17 of Modern Family's Most Memorable Guest Stars
Tiffany Staton
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Modern Family has been successful from the beginning, so it's no surprise that everyone wants to be on the show.
TV and movie stars alike have flocked to it.
Just this week, on Modern Family Season 9 Episode 2, Vanessa Williams showed up as a member of the club Luke and Hayley are working at.
This has been narrowed down to 17 of the best and it doesn't even include Josh Gad, Jesse Eisenberg, Minnie Driver, Penn Jillette, Keegan-Michael Key, Aisha Tyler, Charles Barkley, Peyton Manning, David Cross, Vanessa Bayer, Benjamin Bratt, or Adam DeVine.
If you think those names are impressive, prepare to be amazed by the guest stars below.
Don't forget to catch Modern Family on Wednesdays at 8/9 C on ABC.
If you miss an episode, you can always watch Modern Family online via TV Fanatic.
1. James Marsden - Barry
James shined back in season 2. Initially thought to be a neighbor of Cam and Mitchell's, we later found out he was actually living in Lily's princess castle. It's safe to say Cam and Mitchell were a little too distracted by his physique to notice. Can you blame them?
2. Matthew Broderick - Dave
Mr. Broderick showed up in season 4 as a gym buddy of Phil's. He was invited over to the Dunphy home for a guy's night. Dave was gay and hoping to get back into the dating scene while Phil just wanted a friend to hang out with. Things got awkward fast.
3. Edward Norton - Izzy LaFontaine
Although he is almost unrecognizable, Edward Norton stole the show way back in season 1. Claire mistakenly believed Izzy's band was a favorite of Phil's and paid for a private show at their house. Phil's fake excitement and awkward attempt to sing songs he's never heard before was comedy gold.
4. Mary Lynn Rajskub - Tracy
Mary portrayed Mitchell's ex-girlfriend, and the only woman he's ever had sex with, back in season 2. When Mitchell runs into her eight years later he sees what appears to be a young, red-headed child with her. When he finally gets the courage to meet the boy he believes is his son, he finds out he's actually a little person and Tracy's husband.
5. Elizabeth Banks - Sal
Sal is arguably one of the best characters on Modern Family. When we first met her in season 1, she was jealous of Lily for taking so much of Mitchell and Cam's attention. That hasn't changed, and neither have her party animal ways, but she does have her own baby now which is definitely a little scary.
6. Fred Willard - Frank Dunphy
Modern Family hit a homerun when casting Phil's dad. Fred Willard is PERFECT. His easy going, goofy personality is exactly what you would expect from the man who raised the equally goofy Phil.
7. Judy Greer - Denise
Always a guest star, never a serious regular, Judy Greer has been in a lot of tv shows and movies. She appeared as Phil's ex-girlfirend, Denise, in season 1, where despite his marriage to Claire, she proceeded to throw herself at him for the entirety of the episode.
8. Rob Riggle - Gil Thorpe
Rob plays a real estate agent and Phil's nemesis. He's appeared sporadically over the years but was first introduced in season 4. He's not above stealing clients or business opportunities, and he'll brag about it and insult you as he goes.
9. Leslie Mann - Katie
Leslie Mann is amazing in everything she does and Modern Family was no exception. She played Katie, a woman Cam bet he could pick up in a bar in season 3. They both ended the night happy as Cam won the bet and Katie found the gay friend she's always wanted.
10. Kelsey Grammer - Ringmaster Keifth
Of course, Cam's ex-boyfriend would be a ringmaster named Keifth. In season 8, Mr. Grammer portrayed a dedicated circus performer. The exchanges between him and Cam were hilariously wistful as they reminisced about their time spent under the big tent.
11. Dot Marie Jones - Louise
Also in season 8, Dot had the difficult job of telling Cam Fizbo was on the loose. Knowing his beloved character was being tarnished, Cam couldn't focus on the bowling championship that Dot's character, Louise, was also participating in. After some stellar detective work by Cam and Mitchell, we learned Louise was the one donning the costume and terrorizing people.
12. Nathan Lane - Pepper Saltzman
Another amazing character, with an even more amazing name, is Pepper Saltzman played by Nathan Lane. We met him in season 2 when Cam and Mitchell were trying to get out of one of his brunches. He appears sporadically and is known for his lavish theme parties.
13. Wendi McClendon-Covey - Pam
Reno911 fans were elated when Wendi showed up as Pam in season 4. She played a lesbian mom whose son was fighting with Lily at school. After the principal orders the two families to have a play date, they discover they have more in common then they would have thought.
14. Nathan Fillion - Rainer Shine
Mr Fillion shined as a national weatherman over a multi-episode arc in season 8. Although Phil had a crush on him first, it wasn't long before he and Hayley were dating. They were even engaged for about two minutes. Though the two had a lot in common, including a mutual love of hair products and shopping, they ended up going their separate ways.
15. Matt Dillon - Robbie Sullivan
Matt stole the show in season 2 when he showed up at Manny's birthday party with Dede. This was taboo since he was Claire's ex-boyfriend. To everyone's delight, except Claire, he spent the day reciting crazy stories about her from their time together.
16. Shelley Long - Dede Prichett
Everybody knows her name. Shelley portrays Dede, Jay's ex-wife, and the mother of Claire and Mitchell. We first met her when she reunited with the family for the first time since "the incident" that took place at Jay & Gloria's wedding. Though she tried to remain calm, she ended up acting exactly like she did at the wedding.
17. Chazz Palminteri - Shorty
We were first introduced to Shorty in season 1. As one of Jay's best friends, he can get him to do things other people can't, like go salsa dancing. The goodbye they shared when Shorty decided to move to Costa Rica is one of Jay's most heartfelt moments.
