1. William Shatner on Columbo
When William Shatner showed up on Columbo, it was impossible to look away. Playing an egotistical TV detective accused of murder, he brought a layered performance that was both charming and chilling. The episode let him lean into his charisma while also showing off his darker side, something audiences weren’t used to seeing from the man who had been Captain Kirk. His confidence in every line made the cat-and-mouse game with Columbo even more fun to watch.
What made it work so well was the chemistry between Shatner and Peter Falk. Shatner’s smug coolness bounced perfectly off Columbo’s shuffling, unassuming style. Every glance and smirk he delivered felt like he was daring Columbo to catch him. It’s no wonder fans still rank his appearance as one of the show’s best guest spots.
2. Cher on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
Of course, Cher was already a star, but her guest turns with major names on her own variety show proved she could steal any scene. Whether she was delivering sharp comedy sketches or singing duets with big guest stars like Elton John or David Bowie, she commanded attention every time she stepped into the spotlight. Her wit, timing, and ability to poke fun at herself made her one of the most magnetic TV personalities of the decade.
What’s fascinating is that Cher always managed to overshadow whoever she was with. Even next to Sonny, who was supposed to share equal billing, the audience’s eyes went straight to her. Her mix of glamour and humor was so unique that it set the standard for variety show stars. Watching her perform was like witnessing someone who was always in complete control of the room.
3. Betty White on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Betty White’s turn as Sue Ann Nivens didn’t just steal scenes—it practically stole the entire show. Sue Ann was sugary sweet on the surface, but underneath, she was biting, competitive, and hilariously snarky. White played her with such gleeful energy that you couldn’t help but laugh, even when Sue Ann was at her most cutting.
Though she wasn’t in every episode, her appearances were unforgettable. She brought a sly wit that contrasted beautifully with Mary’s good-natured warmth. Viewers loved her so much that she went from guest star to series regular, proof that sometimes stealing the scene gets you promoted.
4. Ricardo Montalbán on Star Trek
Before he became Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, Ricardo Montalbán burned up the screen as Khan on Star Trek. His performance was magnetic, combining sophistication with a barely restrained fury that made him the perfect foil for Captain Kirk. He only appeared once in the original series, but he left such a mark that he was brought back years later for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
What made Montalbán stand out was his ability to command every moment. Even with limited screen time, you couldn’t forget his piercing gaze and booming voice. He elevated what could have been a one-off villain into one of the most iconic characters in TV and movie history.
5. Sammy Davis Jr. on All in the Family
When Sammy Davis Jr. guest-starred on All in the Family, it was nothing short of iconic. Playing himself, he clashed with Archie Bunker in one of the funniest and most socially charged episodes of the series. Their interactions were filled with humor, but also with a deeper commentary on race and prejudice that was groundbreaking for TV in the ’70s.
The famous kiss between Davis and Archie became one of the most memorable moments of the decade. It wasn’t just a joke—it was a statement. Sammy’s effortless charm made the scene both hilarious and meaningful, showing just how much impact a guest star could have on a sitcom.
6. Cloris Leachman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Cloris Leachman’s Phyllis Lindstrom was the kind of character you couldn’t ignore. She played Mary’s self-absorbed, overbearing friend with such flair that every scene she was in turned into comedy gold. Leachman’s timing was impeccable, and her ability to go from dramatic to hilarious in a single breath kept viewers hooked.
Phyllis wasn’t meant to overshadow Mary, but in many moments, she did. Leachman gave her such a strong personality that audiences demanded more. That demand led to her own spin-off, Phyllis, which proved just how much of a scene-stealer she had been.
7. Vincent Price on The Muppet Show
When Vincent Price appeared on The Muppet Show, it was a match made in heaven. His spooky, over-the-top persona paired perfectly with the Muppets’ mix of chaos and charm. Price leaned into his horror image, joking around with monsters and even doing gags with fangs, but he also showed off his warmth and comedic chops.
The brilliance of Price’s guest spot was how he managed to both parody and celebrate his own legacy. He wasn’t afraid to be silly, and that made him even more endearing. For many fans, his episode is one of the most unforgettable in the show’s history.
8. Ruth Buzzi on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In
Ruth Buzzi may have been part of the ensemble, but her guest turns in sketches made her the undeniable highlight. Her character Gladys Ormphby, with her frumpy dress and sharp tongue, became a fan favorite. She had a way of landing punchlines that stuck in your memory long after the sketch was over.
Buzzi’s energy was contagious, and she could hold her own against anyone. Even when surrounded by comedy greats, she always managed to make her mark. Her ability to bring a scene to life made her one of the standout performers of the ’70s comedy landscape.
9. Henry Winkler on Happy Days
Though he started as a supporting character, Henry Winkler’s Fonzie quickly became the face of Happy Days. Every time he entered a scene with his leather jacket and cool catchphrases, the audience erupted. He was supposed to be a side character, but his charisma made him the one everyone wanted to see.
Winkler’s ability to balance “tough guy” swagger with genuine heart made Fonzie irresistible. He stole every scene not by force, but by making the character larger than life. It’s rare to see a guest-turned-regular dominate a show so completely, and Winkler did it with ease.
10. Elton John on The Muppet Show
Elton John’s appearance on The Muppet Show was pure magic. Dressed in flamboyant costumes and seated at a piano surrounded by feathered Muppets, he was right at home. His musical numbers, including “Crocodile Rock,” were some of the most joyous moments of the series.
What made his guest spot stand out was how willing he was to play along with the absurdity. Elton didn’t just perform—he fully joined the Muppet world. That openness made the episode unforgettable, and it remains a fan favorite decades later.
11. Don Knotts on Three’s Company
Don Knotts already had TV legend status thanks to The Andy Griffith Show, but when he joined Three’s Company as Mr. Furley, he took the sitcom to another level. His goofy expressions and nervous energy fit perfectly into the show’s brand of farce. Even though he wasn’t the lead, every scene he appeared in instantly got funnier.
Knotts had a way of making even the simplest lines hilarious. His colorful wardrobe and wide-eyed reactions became trademarks of the show. He didn’t just support the main trio, he enhanced every storyline he was part of.
12. George Carlin on Saturday Night Live
When George Carlin hosted the very first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975, he set the tone for what the show would become. Instead of performing in sketches, he did a series of stand-up monologues that were sharp, funny, and a little edgy. His presence showed that the show wasn’t afraid to push boundaries right from the start.
Carlin’s wit and fearlessness made him the perfect choice for the premiere. He stole the spotlight simply by being himself, delivering jokes that felt fresh and daring. His guest spot cemented him as one of the defining voices of comedy in the ’70s.
13. Farrah Fawcett on The Six Million Dollar Man
Before Charlie’s Angels made her a household name, Farrah Fawcett lit up the screen with guest appearances on The Six Million Dollar Man. She played several different characters throughout the series, and each time she brought a sparkle that made her stand out. Her mix of girl-next-door sweetness and undeniable glamour made her presence unforgettable, even alongside Lee Majors’ bionic hero.
What made Fawcett special was her ability to bring warmth and relatability to roles that could have been forgettable. Whether she was in peril or offering support, the camera seemed drawn to her. Fans who caught those episodes knew she was destined for bigger things, and they were right.
14. Carol Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show Guest Segments
Though it was her own show, Carol Burnett’s interactions with guest stars often showed she could outshine anyone. Her ability to stay in character while letting the audience in on the joke was her trademark. The “went-without-a-hitch” charm of Burnett meant that whenever she was paired with a big guest—like Tim Conway or Steve Lawrence—she often ended up being the one audiences remembered most.
Burnett’s gift was that she didn’t need to hog the spotlight to steal a scene. She knew exactly when to deliver a look, a pause, or a punchline that would land harder than anything else. Her mastery of timing made her the queen of scene-stealing.
15. Leonard Nimoy on Mission: Impossible
After his success on Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy joined Mission: Impossible as Paris, the master of disguise. His guest run on the show was riveting, as he brought an intelligence and gravitas that elevated every mission. Even when surrounded by a strong ensemble, his presence carried weight.
What made Nimoy shine was his ability to disappear into different personas. One week he might be a crime boss, the next a suave diplomat, and he made each disguise believable. His cool intensity meant your eyes always followed him, even in a crowded scene.
16. Milton Berle on The Muppet Show
Milton Berle was already “Mr. Television” by the time he appeared on The Muppet Show, but his episode reminded audiences why he had earned that title. Trading jokes with Statler and Waldorf and embracing the Muppets’ chaotic energy, Berle leaned fully into the silliness. His comedic timing made the banter razor-sharp and incredibly funny.
The highlight came when he went head-to-head with Fozzie Bear in a comedy face-off. Berle’s ability to poke fun at himself while still landing classic one-liners was a masterclass in old-school comedy. The Muppets may have been the stars, but Berle proved he could still command the stage.
17. Diana Ross on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
When Diana Ross appeared on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, it was clear she wasn’t just visiting—she was taking over. Performing dazzling duets and appearing in skits, Ross brought her superstar energy that made the episodes feel like an event. Her voice soared, but her charisma was just as magnetic.
She had an uncanny ability to hold the audience’s gaze even when surrounded by spectacle. Cher may have been the queen of the show, but Ross matched her beat for beat in glamour and charm. Those appearances are remembered as some of the most electric of the series.
18. Frank Sinatra on Maude
It’s not every day that Frank Sinatra walked into a sitcom, but when he made a cameo on Maude, it was unforgettable. Playing himself, he charmed Bea Arthur’s character and sent the live audience into a frenzy. His natural charisma was so strong that even in a brief role, he completely dominated the screen.
The magic of Sinatra’s appearance wasn’t just the novelty of seeing him on a sitcom. It was how seamlessly he blended his smooth persona with the show’s sharp humor. For a moment, it felt like the whole world revolved around him, which was exactly the kind of scene-stealing Sinatra was known for.
