diff --git a/src/game/behavior_actions.c b/src/game/behavior_actions.c
index 7948e249f..21d459765 100644
--- a/src/game/behavior_actions.c
+++ b/src/game/behavior_actions.c
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ struct OpenableGrill {
     const Collision *collision;
 };
 
+extern u16 gFreezeMario;
+
 s32 D_8032F0C0[] = { SAVE_FLAG_HAVE_WING_CAP, SAVE_FLAG_HAVE_METAL_CAP, SAVE_FLAG_HAVE_VANISH_CAP };
 
 // Boo Roll
diff --git a/src/game/behaviors/sparkle_spawn_star.inc.c b/src/game/behaviors/sparkle_spawn_star.inc.c
index fea2651d1..7130fb84f 100644
--- a/src/game/behaviors/sparkle_spawn_star.inc.c
+++ b/src/game/behaviors/sparkle_spawn_star.inc.c
@@ -70,7 +70,10 @@ void slow_star_rotation(void) {
 void bhv_spawned_star_loop(void) {
     if (o->oAction == 0) {
         if (o->oTimer == 0) {
-            cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_STAR_SPAWN, o);
+            if (nearest_mario_state_to_object(o) == &gMarioStates[0]) {
+                cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_STAR_SPAWN, o);
+                gFreezeMario = 1000;
+            }
             //set_time_stop_flags(TIME_STOP_ENABLED | TIME_STOP_MARIO_AND_DOORS);
             //o->activeFlags |= ACTIVE_FLAG_INITIATED_TIME_STOP;
             o->oAngleVelYaw = 0x800;
@@ -111,6 +114,7 @@ void bhv_spawned_star_loop(void) {
         spawn_object(o, MODEL_NONE, bhvSparkleSpawn);
     } else if (o->oAction == 2) {
         if (gCamera->cutscene == 0 && gRecentCutscene == 0) {
+            gFreezeMario = 0;
             clear_time_stop_flags(TIME_STOP_ENABLED | TIME_STOP_MARIO_AND_DOORS);
             o->activeFlags &= ~ACTIVE_FLAG_INITIATED_TIME_STOP;
             o->oAction++;
diff --git a/src/game/behaviors/spawn_star.inc.c b/src/game/behaviors/spawn_star.inc.c
index 6a36841a0..a36b1126b 100644
--- a/src/game/behaviors/spawn_star.inc.c
+++ b/src/game/behaviors/spawn_star.inc.c
@@ -42,10 +42,13 @@ void bhv_star_spawn_init(void) {
     o->oVelY = (o->oHomeY - o->oPosY) / 30.0f;
     o->oForwardVel = o->oStarSpawnDisFromHome / 30.0f;
     o->oStarSpawnUnkFC = o->oPosY;
-    if (o->oBehParams2ndByte == 0 || gCurrCourseNum == COURSE_BBH)
-        cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_STAR_SPAWN, o);
-    else
-        cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_RED_COIN_STAR_SPAWN, o);
+    if (nearest_mario_state_to_object(o) == &gMarioStates[0]) {
+        if (o->oBehParams2ndByte == 0 || gCurrCourseNum == COURSE_BBH)
+            cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_STAR_SPAWN, o);
+        else
+            cutscene_object(CUTSCENE_RED_COIN_STAR_SPAWN, o);
+        gFreezeMario = 1000;
+    }
 
     //set_time_stop_flags(TIME_STOP_ENABLED | TIME_STOP_MARIO_AND_DOORS);
     //o->activeFlags |= ACTIVE_FLAG_INITIATED_TIME_STOP;
@@ -96,6 +99,7 @@ void bhv_star_spawn_loop(void) {
         case 3:
             o->oFaceAngleYaw += 0x800;
             if (o->oTimer == 20) {
+                gFreezeMario = 0;
                 gObjCutsceneDone = TRUE;
                 clear_time_stop_flags(TIME_STOP_ENABLED | TIME_STOP_MARIO_AND_DOORS);
                 o->activeFlags &= ~ACTIVE_FLAG_INITIATED_TIME_STOP;
diff --git a/src/game/mario.c b/src/game/mario.c
index 4d837d216..487c2eefc 100644
--- a/src/game/mario.c
+++ b/src/game/mario.c
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@
 #include "bettercamera.h"
 #endif
 
+u16 gFreezeMario = 0;
+
 u32 unused80339F10;
 s8 filler80339F1C[20];
 
@@ -1783,10 +1785,21 @@ s32 execute_mario_action(UNUSED struct Object *o) {
             return 0;
         }
 
+        // don't update mario when in a cutscene
+        if (gMarioState->playerIndex == 0) {
+            extern s16 gDialogID;
+            if (gFreezeMario > 0) { gFreezeMario--; }
+            if (gFreezeMario < 1 && gDialogID != -1) { gFreezeMario = 1; }
+        }
+
         // The function can loop through many action shifts in one frame,
         // which can lead to unexpected sub-frame behavior. Could potentially hang
         // if a loop of actions were found, but there has not been a situation found.
         while (inLoop) {
+            // don't update mario when in a cutscene
+            if (gMarioState->playerIndex == 0 && gFreezeMario > 0 && (gMarioState->action & ACT_GROUP_MASK) != ACT_GROUP_CUTSCENE) {
+                break;
+            }
             switch (gMarioState->action & ACT_GROUP_MASK) {
                 case ACT_GROUP_STATIONARY:
                     inLoop = mario_execute_stationary_action(gMarioState);
@@ -1856,6 +1869,7 @@ s32 execute_mario_action(UNUSED struct Object *o) {
  **************************************************/
 
 void init_mario(void) {
+    gFreezeMario = 0;
     gInsidePainting = false;
 
     bool isLocal = (gMarioState == &gMarioStates[0]);
diff --git a/src/game/obj_behaviors.c b/src/game/obj_behaviors.c
index d433bf003..b0d647ef9 100644
--- a/src/game/obj_behaviors.c
+++ b/src/game/obj_behaviors.c
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@
 #define OBJ_COL_FLAG_NO_Y_VEL   (1 << 3)
 #define OBJ_COL_FLAGS_LANDED    (OBJ_COL_FLAG_GROUNDED | OBJ_COL_FLAG_NO_Y_VEL)
 
+extern u16 gFreezeMario;
+
 /**
  * Current object floor as defined in object_step.
  */
diff --git a/src/game/object_list_processor.c b/src/game/object_list_processor.c
index 175581681..f1d6f02fd 100644
--- a/src/game/object_list_processor.c
+++ b/src/game/object_list_processor.c
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "profiler.h"
 #include "spawn_object.h"
 
-
 /**
  * Flags controlling what debug info is displayed.
  */