Some of my favorite TV episodes often include when an actor guest stars and absolutely knocks it out of the park. While sometimes guest stars become so popular they return for multiple episodes , I always find it impressive when they only appear in one episode and make a lasting impression. So, here are some of the very best actors who starred in ONE episode of a TV show and were so memorable: Warning: In order to show some of their very best scenes, there are spoilers in the photos ahead!
1. First, Grace Van Dien as Chrissy Cunningham on Stranger Things Episode she appeared in: Season 4, Episode 1: "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club"
Netflix 2. Sterling K. Brown as Philip Davidson on Brooklyn Nine-Nine Episode he appeared in: Season 5, Episode 14: "The Box"
NBC Episode she appeared in: Season 1, Episode 4: "Is This Not Real Magic?"
Disney+ / Marvel 4. Bruce A. Young as Tom Maynard on Grey's Anatomy Episode she appeared in: Season 2, Episode 6: "Into You Like a Train"*
*Monica Keena, who played Bonnie, appeared in one more episode after this.
ABC 5. Sarah Paulson as young Dr. Ellis Grey on Grey's Anatomy Episode she appeared in: Season 6, Episode 15: "The Time Warp"
ABC 6. Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow on Doctor Who Episode she appeared in: Season 3, Episode 10: "Blink"
BBC 7. Randall Park as Steve, aka Asian Jim Halpert, on The Office Episode he appeared in: Season 9, Episode 3: "Andy's Ancestry"
NBC 8. Nanna Blondell as Lady Laena Velaryon on House of the Dragon Episode she appeared in: Season 1, Episode 6: "The Princess and the Queen"
HBO 9. Chloe Fineman as Sylvia Plath on Dickinson Episode she appeared in: Season 3, Episode 7: "The Future never spoke"
Apple TV+ 10. Carrie Fisher as Rosemary Howard on 30 Rock Episode she appeared in: Season 2, Episode 4: "Rosemary's Baby"
NBC 11. Marlon Wayans as Lou on Bel-Air Episode he appeared in: Season 1, Episode 10: "Where To?"
Peacock 12. Lin-Manuel Miranda as Guillermo on Modern Family Episode he appeared in: Season 2, Episode 22: "Good Cop Bad Dog"
ABC 13. Hilarie Burton as Lucille Smith on The Walking Dead Episode she appeared in: Season 10, Episode 22: "Here's Negan"
AMC 14. Laura Dern as Susan on Ellen Episode she appeared in: Season 4, Episode 22: "The Puppy Episode"
ABC / Via youtu.be 15. Michelle Trachtenberg as Diane Turner on Criminal Minds Episode she appeared in: Season 8, Episode 12: "Zugzwang"
CBS 16. Brian Tyree Henry as Ricky on This Is Us Episode he appeared in: Season 1, Episode 16: "Memphis"
NBC 17. Bea Arthur as Mrs. White on Malcolm in the Middle Episode she appeared in: Season 1, Episode 16: "Water Park"
Fox 18. Dolly Parton as Agnes on Grace and Frankie Episode she appeared in: Season 7, Episode 16: "The Beginning"
Netflix 19. Tim Curry as Nigel St. Nigel on Psych Episode he appeared in: Season 2, Episode 1: "American Duos"
USA 20. Stephanie Beatriz as Pilar on One Day at a Time Episode she appeared in: Season 3, Episode 1: "The Funeral"
Netflix 21. Ferdinand Kingsley as Hob Gadling on The Sandman Episode he appeared in: Season 1, Episode 6: "The Sound of Her Wings"
Netflix 22. Andy Samberg as Carl the Park Ranger on Parks and Rec Episode he appeared in: Season 2, Episode 19: "Park Safety"
NBC 23. Dylan O'Brien as The Guy on New Girl Episode he appeared in: Season 2, Episode 23: "Virgins"
Fox 24. Lisa Kudrow as Hypatia on The Good Place Episode she appeared in: Season 4, Episode 12: "Patty"
NBC 25. Robin Williams as Merritt Rook on Law & Order: SVU Episode he appeared in: Season 9, Episode 17: "Authority"
NBC 26. Carol Burnett as Bridget "Birdie" Sulloway on Law & Order: SVU Episode she appeared in: Season 10, Episode 16: "Ballerina"
*Matthew Lillard is also SO good in this episode as Chet.
NBC 27. And finally, James Earl Jones as himself on The Big Bang Theory Episode he appeared in: Season 7, Episode 14: "The Convention Conundrum"
CBS We can't fit everyone into one post, so which other actors who only appeared in ONE episode are the best and why? Tell us in the comments below! View comments