The Definitive Answer: What Was Stan Lee's Absolute Final Cameo?

As of December 12, 2025, the question of Stan Lee's final on-screen appearance remains a fascinating and nuanced piece of cinematic history. While many fans immediately point to the blockbuster finale of the Infinity Saga, the truth about the legendary creator's "last cameo" depends entirely on how you define it—was it the last one filmed, the last one released, or his final recorded voice performance? The definitive answer involves a complex timeline spanning the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a major animated film, and a beloved animated series.

The distinction is vital to understanding the full scope of his work, as Stan Lee—the co-creator of iconic characters like Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, and the X-Men—pre-recorded several of his trademark appearances before his passing on November 12, 2018. His final legacy is a testament to his enduring commitment to the Marvel universe, leaving fans with a handful of emotional, posthumous farewells.

The Life and Legacy of Stanley Martin Lieber: A Brief Biography

The man who would become the face of Marvel Comics was born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922, in New York City. His life was a quintessential American success story, rising from a modest background to become one of the most influential figures in pop culture history.

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• Full Name: Stanley Martin Lieber
• Born: December 28, 1922, in New York City, New York, U.S.
• Died: November 12, 2018, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Spouse: Joan Boocock (m. 1947; d. 2017)
• Occupations: Comic Book Writer, Editor, Publisher, Producer, Television Host, Actor.
• Early Career: He began his career in 1939 at Timely Comics (the precursor to Marvel Comics). He adopted the pen name "Stan Lee" in 1941 for his first published work, a text filler in Captain America Comics #3.
• The Marvel Revolution: In the 1960s, alongside artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee co-created the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men, and countless others, ushering in the "Silver Age" of comic books.
• Cameo Count: He appeared in nearly every major Marvel film adaptation, a tradition that became a beloved staple for fans across the globe.

Stan Lee’s work transformed the comic book industry by injecting his characters with complex, human flaws and relatable personal struggles, making them "superheroes with super problems."

The Final Live-Action Cameo: A Trip Back to 1970 in Avengers: Endgame

The most widely recognized and definitive live-action farewell from the comic book legend occurred in the 2019 blockbuster, Avengers: Endgame. This cameo is officially confirmed by directors Joe and Anthony Russo to be the last one Stan Lee ever filmed.

The Details of the Scene

The cameo takes place during the film's time-travel sequence, specifically when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) journey back to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in 1970.

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• The Role: Stan Lee appears as a groovy, long-haired, '70s-era hippie.
• The Look: He was digitally de-aged using CGI to appear decades younger, complete with his signature oversized aviator sunglasses and a peace-sign necklace.
• The Line: As he speeds past the army base in a muscle car, he shouts to a soldier, “Hey man, make love, not war!”
• The Context: The Russo Brothers confirmed that the entire look and vibe of the character were inspired by an actual photograph of Stan Lee from the 1970s, making the appearance a deeply personal tribute.

This scene was filmed before his death in November 2018, ensuring that the legendary creator’s final on-camera performance was preserved for the climactic conclusion of the MCU's first major era.

The Nuance: Last Released Cameos and The Final Voice Role

While Avengers: Endgame holds the title for the "last filmed," the timeline of his final *released* appearances is more complex, involving a distinction between live-action films and animated projects, which adds significant topical authority to the discussion.

1. The Last Cameo Released Before His Death: Venom (2018)

The last live-action film in which Stan Lee appeared *before* his death was Sony’s Venom, released in October 2018, just weeks prior to his passing.

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• The Scene: Lee appears as an elderly man walking a dog, stopping to talk to Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) as he walks away.
• The Line: He offers a classic piece of Stan Lee advice: "Don't give up on her... either of you." This line charmingly acknowledges both Eddie and the Venom symbiote, who is talking to Eddie in his head.

2. The Last Posthumous Cameo Released Before Endgame: Captain Marvel (2019)

Released in March 2019, Captain Marvel offered a particularly poignant and unique cameo.

• The Scene: Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) is pursuing a Skrull disguised as a human on a Los Angeles subway train.
• The Role: Stan Lee is seen sitting and reading a script. When Captain Marvel passes him, he smiles and is seen rehearsing his lines for his non-Marvel cameo in the 1995 Kevin Smith film, Mallrats, where he says, "Trust me, true believer!"
• The Tribute: This moment was a beautiful, meta-tribute, acknowledging not just his MCU work but his entire history of cameos, and it was the first Marvel film to feature a direct, on-screen tribute to him after his death.

3. The Absolute Final Recorded Performance: Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest (2019)

The absolute final recorded performance that Stan Lee contributed to was a voice role in the animated series, Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther's Quest, which was the fifth season of Avengers Assemble.

• The Project: Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest
• The Role: Lee voiced a General in the episode "The Last Avenger."
• The Timing: The dialogue for this appearance was recorded before his death, and the episode itself aired in 2019, making it the very last time the world heard his voice in a new, original performance.

This animated appearance serves as the true, final curtain call for the man who brought so much life to the world of comics and cinema. It is a vital piece of the puzzle for fans seeking the most comprehensive answer to "what was Stan Lee's last cameo."

Stan Lee's Enduring Legacy and the Future of Cameos

Stan Lee’s cameos were more than just fan service; they were a bridge between the creators and the audience, a playful wink that reminded everyone of the source material. His appearances, spanning decades from The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) to Avengers: Endgame (2019), became one of the most anticipated parts of every Marvel movie.

The tradition of the Stan Lee cameo has now officially concluded, with the Russo Brothers confirming that the Endgame appearance was his last filmed. While there have been debates about using CGI or archival footage for future cameos, Marvel Studios has largely focused on tributes rather than recreations.

The legacy of Stan Lee, the man who created a universe and then appeared in it as a loving grandfather figure, lives on through the characters he co-created—from the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Miles Morales is a key part of his final animated cameo) to the cosmic Guardians of the Galaxy. His final appearances across Venom, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and Black Panther's Quest ensure that his familiar face and voice will forever be intertwined with the cinematic worlds he helped build.