10 Best Famous Guest Starred on ‘King of the Hill’

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As a die-hard fan of King of the Hill, I must say that each character, from Hank to the minor roles, brings something unique and entertaining to the table. However, if I were to pick my top three favorite guest appearances, it would be as follows:

1. Snoop Dogg as Alabaster Jones in “Ho Yeah” – Who would have thought that the legendary rapper could pull off a pimp so convincingly? His performance was unexpected yet hilarious, and his interactions with Hank were pure gold.

2. John Goodman as Tommy in “SerPunt” – John Goodman is a comedic genius, and his portrayal of Tommy, the county animal control officer, was no exception. From his lazy attitude to his deceitful schemes, Tommy was a hilarious addition to the show, reminding us of Goodman’s memorable roles in movies like Arachnophobia.

3. Renée Zellweger as Tammi in “Ho Yeah” – Renée Zellweger is an incredibly versatile actress, and her role as Tammi was a perfect example of that. Despite the character being quite different from what we’re used to seeing her play, she managed to bring a unique charm and humor to Tammi, making her one of my favorite guest appearances on King of the Hill.

And now for a little joke: Did you hear about the time when Hank got lost in the sewer? He was looking for Tommy, but all he found were a few Tommy-toes… (courtesy of Dale Gribble)

King of the Hill is an enduring animated series that chronicles the everyday life of Hank Hill and his kin in Arlen, Texas, along with their peculiar neighbors. The show gained immense popularity due to its characters that resonated with audiences while also being eccentric, and a talented ensemble who lent their voices to them.

Some guest stars from the original series later became regular cast members, but others made just a single appearance that left a lasting impact on the show. As we prepare for the upcoming remake, let’s delve into the less-familiar roles these actors played and the vibrant characters they brought to the screen.

10
Christopher Lloyd

Played Smitty in the Episode “Care-Takin’ Care of Business”

Due to Groundskeeper Smitty’s negligence in maintaining Arlen High’s football field, there was a risk of him being dismissed. In response, Hank and his friends stepped up to fix the field and make it shine again. Smitty received commendation for their efforts, but this led to him becoming arrogant. When he discovered that Hank had been helping secretly, Smitty became enraged and kicked Hank and the others off the field. Regrettably, Smitty allowed the field to deteriorate once more. In a clever move, Hank and Lucky managed to get truck drivers to unknowingly drive over the field, shifting the blame for its poor condition onto them instead.

The Wizard of Sod

Throughout his illustrious career, Christopher Lloyd has embodied a variety of memorable characters, such as Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown from Back to the Future, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. However, it’s clear that Lloyd’s exceptional acting skills were instrumental in bringing these roles to life so convincingly.

In this particular episode, you’ll find country singers Trace Adkins and Mac Davis making special appearances, alongside them is the debut of Luanne’s future husband, Lucky, on their first date. Initially, Tom Petty was only listed as a guest voice actor, but he eventually became an essential part of the cast before his unfortunate demise.

9
Meryl Streep

Played Aunt Esme Dauterive in the Episode “A Beer Can Named Desire”

In “A Beer Can Named Desire,” the main storyline (A-plot) revolves around Hank grappling with the decision of whether to participate in a competition himself or let someone else do it for him. The subplot (B-plot) presents an unusual tale about Bill trying to determine which of three women is his family relative. Throughout the story, all three women express interest in him. Eventually, he discovers who his cousin is and ends up sleeping with the other two women. However, as the episode nears its conclusion, his Aunt Esme, portrayed by Meryl Streep, instructs him to depart once she finds out that he’s not there to maintain the Dauterive family name.

The End of a Line

In numerous films like “Sophie’s Choice” and “Doubt,” Meryl Streep has graced our screens. In Season 11, it was disclosed that Aunt Esme passed away due to a fever, probably explaining why she (alongside Meryl Streep) didn’t reappear in the show. Of particular interest is that The Chicks lent their voices for the Dauterive widows during an episode, while Joseph Donald “Dandy Don” Meredith voiced himself.

8
Lucy Liu

Played Tid Pao Souphanousinphone in the Episode “Bad Girls, Bad Girls, Whatcha Gonna Do”

Following the theft of illegal substances from a criminal group, Tid Pao sought refuge with her relatives, the Souphanousiphones family, where she teamed up with Bobby on scientific projects. However, Tid Pao turned out to be a negative influence, persuading Bobby to assist in gathering materials for manufacturing more drugs. Luckily, when Connie learned of her cousin’s misdeeds, she intervened promptly to prevent both Tid Pao and Bobby from getting into trouble.

Other “Bad Girls”

Lucy Liu hasn’t just portrayed a “bad girl” once; she has also taken on villainous roles in films such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods, where she played Kalypso, and Kill Bill, where she played O-Ren Ishii. In addition to these, some of her other significant roles include Alex from Charlie’s Angels and Viper in Kung Fu Panda.

7
Chris Rock

Played Roger “Booda” Sack in the Episode “Traffic Jam”

In the defensive driving course that Hank attended, it was Roger “Booda” Sack who served as the instructor. However, instead of focusing on teaching, he appeared to relish in telling jokes more than anything else. When Bobby attempted to copy these jokes, Roger encouraged him to blend his own cultural background into his humor. Sadly, this advice resulted in an unintentionally offensive stand-up routine at a comedy club. Nevertheless, Roger stood by his jokes, defending them as a matter of free speech. In the end, Hank assisted Roger in finding employment at Strickland Propane, even though his previous job had led to his termination (…before eventually helping him secure this new position).

Funny Actor for a Funny Role

In various comic performances, Chris Rock has been featured, such as in “Grown Ups” and “Madagascar”. In these roles, his humor and knack for comedy were clearly evident; however, it’s worth noting that the character of Roger was later voiced by Phil LaMarr in subsequent appearances.

John Amos also guest starred in the episode as the manager of the comedy club.

6
Gary Busey

Played Mad Dog in the Episode “Soldier of Misfortune”

In a turn of events, when Mad Dog challenges Dale for the presidency of Arlen Gun Club, Dale’s self-assurance wanes. To boost his morale, Hank gives Dale a pretend assignment, which Dale botches badly. A chain of unfortunate incidents ensues, leading to Hank, Bill, and Boomhauer being captured and held hostage by Mad Dog. Just as all hope seems lost, Dale claims that the government is on its way to rescue them, causing Mad Dog to panic and retreat. With Mad Dog out of the picture, the other gun club members vote Dale back in as president.

Previous Legal Issues

Busey is recognized for his roles in films like “The Buddy Holly Story” and “A Star is Born,” as well as reality TV shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” and “Celebrity Apprentice.” However, a motorcycle accident in 1988 left him with permanent brain damage, and in 1995, he experienced an overdose on cocaine. Unfortunately, his career took a turn after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him in 2022.

5
Rue McClanahan

Played Bunny Hicks in the Episode “Hair Today, Gone Today”

Following her split with John Redcorn, Nancy begins experiencing hair loss, prompting her to seek advice from her mother, Bunny. Shockingly, Bunny shares that she too lost her hair after parting ways with her former boyfriend, and recommends that Nancy rekindle things with John to avoid further hair loss. Despite this, Nancy ultimately decides to be with Dale, accepting the possibility of baldness as a consequence.

We See Where She Gets It

In this episode, Nancy’s mother hinted at the potential origin of Nancy’s inclination towards deception. Interestingly, Rue McClanahan’s character, Blanche from ‘The Golden Girls’, was known for her numerous lovers and wasn’t shy about her intimate relationships. Apart from McClanahan, Phil Hendrie, an actor and radio talk show host, made an appearance in this episode, just as he did in several others.

4
Ben Stiller

Played Rich in the Episode “That’s What She Said”

In a new work setting, when employee Rich (portrayed by Ben Stiller) started telling off-color jokes, Hank found himself in a quandary. He didn’t want to file a sexual harassment lawsuit, but he also disliked the ongoing jokes. As the jokes became increasingly offensive, Hank noticed that other staff members shared his discomfort. Eventually, Hank decided it was either Buck or Rich and informed his superior about the situation. Luckily, Buck terminated Rich’s employment, restoring peace to Strickland Propane.

Funnier in Real Life

In actuality, Ben Stiller is significantly more humorous than Rich, yet it should be noted that he has starred in numerous films that might not align with Hank’s moral or aesthetic preferences. Additionally, he boasts an esteemed career as a director, although once more, many of his works might not resonate with Hank.

3
Kathy Bates

Played Patrol Officer Jane Cooper in the Episode “Lupe’s Revenge”

In the episode titled “Lupe’s Revenge,” the main storyline revolves around Peggy inadvertently abducting a child from Mexico. However, while this is happening, Hank finds himself in a different predicament during the subsidiary plot: he gets pulled over for driving erratically in another lane. Remarkably, he manages to charm his way out of the situation. This encounter leaves Officer Jane Cooper with a growing affection for him, which makes Hank extremely uneasy. Matters escalate when she offers him her phone number, intimidates his friends, and embarrasses him with an awkward pat-down search.

Pulling Off Obsession

In my opinion, as a film enthusiast, Kathy Bates has graced both the big and small screens with her captivating performances, from multiple seasons of American Horror Story to classics like Fried Green Tomatoes and Misery. Yet, it’s Jane Cooper from Misery that truly stands out in my memory. Although Annie Wilkes was more overtly obsessive, Jane Cooper had undertones of the same fixation. Interestingly enough, Fred Willard made an appearance in this very episode, and he played various characters throughout other episodes as well.

2
Snoop Dogg

Played Alabaster Jones in the Episode “Ho Yeah!”

Following their invitation for her to stay with them, Hank and Peggy discover that their colleague, Tammi, is actually a sex worker. Her manager, Alabaster Jones (portrayed by Snoop Dogg), assumes that Hank has taken over as Tammi’s pimp and angrily demands she be returned. Later on, Alabaster attempts to force Hank and Tammi off the road. In response, Hank gives Alabaster the earnings Tammi had made and falsely claims that she now works for him.

Unexpected but Hilarious

Initially, one might find it surprising to see Snoop Dogg in this character, but the artist has consistently shown versatility, excelling in any part offered to him. The character Alabaster Jones is comical, and Hank’s amused responses to his words make for an even funnier scene.

Along with Snoop Dogg, Renée Zellweger also guest starred in this episode as Tammi.

1
John Goodman

Played Tommy in the Episode “SerPunt”

When Bobby’s latest pet reptile, Josh the snake, slips away into the underground sewer system, the family turns to Tommy (John Goodman as the voice) and Rollo (Randal Reeder voicing) from County Animal Control for assistance. However, instead of immediately searching for the missing creature, these two experts publicly accuse Hank of negligence before stalling their efforts in order to earn a bigger paycheck. As time passes, Dale and Hank discover that they’ve been tricked by Tommy and Rollo and decide to take matters into their own hands, setting out on a self-led mission to locate the snake.

Another Exterminator Role

Despite their distinct personalities, it’s challenging not to associate Tommy with John Goodman’s depiction of Delbert McClintock, the exterminator from Arachnophobia. Goodman delivers a similar dose of humor in this role, yet his dedication to the job in the film appears more unwavering.

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2024-12-31 02:32