There is something undeniably majestic about Bruce Springsteen, the gravelly voice, the anthems that could awaken even the laziest soul, and a stage presence that makes mere mortals contemplate leaving their 9-to-5 behind. Yet, tucked away in the lesser-known corners of Netflix lies a secret cameo, a blink-and-you-miss-it moment that many fans probably scrolled past faster than a trending Reel. Yes, even The Boss has quietly moonlighted as an actor.

While most remember him shredding guitars and crooning on stadium stages, few realize that Springsteen once traded spotlights for scripted lines, hinting at a different, surprisingly cinematic side. 

Bruce Springsteen made a memorable, albeit brief, acting appearance in the Netflix original series Lilyhammer, which starred his longtime friend and E Street Band member, Steven Van Zandt. The musician took on the role of Giuseppe, the older brother of Van Zandt's character, Frank Tagliano, a former New York mobster in witness protection in Norway. Springsteen's dramatic acting debut, his first time playing a fictional character rather than himself, occurred in the show's season three finale, an episode appropriately titled after his song, 'Loose Ends.'

Springsteen's participation was a direct result of his close relationship with Van Zandt, who not only starred in the show but also served as a director, producer, and writer. Van Zandt had reportedly been trying for a long time to get his friend to act, and he finally succeeded for the 2014 episode. The rock legend's willingness to take on a non-cameo role as a mortuary owner showcased an acting range that surprised many critics.

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As fans admired this rare acting detour, Netflix quietly stocked its library with Springsteen’s other cinematic footprints, offering a backstage pass into the legend’s life beyond the stage.

Apart from his appearance in Lilyhammer, Bruce Springsteen is also the subject of a full-length documentary that Netflix viewers can stream from its treasure trove of documentaries. While he does not have a new Netflix original in the works, fans can catch Springsteen on Broadway, the filmed version of his acclaimed one-man Broadway show, which offers an intimate glimpse into his life, music, and the stories behind his iconic songs.

Meanwhile, a new biopic titled Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White, was released theatrically today, covering the making of his 1982 album Nebraska. Although this film is distributed by 20th Century Studios and is not expected on Netflix immediately, it may arrive on platforms like Hulu or Disney+ in early 2026, keeping Springsteen’s story firmly in the spotlight.

What are your thoughts on Bruce Springsteen’s rare forays into acting and film storytelling? Let us know in the comments below.