# Best guest or recurring characters ever on TV series
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 15, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827 "2005-12-15T23:48:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/1 "2005-12-15T23:48:04Z")
Only ground rules:
1- it must be a TV series
2- it must be somebody who was only rarely on the series and never a regular (i.e. Don Knotts’ guest appearances after his departure on _Andy Griffith_ don’t count and neither does Abraham BenRubi who though he’s always listed as a guest star is on almost every episode of _ER_).
My votes:
Maurice, Aunt Clara, Dr. Bombay and Uncle Arthur on _Bewitched_- they were all great, in that order. I’d wake up at 6 a.m. when I was a kid if the TV Guide said Maurice was going to appear on the morning rerun.
Carol Burnett’s crazy librarian character on _Here’s Lucy_. The show itself was bad, but her comic genius made her two episodes sparkle, especially when she goes from shy and bookish to crotch flossing while singing _Hard Hearted Hannah (the Vamp of Savannah, G.A._)
Adam and Eve on _Northern Exposure_, but particularly Eve. Finding out she was a Christian Scientist (Adam: “You’re the damned poster child for the American Pharmaceutical Association!”) was one of the best surprises of all time.
Charlize Theron on _Arrested Development_ for reasons already gone into on other threads.
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### Author:  [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/2 "2005-12-15T23:59:42Z")
Gwen on _Angel_, a beautiful woman clad in skintight black and red latex, she was a highly-skilled thief with electrical powers, who couldn’t touch anyone (or she would shock and possibly kill them). Obviously the writers had X-Men characters Rogue and Gambit in mind when they created her, but I liked her a lot from her two or three appearances in _Angel_ season 4, and wish she had showed up to help the heroes at the final battle in the series finale.
For _Angel_ characters who appeared more frequently, I liked the evil lawyers Lindsey McDonald (from seasons 1 and 5) and Lilah Morgan (from seasons 1-4) – they weren’t around all the time, but they were too much fun whenever they appeared.
Still in the Buffyverse, I ended up becoming a huge fan of Andrew, a misguided villain in season 6 of _Buffy_ and an ally in season 7. He made two guest appearances in season 5 of _Angel_ as well.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/3 "2005-12-16T00:08:38Z")
Col. Flagg on M_A_S\*H
Q on the various Star Trek shows.
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/4 "2005-12-16T00:18:31Z")
Hymie from _Get Smart_.
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### Author:  [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/5 "2005-12-16T00:30:01Z")
Brad Pitt was very funny on friends. That’s far and away my favorite episode.
John Larroquette was very good on The Practice. I always got excited when I found out he was guest starring.
My favorite is Michael J. Fox on Scrubs. Excellent character on an excellent episode of an excellent show.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/6 "2005-12-16T00:41:15Z")
John Cleese on **Cheers** (one-shot guest star, but just plain great).
Barry Zuckerkorn on **Arrested Development**.
Martin Landau on **Mission: Impossible**. He made the show\*.
\*Due to contractual reasons, he was listed as “Special Guest Star” in all the epsodes he appeared in.
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### Author:  [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/7 "2005-12-16T00:41:42Z")
> [@drm](#):
>
> My favorite is Michael J. Fox on Scrubs. Excellent character on an excellent episode of an excellent show.
DAMN YOU!
I had just clicked reply after briefly skimming the thread when I saw this. I put in another vote for this one.
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### Author:  [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/8 "2005-12-16T00:43:20Z")
“Puddy” On Seinfeld. That guy was great. “High Five.”
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/9 "2005-12-16T00:46:02Z")
The guy who played Sarek, on several Star Trek series.
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### Author:  [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/10 "2005-12-16T00:54:29Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#):
>
> Gwen on _Angel_, a beautiful woman clad in skintight black and red latex, she was a highly-skilled thief with electrical powers, who couldn’t touch anyone (or she would shock and possibly kill them). Obviously the writers had X-Men characters Rogue and Gambit in mind when they created her, but I liked her a lot from her two or three appearances in _Angel_ season 4, and wish she had showed up to help the heroes at the final battle in the series finale.
>
> For _Angel_ characters who appeared more frequently, I liked the evil lawyers Lindsey McDonald (from seasons 1 and 5) and Lilah Morgan (from seasons 1-4) – they weren’t around all the time, but they were too much fun whenever they appeared.
>
> Still in the Buffyverse, I ended up becoming a huge fan of Andrew, a misguided villain in season 6 of _Buffy_ and an ally in season 7. He made two guest appearances in season 5 of _Angel_ as well.
I always liked Sam Anderson (Holland Manners) on _Angel_. His portrayal of the amoral, coldly calculating Holland Manners is stark contrast to his current role of a devoted husband on _Lost_.
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/11 "2005-12-16T00:57:11Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> Adam and Eve on _Northern Exposure_, but particularly Eve. Finding out she was a Christian Scientist (Adam: “You’re the damned poster child for the American Pharmaceutical Association!”) was one of the best surprises of all time.
First ones that came to mind. Great characters.
Col Flagg too.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/12 "2005-12-16T01:00:45Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#):
>
> The guy who played Sarek, on several Star Trek series.
The late Mark Lenard.
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### Author:  [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/13 "2005-12-16T01:07:04Z")
Buddy on Night Court…best part about the show in my opinion.
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### Author:  [@mikeargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikeargo)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/14 "2005-12-16T01:10:35Z")
Elliot Carlin, as played by Jack Riley on the old Bob Newhart Show
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/15 "2005-12-16T01:14:08Z")
> [@batsto](#):
>
> Buddy on Night Court…best part about the show in my opinion.
What about Bob? Played by Brent Spiner?
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### Author:  [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/16 "2005-12-16T01:16:01Z")
Superdude—you’re right, I’d forgotten about Bob.
But I still prefer Buddy.
It was also always funny when Mel Torme showed up.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/17 "2005-12-16T01:16:10Z")
Mr Carlin (Jack Riley) on the Bob Newhart Show.
Kang and Kodos on the Simpsons.
Harry Mudd (Roger Carmel) on Star Trek.
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### Author:  [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/18 "2005-12-16T01:29:43Z")
Garek on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
The Greased-up Deaf Guy on Family Guy.
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/19 "2005-12-16T01:33:41Z")
David Cross on Just Shoot Me
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!
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### Author:  [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-guest-or-recurring-characters-ever-on-tv-series/335827/20 "2005-12-16T01:46:26Z")
Emily Procter as **Ainsley Hayes** on _The West Wing_. Her mere name in the opening credits made me giddy with excitement.
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