56 celebrities you probably forgot guest-starred on 'How I Met Your Mother'

Olivia SinghSep 17, 2020, 22:45 IST

Jennifer Lopez, Joe Manganiello, and Britney Spears guest-starred on "How I Met Your Mother."David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images; Steve Granitz/WireImage

CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" premiered in 2005 and lasted for nine seasons.
Plenty of celebrities appeared throughout the sitcom's run.
Among them, Jennifer Lopez played an author on season five, Joe Manganiello had a recurring role as one of Marshall's friends from law school, and Carrie Underwood played a girl named Tiffany who strung Ted Mosby along.

In September 2005, "How I Met Your Mother" premiered on CBS. The show went on to last for nine seasons before ending in March 2014. Not all fans were pleased with the way the series concluded — but one thing that can be agreed on is that there were plenty of notable guest stars.

Pop singers like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry all made appearances on the show, while well-known TV actors such as Bryan Cranston to Laura Prepon also paid Ted and his friends a visit in New York City.

Here are 56 celebrities you may have forgotten once guest-starred on "HIMYM."

Joe Manganiello had a recurring role as Brad, one of Marshall's friends from law school.

Joe Manganiello starred as Alcide Herveaux on "True Blood." CBS

In 2007, model Heidi Klum made an appearance as herself.

Heidi Klum won a Primetime Emmy in 2013. CBS

Enrique Iglesias serenaded Robin as Gael, a man that she met in Argentina.

Enrique Iglesias is an award-winning singer. CBS

"Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale played Robin's younger sister, Katie.

Lucy Hale starred as Aria Montgomery on "Pretty Little Liars." CBS

Fellow "PLL" star Ashley Benson also had a role on "HIMYM."

Ashley Benson starred as Hanna Marin on "Pretty Little Liars." CBS

Wayne Brady appeared throughout the series as Barney's half-brother, James.

Wayne Brady is a comedian. CBS

Lin-Manuel Miranda rapped his way through his role on season nine.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is the creator of Broadway's hit musical "Hamilton." CBS

Jennifer Morrison had a recurring role as Zoey, Ted's enemy-turned-girlfriend.

Jennifer Morrison starred as Emma Swan on "Once Upon a Time." CBS

Kyle MacLachlan played George Van Smoot — aka The Captain.

Kyle MacLachlan is best known for his role as Dale Cooper on "Twin Peaks." CBS

In 2011, Katy Perry played Zoey's friendly, yet "gullible" cousin.

Katy Perry's real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. CBS

On season three, John Cho's character successfully convinced Marshall to join his company.

Fans might recognize John Cho for his role as Sulu in "Star Trek." CBS

"Harold and Kumar" star Kal Penn played good guy Kevin.

Kal Penn is most known for the "Harold and Kumar" franchise. CBS

Ted got drunk with a girl named Amy — played by Mandy Moore — and woke up the next morning with a butterfly tattoo on his back.

Mandy Moore stars as Rebecca Pearson on "This Is Us." NBC

Carrie Underwood guest-starred as Tiffany, who strung Ted along.

Carrie Underwood got her big break on "American Idol." CBS

"Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek played Robin's first boyfriend Simon, from her days as a teen pop sensation in Canada.

James Van Der Beek starred as Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek." CBS

Jennifer Lopez guest-starred as an author named Anita on season five.

Jennifer Lopez landed her first role in the '80s. CBS

David Burtka, Neil Patrick Harris' real-life husband, had a recurring role as Scooter.

David Burtka also appeared on "A Series of Unfortunate Events." CBS

"Gotham" actress Morena Baccarin played Chloe, a barista who had a crush on Marshall.

Morena Baccarin starred as Vanessa in the "Deadpool" movies. CBS

Smulders' real-life husband Taran Killam also appeared on a few episodes.

Taran Killam was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" for several years. CBS

Britney Spears guest-starred as Abby, a receptionist at the dermatologist office where Ted's future fiancée worked.

Britney Spears also guest-starred on "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." CBS

John Lithgow played Barney's father, Jerome Whittaker.

John Lithgow has won several Emmys in the past. CBS

Katie Holmes guest-starred as Naomi, a girl who Ted met at a Halloween party.

Katie Holmes starred as Joey Potter on "Dawson's Creek." CBS

"Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" star Rachel Bloom had a cameo as a drunk passenger on a train on season seven.

Rachel Bloom is a Golden Globe-winning actress. CBS

"Growing Pains" actor Alan Thicke guest-starred as another character from Robin's pop star past.

Alan Thicke guest-starred on "Murder, She Wrote" in 1993. CBS

Nicole Scherzinger played Jessica Glitter, Robin's former BFF.

Scherzinger was the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. CBS

"Orange Is the New Black's" Laura Prepon played Ted's snobby college girlfriend named Karen.

Laura Prepon rose to fame for her role as Donna on "That '70s Show." CBS

Bob Barker appeared as himself, and was the first of many game show hosts to appear on the show.

Bob Barker, host of "The Price Is Right." CBS

"Jeopardy's" Alex Trebek guest-starred as a game show host, naturally.

Alex Trebek is an Emmy-winner. CBS

Regis Philbin joined the gang on their hunt for the perfect burger.

Regis Philbin was the original host of "Regis and Kathy Lee" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." CBS

Rachel Bilson had a recurring role as Cindy, the roommate of Ted's future wife Tracy.

Rachel Bilson starred as Summer Roberts on "The O.C." CBS

"Lost's" Jorge Garcia played Steve "The Blitz" Henry on a Thanksgiving-themed episode.

Jorge Garcia starred as Hugo "Hurley" Reyes on "Lost." CBS

Abigail Spencer's character was simply referred to as "Blahblah" — because Ted couldn't remember her name.

Abigail Spencer has appeared on shows like "True Detective" and "Grey's Anatomy." CBS

Maury Povich played himself in the episode "Subway Wars."

Maury Povich is the long-time host of "Maury." CBS

Tim Gunn had a fitting role as Barney's personal tailor.

Tim Gunn is known for being a producer and mentor on "Project Runway." CBS

Jane Seymour played Professor Lewis, one of Marshall's teachers at law school.

Jane Seymour has won two Golden Globe awards. CBS

Bryan Cranston guest-starred as Ted's demeaning boss, Hammond Druthers.

Bryan Cranston won a Golden Globe for his role as Walter White on "Breaking Bad." CBS

Cranston isn't the only "Breaking Bad" cast member who showed up on "HIMYM." Bob Odenkirk also appeared on a few episodes.

Bob Odenkirk stars on AMC's "Better Call Saul." CBS

"Glee" actress Jayma Mays guest-starred as a coat closet attendant at a club.

Jayma Mays played Emma Pillsbury on "Glee." CBS

In 2013, "Full House's" Dave Coulier guest-starred as himself.

Dave Coulier played Joey Gladstone on "Full House." CBS

Danica McKellar played Trudy on one of the series most puzzling episodes — "The Pineapple Incident."

Danica McKellar starred as Winnie Cooper on the '80s and '90s show "The Wonder Years." CBS

Busy Philipps later appeared as Trudy's friend, Rachel.

Philipps starred on "Freaks and Geeks" and "Dawson's Creek." CBS

Billy Zabka made several appearances as himself throughout the series.

Billy Zabka starred as the villain in "The Karate Kid" franchise. CBS

Ralph Macchio showed up at Barney's bachelor party as himself.

Ralph Macchio got his start as the hero of "The Karate Kid." CBS

Judy Greer played Royce, one of the many women Ted dated.

Judy Greer has been in several movies, including "13 Going on 30" and "The Descendants." CBS

Kendra Wilkinson starred as herself on the cover of a tabloid magazine.

Kendra Wilkinson is best known for being a Playboy bunny. CBs

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag — aka Speidi — taunted Marshall for his bathroom insecurities.

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are realty stars. CBS

Kim Kardashian managed to help Marshall get over his fear of using a public restroom.

Kim Kardashian is a reality star and beauty mogul. CBS

Sarah Chalke starred as Stella, the woman who would break Ted's heart and leave him at the altar.

Sarah Chalke became a household name after starring on "Scrubs." CBS

Ted claimed that he gave Weird Al the idea for "Like a Surgeon."

Weird Al is a musician known for his clever parodies. CBS

Will Forte made several appearances as Randy Wharmpess, a colleague of Barney and Marshall's.

Will Forte has appeared on "SNL" and "Last Man On Earth." CBS

Keegan-Michael Key and Casey Wilson guest-starred as Calvin and Krirsten, a couple that Robin and Barney encountered while on a dinner date.

The actors appeared on season eight. CBS

Ted asked a student named Penelope, played by "The Gifted" star Amy Acker, to help him do a rain dance.

You might recognize Amy Acker from "Alias" and "Angel." CBS

Actor Martin Short played a senior partner named Garrison Cootes at an environmental law firm called Honeywell and Cootes.

Martin Short starred as Jack Frost in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause." CBS

Robbie Amell played Robin's dog-like boyfriend Nate Scooberman, who preferred the nickname Scooby.

Robbie Amell played Ronnie Raymond on "The Flash." CBS

Tracey Ullman appeared as Robin's mother, Genevieve Scherbatsky, on the final season.

Tracey Ullman won a Golden Globe in 1988. CBS

"The Vampire Diaries" star Candice King looked unrecognizable with red hair on season two.

Candice King on season two of "How I Met Your Mother." CBS

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