40+ Famous Actors Who Guest-Starred in ‘Sex and the City’

She’s now a major movie star, but when Elizabeth Banks appeared in Sex and the City, it was one of her first-ever TV roles. In season three, episode four, Banks’ character gives Charlotte the idea for a used dates party. This is because Charlotte had her eye on a politician at a party, only to find out he was engaged to Banks’ pearl-wearing Catherine.

Elsewhere in this episode, Miranda decides if she’ll go steady with Steve, and Carrie is dating John Slattery’s politician character.

When Carrie brought a character played by actor Wallace Shawn to a party in season six, it was to meet her Vogue editor, Enid. Played by Candice Bergen, the character appeared across various seasons and reprised her role in the first Sex and the City movie.

Interestingly, while Candice Bergen merely acted as an editor at Vogue, her real-life daughter Chloe later became a social editor at the famed fashion mag. The multi-award-winning actress was the perfect fit for SATC’s high fashion world.

In general, it’s a treat when actress Jennifer Coolidge appears on screen. The hilarious actress stars in the season six episode, “The Perfect Present” as the recently broken up with Vanessa. As happens on this show, she throws a designer purse party.

Interestingly, there have been rumors of Jennifer Coolidge stepping into the Samantha role for the show’s reboot. However, the actress has said, “I am such a Kim Cattrall fan, and I don’t see anyone being able to replace her in that part.”

Up next is the delightful Wallace Shawn, who appeared in episode 18 of the sixth season, “Splat!” At this stage of the show, Carrie Bradshaw is dating Aleksandr Petrovsky, an acclaimed artist much older than our star.

When Carrie’s publisher Enid invites her to a party and asks her to bring along a date for her, she brings Martin Grable, played by Wallace Shawn. Sadly, the pomegranate-loving food critic doesn’t go down well with Enid, who immediately brands him a “hobbit.”

Let’s continue our tour of famous faces that have appeared on Sex and the City with musician Jon Bon Jovi. The “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer played Seth in the second season, episode 13 — “Games People Play.”

In the ep, our wonderful Carrie Bradshaw is finally getting some much-needed therapy after her first of many splits from Mr. Big. However, when she spots Bon Jovi’s character at her therapist’s office, he becomes her new distraction instead. As expected, this fling doesn’t last long.

The ’90s kid in us is always delighted to see a Spice Girl when we get the chance. Ginger Spice played Phoebe in episode 10 of the sixth season, “Boy, Interrupted.” As with our previous example, Geri Halliwell played a different character in the show, rather than starring as herself.

In the episode, Samantha is struggling with a particularly hot New York day. As she fans herself, Halliwell’s character, Phoebe, informs her that Soho House is the hottest spot in the city.

Our next famous face appears in the third season, in an episode called “Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl…” In the ep, Carrie ends up kissing Dawn at a party, a character played by rocker Alanis Morissette.

While Sex and the City was pioneering in lots of ways, there are some cases where the show could have done better. This definitely includes representing bi people, who are often presented as indecisive or greedy.

Ok, we’ve had some famous faces playing other characters, but what about a celebrity guest spot? Well, in the episode, “The Real Me,” we have one. In this ep, Carrie is asked to walk in a fashion show featuring famous New Yorkers.

As our beloved Bradshaw struts down the catwalk, she falls on her face, and the leggy Heidi Klum steps over her. Memorably, Carrie’s pal Stanford then comments, “ Oh my G-d! She’s fashion roadkill!” Reportedly, Klum was thrilled to be on the show.

While SATC’s fifth character is famously New York City, there are occasions where the ladies go elsewhere. In two episodes of season three, the quartet jet off to LA when Carrie’s column gains the interest of a small production company. Once the ladies are in Hollywood, the celebrity faces just keep coming.

In these episodes, actor Vince Vaughn plays Keith Travers, a man who pretends to be Matt Damon’s agent. During the course of their fling, Carrie eventually discovers he’s Carrie Fisher’s house-sitter.

While we’re here, let’s turn to another celebrity that appears in SATC’s L.A episodes. In the first of the two parter, “Escape from New York,” we see Sarah Michelle Gellar as Debbie. It makes sense the Buffy herself would appear on the show — why wouldn’t these heavy hitters join forces?

In the episode, Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a junior executive who wants to turn Carrie’s columns into a movie. The character is described as a “most ambitious and feared creature.”

Over the course of Sex and the City, various characters offered to turn Carrie Bradshaw’s columns into something bigger. We’ve seen Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character suggest a movie, and in season five, we have Molly Shannon offer up a book deal.

Shannon’s character asked Carrie Bradshaw what we were all thinking, “Is it hopeful? What’s the message? What’s your point of view, after all the breakups and disappointments and train wrecks? You still believe he’s out there, right?”

As the ultimate girl about town, Carrie Bradshaw needs a steady supply of handsome men to make out with. Those are just the rules. In the season two episode, “They Shoot Single People, Don’t They?” our main character picks up a young Bradley Cooper.

This episode, aired all the way back in 1999, featured Bradley Cooper as a potential conquest for Carrie. At two in the morning, on a weekday, in a gay bar, our curly haired columnist made out with a future movie star.

Our next celebrity cameo really wasn’t a cameo at the time — it was actually the second-ever part played by actor Matthew Morrison. In the same episode where Carrie meets Bradley Cooper’s Jake, she’s served by Matthew Morrison playing a server. How cute!

The future Will Schuester was only 21 when he filmed this episode, but obviously, he went on to greater things. Hey, there are worse ways to kick start your career than bringing a cosmo to Carrie Bradshaw.

Personally, we love it when we see Will Arnett’s goofy face in a guest starring role. The actor always goes for it, usually resulting in a wacky character that’s never to be seen again. And, that’s just what we get in the season two episode, “La Douleur Exquise!”

In the episode, Will Arnett plays a love interest for Miranda, but he has his own unusual quirks. For one, Arnett’s Jack likes to hook up with women only in situations where he could get caught.

Perhaps now more known as Allstate’s Mayhem Commercial Guy or The Vulture from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Dean Winters also made a guest appearance on Sex and the City. In episode 14 of the second season, Carrie wonders whether she should turn their casual hook-ups into something a bit more meaningful.

In a misguided attempt to try something new, Carrie invites Winters’ character, John, for a dinner date. Alas, the conversation is uninspiring and ultimately ruins what the two already had going. C’est la vie, Carrie!

As well as Heidi Klum, actress Lucy Liu also played herself on an episode of Sex and the City. In episode 11 of season four, “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” Samantha Jones uses the actress’s name to jump five years on the waiting list for a Birkin purse. In the show, the star is indeed a client of top publicist Samantha.

So, when Samantha uses her client’s name to nab a designer purse, Lucy Liu herself strides on screen. We particularly enjoy the actress’s purple Dior shirt.

Before he was charming audiences as Buster Bluth in Arrested Development or Gary in Veep, Tony Hale too had a role on Sex and the City. In the season four episode, “The Real Me,” the actor plays a shocked photographer named Tiger working on Samantha’s nude photoshoot.

Looking back, the actor remembers, “I was very freaked out to be on that set,” he says. “I think I was very close to a panic attack in that shot.”

It makes sense that Playboy founder Hugh Hefner ended up with a guest spot on Sex and the City. In the second of the LA episodes, “Sex and Another City,” Samantha tracks down Hefner and tells him she’s a fan. In response, he invites her to the mansion.

Eventually, thanks to a bunch of other goings on, the rest of the ladies decide to join Samantha at the Playboy Mansion. As always, Hugh Hefner appeared flanked by lovely ladies and wearing his signature robe.

In the season three episode, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” Samantha hooks up with Adam Ball, an ironically named character. Samantha’s reason for not liking Bobby Cannavale’s character Adam is one of the most memorable in the show’s entire run. Trust us — reacquaint yourself with this episode. It also features a particularly great monologue from the marvelous Ms. Jones herself.

Elsewhere in this episode, Carrie finds out a married Mr. Big wants a divorce, and Charlotte meets future mother-in-law Bunny MacDougal.

Remember when Sarah Jessica Gellar appeared as a Hollywood executive interested in turning Carrie’s columns into a movie? Well, in that scene, you can just about see the actress mouth the name of Warren Beatty, as he was originally offered a role in this episode.

However, when Beatty turned down the guest spot, actor Matthew McConaughey swooped it up instead (and they dubbed over Gellar’s line). In this episode, the star plays an intense, cringe version of himself who wants to play Mr. Big.

In real life, king of Bravo Andy Cohen is good friends with Sarah Jessica Parker. Because of this, the TV personality has appeared on the show twice, once in season four, and once in season six.

For his first turn, Cohen played a shirtless extra in a season four episode. Later, the host played a Barneys salesman helping Carrie find a perfect pair for her date with Aleksandr. The star has admitted to begging SJP to let him run lines with her. Cute!

Another longtime friend of Sarah Jessica Parker is actress Kristen Johnston. Apparently, SJP asked Johnston to appear on the show multiple times, and she eventually agreed for this memorable role.

In “Splat!” Kristen Johnston plays aging party girl Lexi who complains that New York is boring and then promptly falls to her death from a window. Naturally, the character screams, “I’m so bored I could die,” before doing just that. Understandably, this is a particularly popular episode for SATC fans!

Remember when Carrie Bradshaw walked in a fashion show and fell flat on her face? Well, as well as Heidi Klum, comedian Margaret Cho also starred in “The Real Me.” While supermodel Klum plays herself in the episode, Margaret Cho plays Lynne, the fashion show producer who recruits Carrie.

As a way of getting Carrie to walk in the fashion show, Cho’s Lynne tells the fashionista, “No one is more New York or has more style than you.” Convincing stuff.

Before the adorable Timothy Olyphant appeared on Justified or Deadwood, he was one of Carrie Bradshaw’s 20-something guys in season one of Sex and the City. In the episode, “Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys,” Mr. Big cancels on Carrie last minute, leaving her flirting with Olyphant’s Sam.

Fittingly, the pair hang out at a 20s bar, and Carrie has a great time with her younger man. However, the fashionista eventually discovers her toy boy lives with a roommate and has no toilet paper.

Remember Vince Vaughn’s character in the Sex and the City LA episodes? The actor played a man pretending to be Matt Damon’s agent in order to impress and get together with Carrie. However, she later finds out that her hot date is actually the personal assistant of megastar actress Carrie Fisher.

Luckily for us, Carrie Fisher does indeed show up in the episode. The iconic actress walks in on Carrie Bradshaw and Vaugh’s Keith, leaving Ms. Bradshaw pretty mortified.

There are several actors that have played multiple roles on SATC, including Jennifer Aniston’s ex-husband, Justin Theroux. The actor first appeared in season one, but his more memorable role was playing writer Vaughn Wysel in season two, episode 15, “Shortcomings.”

In this episode, Carrie ends up falling hard for Vaughn’s family, while becoming disappointed with the man himself. Bradshaw bonds with his documentary maker mom and stays to dine with the whole family, but ultimately she calls the whole thing off.

In the season three episode, “Hot Child in the City,” Kat Dennings steps into the title role. The actress plays a bratty teenage client of Samantha who wants an over the top Bat Mitzvah with celebrity attendees. She comments, “We’d be lucky if we can swing this for under a mil.” Naturally, this makes Samantha rather jealous.

Teens are a hot topic for this episode, with Miranda getting braces and feeling like her teenage self. Meanwhile, Carrie is dating a younger man who still lives with his parents.

Before he was the smooth talking Richard Sterling on Mad Men, John Slattery played city treasurer Bill Kelley for two episodes on Sex and the City. The relationship started off well, and Carrie Bradshaw soon slid into the political world of her new beau.

However, after Slattery’s character makes an unusual request, and Carrie isn’t sure how to respond, he dumps her. This episode is all about the world of politics, with Carrie eventually writing about her brush with power.

We’re back at the fashion show where Carrie fell on her face, this time to visit the wonderful Alan Cumming. In the season four episode, “The Real Me,” Carrie heads to the Dolce & Gabbana offices to be dressed for the show. There, she meets Cumming’s Oscar.

Carrie tells Oscar, “I’m very, very comfortable in heels — the higher the better” though he eventually dresses her in a pair of bejeweled panties. To this day, fans still repeat Cumming’s line from the episode to him.

It’s always a delight to see Nathan Lane pop up in something, and he had a wonderful guest turn on Sex and the City. In season five, episode eight, the actor plays Bobby Fine — a lounge singer and pianist.

The main SATC foursome had always thought Lane’s character was gay, but this episode sees them attend his wedding to society lady Bitsy von Muffling. Interestingly, before this, both Nathan Lane and SJP’s husband Matthew Broderick appeared in The Lion King together.

Episode 10 of season six is entitled “Boy, Interrupted,” a reference to the 1999 movie Girl, Interrupted. The reason for this is Carrie’s high school crush, Jeremy, played by David Duchovny.

In this episode, Carrie reconnects with her old flame, finding him even more attractive than she used to. However, by episode’s end, it turns out that Jeremy is having treatment at a mental health facility. Hey, it wouldn’t be SATC without these sorts of hitches.

Actress Amy Sedaris landed more than just a cameo in Sex and the City — she appeared in four episodes as book publisher Courtney Masterson. Appearing with fellow celebrity guest star Molly Shannon, Sedaris made up one half of Carrie’s publishing team.

As well as setting up Carrie’s career, Amy Sedaris’ character also set the writer up on a date. Carrie meets Berger when she’s in a book meeting, and as we know, their relationship ultimately ends on a post-it.

Before she trained every doctor worth knowing at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Dr. Bailey — or actress Chandra Wilson — appeared on SATC. The actress plays a police officer in the season five premiere who tries to stop Samantha from flyposting.

When Samantha explains that she’s getting revenge on a cheating ex, Chandra Wilson’s police officer lets her continue. Interestingly, Dr. Bailey’s nurse fling Eli, actor Daniel Sunjata, also appears in this episode. He plays one of the US Navy sailors that invite the ladies out.

In the same episode where Carrie kisses a character played by Alanis Morissette, she dates a bi guy. Of course, this being SATC, Carrie did lots of pondering about what this meant, and called her guy “generation something else.” This love interest, named Sean, was played by actor Eddie Cahill.

Of course, Cahill also played Rachel Green’s love interest on Friends the following year. In SATC, his character took Carrie for an adorable date at the ice-skating rink.

Finally, we close our list of celebrity Sex and the City guest stars with actress Heather Graham. The star played herself in season five, episode six, “Critical Condition” and makes a face when she’s introduced to Carrie. We later learn that this is because her ex, Aidan, has been bad-mouthing her.

Heather Graham has since said of her time on SATC, “That’s my favorite TV show of all time, I’m so excited that I got to be on it.”