{"id":50749,"date":"2025-08-07T16:04:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/50749\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T16:04:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:04:08","slug":"weeds-turns-20-the-22-best-guest-stars-who-lit-up-the-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/50749\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Weeds’ turns 20! The 22 best guest stars who lit up the series"},"content":{"rendered":"

When your side hustle involves dealing weed out of the burbs, you’re bound to meet some eccentric characters. On Weeds<\/a> \u2014 which premiered two decades ago on Aug. 7, 2005 \u2014 widowed PTA mom\u2013turned\u2013drug dealer Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker<\/a>) and her company cross paths with an unpredictable mix of fellow criminals, sleuths, lovers, and rivals. Many were played by some very familiar faces: Bob Odenkirk<\/a> warmed up for another drug-fueled universe with a stint as a rehab patient; Alanis Morissette<\/a> gloved up as a sensible OB-GYN; and Snoop Dogg<\/a> dropped by (if you need clarification: yes, as himself.)\n<\/p>\n

To celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, see which stars earned a credit on Showtime<\/a>‘s Emmy<\/a>-winning comedy.\n<\/p>\n

Alanis Morissette <\/p>\n

Matt Peters as Gayle and Alanis Morissette as Dr. Audra Kitson on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Jordin Althaus\/Showtime\/Courtesy Everett<\/p>\n

Alanis Morissette spent time on Weeds, appearing in eight episodes during the fifth and sixth seasons. The singer plays Nancy’s level-headed obstetrician, Dr. Audra Kitson, who briefly dates Andy (Justin Kirk) after his repeated advances. Their relationship ends after Audra reaches her breaking point with the Botwins’ dangerous behavior.\n<\/p>\n

Amy Aquino <\/p>\n

Amy Aquino as a school psychologist on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Amy Aquino found her way into Weeds’ first season. The prolific actress appeared in a 2005 episode, “Lude Awakening,” playing a school psychologist who counsels Shane (Alexander Gould) after he begins acting out after his father’s death. She also offers a professional perspective on how Nancy’s parenting may be affecting Shane’s emotional state.\n<\/p>\n

Bob Odenkirk <\/p>\n

Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes and Bob Odenkirk as Barry on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

The year before he made his debut on Breaking Bad<\/a>, Bob Odenkirk popped up on Weeds in the 2008 episode “Head Cheese.” He joined season 4 as Barry, a man with substance abuse disorder who becomes Celia’s (Elizabeth Perkins) “promise partner” in rehab, and ends up sneaking coke in the facility.\n<\/p>\n

Carrie Fisher <\/p>\n

Carrie Fisher as Arlene Cutter on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Not doing much TV at the time, Carrie Fisher<\/a> brought her star power to Weeds’ third season. She appeared in one 2007 episode as Arlene Cutter, a deadpan, all-business divorce lawyer who helped Celia with her split from Dean (Andy Milder).\n<\/p>\n

Chad Lindberg <\/p>\n

Chad Lindberg as Detective Tipton (right) on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Chad Lindberg briefly appears as Detective Tipton in the season 8 premiere of Weeds, “Messy.” The Fast and the Furious<\/a> alum portrays a police officer involved in the shooting at the episode’s opening.\n<\/p>\n

Currie Graham <\/p>\n

Currie Graham as Vince and Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

A few years before Murder in the First<\/a> premiered, Currie Graham guest-starred on Weeds during season 6. The House of Lies<\/a> actor plays Vince in the episode “Yippity Sippity,” a man Nancy meets at a Seattle bar and casually flirts with while trying to unwind from her life on the run.\n<\/p>\n

Dale Dickey <\/p>\n

Dale Dickey as Sugarpop on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

The same year she appeared in Winter’s Bone<\/a> (2010), Dale Dickey stopped by Weeds in the season 6 episode “Gentle Puppies” as Sugarpop, an eccentric outlaw with a wild streak whom the Botwins encounter at a general store during their RV road trip through the desert.\n<\/p>\n

Ike Barinholtz <\/p>\n

Ike Barinholtz as Daryl on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Ahead of his turn as The Mindy Project<\/a>‘s Morgan Tookers, Ike Barinholtz<\/a> appeared in the Weeds season 6 episode “Fran Tarkenton,” playing Daryl, an oblivious coroner’s office worker who unknowingly helped Nancy and Andy tamper with the body of political fixer Pilar (Kate del Castillo<\/a>).\n<\/p>\n

Jane Lynch <\/p>\n

Jane Lynch as the Candyman on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

A few years before she hit the small screen as Glee<\/a>‘s Sue Sylvester, Jane Lynch<\/a> popped up in a 2005 episode titled “Fashion of the Christ.” She played the Candyman, an active edible dealer who encourages her customers to burn off the calories of her cannabis treats.\n<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Dean Morgan <\/p>\n

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Judah Botwin, Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, Alexander Gould as Shane Botwin, and Hunter Parrish as Silas Botwin on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Peter Iovino\/Showtime<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Dean Morgan<\/a> was a part of the family on Weeds, playing Judah Botwin in flashbacks during two 2005 episodes. He opened the series as Nancy’s husband, ending his arc in the show’s first season with his character’s sudden death taking place before the pilot.\n<\/p>\n

Julie Bowen <\/p>\n

Kevin Nealon as Dr. Mark Crest, Julie Bowen as Lisa, Justin Kirk as Andrew ‘Andy’ Botwin on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Sonja Flemming\/Showtime\/courtesy Everett\u00a0<\/p>\n

Julie Bowen<\/a> joined Weeds in 2008, playing Lisa for seven episodes of season 4. Her character owned a cheese shop in the fictional town of Ren Mar and developed a relationship with Silas (Hunter Parrish). The two go into business together, using her shop as a front to sell marijuana goods.\n<\/p>\n

Lee Majors <\/p>\n

Lee Majors as the Minute-man leader on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Sonja Flemming\/Showtime\/courtesy Everett<\/p>\n

In season 4, Lee Majors had a three-episode run as the leader of the “Minute-man,” a local militia border patrol group aiming to catch illegal crossers on the U.S.-Mexico border.\n<\/p>\n

Mae Whitman <\/p>\n

Mae Whitman as Tula on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

During her run on Parenthood<\/a>, Mae Whitman<\/a> dropped by Weeds for the season 8 episode “See Blue and Smell Cheese and Die.” She plays Tula, Tim’s (Daryl Sabara<\/a>) girlfriend with a dark past, and ends up punching a hole in the wall because she’s furious at him pulling a gun on Nancy.\n<\/p>\n

Mark-Paul Gosselaar <\/p>\n

Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Jack on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Mark-Paul Gosselaar<\/a> made it from Saved by the Bell<\/a>‘s Bayside High School to Weeds’ local bar, playing Jack \u2014 a gritty bartender who hooks up with Nancy at the counter in the season 6 episode “Gentle Puppies.”\n<\/p>\n

Martin Short <\/p>\n

Hunter Parrish as Silas Botwin and Martin Short as Steward Havens on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Jordin Althaus\/Showtime<\/p>\n

Martin Short<\/a> brought his award-winning comedic acting chops to Weeds in the show’s seventh season, guest-starring in three 2011 episodes as Steward Havens, a pro bono attorney who has a bizarre fetish for hearing his clients’ personal misfortunes.\n<\/p>\n

Mary-Kate Olsen <\/p>\n

Hunter Parrish as Silas Botwin, Mary-Kate Olsen as Tara Lindman, and Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Cliff Lipson\/Showtime<\/p>\n

As she shifted her focus from acting to fashion, Mary-Kate Olsen<\/a> had one of her last major roles as Tara Lindman on Weeds. The former child star popped up in eight episodes of the third season, playing a religious-leaning pot smoker who becomes involved with Silas.\n<\/p>\n

Michelle Trachtenberg <\/p>\n

Michelle Trachtenberg as Emma Karlin on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Jordin Althaus\/Showtime\/Courtesy Everett<\/p>\n

While playing Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl<\/a>, the late Michelle Trachtenberg<\/a> appeared on Weeds in 2011 as Emma Karlin<\/a>, a seemingly unhappy employee of rival pot-dealing front Pouncy House Party Rentals. She briefly dates Silas and feigns interest in joining his and Nancy’s operation, but later reveals she’s actually the boss of Pouncy House, using the inside information to sabotage their business.\n<\/p>\n

Natasha Lyonne <\/p>\n

Natasha Lyonne as Tiffani on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Months before making her debut as Orange Is the New Black<\/a>‘s Nicky Nichols, Natasha Lyonne<\/a> did a quick stint on Weeds as Tiffani. She appeared in the two-part series finale, playing a waitress who becomes romantically involved with Shane, who, at the time, is living with an alcohol problem.\n<\/p>\n

Neil Brown Jr. <\/p>\n

Neil Brown Jr. as Mike Garcia on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Three years before he hit the big screen as DJ Yella in Straight Outta Compton<\/a>, Neil Brown Jr. popped up on the small screen in the 2012 episode “Messy.” He played Mike Garcia, a paramedic who responds to a shooting at Nancy’s halfway house.\n<\/p>\n

Paul F. Tompkins <\/p>\n

Paul F. Tompkins as Bob Adams on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Paul F. Tompkins<\/a> joined Weeds in 2007, appearing in two season 3 episodes. The actor played a suburban high school teacher named Bob Adams.\n<\/p>\n

Snoop Dogg <\/p>\n

Snoop Dogg as himself on ‘Weeds’.<\/p>\n

Showtime<\/p>\n

Snoop Dogg graced Weeds with his presence and his rap skills in the show’s second season. The rapper appeared in a 2006 episode as himself at a recording studio, where he samples Nancy and Conrad’s new strain and dubs it “MILF Weed” in his impromptu freestyle session<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

Zooey Deschanel <\/p>\n

Zooey Deschanel as Kat on ‘Weeds’.
\nShowtime<\/p>\n

Before New Girl<\/a> \u2014 or even (500) Days of Summer<\/a> (2009) \u2014 Zooey Deschanel<\/a> did a short stint on Weeds. The actress appeared in four episodes across seasons 2 and 3 as Kat, Andy’s impulsive ex-girlfriend who suddenly reenters his life and crashes with the Botwins, uninvited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When your side hustle involves dealing weed out of the burbs, you’re bound to meet some eccentric characters.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50750,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[64,63,134,427],"class_list":{"0":"post-50749","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-tv"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}