Top 10 Actors You Didn't Realize Were on Sex and the City

Top 10 Actors You Didn’t Realize were on Sex and the City

We bet you’ve completely forgotten about these famous guest appearances. Welcome to MsMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 actors you didn’t realize were on Sex and the City.

For this list, we’re looking at actors and actresses who had small roles on the show, but who are far better known for their other work. To avoid excluding any great guest appearances, musicians will be included as well.

#10: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Better known for fighting the forces of darkness in Sunnydale, this actress made a brief and funny cameo in the world of Carrie and the gang. Her appearance takes place when Carrie flies to L.A. to talk with producers about making her column into a movie. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a junior development executive named Debbie whose unexpectedly unbridled enthusiasm for Carrie’s column throws her off her game. If you’re used to her as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, seeing her in this role can be pretty jarring, albeit very entertaining.

#9: Jon Bon Jovi

Although not primarily known for his acting career, singer-songwriter – and let’s be honest, total dreamboat – Jon Bon Jovi actually has a handful of credits to his name, including a one-episode stint on this show, where he played a troubled man named Seth. Carrie meets him in her therapist’s office, and the two briefly date. Turns out… Seth’s issue is that he becomes disinterested with women after sleeping with them. Admittedly, not the best place to pick up guys, but to be fair, no one could’ve seen THAT particular curveball coming.

#8: John Slattery

No matter how many roles this actor has gone on to play, “Sex and the City” fans will always think of Golden Showers first. In his two-episode stint, John Slattery made a lasting impression as Bill Kelley, an up-and-coming politician running for the city treasurer position. At first, Carrie loves playing the role of political partner, coordinating her outfits to match her newly minted position. But when Bill lets Carrie in on one of his sexual fantasies, she just can’t get into it. She offers compromises... and he responds by sharing his concerns about him dating a quote unquote “sex columnist.” Slattery’s turn as Kelley might be memorable, but Carrie’s revenge... is unforgettable.

#7: Vince Vaughn

Another entry on the list of mistakes Carrie has made, Keith Travers is a charming guy that she meets while in LA. Played by funnyman Vince Vaughn, he claims to be Matt Damon’s agent and appears to have all the necessary connections. While trying to woo Carrie, he brings her to visit a home he claims to be considering purchasing and eventually... they end up in bed together. Carrie Fisher also makes a memorable appearance in this episode as herself, and she is infuriated after coming home to find her house sitter shacking up at her place. Funnily enough, it wasn’t the last time Vaughn would play a character crashing where he shouldn’t.

#6: Alan Cumming

Actor Alan Cumming has since tackled many film and television roles, and made a name for himself as celebrated stage actor. Admittedly though, if you were a ‘90s girl, you most likely remember Cumming as the tenacious filmmaker following the girls around in “Spice World.” However, in this classic “Sex and the City” episode, Carrie achieves one of her fashion dreams when she is asked to walk in a runway show wearing Dolce and Gabbana. Cumming plays “O”, a stylist who comically directs Carrie on how to walk in her dress. Though his performance is funny, you’d be forgiven for forgetting it, as it gets somewhat overshadowed by one of the show’s most hilarious moments.

#5: Justin Theroux

You’d have to be a pretty serious fan to know that this actor has actually appeared as two different characters on “Sex and the City.” Hubby to Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux is known for his comedic roles in films like “Wanderlust,” and his more dramatic work in “The Leftovers.” In the late ‘90s, he appeared in both season one and season two of “Sex and the City,” but not in the same role. First, he played Jared, a friend of Stanford’s who talks to Carrie at a party. His more memorable role however, was that of Vaughn, a short-term boyfriend of Carrie’s with some “longevity problems,” but a lovable family.

#4: Elizabeth Banks

Before reaching international fame in blockbusters like “The Hunger Games” and “The Lego Movie,” Elizabeth Banks made an appearance so brief on this show that most people could’ve missed it. Her character, Catherine, is only on-screen for approximately... ten seconds. All we know about her is that she’s the wife of a man that Charlotte has been flirting with. That being said, as one of her first roles ever, she certainly could’ve done worse than an appearance on one of TV’s most popular shows of the time.

#3: Bradley Cooper

From a one-episode stint as a somewhat sleazy character on “Sex and the City” to a multi-Academy Award nominee, Bradley Cooper has come a long way since this episode aired in 1999. Cooper plays Jake, a guy who Carrie meets when she’s feeling particularly vulnerable after being featured on the “Single and Fabulous?” magazine cover. She’s considering hooking up with him to make herself feel better, but when he runs up to her holding the offending magazine, she hops out of the car and he’s never to be seen again. Fun fact: this was Cooper’s first TV appearance and first major acting credit.

#2: Will Arnett

Will Arnett has gone on become a household name since playing this… rather unfortunate role. While many on this list have been Carrie’s mistakes, this one is all Miranda’s. Arnett plays Jack, a guy who doesn’t want to have sex unless it’s somewhere he can potentially get caught. At first, Miranda is charmed by the spontaneity of it all, but then things take a turn for the worse. Exhibitionism is one thing; getting turned on by your parents walking in on you mid-coitus... is something else entirely. Of course, Arnett sells the scene as only he could.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Blair Underwood
- Alanis Morissette
- David Duchovny

#1: Matthew McConaughey

Back in the early 2000s, this A-lister opted for light-hearted rom-coms rather than Oscar-nominated films. When Matthew McConaughey appeared on this show however, he played an extreme version of himself. He meets with Carrie about optioning her column for a big screen movie, and his performance as a crazed actor/producer was convincing enough to scare Carrie off, and made for some pretty good TV. The real Matthew McConaughey has since played countless incredible roles, but in the world of “Sex and the City”... we’re relieved he never got to play Mr. Big the way he envisioned it.