Unforgettable TV Guest Appearances That Completely Outshone the Main Cast

Summary

High-profile TV guest stars can either enhance or distract from a show's main cast, as seen with Brad Pitt, Elon Musk, and Ed Sheeran.

The finest TV guest appearances bring a fresh perspective or unveil significant facets of the show or an actor's talent, as demonstrated by John Lithgow in Dexter and Laurie Metcalf in The Big Bang Theory.

Unforgettable guest stars such as Liam Neeson in Derry Girls and Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett in The Last of Us inject a blend of humor, depth, and emotional resonance into their respective episodes.

The most exceptional TV guest stars, like Kelsey Grammer in The Simpsons and Taraji P. Henson in Abbott Elementary, have a knack for overshadowing the main cast. It has become a common practice for networks to bring in high-profile guest stars when a TV show gains popularity and success. However, this can be a precarious endeavor. If a guest star is poorly cast or out of place, it can become a distraction that ruins the entire episode. Examples of such instances include Brad Pitt in Friends, Elon Musk in The Simpsons, and Ed Sheeran in Game of Thrones.

The greatest TV guest performances are ones that reveal something vital about the series or showcase a different side of the actor. John Lithgow brilliantly portrayed a bloodthirsty serial killer with his warm and affable presence in Dexter's fourth season. In The Bear's Christmas flashback episode, Jamie Lee Curtis not only delivers an engaging performance but also delves into the origin of the Berzatto family's profound dysfunction. There is no shortage of TV guest stars who have stolen the spotlight, such as Andy Serkis as the prison ringleader Kino Loy in Andor or Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as Bill and Frank in The Last of Us.

10 Liam Neeson In Derry Girls

Setting its coming-of-age story against the Troubles, Derry Girls is a celebratory reflection of recent Irish history and an exploration of the challenges Ireland has triumphed over. As a nod to this connection, Ireland's most iconic actor, Liam Neeson, made a special appearance as Chief Inspector Byers in season 3, episode 1, titled "The Night Before." When the girls, along with James, attempted to enter the school to acquire their GCSE results, they found themselves apprehended by the police and mistakenly identified as the perpetrators of a genuine burglary. Neeson delivered a brilliantly deadpan portrayal of a stern law enforcement officer unwilling to tolerate any nonsense from the girls.

9 Sterling K. Brown In Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Considered by many as the most powerful installment of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, episode 14 of season 5, known as "The Box," stands out as a bottle episode featuring only Jake and Holt from the main cast. In line with the show's finest moments, this episode combines a gripping police procedural plot with well-timed humor. Sterling K. Brown makes a guest appearance as Phillip Davidson, a murder suspect who happens to be a dentist. The entire episode revolves around Jake and Holt's relentless efforts to interrogate Davidson. While the episode delves into the complex father-son dynamic between Jake and Holt, it is Brown's portrayal of the confident and deceitful suspect that steals the spotlight.

8 John Lithgow In Dexter

Almost every season of Dexter showcased a prominent guest star embodying a new infamous serial killer for Dexter Morgan to hunt down and eliminate. The standout portrayal undoubtedly belonged to John Lithgow as the "Trinity Killer" in season 4. While leading a double life as a seemingly ordinary family man, Arthur Mitchell, he carried out gruesome murders of women in bathtubs. This duality greatly intrigued Dexter, especially considering Lithgow's usual reputation for warm and lighthearted performances, which made his portrayal as a heartless murderer all the more chilling.

7 Laurie Metcalf In The Big Bang Theory

Throughout The Big Bang Theory’s run, there were many remarkable guest stars, from James Earl Jones to Stephen Hawking. However, the most amusing and unforgettable among them was Laurie Metcalf, who portrayed Mary, Sheldon Cooper’s deeply religious mother, in numerous episodes. As an experienced theater actor, Metcalf effortlessly absorbed the energy of performing in front of a live audience and flawlessly executed the comedic timing of each line. She brilliantly complemented Jim Parsons, providing a hilarious counterbalance to Sheldon's antics as one of the few characters who could put him in his place.

6 Macauley Culkin In The Righteous Gemstones

5 Taraji P. Henson In Abbott Elementary

Macauley Culkin surprised viewers with his appearance in The Righteous Gemstones season 2, episode 8, titled "The Prayer of a Righteous Man." He portrayed the long-lost son of Walton Goggins' beloved character, Baby Billy Freeman. This episode emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in relieving pain, particularly when it is challenging to forgive something as hurtful as parental abandonment. Culkin's performance as Harmon was not only a delightful sight alongside Goggins but also deeply moving.

In Abbott Elementary, Janine Teagues consistently takes on the role of the level-headed character who counters the eccentric comedic personalities. In the show's second season, episode 21 titled "Mom," she finds herself playing the same role opposite her own quirky mother, Vanetta Teagues, brilliantly portrayed by Taraji P. Henson. This episode cleverly brings together all the unfavorable remarks Janine had made about her mother throughout the series. Moreover, the "Mom" storyline beautifully reveals Barbara's transformation into a maternal figure in Janine's life, adding depth to the show's emotional core.

4 Andy Serkis In Andor

3 Kelsey Grammer In The Simpsons

The first installment of Andor was divided into three-episode segments. Within the three-episode prison storyline, Cassian Andor found himself confined in Narkina 5, compelled to construct sections of the Death Star. This particular arc showcased an exceptional performance by Andy Serkis, who portrayed the stern-faced leader of the inmates, Kino Loy. Serkis' portrayal of Kino allowed for a more nuanced character development compared to the entire sequel trilogy. Kino's loyalty to the Empire gradually transforms into doubt regarding their leadership, ultimately leading him to lead a full-fledged revolution against the prison guards. Serkis delivers a truly memorable line in his final moments as Kino, leaving a lasting impact with the heartbreaking words, "I can't swim."

Although Kelsey Grammer is widely recognized for his portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane, it is his recurring character, Sideshow Bob, on The Simpsons that comes in a very close second. Ever since Bart thwarted Bob's plan to incriminate Krusty the Clown, Bob has harbored a deep-seated grudge against the mischievous youngster. This animosity has resulted in one of the most renowned rivalries in television history. From "Cape Feare" in season 5, episode 2, to "Sideshow Bob Roberts" in season 6, episode 5, Bob has brought his distinctive charm to some of the most outstanding episodes of The Simpsons.

2 Jamie Lee Curtis In The Bear

1 Nick Offerman & Murray Bartlett In The Last Of Us

Jamie Lee Curtis steals the spotlight in The Bear's Christmas flashback episode, season 2, episode 6, "Fishes," alongside a star-studded cast including Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jon Bernthal, Gillian Jacobs, and John Mulaney. Portraying the role of the manic matriarch Donna Berzatto, Curtis captivates the audience with her portrayal of Donna's uncontrollable and unpredictable volatility, revealing the roots of the family's signature dysfunction. With the character poised as a ticking timebomb, Curtis takes the viewers on a tense emotional journey that culminates in her literally driving a car into the house.

In season 1, episode 3 of HBO's The Last of Us, titled "Long, Long Time," the focus shifted away from Joel and Ellie just as their bond was forming. However, this decision gave rise to what is arguably the show's finest episode. "Long, Long Time" stands as a separate love story that delves into the lonely existence of survivalist Bill. Unexpectedly, his life takes a turn when he inadvertently captures Frank, a passer-by ensnared in one of his traps. Portrayed by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, Bill and Frank deliver remarkably powerful performances, embodying the raw chemistry of a deeply in love couple.