32 A-List Stars You Didn’t Know Guest Starred on The Good Wife!

In any weekly procedural series, it’s common to see a variety of guest stars making appearances. However, what sets The Good Wife apart is the impressive ensemble of talent that Robert and Michelle King amassed to complement their regular cast. This ensemble includes actors who were already popular when the show was on CBS in the 2010s, as well as those who have since risen to A-list status. In essence, it’s a veritable who’s who of Hollywood’s most talented performers.

Pedro Pascal – Nathan Landry – 6 Episodes

Currently, Pedro Pascal is recognized as Mr. Fantastic in the “Fantastic Four” or Joel in “The Last of Us.” Yet, long before these roles, he portrayed prosecutor Nathan Landry over six episodes scattered across Seasons 1 (Episodes 8, 13, 14, and 15) and 2 (Episodes 1 and 12) of “The Good Wife.

Cristin Milioti – Onya Eggertson – 1 Episode

Prior to becoming known as the mother from ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and more than a decade before her captivating performance as Sofia Falcone in ‘The Penguin’, Cristin Milioti made an appearance as the anxious Onya Eggertson in Season 2, Episode 1 of ‘The Good Wife’.

Brian Tyree Henry – Randall Simmons – 1 Episode

In the second episode of Season 2, Brian Tyree Henry takes on the character of Randall Simmons, a person whom Will and Alicia work to defend in a military court. Following this brief appearance, the actor achieved great success, becoming renowned for his roles in popular shows like Atlanta and movies such as Causeway, which garnered him an Oscar nomination for 2023.

Rachel Brosnahan – Caitlin Fenton – 1 Episode

Previously to her iconic roles as Lois Lane in James Gunn’s “Superman” and Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Rachel Brosnahan portrayed Caitlin Fenton, a client Alicia worked with during Season 2, Episode 6.

Michael J. Fox – Louis Canning – 26 Episodes

It could be said that there’s a compelling case for including “The Good Wife” among Michael J. Fox’s finest works. Although shows like “Family Ties,” “Back to the Future,” and “Spin City” are undeniably impressive, his portrayal of the sly and cunning lawyer Louis Canning in 26 episodes spanning Seasons 2 through 7 is nothing short of outstanding.

Ana Gasteyer – Judge Patrice Lessner – 5 Episodes

Judge Patrice Lessner’s distinctive style lies in having lawyers qualify their statements with “in my opinion,” which adds a delightful touch to her portrayal. This comedic nuance fits perfectly, given that the character is played by the talented and humorous Ana Gasteyer, a veteran of Saturday Night Live.

Mike Colter – Lemond Bishop – 21 Episodes

Mike Colter has earned a regular role in the works of Michelle and Robert King, mainly due to his starring part in the series “Evil,” and you might also remember him for portraying Luke Cage in the Marvel television shows. Previously, however, he appeared as drug lord Lemond Bishop across 21 episodes of “The Good Wife” from Seasons 1 to 6.

Melissa Benoist – Molly – 1 Episode

I first became acquainted with Melissa Benoist when she featured on the show “Glee”. Later, her character in “Supergirl” on The CW gained widespread recognition. Yet, prior to these notable roles, she had a minor appearance on “The Good Wife” as Molly, Cary Agos’ first cousin, in Season 2, Episode 9.

David Oyelowo – Judge Edward Weldon – 1 Episode

David Oyelowo gained recognition for portraying influential characters, a trend that was already evident in 2010. This was demonstrated when he took on the role of Judge Edward Weldon in Season 2, Episode 11 of ‘The Good Wife’.

Jeremy Strong – Matt Becker – 5 Episodes

Prior to starring as the lead character in “Succession” and earning an Emmy for his performance as Kendall Roy on HBO’s popular series, Jeremy Strong made an appearance as Matt Becker, a pollster, across five episodes of “The Good Wife.” Although Strong is now recognized for his significant roles in movies and television, his early career includes this delightful, lesser-known yet impactful character who was featured in Seasons 2 (episodes 13, 15, 16, and 17) and Season 4 (episode 21) of the hit CBS show.

Rita Wilson – Viola Walsh – 6 Episodes

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on an intriguing legal drama where the stage is often graced by a dynamic array of lawyers that keep Lockhart/Gardner on their toes. Among these recurring characters are the memorable defense attorneys portrayed by Michael J. Fox and Martha Plimpton, who left indelible marks on the series. Additionally, we have Viola Walsh, skillfully played by Rita Wilson, a lawyer who made her mark with six captivating appearances spread across seasons 2 to 6 of this gripping show.

America Ferrera – Natalie Flores – 4 Episodes

Following the conclusion of “Ugly Betty,” America Ferrera made guest appearances in three episodes of “The Good Wife” during Season 2 (episodes 15, 18, and 20), reappearing once more in Season 5, episode 8. In the series, she portrayed the character Natalie Flores. Later, she took the lead in the comedy “Superstore,” and landed a significant role in the 2023 cast of “Barbie.

Taye Diggs – Dean Levine-Wilkins – 3 Episodes

I became acquainted with Taye Diggs primarily due to his performance as the Bandleader in the hit musical “Chicago”. He’s additionally famous for movies such as “House on Haunted Hill”, “Rent”, and “Set It Up”. It was entertaining to watch him act in “The Good Wife” when he appeared in Season 6, episodes 2, 3, and 5, portraying the character Dean Levine-Wilkins.

Sarah Silverman – Stephanie Engler – 1 Episode

Sarah Silverman, who has a long history in comedy, made her debut as Stephanie Engler in Season 2, Episode 22 of The Good Wife. Her comedic charm was evident throughout the show, but she also displayed her dramatic skills by portraying this client of Lockhart/Gardner, offering a multi-faceted performance.

Michael Kelly – Mickey Gunn – 2 Episodes

Michael Kelly is an actor who seems to be everywhere, known for his versatile roles in various projects such as Jack Ryan, Lioness, The Penguin, House of Cards, and many others. In Season 3, specifically episodes 2 and 8 of The Good Wife, he portrayed Mickey Gunn – a political strategist who frequently engaged in verbal duels with Alan Cumming’s character, Eli Gold.

Sterling K. Brown – Andrew Boylan – 1 Episode

Sterling K. Brown is well-known for his regular appearances on TV, primarily due to his leading roles in “This Is Us” and Hulu’s “Paradise”. Interestingly, before achieving this level of prominence, he made guest appearances on several network procedurals, one of them being “The Good Wife”, where he portrayed the complex character Andrew Boylan during Season 3, Episode 4.

Meghann Fahy – Shelby Hale – 1 Episode

Meghann Fahy initially caught my attention through her starring role on Freeform’s “The Bold Type.” Later, she gained significant recognition for being part of the cast in Season 2 of “The White Lotus.” Prior to these successes, she made a guest appearance in Season 3, Episode 6 of “The Good Wife,” where she portrayed Shelby Hale.

Matthew Perry – Mike Kresteva – 3 Episodes

In his debut episode (Season 3, Episode 19), Matthew Perry’s character Mike Kresteva emerged as a witty antagonist towards Alicia. It was enjoyable to see him return in Season 4, episodes 1 and 18. Not only did he continue to display the sarcasm we recognize from his role on Friends, but this series also allowed him to reveal a more intense, dramatic side.

Kristin Chenoweth – Peggy Byrne – 2 Episodes

As a movie critic, I must confess that “The Good Wife” truly cherishes its Broadway guest stars, and one of the most memorable performances came from none other than Kristin Chenoweth. This Tony-winning actress, best known for her spellbinding role in “Wicked,” graced our screens as Peggy Byrne in Season 4, episodes 1 and 6. Her presence was always a delight, particularly when she shared the screen with Alan Cumming’s Eli Gold. It was truly a spectacle to behold!

Nathan Lane – Clarke Hayden – 15 Episodes

Initially (during Season 4), the character Clarke Hayden is appointed as a trustee for Lockheart/ Gardner, where he dedicated his efforts to addressing their dire financial predicament. Subsequently, he continued working with them as a lawyer. This significant character featured in 15 episodes spanning Seasons 4 and 5 is portrayed by the exceptionally talented Nathan Lane, who has left an indelible mark on cinema with his outstanding performances in movies such as “The Birdcage”, “The Producers” and “The Lion King”.

Carrie Preston – Elsbeth Tascioni – 14 Episodes

Carrie Preston’s character Elsbeth Tascioni was so memorably portrayed on The Good Wife and The Good Fight that she received her own television series. After appearing in 14 episodes of the original show throughout all seasons except for Season 2, and five episodes of the spinoff, as well as winning an Emmy for her performance, the creators, the Kings, developed Elsbeth – a successful CBS series centered around Preston’s lawyer-turned-detective character.

Stockard Channing – Veronica Loy – 11 Episodes

Which actress do you select to portray Julianna Margulies’ on-screen mother? None other than Stockard Channing! In 11 episodes spanning Seasons 4, 5, 6, and 7, the actress renowned for her role in “Grease” played Veronica Loy, Alicia Florrick’s mother.

Will Patton – Mike Tascioni – 4 Episodes

In conversation, Elsbeth frequently mentions her ex-husband and son. Although we didn’t encounter her son, Teddy, until ‘Elsbeth’, we did come across her former spouse, Mike Tascioni, in four episodes of ‘The Good Wife’ during Season 7, specifically Episodes 15, 16, 17, and 19. He was portrayed by Will Patton, a familiar face from the popular sports movie ‘Remember the Titans’, as well as shows such as ‘Yellowstone’.

Parker Posey – Vanessa Gold – 3 Episodes

Who could match wits with Alan Cumming’s character and play his former partner? None other than Parker Posey, known for her roles in independent films, stepped into the role of the ex-spouse of Eli Gold in Season 3, episodes 6, 15, and 20. She was an ideal choice to bring this essential character to life in the political consultant’s storyline.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph – Margie – 1 Episode

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, a previous Oscar winner, made an appearance in episode 21 of Season 4 from The Good Wife. In this series, she portrayed the character Margie. Nowadays, she is widely recognized for her roles in The Holdover, Dolemite is My Name, and Only Murders in the Building. It’s intriguing to reflect that CBS procedural was one of her initial acting jobs on-screen.

Gillian Jacobs – Sonia – 1 Episode

Remarkably, I once caught a fleeting glimpse of the captivating Gillian Jacobs (known for her role in “Community”) gracing the screen in the debut episode of “The Good Wife,” playing the roles of Alicia and Cary’s dedicated assistant.

Christina Ricci – Therese Dodd – 1 Episode

Previously, Christina Ricci was recognized mainly from her roles in “The Addams Family” and “Casper”. More recently, along with the cast of “Yellowjackets”, she has gained significant popularity. Interestingly, in a specific episode of “The Good Wife”, Season 4, Episode 7 to be precise, she portrayed comedienne Therese Dodd in the popular CBS series.

Wallace Shawn – Charles Lester – 3 Episodes

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate Wallace Shawn for his memorable line “inconceivable” in the timeless classic, The Princess Bride. His roles in The Incredibles, Toy Story, and other captivating productions have earned him our undying affection as well. However, it is his portrayal of Charles Lester, the cunning lawyer for Lemond Bishop, that truly stole the show in both The Good Wife and The Good Fight. In this tale, I’d like to emphasize that he graced three episodes of the original series, making appearances in Season 4, Episode 16, Season 5, Episode 13, and Season 6, Episode 22.

Kyle MacLachlan – Josh Perotti – 4 Episodes

Kyle MacLachlan is renowned as a TV icon, with “Twin Peaks” being his most celebrated role and his performance in the cast of “Fallout” on streaming platforms generating considerable attention lately. In between these high-profile appearances, he graced the screen for four episodes of “The Good Wife.” During Season 4, he made an appearance in episodes 14 and 15, while returning in Season 6 for episodes 5 and 6. His character on the show was Josh Perotti, a federal prosecutor.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor – Linda Underwood – 1 Episode

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is primarily recognized for her performances in films such as “Origin”, “King Richard” and “Nickel Boys”, which have earned her significant recognition. However, at the start of her career, she made an appearance in Season 1, Episode 5 of “The Good Wife”, portraying Linda Underwood.

Matthew Lillard – Rowby Canton – 2 Episodes

There’s something truly delightful about spotting Matthew Lillard in various roles. We all know him well from his iconic characters like one of the original Ghostfaces in “Scream” and Shaggy from “Scooby-Doo,” and he’s recently gained attention for his work on “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Yet, it’s clear that Matthew Lillard is versatile, as demonstrated by his guest appearances on “The Good Wife” (Season 5, Episode 11 and Season 7, Episode 12) where he portrayed musician Rowby Canton.

Vanessa Williams – Courtney Paige – 4 Episodes

Vanessa Williams is widely recognized for her memorable performances on enduring TV shows such as “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives”. However, she’s also known for her versatility, having played significant roles in various productions. She made an appearance in four episodes of the seventh season of “The Good Wife”, portraying CEO Courtney Paige in episodes 7 to 10. Later on, she reappeared years later as a completely different character in the spin-off series, “Elsbeth”.

This list only gives a glimpse into the remarkable acting talent that graced the screens of The Good Wife. It’s truly an exclusive roster, and revisiting it is delightful as you witness these artists at various points in their illustrious careers.

2025-03-12 20:41