It's hard to say why an actor would agree to forgo a credit. Sometimes, especially when it's an actor of Howard Hesseman's stature, it's just for kicks.

That seems to be the case with "Clue," the 1985 big-screen farce that was a flop at the time but has since earned cult-favorite status.

It was a big swing at the time, turning a board game into a spoof film that was equal parts literate and slapstick, with an ensemble cast that was heavier on critical respect (in comedy circles, at least) than star power.

That's just the kind of setup that would attract Hesseman, a counterculture oddball who got his start in the '60s in the legendary San Francisco improv troupe, The Committee.

By the mid-'80s, he was an established name, having starred in the hit sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" and a number of other beloved productions, including "Billy Jack" (1971) and as a frequent host of "Saturday Night Live."

All that made Hesseman the kind of guy who'd want to be a part of something like "Clue," and a guy who wouldn't necessarily need a credit — if you were watching "Clue," you probably already knew him.

It also made him the kind of guy they'd want to have on board. He certainly made some friends along the way. For example, he appeared alongside fellow (credited) "Clue" star Michael McKean in "This Is Spinal Tap" in 1984 and an episode of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" with Martin Mull in the mid '70s.

Another reason to go uncredited in "Clue" could simply be the role he plays; the undercover police chief who swoops in at the end to help bring things to a close lends itself to being uncredited. It allows for one last big surprise when people see a face they weren't expecting. (For reference, see also Sean Connery's uncredited appearance as the king at the end of 1991's "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.")

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