TV shows have introduced all kinds of characters to their casts, big and small roles, but it was always surprising when a big actor appeared.The best TV shows of all timehave famously included cameos from celebrities across the world, and not exclusively actors, either. Several musicians, politicians, and pop culture figures have popped up in TV shows, too. However, some shows were criticized for producing some ofthe worst celebrity cameos on TV.
Perfect castings of a character have often saved a TV show altogether, and it was always a delight when an already-established performer was the reason for this. For example, Danny DeVito was a huge movie and TV star before he was cast as Frank Reynolds inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but he made the show even better. Whether they arrived as a prominent character or for a one-episode stint, it was always great when a TV show had a casting choice, especially when viewers didn’t see it coming.
10 Perfect Casting Decisions That Saved Declining TV Shows
Sometimes when a show is struggling to get its ratings up or engage with its audience, all it needs is a new actor to shake things up in the series.
8Jon Bernthal As Michael “Mikey” Berzatto
The Bear
Michael “Mikey” Berzatto died months prior to the events ofThe Bear’s pilot, so it was assumed that the character wasn’t going to appear on screen. It was shocking enough that Mikey was featured via flashbacks, but it was even more surprising when audiences saw Jon Bernthal portray the character. Bernthal’s breakthrough role was as Shane Walsh inThe Walking Dead, but the actor also achieved further recognition in the MCU as Punisher inThe PunisherandDaredevil.
His casting was completely unexpected, especially as Bernthal had been more prominent in straightforward drama roles in recent years. Bernthal’s performance as Mikey, Carmy’s older brother, was astounding throughout. One ofCarmy’s tattoos inThe Bearwas to honor Mikey, which was a way of the show explaining just how impactful his death was on the chef. The way Bernthal depictedMikey’s traumatic and unhappy life in the lead-up to his suicide was powerful,and it made sense that the actor was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
7Bruce Willis As Paul Stevens
Friends
Bruce Willis’Friendscameowas a big surprise to audiences, especially because he played a character who initially didn’t seem to be that important. The iconicDie Hardactor was cast as Paul Stevens, the father of Ross’ girlfriend Elizabeth, inFriendsseason 6. Willis made his first appearance in the show in the episode “The One Where Ross Meets Elizabeth’s Dad.”Paul remained on the show for two more episodes when he started dating Rachel,which earned Willis a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000.
It was truly unusual to see such a big movie star inFriends. Although there were multiplecelebrity guest stars inFriends, like Brad Pitt and Danny DeVito, Willis’ character was relevant to the season 6 plot, and it was uncommon for a major personality to fill those types of roles. There was a repeated rumor that Willis only joinedFriendsbecause he lost a bet he had with Matthew Perry, although the truth about this was never confirmed, and the actor later claimed that he agreed simply because he thought it’d be fun (viaIMDB).
Cast
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
6Betty White As Bea Sigurdson
That ’70s Show
There were a few mentions of Kitty Forman’s mother inThat ‘70s Show, but the character was relatively unknown until the episode “Heartbreaker.” Viewers were delighted when Kitty’s parents came to visit, and as Eric returned home from the airport with his grandparents in tow, they were even more amazed to discover Betty White sitting in the car. White was famous for starring inThe Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show,and her self-titled chat show.Betty White’s movie and TV rolesmade her a legend, so her involvement inThat ‘70s Showwas exciting.
White was the perfect choice to portray Bea Sigurdson and her first scene made it immediately clear that Bea and Kitty were mother and daughter,from their similarly styled hair to their mannerisms and body language. The actress sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 99, butThat ‘90s Showhad a secret tribute to Betty White, which ensured that bothThat ‘70s Showand its sequel properly acknowledged her efforts as Bea but also her incredible career overall.
That ‘70s Show was one of Fox’s most popular sitcoms upon its release in 1998. Starring Topher Grace (Eric Forman), Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti), Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart), Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso), That ‘70s Show revolves around the teens’ mishaps as they grow up in Point Place Wisconsin in the 1970s.
5Ed Sheeran As Eddie
Game Of Thrones
Ed Sheeran’s cameo inGame of Throneswas notably unexpected because theBritish singer wasn’t known for his acting ability. Although smallmovie and TV show cameos from Ed Sheeranbefore this kicked off his supposed acting career, it was shocking for him to feature in such a prominent title. Sheeran arrived in theGame of Thronesseason 7 episode “Dragonstone” as Eddie, a Lannister soldier. He was featured in only one brief scene alongside Maisie Williams’ Arya Stark, in which he led a fireside singing performance.
However, inGame of Thronesseason 8, it was revealed that Eddie had succumbed to a tragic fate. Eddie managed to survive the Battle of Goldroad, unlike some of his comrades, but suffered severe burns that resulted in the loss of his eyelids. Sadly,the audience reception to Sheeran’sGame of Thronesappearance wasn’t great.While Sheeran’s acting wasn’t bad, it was unusual that a well-known music artist randomly showed up in one of the most popular TV shows at that time.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
4Matt Damon As Carol Burnett
30 Rock
Liz Lemon’s love interests in30 Rockwere portrayed by some incredibly accomplished actors, including Peter Dinklage as Stewart LaGrange, Michael Sheen as Wesley Snipes, and Jon Hamm as Drew Baird. However, the most surprising casting was Matt Damon as Carol Burnett. Carol was an airline pilot and met Liz at Wesley’s office, where he expressed his love for her TV show, TGS. The pair started dating shortly after, and Liz believed that Carol was the perfect man for her, although their relationship was short-lived.
Damon’s career skyrocketed with the movieGood Will Hunting, which resulted in his Academy Award win for Best Original Screenplay and nomination for Best Actor. Even though there were loads of famous faces in30 Rock,Damon was still an unexpected addition to the show. Carol was a solid boyfriend to Liz and an overall great person, but most importantly, Damon got the opportunity to be a part of one of30 Rock’s best running gags– being named after a high-profile figure.
Tina Fey’s absurdist comedy series follows Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictional live sketch comedy show operating out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is where the show derives its name. Loosely based on Fey’s experiences as a writer on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons with a supporting cast that included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer.
3Liam Neeson As Chief Constable Byers
Derry Girls
The final season ofDerry Girlswas full of surprising performances from big names in film and TV, but the most shocking was Liam Neeson.Derry Girlswas based on real-life eventsfrom 1990s Northern Ireland, which was how Neeson’s appearance came about. The actor portrayed Royal Ulster Constabulary Officer Byers, a member of the country’s police force during this time, who caught the gang breaking into the school to look at their GCSE results. The actor was absolutely hilarious in the two episodes he starred in and was praised for his character’s scene opposite the rambling Uncle Colm.
Neeson was best known for his standout roles as Oskar Schindler inSchindler’s List, Qui-Gon Jinn in theStar Warsprequels, and Bryan Mills inTaken. However,Neeson’s involvement inDerry Girlsheld a lot more meaning than just a celebrity cameo.The actor previously spoke about the impact that the Troubles had while growing up as a Catholic in a Protestant town, and that the historical events were “part of [his] DNA” (viaIrish Central).
Derry Girls centers on Erin Quinn, a 16-year-old girl living in Northern Ireland in the ’90s. Derry Girls tells the story of her life and the complicated exploits of her family Saoirse-Monica Jackson stars as Erin in this comedy series that lasted for a total of three seasons between 2018 and 2022.
2Jim Carrey As The Fingerlakes Guy
The Office
It was still shocking that such a prominent actor was in the sitcom
The Officewas one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, so it made sense that the show featured appearances from so many surprise guest stars. AfterSteve Carell’s Michael Scott leftThe Office, Dunder Mifflin Scranton set off to hire a new Regional Manager. Among the applicants was a man simply referred to as the Fingerlakes Guy, portrayed by legendary comedic actor Jim Carrey. The character was only mentioned by name throughout the episode, but Carrey arrived for a brief conversation with the camera at the very end.
Although several wacky and zanyguest stars applied for Michael Scott’s job, Carrey’s character was easily the funniest, despite his limited screen time.Jim set up the Fingerlakes Guy’s personality and quirks brilliantly, which made Carrey’s sudden arrival even more comical,especially as he immediately started to talk about missing his family vacation. Carrey was a massive star because of his roles in theAce Venturafilms and titles likeThe Truman Show, and whileThe Officewas a huge TV show at the time, it was still shocking that such a prominent actor was in the sitcom.
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
1Jack Black
The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian’s season 3 episode “Guns For Hire” featured a surprising cameo by Jack Black. The actor starred as Captain Bombardier, a silly and brilliantly ridiculous character who was married to singer Lizzo’s Duchess.Jack Black and Lizzo’s characters inThe Mandalorianwere the planetary leaders of Plazir-15, but their cameos were very surprising to viewers. Black’s fame was a result of his roles in several amazing films, such asSchool of Rock, theKung Fu Pandafranchise, andThe Holiday.
The Mandaloriancreator Jon Favreau explained in an interview withEWthat he chose to ask Black and Lizzo to get involved because they were both fans of the show (viaEW). While Lizzo’s Duchess was fine, Black was the true star in their joint performance.Black presented Bombardier’s lack of self-awareness amazingly, and his appearance was genuinely good,and not just the show’s attempt to create hype online with a celebrity name. There have been many surprising actor reveals in TV shows over the years, but Jack Black’s sudden arrival inThe Mandalorianwas one of the best.
Released on July 23, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
