Guest stars can often revitalize a TV show, bringing new excitement or a well-known face to familiar stories. Sometimes, these appearances are so memorable they even outshine the regular cast and become the best part of an episode. The most successful guest performances feel like a natural fit for the show’s overall style while still leaving a lasting impact on viewers. Below are some episodes featuring actors who made brief appearances but delivered truly unforgettable performances.
‘Friends’ (1994–2004)
In the ‘Friends’ episode ‘The One with the Rumor’, Brad Pitt plays Will Colbert, a guest who surprisingly reveals he strongly dislikes Rachel Green. He jokes that he and Ross used to be in a high school club dedicated to criticizing her. Pitt’s strong feelings towards Rachel make for some funny and uncomfortable moments during the Thanksgiving dinner. What makes this appearance particularly memorable is that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were married at the time.
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)
Sterling K. Brown guest stars as Philip Davidson in a unique episode of the show, set entirely within an interrogation room. Detectives Jake Peralta and Captain Holt work through the night, attempting to get a murder confession from a dentist. Brown’s performance is cool and confident, a striking contrast to the detectives’ frantic efforts. This intense psychological game between them makes for one of the series’ most highly praised episodes.
‘The Last of Us’ (2023–)
In a special episode, Nick Offerman plays Bill, focusing on his life after the apocalypse and his decades-long relationship with a man named Frank. This story steps away from the show’s main characters to tell a moving love story. Offerman gives a surprisingly sensitive and emotional performance, adding a layer of heartfelt depth to the series’ bleak world.
‘New Girl’ (2011–2018)
Prince makes a special appearance as himself in an episode where Jess and Cece visit his home. He playfully offers relationship advice and leads them through a series of unusual events. His famously dry wit and mysterious vibe actually work perfectly with the show’s silly and charming style. The episode is a wonderfully strange and touching tribute to Prince, coming shortly before he passed away.
‘Scrubs’ (2001–2010)
Brendan Fraser guest stars as Ben Sullivan, a character connected to both Jordan and Dr. Cox. When Ben returns to the hospital for a routine checkup, he receives shocking news about his health. Fraser delivers a performance that combines his usual charm with a touching vulnerability, which especially impacts the usually cynical Dr. Cox. The episode’s surprising conclusion is considered one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the series.
‘Glee’ (2009–2015)
When the Glee Club’s teacher, Mr. Schue, gets sick, Gwyneth Paltrow fills in as Holly Holliday. She brings a fresh, energetic style to the club, introducing modern songs and lively performances. While she’s there, Holly playfully clashes with the usual teacher but quickly becomes a favorite among the students. Paltrow’s performance was so well-received, she even won an Emmy Award for her singing and dancing in the role.
‘Extras’ (2005–2007)
Patrick Stewart plays a hilariously warped version of himself – a screenwriter with a truly bizarre movie idea. He excitedly pitches this over-the-top, supernatural story to Ricky Gervais, filling it with shocking and ridiculous details. The humor comes from the clash between Stewart’s sophisticated, classically trained acting background and the movie’s incredibly crude and silly content. Many fans consider this scene to be the absolute funniest in the whole show.
‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)
Britney Spears guest stars as Abby, a receptionist at a dermatologist’s office, who develops a crush on Ted Mosby. Viewers were pleasantly surprised by her comedic skills, especially when her attention unexpectedly shifts to Barney Stinson as part of a plan to make Ted jealous. Her appearance on the show helped increase viewership and generate buzz. Abby’s character brings a charmingly unpredictable energy to the group.
‘The Bear’ (2022–)
Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a powerful performance as Donna Berzatto, a mother struggling with alcoholism during a chaotic Christmas dinner. She brilliantly portrays the character’s shifting moods, moving between moments of deep affection and sudden, damaging anger. Curtis’s unpredictable behavior heightens the tense and confined feeling of the scene, and her realistic portrayal earned widespread praise from critics.
‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)
Fred Armisen portrays Raul, a representative from one of Pawnee’s sister cities in Venezuela. Raul consistently puts Pawnee down and boasts that Venezuela fixes all its problems by simply imprisoning people. The way he calmly describes his country’s bizarre laws really shows how ridiculous the whole diplomatic visit is. The funny contrast between Raul and Leslie Knope highlights the differences in their cultures.
’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)
Matt Damon appears as a pilot on the show and develops a romantic connection with Liz Lemon. He brilliantly captures the anxious, high-strung energy of the series’ main character, while also hinting at his character’s own hidden vulnerabilities. In a memorable scene on a plane, he unexpectedly breaks down and cries, completely defying the stoic, confident persona he’s known for. Damon fully embraces the show’s quirky humor, making him an ideal guest star.
‘Will & Grace’ (1998–2020)
In a memorable dream sequence, Cher plays herself as Jack McFarland imagines a conversation with God. When Jack doesn’t immediately recognize her, she playfully slaps him and challenges his attempts to copy her style. This appearance perfectly plays on Jack’s well-known obsession with the singer and is still considered one of the best celebrity cameos in the show’s history.
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
Philip Baker Hall is brilliant as Lt. Joe Bookman, a library detective obsessively tracking down an overdue book. He delivers dramatic speeches about the importance of libraries as if he’s a character in a classic detective movie. The humor comes from the ridiculousness of treating a simple library fine as a serious offense, especially in such an ordinary setting. It’s well-known that Jerry Seinfeld had a hard time not laughing during Hall’s powerful performance.
‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (1999–)
Robin Williams delivers a compelling performance as Merritt Rook in a suspenseful episode of a detective drama. He plays an engineer who cleverly tricks people into breaking the rules, creating a challenging situation for Detectives Benson and Stabler that forces them to re-examine their own tactics. Williams expertly portrays a villain who is both charming and frightening, and this role earned him a People’s Choice Award, demonstrating his talent for playing complex, darker characters.
‘Broad City’ (2014–2019)
Kelly Ripa appears as a surprisingly fun and reckless version of herself in this episode. She leads Abbi and Ilana on a crazy night filled with homemade liquor and odd jobs. The episode is memorable because it completely flips expectations of her usual, clean-cut image on daytime TV, showing her as unpredictable and a bit wild.
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2025-11-26 14:16