- A surprise star popped up in The White Lotus’s latest episode
- Fans are already saying this surprise cameo is “emmy worthy”
- The actor has a behind-the-scenes link to one of the show’s stars
The White Lotus season 3 episode 5 just dropped and fans were blown away by a surprise cameo in Mike White’s Thai-set drama.
Fair warning, The White Lotus spoilers lurk below…
As White’s series continued to unpack its various storylines – each involving a bunch of wealthy folks having a miserable time in paradise – a new Hollywood star temporarily joined the show’s cast.
Read more: Walton Goggins thinks you’re about to fall in love with his The White Lotus character
What’s more, while his appearance was brief – fans of the show are already saying that surprise star Sam Rockwell deserves an Emmy.
Rockwell played a mysterious character linked to Rick, a permanently-depressed traveller played by Walton Goggins. For those who haven’t been watching the show, Rick is in Thailand with his girlfriend Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) with a score to settle.
Read more: This The White Lotus star has an unexpected past
In this week’s episode, he got closer to his own dark version of inner peace with help from an old friend, played by Rockwell.
The White Lotus season 3 Episode 5 Sam Rockwell cameo – fans react
Even though his screentime with Rick was brief, audiences were impressed by Rockwell’s cameo in The White Lotus.
In fact, one viewer went so far as to suggest that it was “Emmy worthy”
Sam Rockwell's surprise cameo on tonight's episode of #TheWhiteLotus has officially gone to the history books.
— Bismark (@Bismark_BM) March 17, 2025
It being a perfect example of stealing a scene by chewing dialogue and landing every bit.
This was #Emmys worthy all over it!pic.twitter.com/jeY6MemdFg
“Sam Rockwell’s surprise cameo on tonight’s episode of #TheWhiteLotus has officially gone to the history books,” said one fan on X.
“It being a perfect example of stealing a scene by chewing dialogue and landing every bit.
“This was #Emmys worthy all over it!”
I’m still processing the Sam Rockwell monologue in The White Lotus but it might end up as one of my favorite pieces of TV acting this year. pic.twitter.com/R6Et5cFGJY
— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) March 17, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan called it their one of their “favorite pieces of TV acting this year.”
Others were equally impressed that the star did so much with so little.
Mike White hired Sam Rockwell for S3 Ep5 of #WhiteLotus & just said “say something insane” and let the cameras roll pic.twitter.com/rsZmDmmjc9
— Mari Moroz (@marshizzle44) March 17, 2025
If the cameo does win Rockwell an award, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s delivered a trophy-worthy performance.
Rockwell’s previous movie credits include memorable turns in films like The Green Mile, Iron Man 2 and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing. The latter movie won him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2017.
He’s also married to The White Lotus season 3 cast star Leslie Bibb.
What else happened?
Meanwhile, tensions continue to bubble up elsewhere as rich kid Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and his brother Locklan (Sam Nivola) let it all hang loose at a Full Moon Party.
Friend trio Lauren, Kate and Jacklyn (Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan) embark on a search for fun with the new friends they were introduced to in last week’s episode.
All this happens as Timothy’s (Jason Isaacs) own drama back home takes a dark turn at their idyllic Thailand resort.
