Drew Carey on “NCIS”? Wild.

24 NCIS guest stars you totally forgot about — including a First Lady

Drew Carey on "NCIS"? Wild.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer, and many other publications.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Dustin Nelson

on May 12, 2026 2:36 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Michelle Obama, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Glen Powell on 'NCIS' over the years. Credit:

Lawrence Jackson/The White House/CBS; Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty; CBS

*NCIS* is a true mothership, having spawned spinoffs set in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Hawai'i, and Sydney. It has also broadened its scope with a prequel, *NCIS: Origins*, and a globe-trotting adventure series centered on Michael Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo and Cote de Pablo's Ziva David.

That's a lot of shows, a lot of seasons, a lot of episodes, and a *lot* of guest stars. Revisiting the franchise all these years later is to see luminaries of the cinematic, musical, and even political spheres, as well as pre-fame appearances from stars like Abigail Breslin and Glen Powell.

Here are the biggest guest stars to pass through *NCIS *shows throughout the franchise's run.

Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin on 'NCIS'.

Abigail Breslin popped up in a season 2 episode back in 2004. This was after *Signs* but well before some of her most notable early performances in films like *Little Miss Sunshine* and *Zombieland*.

Drew Carey on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Who doesn't like a little corporate synergy? Drew Carey had been hosting *The Price Is Right* for years on CBS when he made a one-episode guest appearance in a 2018 episode of *NCIS*.**

Sheryl Crow on 'NCIS'.

am Lothridge/CBS via Getty

Better known for her music than her acting chops, a guitar-toting Sheryl Crow appeared as herself during a season 3 episode of *NCIS: New Orleans*. It did not qualify as her favorite mistake.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis on 'NCIS'.

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

The Oscar-winning *Halloween* actress took on a big role in the latter part of *NCIS'* ninth season. Jamie Lee Curtis played Dr. Samantha Ryan across five episodes, starting with episode 16, "Psych Out."

Jon Cryer on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Jon Cryer starred as Dr. Cyril Taft in a trio of episodes spread across season 13, starting with the season premiere. It was a big change from his role in *Two and a Half Men*, which was still airing at the time.

Taye Diggs on 'NCIS'.

Jace Downs/CBS via Getty

The varied career of Taye Diggs — from *Rent* to *The House on Haunted Hill* to* The Best Man* — includes a one-episode pitstop on *NCIS* in 2016.

Meredith Eaton

Meredith Eaton on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Following her breakout role on *Boston Legal*, Meredith Eaton appeared as Carol Wilson in five episodes across the *NCIS* universe, including the second-ever episode of *NCIS: New Orleans*.

Jonathan Frakes

Jonathan Frakes on 'NCIS: Los Angeles'.

Monty Brinton/CBS

Best known for his role as William T. Riker in the *Star Trek* universe, Jonathan Frakes is also an accomplished director. He has flexed his acting and directing chops on *NCIS: Los Angeles.* He trekked into a scene just once but has directed six episodes of the show.

Colin Hanks on 'NCIS'.

Robert Voets/CBS via Getty

Colin Hanks was already a star with dozens of credits to his name when he had a three-episode run on *NCIS*, which spread across the end of season 10 and into the season 11 premiere.

Cheryl Ladd on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Former *Charlie's Angels* star Cheryl Ladd made her first and only *NCIS* cameo in a season 9 episode called "Thirst."

Mario Lopez on 'NCIS'.

Skip Bolen/CBS via Getty

Mario Lopez stopped in for an episode of *NCIS: New Orleans *in 2016. The *Saved by the Bell* actor and *Access Hollywood* host appeared as Officer Hernandez during season 3.

When Mýa made her guest appearance in a season 2 episode of *NCIS*, she had already won a Grammy for her "Lady Marmalade" collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Pink for Moulin Rouge! — not to mention appeared in films like *Chicago* and *Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights*.

Bob Newhart on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

The legendary Bob Newhart popped up during season 8 of *NCIS*. The actor, who died in July 2024, remained a regular screen presence during his final years thanks to recurring roles on *The Big Bang Theory* and *Young Sheldon*.

Paula Newsome

Paula Newsome on 'NCIS'.

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Best known for her regular appearances on shows like *CSI: Vegas* and *Chicago Med*, Paula Newsome has been in another popular TV universe. Starting with the season 6 episode, "Knockout," Newsome appeared in four episodes of *NCIS, *with her most recent guest spot coming in 2013.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama on 'NCIS'.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson via CBS

It was a bit of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance for First Lady Michelle Obama, who appeared as herself toward the end of the season 13 episode "Homefront." She was still First Lady at the time.

Glen Powell on 'NCIS'.

Before Glen Powell took to the skies in *Top Gun: Maverick* and stared down tornadoes in *Twisters*, he had a two-episode *NCIS *stint during season 10*.*

Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands on 'NCIS'.

Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty

The late Gena Rowlands, whose lengthy career spanned independent films like *A Woman Under the Influence* and Hollywood dramas like *Hope Floats*, appeared in a season 7 episode of the flagship series.

Jeri Ryan on 'NCIS'.

Greg Gayne/CBS via Getty

Years after appearing in more than 100 episodes of *Star Trek: Voyager* — a role she reprised on *Star Trek: Picard* — Jeri Ryan guest-starred in "Check," a season 12 episode of *NCIS*.

Corey Stoll on 'NCIS'.

Before his villainous turn as Darren Cross in *Ant-Man* and its sequels, Corey Stoll played Martin Quinn in three episodes of *NCIS*. He dropped in for back-to-back installments during season 4 and reprised the role in season 5.

Lily Tomlin on 'NCIS'.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

The hilarious Lily Tomlin's resume runs deep — and it includes *NCIS*. The *9 to 5* star graced a single season 9 episode back in 2011.

Michelle Trachtenberg

Michelle Trachtenberg on 'NCIS: Los Angeles'.

Richard Foreman/CBS via Getty

The late Michelle Trachtenberg jumped into *NCIS: Los Angeles* shortly after the end of *Gossip Girl*. The *Buffy* star appeared in a single season 5 episode.

Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner on 'NCIS'.

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Robert Wagner has guest-starred on *NCIS* as much as just about anyone who isn't a series regular. He played Anthony DiNozzo Sr., father of Michael Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo, in 13 episodes. Wagner's appearances began in 2010, and he was most recently on the show in 2019.

Susan Kelechi Watson

Susan Kelechi Watson on 'NCIS'.

Susan Kelechi Watson's character appeared in three *NCIS* episodes. The *This Is Us* actress first surfaced during an early season 5 episode before returning weeks later for another pair of episodes.

Scott Wolf on 'NCIS'.

Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty

Scott Wolf, a veteran of many shows, had a three-episode run in season 9 of *NCIS* that included the season premiere, "Nature of the Beast."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW NCIS”