Tina Fey’s two biggest scripted TV shows are 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and the series both have a number of actors in common too. The casts overlap in the core members, supporting roles, and one-scene cameos. While both shows have ended, fans can still enjoy 30 Rock on Hulu or Amazon Prime and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix.
Fey created 30 Rock as a fictional account of her time writing for Saturday Night Live. The show featured the behind-the-scenes chaos of a sketch comedy show. Two years after the show's finale, Fey started Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The show followed Kimmy, who returns to society after being locked in a bunker for 15 years. 30 Rock spanned 7 seasons on NBC, while Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt had 4 seasons and a Netflix interactive special, giving actors lots of opportunities to appear in both shows. Here is a complete rundown of the actors who appeared in both.
Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski was one of the biggest stars of both 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She played Jenna Maroney in 30 Rock, Liz’s fame-obsessed best friend. Krakowski brought the same self-centered but hilarious energy as Jacqueline White in Kimmy Schmidt. Jacqueline's character started the show as a trophy wife at the, but a grew to be more generous and hardworking after her rich life fell apart.
Tina Fey
Tina Fey's Liz Lemon, showrunner of the fictional show-within-a-show TGS, was the 30 Rock protagonist, while Fey also appeared in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In the first season, Tina Fey played Kimmy’s incompetent lawyer as a parody of Marcia Clark (OJ Simpson’s prosecutor). She even wore Marcia’s iconic curly hairstyle. Fey returned in season 2 as Andrea, Kimmy’s alcoholic therapist who varied from giving constructive to self-destructive advice.
Tituss Burgess
The actor played Kimmy's eccentric, showy roommate Titus on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He brought the same energy to his role in 30 Rock as D'Fwan. His comedy is showcased in 30 Rock season 5, episode 17, "Queen of Jordan" – a parody of a diva-centered reality TV series. D'Fwan played Jordan's gossipy sidekick. Burgess made two more guest appearances in season 6 of the 30 Rock.
Mike Carlsen
Mike Carlsen played Tituss’ boyfriend, construction worker Mikey Politano, on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The couple broke up in season 3 but got back together in the series finale. The actor made a cameo as a different construction worker who catcalls Liz in 30 Rock season 5, episode 2, "When it Rains, It Pours."
Jon Hamm
In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jon Hamm played Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the man who kept the mole women captive. Kimmy took him to court in the Netflix special: "Kimmy vs. The Reverend." In 30 Rock, Hamm played Liz's exceptionally good-looking love interest, Drew. Liz broke up with Drew in season 3 after she realized his incompetence.
Other 30 Rock Actors in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Fred Armisen: Tina Fey’s SNL co-star made a cameo in 30 Rock season 2, episode 6, "Somebody to Love." He played Liz's Middle Eastern neighbor who she suspects him of terrorism. In reality, the character was training to go on The Amazing Race. Fred Armisen appeared numerous times in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as Robert Durst, an ex-boyfriend of Kimmy’s landlady Lillian.
Dean Winters: The actor played another one of Liz’s love interests, Dennis Duffy. The two dated in season one of 30 Rock. While Winters doesn’t appear physically in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, he voiced a bunny on the fictional show Bunny and Kitty in season 2.
Will Arnett: Kitty was voiced by another 30 Rock staple, Will Arnett. On 30 Rock, Arnett plays Devon Banks, Jack Donaghy’s ongoing business foe. In season 6, Banks resigned to his own success but vowed his children will out-perform Jack's daughter.
Jason Kravitz: The actor had a small cameo in season 3 of 30 Rock at Liz’s high school reunion. Kravitz appeared as a lawyer twice in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, in “Kimmy Goes Roller Skating!” and “Kimmy Walks Into a Bar!”
Jeff Richmond: The composer wrote music for both of Fey's comedies. In 30 Rock, he also played an accompanist on TGS. Richmond accompanied Tituss on his audition in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Steve Buscemi: Buscemi played Jack Donaghy’s private investigator, Lenny Wosniakon, on 30 Rock. Buscemi's voice was also in Kimmy Schmidt, heard on an app that makes your voice sound like celebrities in season 2.
Scott Adsit: Adsit played Liz’s co-producer, Pete, on 30 Rock. On Kimmy Schmidt, he voiced an animated snake in one of Kimmy’s fantasies in season 2. The actor returned as a man paid to do impressions of Tituss in season 3.
Brian Berrebbi: The actor appeared as a businessman twice on 30 Rock. On Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Berrebbi played one of Andrea’s therapy clients in a recurring bit where he was always forgotten.