Along with making tons of headlines for its gritty portrayal of four 20-something-year-old millennials living in New York City, HBO’s Girls, helmed by Lena Dunham, garnered a lot of attention for inviting some of the industry’s biggest movers and shakers to take on guest-starring roles over its six-season run.
Ranging from comedians, singers, and even fashion designers, some of these big names either popped in for a cameo or took on larger roles. From multi-hyphenate Donald Glover to Corey Stoll, (even the show’s executive producer Judd Apatow’s daughter made her way onto the show), below are 10 celebrities you forgot guest starred on Girls.
Rita Wilson
Yes, that’s right. Tom Hank’s wife had a guest-starring role on Girls. During her short stint on the show, she portrayed Evie Michaels, a divorcee mother to the uptight and perfectionist Marnie.
It’s no wonder Marnie turned out the way she did, considering how her mother is often critical and focuses on Marnie’s failures. Wilson first appeared in Season 2, Episode 1 “It’s About Time,” and her stand out moment includes bragging about sleeping with a hot young waiter.
Chris O'Dowd
Irish actor Chris O'Dowd appeared in the first season as venture capitalist Thomas-John Anderson, and is involved in a scene most fans will never forget: Jessa and Marnie start making out in his apartment and accidentally spill wine on his carpet.
His character ends up marrying Jessa, however, the couple doesn’t make it past season two. O'Dowd is also known for his roles in The IT Crowd and Bridesmaids.
Donald Glover
Before starring in the hit FX series Atlanta, Donald Glover appeared in two episodes of Girls as Sandy, one of Hannah’s boyfriends on the show. It’s believed Glover’s character was written into the second season because the series was receiving critique for its lack of racial diversity. The pair end up splitting up due to political differences (Sandy is a Republican), and his lack of support for her writing career.
Besides acting, Glover has a successful music career under the moniker Childish Gambino.
Ben Mendelsohn
Known as one of the biggest A-list actors today, many forget that Ben Mendelsohn guest-starred on Girls. Mendelsohn portrays Jessa’s estranged father, Salvatore. Audiences got to meet him for the first time when Jessa and Hannah drive down to visit him in rural New York. There he lives with his wife (portrayed by Rosanna Arquette) and 19-year-old son, Frank, whom Hannah ends up sleeping with.
Mendelsohn's credits also include Bloodline and Star Wars: Rogue One.
Shiri Appleby
Known for her role as Liz Parker on The WB’s Roswell, Shiri Appleby’s stint on Girls saw the actress playing the beautiful Natalia, who briefly dates Adam in season two.
Some fans may remember her for being involved in one of the show’s most controversial sex scenes, where audiences witness Adam behaving super aggressively. Adam demands that Natalia crawl on all fours into his bedroom, where she then has sex with him in disgust.
Richard E. Grant
The legend Richard E. Grant even found his way onto the show, where he appeared in a few episodes from season three as a coke addict named Jasper. Jessa meets Jasper in rehab, and instantly these two form a solid bond, albeit structured on bad choices and drug habits. Their friendship ultimately gets cut short when Shoshanna decides to interfere.
Grant most recently starred in Disney+’s hit series The Mandalorian.
Felicity Jones
Another Star Wars alum makes it onto this list, what’s up with that? Felicity Jones, who also starred in Rogue One alongside Mendelsohn, appeared in one episode. She played Jasper’s daughter, Dot, whom Shoshanna reaches out to as in intervention to save Jessa from her own demise.
Jones went on to star in the critically-acclaimed The Theory of Everything.
Maude Apatow
Maybe it doesn’t hurt to be the daughter of the show’s executive producer. Maude Apatow, who’s father is Judd Apatow, was given a brief stint as 15-year-old Cleo, one of Hannah’s students in season four. The two end up developing a sort of inappropriate relationship that lasts three episodes.
Apatow also stars in HBO’s hit drama Euphoria which is gearing up for its second season slated to release later this year.
Corey Stoll
Corey Stoll drops in on the fifth season, where he plays gay TV news journalist Dill Harcourt. His character ends up dating Elijah but ultimately dumps him when Elijah wants to become more serious. Dill then makes a return in season six when he tries to hide from the paparazzi at Hannah and Elijah’s apartment.
Stoll also starred as the vice-ridden Peter Russo in House of Cards.
Jenny Slate
Comedy queen Jenny Slate guest-starred as Hannah’s Oberlin classmate-slash-frenemy Tally Schifrin at the end of the first season. The dynamic between the two is entertaining as Hannah is secretly jealous of Tally’s success as a writer.
Tally then shows up again in the penultimate season when Hannah accidentally bumps into her in the street. The two end up truly bonding when Tally listens to Hannah’s grievances, and in turn she shares that her fame doesn’t feel earned and she’s miserable.