Most sitcoms are made or broken by the quality of their ensemble casts. From current animated stalwarts such as Bob’s Burgers to legendary classics such as I Love Lucy, the actors and characters who populate the best sitcoms are as crucial as the comedic situations they get into.
But as fun as it is to explore a favorite character’s life, sometimes it can be fun to spice things up with by throwing in a new character, especially a one-and-done appearance played by an unexpected celebrity. Over the years, there have been some truly great celebrity cameos that helped push stories along, provide some great humor, and surprise audiences everywhere.
Joe Biden on Parks and Recreation
Over its seven-season run, Parks and Recreation had quite a few cameos from various politicians, but few were as memorable as then-Vice President Joe Biden. He appears twice on the show, the first time in the season 5 episode “Leslie Vs. April”, when Leslie Knope’s (Amy Poehler) fiancé, Ben (Adam Scott), surprises her with her main celebrity crush: Joe Biden.
Biden makes one more memorable appearance in the series finale, “One Last Ride”, when he and his wife, Jill Biden, both show up to invite Leslie and Ben, now political big shots, to their home for a party.
Kesha on Jane the Virgin
In season 2 of Jane the Virgin, Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) life is made significantly louder when rock star Annabelle (Kesha) moves in next door. It’s hard enough to get sleep as a new mom, but things only get worse when Annabelle’s antics, like some very loud jam sessions, keep waking up Jane and the baby.
It’s a fun side plot in the episode, and Kesha does a great job as a self-absorbed rock star. Her unabashed rudeness, over-the-top sneer, and deadpan delivery of lines like “noise canceling headphones help” are spot-on. It’s a great cameo for Jane the Virgin, a show known for great characters.
Rob Thomas and Sinbad on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a unique show that has seen a series of unexpected but deeply funny cameos. Perhaps none was more unexpected than Rob Thomas and Sinbad showing up in the season 4 episode “Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life.” The episode follows Dennis (Glenn Howerton), who has himself committed to rehab facility to recreate some of his fictional erotic tales.
After getting hit in the head by Frank (Danny Devito), he wakes up in a facility where he’s harassed by Sinbad and Thomas. Or is he? It turns out, the whole thing is a strange fever dream, but Sinbad and Thomas do a fantastic job playing against type.
Prince on New Girl
Prince’s appearance in this season 3 episode of New Girl was so huge and iconic, they named the episode itself “Prince.” Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) are dating. Things are going well until Nick tells Jess he loves her, and she replies only with finger guns. Obviously, this moment creates tension in their relationship. To blow off some steam, Jess and Cece (Hannah Simone) go to a party at Prince’s house, which Nick decides to crash.
The two end up hashing out their differences with Prince, who Jess them some thoughtful relationship advice. There’s a makeover scene, some great heart-to-heart moments, and pancakes.
The Rock on That ‘70s Show
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson comes from a long line of wrestlers in real life, and in season 1 of That ‘70s Show, he got to flex his acting skills and pay homage to his family. In “The Wrestling Show”, Eric Forman (Topher Grace) convinces his dad Red (Kurtwood Smith) to take he and some friends to a wrestling match.
Enter The Rock, who ends up playing the role of his father, Rocky Johnson. They even meet Rocky, who cleverly remarks that he thinks his own son will be “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment.” It’s neat to see The Rock play his father, while also winkingly reference his own career.
Katy Perry on How I Met Your Mother
Despite its rocky season finale, the aughties show How I Met Your Mother still has a dedicated fan base. In the season 6 episode “Oh Honey.” Katy Perry’s “Honey” shows up when Zoey (Jennifer Morrison) tries to set her up with Ted (Josh Radner), only to be seduced by Barney (Neil Patrick Harris).
To be fair, her name isn’t actually “Honey.” No one can remember her name. What they do remember is responding to her antics with, “Oh, honey…” Perry does a great job as the sweet but gullible Honey, and adds hilarity to the episode.
Carrie Fisher on The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is another show known for having a stellar list of cameos, but it’s hard to top Carrie Fisher’s cameo in season 7’s “The Convention Conundrum.” After the gang tries and fails to get into San Diego Comic Con, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) decides to try and start his own competing convention.
What follows is a wild night where Sheldon teams up with James Earl Jones in some high jinks. It culminates with Jones and Sheldon ding-dong-ditching what ends up being Carrie Fisher’s door. She answers, bat in hand, shouting angrily after Jones. It’s a great Star Wars nod and a fun moment with Fisher.
Brad Pitt on Friends
While Friends was known for memorable one-episode characters, possibly the most talked about was a cameo from Jennifer Aniston’s then-husband Brad Pitt in “The One with the Rumor.” Monica (Courteney Cox) invites old high-school friend Will (Pitt) over for dinner, unaware that he really doesn’t like Rachel (Aniston).
Some of the jokes haven’t aged well, and, per Refinery, the series creator has even regretted making them. But it’s undeniable that the Aniston and Pitt have great chemistry, and it's great fun when Will shares having an “I Hate Rachel Green” club with a wonderful sense of glee.
Everyone on the Vampiric Council on What We Do in The Shadows
As far as shows go, What We Do in the Shadows never does things by halves, always fully committed to whatever silly idea it decides to explore. In season 1’s “The Trial” what they fully commit to doing is creating a hilarious trial scene that also somehow connects a huge universe of vampire pop culture references.
After being accused of murder, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nandor (Kayvan Novak), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) go on trial. And what a council: Tilda Swinton, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Trejo, Paul Reubens, Wesley Snipes, and the entire cast of the original movie all show up.
Burt Reynolds on The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls was groundbreaking, funny, and brimming with talent. And in the season 2 episode “Ladies of the Evening”, it also had Burt Reynolds. Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), and Rose (Betty White) win a chance to go to a movie premiere with Reynolds.
There’s a series of pitfalls, but at the end of the episode Reynolds appears looking for Sophia (Estelle Getty). “Which ones the slut?” he asks her of the other women, and they all immediately respond “I am.” It’s a great moment for a show that reveled in exploring women’s sexuality.