10 Actors You Forgot Were in Seinfeld (2024)

Seinfeld is considered by many the best sitcom of all time and the show is full of amazing actors and actresses that went on to become some of the most famous and beloved ones in the industry. There's no denying the legacy and impact Seinfeld had on television after its debut in 1989, from inspiring other sitcoms to launching the careers of several actors. Seinfeld was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld and stars Jerry Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself. The rest of the main cast includes Jason Alexander as Jerry's best friend, George Costanza, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Jerry's former girlfriend, Elaine Benes.

Seinfeld had a total of nine seasons and almost 200 episodes. With so many different storylines throughout its run, Seinfeld includes a long list of guest stars who played different roles on the show. Some actors had smaller roles for a single episode, while others had a recurring character during one or more of Seinfeld's seasons. Yet many fans might have a hard time remembering some of the actors who guest starred in Seinfeld.

10 Marisa Tomei Plays a Fictionalized Version of Herself

Appears as herself in the episode "The Cadillac, Part 2" from Season 7.

• For her role as Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny, Marisa Tomei received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Marisa Tomei is a talented and prolific actress who has starred in several critically acclaimed films. She starred in films like My Cousin Vinny, Anger Management, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. She also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Parker's Aunt May, first portraying the role in Captain America: Civil War.

On Seinfeld, Marisa Tomei played a fictionalized version of herself for an episode. George becomes obsessed with Marisa Tomei after finding out he's her type, and does whatever it takes to meet her. Marisa and George initially hit it off, but when George reveals to Marisa that he's engaged, Marisa punches him in the face and leaves.

9 Debra Messing Briefly Dated Jerry

Appears on Season 7, Episode 23, "The Wait Out" and Season 8, Episode 19, "The Yada Yada"

Many might probably recognize Debra Messing for her role as Grace Adler in the beloved sitcom Will & Grace. Messing has also appeared in a few popular films, like Along Came Polly and The Wedding Date, where she starred alongside Dermot Mulroney, and Amy Adams. But before all that, one of her first roles was in Seinfeld.

Debra Messing portrays Beth Lukner in two episodes of Seinfeld. Beth is married to David Lukner, but an off-hand comment that George makes ends up with Beth and David breaking up. Jerry wants to take advantage of the break-up and pursue Beth, but George feels guilty about his comment and tries to get Beth and David back together. Beth gets back together with David but comes back for another episode, where Jerry and Beth finally date. However, the relationship is short-lived after Beth makes a nasty comment and Jerry decides to break up.

8 Jennifer Coolidge Played a Masseuse Who Refused to Give Jerry a Massage

Appears in Season 5, Episode 9, "The Masseuse"

• For her role in The White Lotus, Jennifer Coolidge won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Jennifer Coolidge is a talented and iconic actress, who rose to stardom thanks to her role as "Stiffler's Mom" in the American Pie film series. Coolidge continued her career in other popular roles, including her portrayal of Paulette Bonafonté in Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. On television, Jennifer Coolidge starred as Roberta "Bobbie" Morganstern in the Friends spin-off series, Joey, and had a career resurgence thanks to her role as Tanya McQuoid in HBO's The White Lotus.

Yet many might not know Jennifer Coolidge made her television debut in Seinfeld. In the Season 5 episode "The Masseuse," Jennifer Coolidge plays Jodi, the titular masseuse. Jodi and Jerry date, yet Jodi refuses to give Jerry a massage, which upsets him. Jodi also doesn't like Jerry's best friend, George. Once George finds out, he becomes obsessed with Jodi and eventually develops feelings for her.

7 James Spader Played a Recovering Alcoholic

Appears in Season 9, Episode 9, "The Apology"

James Spader is a critically acclaimed actor, with multiple awards and nominations. After his breakout role in the film Sex, Lies, and Videotape, he went on to star in other popular films like Stargate and Secretary. Spader was also part of the MCU, giving voice to artificial intelligence Ultron, the main villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron. On television, his most prominent roles include Alan Shore in Boston Legal, and Raymond Reddington in the crime thriller series The Blacklist.

On Seinfeld, James Spader played Jason “Stanky” Hanky. Jason is an acquaintance of Jerry and George’s, and he’s currently on Alcoholics Anonymous' 12-step program. George hopes Jason will take this opportunity to apologize to him for a comment he made a while back, yet Jason refuses. George continues to ask for his apology, eventually making Jason relapse.

6 Jon Favreau Was a Grumpy Birthday Clown

Appears in Season 5, Episode 19, "The Fire"

• Jon Favreau also worked as Executive Producer on many MCU films, including Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
• Favreau writes, directs, produces, and also stars in The Mandalorian, giving voice to Paz Vizsla.

Jon Favreau is a talented actor and director. Some of his most prominent films as an actor include 2003’s Daredevil, The Break-up, and several films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he portrays Happy Hogan. Favreau also appeared in Friends as Pete Becker, Monica Geller’s millionaire boyfriend. Yet Favreau's biggest impact has arguably been as a director. Some of the most popular films he directed include Elf, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and the Star Wars series The Mandalorian.

However, Jon Favreau’s first acting role in a television series was in Seinfeld. Favreau appears as “Eric the Clown” in a single episode of Seinfeld. Eric the Clown is the clown hired to entertain the kids at the birthday party of Robin’s son. Robin is dating George Constanza, and George and Eric get into an argument at the party.

5 Kristin Davis Was One of Jerry's Girlfriends for a Short While

Appears in Season 8, Episode 16, "The Pothole," and Season 9, Episode 1, "The Butter Shave"

Fans most likely recognize Kristin Davis as Charlotte in the popular HBO series Sex and the City. Before that, Davis also had a recurring role as Brooke Armstrong in the soap opera Melrose Place. Right before her big break as one of Carrie Bradshaw's best friends, Kristin Davis also had a guest starring role in Seinfeld.

Kristin Davis played Jenna, a girl who was dating Jerry. Things get awkward between Jenna and Jerry when Jerry accidentally drops Jenna's toothbrush on the toilet, and she uses it before he can warn her. Jerry then refuses to kiss her, and eventually tells her the truth. However, the relationship never works beyond that. Kristin Davis appears in another episode, reprising her role as Jenna, but this time, she's dating Kenny Bania, a comedian Jerry doesn't like.

4 Mariska Hargitay Auditioned for the Role of Elaine

Appears in "The Pilot," Seinfeld's two-part Season 4's Season Finale

• Mariska Hargitay is the first regular cast member from any of the Law & Order series to win an Emmy Award for her work on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which was for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
• Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson is currently the longest-running prime-time live-action character of all time.

Before becoming the beloved Olivia Benson, Mariska Hargitay had several other roles in popular TV series. On television, Hargitay has appeared in shows like Baywatch and Ellen and played a recurring character on ER. However, Mariska Hargitay's most iconic role is as Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. However, before that, she also appeared on Seinfeld.

On Seinfeld, Mariska Hargitay played Melissa Shannon. Melissa is an actress who auditions for the role of Elaine in Jerry Seinfeld's fictional TV show, Jerry. Jerry and George get the green light for the show they developed about their lives, Jerry, and decide to audition several actors to play them. Melissa shows up to audition for the part but, sadly, she doesn't get the role.

3 Debra Jo Rupp Was Jerry's Incompetent Yet Lovable Agent

She appears in Season 6, Episode 22, "The Diplomat's Club," and Season 8, Episode 9, "The Abstinence"

Debra Jo Rupp is a popular actress many might recognize for her role as Kitty Forman, Eric Forman's mom, in That '70s Show. She's also had recurring roles in many other popular TV series, like Friends, and even joined the MCU in the Marvel Studios miniseries WandaVision, as Sharon Davis / "Mrs. Hart." What's more, Debra Jo Rupp played Kitty Forman again in Netflix's reboot of That '70s Show, That '90s Show.

In Seinfeld, Debra Jo Rupp gave life to Katie, one of Jerry's agents. However, Katie could have been better at her job. Katie usually made Jerry miss job opportunities and was very indecisive, something that annoyed Jerry. She also lands Jerry in trouble, going so far as to crash a car into a backyard swimming pool when the two were driving back from a show.

2 Courtney Cox Pretended to be Jerry's Wife to Get a Discount

Appears in Season 5, Episode 17, "The Wife"

• "The Wife" originally aired on March 17, 1994, and Friends made its debut in September of that same year.
• For her role as Jules Cobb in Cougar Town, Courtney Cox received her first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical.

Courtney Cox is a renowned actress, who reached international stardom thanks to her portrayal of Monica Geller in Friends. Cox also gained a loyal fanbase after her starring role in the Scream franchise, where she plays reporter Gale Weathers. After her role in Friends, Courtney Cox starred as Jules Cobb in Cougar Town, cementing her career.

Courtney Cox appeared in Seinfeld right before her breakout role in Friends. In Seinfeld, Cox plays Meryl, Jerry's girlfriend. Meryl pretends to be Jerry's wife to get a 25% dry cleaning discount, and Jerry decides to go along. However, things turn sour once Jerry "cheats" on Meryl by helping another woman get the discount as well.

1 Bryan Cranston Played a Dentist Who Dates Elaine

Appears in 5 Episodes in Seasons 6, 8, and 9

Bryan Cranston is now a household name thanks to his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad, as well as for playing Hal in the successful sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. Yet even before he played Malcolm's lovable yet immature father, Cranston had a recurring role in Seinfeld.

Bryan Cranston played dentist Tim Whatley in Seinfeld, for a total of 5 episodes. George refers to Tim as the "Dentist to the Stars," and is Jerry's dentist. Dr. Whatley briefly dates Elaine. Elaine decides to date Whatley to find out whether he's a "re-gifter," as she believes the dentist gifted Jerry a label maker that Elaine first gave to Dr. Whatley as a present.

Seinfeld

Comedy

The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.

Release Date

July 5, 1989

Cast

Jerry Seinfeld , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Michael Richards , Jason Alexander

Seasons

9