20 Mind-Blowing Brooklyn 99 Cameos & Guest Appearances That Slipped Under the Radar

With its captivating storylines and hilarious characters, it's no wonder that many Brooklyn 99 fans have overlooked the numerous guest appearances by celebrities. The sitcom, which premiered in 2013, follows the lives of police officers at the 99th precinct in New York, who find themselves entangled in various escapades while fighting crime on a daily basis. While most episodes focus on Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), Detective Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), and future Chief Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) tackling new cases, a few also delve into the strong bonds and relationships within the core group.

In addition to its critical success, garnering 11 Primetime Emmy nominations (2 of which it won), Brooklyn Nine-Nine is known for its abundance of celebrity cameos and guest appearances. Some of these cameos feature real-life partners of the Brooklyn 99 cast, while others include A-list stars such as an Academy Award winner, a popular figure from Lord of the Rings, a Golden Globe recipient, and several actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

12 Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler made his first appearance on the sitcom in season 1, episode 15 titled "Operation Broken Feather". In this episode, Sandler portrays an exaggerated version of himself who hilariously taunts Jake while he goes undercover at an auction. This cameo is notable for its witty and self-aware one-liners, which seamlessly match the show's overall tone. It is worth mentioning that Sandler reunites with Andy Samberg, his co-star from the comedy film "That's My Boy", as well as their collaborations in "Hotel Transylvania" and the successful "Grown Ups 2". The fact that such a big star appeared on the show at this early stage was surprising, contributing to the excitement of the viewers about potential future appearances by other notable figures. Some speculate that Sandler's presence on "Brooklyn 99" was due to his close friendship with Samberg.

11 Bill Hader

Although Bill Hader garnered critical praise for his dramatic performances, particularly in his roles as the hitman in "Barry" and the older Richie Tozier, his true calling lies within the realm of comedy. In addition to notable appearances in "30 Rock" and "The Office," Hader took on the character of Captain Seth Dozerman in Season 3, Episode 1 of "Brooklyn 99," titled "The New Captain." This occurred after Holt (Andre Braugher), the previous captain of the 99th precinct, assumed the position of Head of Public Relations. Unfortunately, Dozerman's tenure was short-lived due to his highly-strung personality and quick temper, resulting in his untimely demise from two heart attacks. It was an unforeseen turn of events that left everyone stunned.

10 Sterling K. Brown

Although known for his award-winning performances as Randall Pearson in This Is Us and Christopher Darden in American Crime Story, Sterling K. Brown also made a memorable appearance on Brooklyn 99. In season 5, episode 14, "The Box," he portrayed Philip Davidson, a dentist who was brought to the police station by Jake and Holt under suspicion of murdering his friend and fellow dentist.

9 Nick Offerman

In contrast to his previous roles in This Is Us and American Crime Story, Brown's portrayal of Davidson in Brooklyn 99 allowed him to delve into a darker and more malicious character. Davidson was portrayed as incredibly ruthless and cunning, effortlessly providing answers to every question thrown his way, devoid of any remorse for his actions. Furthermore, he cunningly manipulated Holt and Jake, pitting them against each other to purposely waste valuable time. Undoubtedly, Brown's depiction of Davidson stands out as one of the most formidable adversaries that Jake and his fellow detectives have ever encountered.

Renowned for his portrayal of Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation and Bill in the popular zombie thriller The Last of Us, Nick Offerman made a memorable appearance in the hit comedy sitcom. In the eighth episode of season 3, titled "Ava," Offerman took on the role of Frederick, an obstetrician-gynecologist and Holt's ex-boyfriend who harbored a longstanding grudge against the Captain ever since he disposed of his cherished antique decoy duck. Similar to his previous characters, Offerman's Frederick exhibited a dry and stubborn demeanor, refusing to assist the squad until Holt issued an apology. Nevertheless, he did manage to deliver some memorable moments through his witty sarcastic remarks, eliciting laughter from viewers.

8 Gina Rodriguez

7 LA Knight

Gina Rodriguez took a brief hiatus from her role as the main character in the TV show Jane The Virgin and made a special appearance in Brooklyn 99 as Alicia, an Uber driver who later became romantically involved with Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz). Alicia made her debut in season 5, episode 22 titled "Jake & Amy". Known for her kind and friendly nature, Rodriguez's portrayal of Alicia quickly won over the audience, making her one of the most beloved guest stars on the show. Alicia and Rosa shared a strong chemistry, bringing out a playful and silly side in each other. Regrettably, this was the last time viewers got to see Alicia, as Rosa revealed in season 6, episode 3 titled "The Tattler" that they had broken up.

In addition to various movie stars and TV icons, Brooklyn 99 has featured several sports athletes as guest stars. One of them was Marshall Lynch, an NFL star, who appeared in season 4, episode 11 titled "The Fugitive - Part 1." He played a role in assisting the squad after witnessing a crime. Another athlete, Joe Theisman, a former American footballer, joined the show in season 1, episode 15 titled "Operation Broken Feather," alongside Adam Sandler. However, not many fans may have noticed that LA Knight, a WWE wrestler, also made an appearance in season 2, episode 17 titled "Boyle-Linetti Wedding." Although his character had a brief moment on-screen, his gym wedding explained why Terry was ordained and contributed to the overall plot.

6 Niecy Nash

5 Zooey Deschanel

Niecy Nash, known for her acclaimed performance as Delores Wise in When They See Us, showcased her talent on the popular sitcom Brooklyn 99. In a guest appearance, she portrayed the compassionate sister Debbie to Holt, played by Andre Braugher. Nash's arrival in season 3, episode 13, "The Cruise," was met with excitement as Holt revealed her temporary stay in New York. With her background in comedy and exceptional improvisation abilities, Nash seamlessly blended with the main cast, creating a harmonious dynamic. Moreover, her portrayal shed light on Holt's upbringing and his familial connections. Regrettably, Nash's presence was limited to this episode, leaving fans longing for her return.

"The Night Shift" marks a significant moment in season 4, episode 4 when Brooklyn 99 and New Girl collaborate for the first time. Zooey Deschanel's character Jess makes a cameo appearance, lending a helping hand to Jake while he's in pursuit of a suspect. Despite the scene's brevity, Deschanel effortlessly injects humor through her meta-references and comical frustration with spilled soup. The chemistry between Samberg and Deschanel's characters is superb, with their unpredictable personalities and playful squabbles delivering memorable one-liners. Although Brooklyn 99 doesn't delve further into this storyline, it seamlessly transitions over to season 6 of New Girl (episode 4, "Homecoming").

4 Kathryn Hahn

While Kathryn Hahn gained acclaim for her portrayal of the villainous Agatha Harkness in WandaVision, she is primarily known for her comedic roles in blockbuster films and popular sitcoms. One notable appearance was in Brooklyn 99, where she guest-starred as Eleanor Horstweil, the conniving ex-wife of Boyle. In this role, she refused to return his sperm donation unless he used his authority to intimidate a witness who was suing her (season 3, episode 11, "Hostage Party"). At the time, Hahn's limited experience playing villains made her brief stint on Brooklyn 99 especially compelling, showcasing her immense talent.

3 Reginald VelJohnson

Reginald VelJohnson, another actor who made a brief guest appearance on Brooklyn 99, portrayed an exaggerated version of himself, similar to Adam Sandler. In the episode titled "Bachelor/ette Party" from season 5, episode 19, VelJohnson's character developed a strong dislike for Jake after the detective failed to meet him during Boyle's scavenger hunt. Despite having limited dialogue, VelJohnson's presence delighted many fans, as it allowed the Brooklyn 99 writers to include more Die Hard references and let Jake interact with one of his idols. Given VelJohnson's reputation for playing police officers, his appearance on the show was a fitting addition.

2 Sean Astin

After Fox's decision to cancel Brooklyn 99 in 2018, the fandom faced significant backlash and various celebrities stepped forward to advocate for its continuation. Among them was Sean Astin, known for his roles in Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things, who was later recognized as a "Guardian of Nine-Nine" by show creator Dan Goor. As a gesture of gratitude for his support, Astin was invited to guest star on Brooklyn 99, portraying the character of Sergeant Knox in season 6, episode 14 titled "Ticking Clocks". In this episode, Sergeant Knox played a minor antagonist, attempting to delete incriminating evidence by wiping the servers. This unexpected and refreshing casting choice challenged Astin's typical hero roles.

1 J.K. Simmons

Another notable addition to the cast of Brooklyn 99 was the Academy Award-winning actor J.K. Simmons. Making his first appearance in season 7, episode 9 titled "Dillman," Simmons portrayed the character of Frank Dillman, a private investigator who finds himself in a clash with Jake when he accuses him of causing a glitter bomb explosion in the precinct. While Dillman may not be as iconic as J. Jonah Jameson and his tension with Jake may not reach the same level as Jameson's rivalry with Spider-Man, Simmons manages to bring humor to the character through his deadpan delivery and sarcastic demeanor, perfectly aligning with the overall dynamic of the cast.