Casting a good guest star role is an art. A celebrity that’s too popular can feel pandering, while some choices might be so out of left field they leave fans scratching their heads. But when they do it right, they do it right. A good cameo can boost ratings, save shows from cancellation at the hands of networks and live in fans’ memories forever.
Though this list is nowhere near exhaustive, let’s go over some of the most iconic and well-done cameos in television.
1
Taylor Swift (New Girl)
Taylor Swift appeared in season 2, episode 17 of New Girl as Elaine, an ex-girlfriend who stands up to object at a wedding. It was a brief and surprising cameo, and very funny.
2
Britney Spears (How I Met Your Mother)
Britney Spears appeared as a receptionist at Stella’s restaurant in two episodes of season 3. Though her role was small, it increased ratings of the show and helped save it from cancellation.
3
Carrie Fisher & James Earl Jones (The Big Bang Theory)
For Star Wars fans, Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones appearing on The Big Bang Theory was a big deal. An even bigger deal is the crazy fact that the two had never met in person before filming these cameos!
4
Ed Sheeran (Game of Thrones)
‘Best’ might not be the greatest word to use here, as Ed Sheeran’s cameo in season 7 of Game of Thrones was controversial among fans. That said, it got people talking, and is that not the point of a TV guest star?
5
Winona Ryder (Friends)
Winona Ryder appeared in a memorable season 7 episode of Friends where she shared a kiss with Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel. Coming after a slump in Ryder’s career, it both helped bring her back into the fold, and boosted viewership for Friends.
6
Brad Pitt (Friends)
Another iconic Friends cameo, Brad Pitt appeared in season 8 as a high school friend of Ross’s. This was during his marriage to Jennifer Aniston, adding a little more fun interest to the appearance.
7
Cher (Will & Grace)
Cher played herself on a season 3 episode of Will & Grace, where a character mistakes her for a Cher impersonator and criticizes her ‘impression’. It was a standout moment in the show’s history.
8
Jennifer Love Hewitt (Boy Meets World)
Jennifer Love Hewitt guest starred on an episode of Boy Meets World as ‘Jennifer Love Fefferman’. Her and Will Friedle, who she was dating in real life at the time, shared a makeout scene. Friedle later called the scene “uncomfortable to rewatch”.
9
Will Ferrell (The Office)
Will Ferrell had a hilarious four-episode stint as a replacement for Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott in season 7 of The Office. His run was short but memorable. You can’t go wrong with Carrell and Ferrell.
10
The Beach Boys (Full House)
The Beach Boys played themselves on multiple episodes of Full House. This was because of their real-life connection with John Stamos– he played drums with them through the 80s and early 90s.
11
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (That 70s Show)
In season 1 of That 70s Show, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, then more famous as a wrestler than an actor, made a cameo appearance playing his own father, Rocky Johnson. In fact, it was his acting debut, and as history has shown he would go on to be a giant star.
12
Jon Bon Jovi (Sx and the City)
In one episode of the show, Jon Bon Jovi played a brief (aren’t they always?) love interest of Carrie Bradshaw. A confusing and unexpected cameo, it still stands out today as memorable.
13
Michael Jackson (The Simpsons)
The Simpsons has had its fair share of famous guest stars over the years, but the episode where Michael Jackson lends his voice to a mental patient who believes he is Michael Jackson stands out as one of the most audacious. Jackson’s role was uncredited, and wasn’t even confirmed to be him until later.
14
Alex Trebek (The X Files)
Alex Trebek had a minor but hilarious cameo as a man in black in a season 3 episode of The X Files, alongside Jesse Ventura. It was goofy and lighthearted, but the episode is still a fan favorite today.
15
Michael J Fox (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
In a show rife with hilarious celebrity cameos, it’s hard to pick just one. But Michael J Fox’s fictionalized version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm is one of his best. His feud with Larry David is great, and the show even manages to find humor in his tragic Parkinson’s disease.
16
Will Ferrell (Eastbound & Down)
Another legendary Will Ferrell performance. His recurring guest star role in Eastbound & Down as Ashley Schaeffer, the downright deranged car dealership owner, is one for the books. Even just one look at that wig is enough to know this one is an all-timer.
