5 Famous Actors You Forgot Guest-Starred On Seinfeld

Throughout its nine-season run, Seinfeld invited countless guest stars, but many of these performers didn't become well-known until later. Mariska Hargitay appeared in Seinfeld Season 4, Episode 23, titled "The Pilot," six years before she starred as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She played Melissa Shannon, a woman auditioning for Jerry's TV show, but her cameo was just one of many small TV roles leading up to her Law & Order: SVU role.

Jon Favreau made his TV debut as Eric the Clown in Season 5, Episode 19, "The Fire." Despite his heavy makeup and rainbow wig, his performance was memorable. Debra Messing briefly appeared twice on Seinfeld, once as Beth Lukner in Season 7, Episode 21, and again as Beth in Season 8, Episode 19, "The Yada Yada." Both appearances were part of her early career before she became known for her role in Will & Grace.

Courteney Cox played Meryl, one of Jerry's girlfriends, in Season 5, Episode 17, "The Wife," just a year before she started her iconic role as Monica on Friends. Cox had already appeared in several TV shows before Seinfeld, but her Seinfeld experience helped shape her approach to acting on Friends. Finally, Bob Odenkirk guest-starred in Seinfeld Season 8, Episode 9, titled "The Abstinence."

He played Elaine's boyfriend Ben, an aspiring doctor who fails his medical exams three times. Odenkirk had no prior knowledge of Seinfeld before joining the show, but his experience writing for other comedies helped him excel in his guest role.