Top 20 Funniest Guest Star Appearances in TV History

“What We Do in the Shadows” (2019-24)
Tilda Swinton’s style is otherworldly—equal parts high-fashion alien and timeless vampire queen—which makes her perfect for a cameo on “What We Do in the Shadows.” She appears as Tilda, head of the vampire council, made up of actors with supernatural cred, who gather to judge the gang after the Baron’s untimely demise. Swinton brings her signature surreal cool to the role, commanding the room with just a few lines and somehow making total chaos look elegant. She blends in effortlessly with the undead weirdos while also standing out like only she can. Honestly, they couldn’t have picked a funnier, more fitting leader for this fang-filled fever dream.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2015-19)
Sometimes a cameo helps move the story along—but sometimes, you just need Josh Groban to sing your emotional collapse back to you. What makes this one so funny is how committed Groban is. He plays it completely straight like everything about this is totally normal which is absolutely brilliant. He starts off as a disembodied voice narrating Rebecca’s rock bottom in full ballad mode, then suddenly appears to walk beside her, singing directly in her face. Hilariously, Rebecca doesn’t take much notice. She’s too lost in her own world to care. Honestly, if someone has to follow us around singing about our lowest moments, Josh Groban’s not a bad pick.

“BoJack Horseman” (2014-20)
The “Harry Potter” actor plays this totally exaggerated version of himself—like, he’s a “nice guy” but with a huge ego, which is the perfect opposition to BoJack. He’s invited to compete against our protagonist on Mr. Peanutbutter’s game show as the “even more famous celebrity.” Yet, the whole thing is rigged for Radcliffe to win the jackpot for charity. Of course, things go totally off the rails. Radcliffe’s nonchalant attitude, especially when he claims not to remember BoJack, absolutely grinds his gears. So, BoJack, being BoJack, takes the opportunity to get back at him, leaning into the whole “Radcliffe and Elijah Wood look alike” thing before setting the prize on fire.

“The Good Place” (2016-20)
Judge Gen might be an immortal cosmic being, but she’s also somehow extremely relatable. She’s supposed to be judging the entire human race, yet she’s usually more focused on catching up on Earth TV and complaining about how busy she is. Maya Rudolph plays her with such sharp timing—every line lands thanks to a perfectly placed pause or just the right shift in tone. There’s something so fun about watching this all-powerful figure throw shade, fangirl over TV shows, or act like she’s one spilled coffee away from quitting the universe. You never know what’s coming next, and that unpredictability is exactly what makes her such a standout.

“30 Rock” (2006-13)
When we first met Dr. Drew Baird, we were probably as smitten as everyone else. It took a second to realize this man has no right calling himself a doctor, let alone practicing as one. He’s devastatingly handsome, and instead of making him cool or suave, the show traps him in “the Bubble”—a reality distortion field where he’s so attractive no one ever tells him the truth. And Jon Hamm plays it perfectly. He’s clueless, cocky, wildly incompetent, and totally oblivious. What makes it even funnier is how seriously he commits to being dumb—it’s never wink-wink; he just is that unaware. Hamm was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy for “The Bubble.” Well, they do say laughter is the best medicine, right, Dr. Spaceman!?

“New Girl” (2011-18)
In this episode, Schmidt, Winston, and eventually Nick throw Cece’s wedding into chaos because Schmidt’s convinced she’s making a mistake. Sure, releasing a badger might’ve been a bit much, but respect to Prank Sinatra’s commitment. It turns out that a badger crashing the wedding is exactly what the couple needed to follow their hearts. If you started the episode, saw the title, and wondered, “Who’s Elaine?” you were about to find out. Elaine's dramatic response is so romantic it could’ve come straight from a Taylor Swift song. Honestly, the only thing that could’ve made this moment better is if “Love Story” started playing as Shivrang carries her away.

“The Golden Girls” (1985-92)
Dorothy is definitely the kind who’d enjoy bragging about her successful beau—until Ken trades it all for a career in clowning around. Literally. While the episode focuses on Dorothy’s reaction to Ken’s drastic career change, Dick Van Dyke’s physical comedy steals the show. Watching him slip into the clown persona with his signature loose-limbed, goofy movements is simply delightful. The sight of sophisticated Ken turning into a slapstick clown but still engaging with his lawyerly side is hilarious, and Van Dyke’s comedic expertise just makes it that much funnier. One thing’s for sure: red nose or not, Van Dyke knows how to get the laughs.

“The Studio” (2025-)
One of the best parts of having a satirical comedy series about the film industry is the chance for those behind the camera to take their turn in the spotlight. One of the best so far has to be when Martin Scorsese comes in to pitch his vision for a movie about the Jonestown massacre. Now, here’s the thing: Seth Rogan’s Matt Remick has a lot riding on this pitch, and Scorsese’s idea has just the Kool-Aid angle he’s after! Scorsese’s chemistry with Rogen is electric, and his natural comedic timing makes us wonder why he doesn’t direct more comedies. Actually, he could easily pull off a second career as a comedy actor.

“Community” (2009-15)
Betty White is just a legend, so it’s hardly surprising she’s had some incredible guest appearances. Like the time she played herself-ish on “Ugly Betty.” One of her best, though, is Glendale’s Anthropology teacher, June Bauer, on “Community.” June has years of life experience, but her teaching methods are… unique. White plays her as no-nonsense with a dash of unpredictability that’s perfect for shaking up the already chaotic group. What makes her so hilarious is how she fully owns the absurdity of every situation, totally unfiltered. She delivers the most off-the-wall lines like they’re nothing. As always, it’s her warmth, sharp wit, and charm that make her so effortlessly funny.

“The Simpsons” (1989-)
Nimoy’s iconic role as Mr. Spock in “Star Trek” made his deadpan delivery perfect for “The Simpsons.” He appeared in two episodes—once as the narrator in an “X-Files” spoof and again in the fan-favorite “Marge vs. the Monorail,” where he saves Krusty and the day (or does he?). His performance was praised for its brilliance and how well his character fit into the already awesome storyline. Conan O’Brien wrote some great lines for him, but Nimoy’s comedic timing makes him one of the series’ most memorable guest stars. Honestly, though, it’s probably his rendition of “Good Morning Starshine” with everyone that has lived rent-free in our minds ever since.

“Scrubs” (2001-10)
Ben Sullivan is easily one of the best guest characters “Scrubs” ever gave us. He’s got that warm, goofy energy that makes him instantly likable, with quick wit and a laid-back charm that plays perfectly off the rest of the cast, especially Dr. Cox. Even his love of taking random pictures somehow works as a running gag that still makes us laugh. But what really hits is how Brendan Fraser balances all that humor with something deeper. He makes you laugh one minute, then absolutely wrecks you the next. It’s one of the most unforgettable arcs in the show’s run. Fraser understood the assignment and then some.

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” had some epic cameos. Adam Sandler’s appearance is also definitely up there. He plays himself at an auction where Jake’s trying to catch a suspect, but he’s terrible as the auctioneer. Sandler starts heckling him almost immediately, and it’s hilarious. One of the funniest moments is when Sandler talks about a Russian Revolution movie, and Jake just casually drops that Kevin James would obviously be in it. It’s even funnier when you realize how true that is. Eventually, Sandler takes over the auction, with the crowd rallying behind him. Honestly, it had all the makings of an “SNL” sketch, and we were so here for it!

“Modern Family” (2009-20)
Lane steals every scene as Sherman “Pepper” Saltzman, Mitch, and Cam’s fabulously dramatic friend. Pepper lives like he’s starring in a Broadway show no one else is in—he’s over-the-top, quick to take offense, and allergic to subtlety, but that’s exactly what makes him so funny. You’re never quite sure why they stay friends with him, but then he says something so outrageously unfiltered you can’t stop laughing. Lane brings total commitment and razor-sharp timing to every scene. His chemistry with the guys is especially brilliant. Lane knows exactly how far to push without going too far, and somehow, he always finds that sweet spot between ridiculous and genuinely lovable.

“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Would you believe that not only did Patton Oswalt improvise his entire filibuster, but what we see in the episode is just a fraction of his ad-libbing? You can watch the whole thing on YouTube if you’ve got about 9 minutes to spare. As Oswalt explained, the creators decided not to yell cut and just see what happens. And honestly, where didn’t he take it? To the MCU, to a galaxy far, far away and beyond. What’s wild is that a lot of his random musings actually came true! We bet the extras had a hard time acting bored while all this hilarious pop culture magic was unfolding. We could’ve kept listening for hours!

“Extras” (2005-07)
In his job as an extra, Andy Millman meets plenty of famous faces, and while we could list them all, some of the funniest moments come from stars who aren’t known for comedy. Take Kate Winslet, for example. You might not normally associate her with comedy but she’s as funny as they come and leaves us wondering why she doesn’t do more. Then there’s David Bowie, who proves his comedic timing is just as sharp as his musical talent. His ability to take Andy down with impeccable savagery is second to none. And, of course, Patrick Stewart’s appearance is a total gem! He manages to hold onto his dramatic gravitas while being completely hilarious.

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000-24)
Reunion shows are usually pretty lame, right? Well, not when they’re as brilliantly meta as this one. It’s the mix of meta-humor and nostalgia that makes this episode so funny. David, who was never actually in favor of a “Seinfeld” reunion, plays a fictionalized version of himself trying to make it happen, and the humor comes from how self-aware the whole thing is. Watching the Seinfeld cast playing themselves adds this perfect layer of irony. You start to forget what “Curb” is, what “Seinfeld” is, and where the line between reality and fiction even is. Speaking of, we totally loved watching Michael J. Fox making Larry squirm, too!

“All in the Family” (1971-79)
Given Archie Bunker’s usual worldview, Sammy Davis Jr. showing up at the Bunkers’ house isn’t exactly something you’d expect. But that’s what makes it so good. He ends up there after accidentally leaving his briefcase in Archie’s cab and coming by to pick it up, only to get way more than he bargained for. As always, Archie’s bigoted nonsense is rooted in pure ignorance and sets the stage for him to get absolutely schooled. The writers knew exactly how to highlight Archie’s flaws, and they gave Sammy Davis Jr. the perfect moment to flip it all on its head. It’s funny, bold, and surprisingly warm. And that final photo is instantly iconic.

“Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-20)
“Will & Grace” wasn’t just packed with guest stars; it knew exactly what to do with each one of them. We had Matt Damon as Jack’s choir arch-nemesis and J-Lo playing a brilliantly comic version of herself. But one of our favorites has to be Cher. She appeared twice—once in a coffee shop, where Jack, obsessing over his Cher doll, mistakes her for a drag queen. The second time, she shows up as God in Jack’s subconscious because, well, who else would it be? What makes both moments so funny is that Cher plays it completely straight, letting the writing and reactions do the work. Her comedic timing is as sharp as her discography—and both cameos still slap.

“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
You can’t talk about hilarious guest appearances without mentioning Stephen Hawking. While planning his own version of Comic-Con, Sheldon meets his match in James Earl Jones, and their adventure is nothing short of hilarious. Known for his serious roles and iconic booming voice, Jones gets to show a different side here, one that’s eccentric, funny, and surprisingly good at karaoke. It’s a refreshing twist to see the voice of Darth Vader let loose in such a playful way. His cameo even led to another surprise appearance from Carrie Fisher. Despite their shared “Star Wars” history, this was actually their first time meeting in person. Though we don’t see them together, their brief interaction is a fan’s dream.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“It’s Not Unusual” for Tom Jones to Help Carlton Through the Hard Times

Apparently, It Was Always the Goal to Get Gritty On, & It Was Sure Worth the Wait!

A Subtle Crossover but We Caught It! It’s Even Mentioned on “Community!”

“Friends” (1994-2004)
Brad Pitt won audiences over as Monica and Rachel’s classmate Will, which even scored him an Emmy nomination! But we're going with this double feature because everything just fell into place so perfectly. One day, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal unexpectedly dropped by the set after wrapping up a shoot nearby. The creators jumped at the chance and asked them to make a quick appearance. With these pros, there was zero need for planning, scripting, or rehearsing—they just rolled in and improvised. It just shows that some of the best jokes out there aren’t really written down, especially when you've got legends like these on board.


Which guest star made you cackle the loudest? Let us know in the comments