.
6. Danny and Michael Philippou – Mr. Impossible
The Australian horror directors behind Talk to Me make their video game debut as “Mr. Impossible.” The twin brothers challenge Sam with some of the game’s most difficult delivery missions, living up to their name by asking players to “push beyond the limits.”
7. Usada Pekora – The Data Scientist
In a first for AAA gaming, popular VTuber Usada Pekora from Hololive appears as The Data Scientist. With over 2.7 million YouTube subscribers, her energetic personality shines through even as a hologram, complete with her signature rabbit ears and carrot accessories. She provides assault rifle upgrades and speaks primarily in Japanese.
8. Gen Hoshino – The Musician
Japanese singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino, whose “Pop Virus” appeared in the first game, returns as The Musician. Connecting with him unlocks the music player feature, letting Sam listen to tracks while making deliveries—a game-changing quality of life improvement.
9. Woodkid – The Mechanic
French musician Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine), who co-composed Death Stranding 2’s soundtrack alongside his Arcane work, appears as The Mechanic. His dual role as both composer and character creates a unique meta-layer to the game.
10. CHVRCHES – Animal Shelter Staff
Scottish band CHVRCHES, who performed a title track for the first game, return as the holographic staff of the Animal Shelter. The three band members allow Sam to rescue endangered wildlife during his travels, adding an environmental conservation element to the gameplay.
11. Lauren Tsai – The Artist
Model, actress, and visual artist Lauren Tsai manages a mountaintop facility in Mexico. As you increase your connection level, she shares her artistic process, sending progress photos until you see her completed works—a touching integration of real art into the game world.
12. Jon McElroy – The Inventor
Representing the indie gaming world, Jon McElroy from the Stray development team appears as The Inventor. His inclusion shows Kojima’s appreciation for games beyond the AAA space.
13. S.S. Karthikeya – The Adventurer’s Son
Rajamouli’s son shares a bunker with his father in the game, marking a rare father-son cameo appearance in gaming history.
More Cameos Still Being Discovered
With Death Stranding 2 having just launched via early access on June 24, 2026, players are still discovering new celebrity appearances. The game’s massive scope across Mexico and Australia means there could be hidden Preppers yet to be found.
How These Cameos Compare to the First Game
While the original Death Stranding featured memorable appearances from Conan O’Brien, Junji Ito, and others, the sequel expands its celebrity roster internationally. The inclusion of filmmakers from India, Australia, and Japan, alongside Western celebrities, reflects the game’s global themes of connection and unity.
The Technical Achievement Behind the Cameos
Each celebrity underwent detailed photogrammetry scanning at Kojima Productions. The results are stunningly lifelike holograms that capture not just their appearance but their personality. From Pekora’s energetic movements to Ma Dong-seok’s intimidating presence, these aren’t just static character models.
Finding All Celebrity Cameos
Most celebrity cameos appear as optional Preppers scattered across the game world. While some like Mike Flanagan are encountered through the main story, others require exploration and specific deliveries to discover. Completionists aiming for the “Legend” rank will need to find and max out connections with all of them.
What These Cameos Mean for Gaming
Death Stranding 2’s celebrity cameos represent more than just fan service. They showcase gaming’s growing cultural relevance, with directors, musicians, and internet personalities eager to appear in Kojima’s work. The inclusion of a VTuber like Usada Pekora particularly highlights how gaming embraces new forms of digital celebrity.
The Future of Celebrity Gaming Cameos
With Kojima having to turn away potential cameos due to space constraints, it’s clear the appetite for appearing in his games remains strong. As gaming continues to grow as a medium, expect more celebrities to seek virtual immortality through video game appearances.
Tips for Meeting Every Celebrity
- Check every shelter and distribution center, even off the main path
- Complete side deliveries to unlock hidden Preppers
- Some celebrities only appear after specific story progress
- Online structures from other players can hint at celebrity locations
- The game’s Episode 17 free-roam lets you find any missed cameos
Final Thoughts
Death Stranding 2’s celebrity cameos transform what could be simple fetch quests into exciting encounters with familiar faces. Whether you’re a fan of Korean action films, Japanese animation, horror movies, or VTuber culture, there’s a cameo waiting to surprise you.
These appearances aren’t just novelties—they’re rewards for exploration and connection, perfectly aligned with the game’s themes. In a world torn apart by the Death Stranding, these celebrities represent the diverse tapestry of human culture worth preserving and reconnecting.
As more players dive into Death Stranding 2 following its full release on June 26, 2026, we’ll likely discover even more hidden celebrities. For now, this list represents the most comprehensive collection of confirmed cameos in Kojima’s latest masterpiece.
Have you spotted any celebrity cameos we missed? Let us know as you explore the connected world of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, available now on PlayStation 5 with a PC release expected later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which celebrity appears first in Death Stranding 2?
Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) is the first celebrity cameo you’ll encounter, appearing as Samson Hook at the F2 South Distribution Center early in your journey through Mexico.
Did Conan O’Brien return for Death Stranding 2?
While Kojima expressed interest in scanning Conan again with “better technology,” his appearance in Death Stranding 2 hasn’t been confirmed by players yet. The game is still being explored, so he may appear as a hidden Prepper.
How many celebrity cameos are in Death Stranding 2?
Currently, players have discovered at least 13 confirmed celebrity cameos, not counting the main cast. However, with the game’s massive scope, more discoveries are likely as players explore every corner of Mexico and Australia.
Can you miss celebrity cameos in Death Stranding 2?
While some celebrities appear through mandatory story missions, many are optional Preppers you could miss. Fortunately, Episode 17’s post-game free roam allows you to find any celebrities you missed during your initial playthrough.
Why did Kojima include a VTuber in Death Stranding 2?
Kojima is known to be a fan of Usada Pekora, even sharing on Twitter that he watches her streams. Her inclusion reflects both Kojima’s personal interests and gaming’s embrace of digital celebrity culture.
Are the celebrity cameos voiced by the actual celebrities?
Many celebrities provided voice work for their characters, though some speak in their native languages (like Pekora speaking Japanese). Others may have different voice actors, similar to how the first game handled some of its cameos.