There are more crossovers than you think!
1.
Ellen Pompeo as the high school sweetheart on Friends
ABC
Just a year before the Grey’s Anatomy pilot aired, Ellen Pompeo played Missy Goldberg in Friends. She was the target of Ross and Chandler’s affections during high school, and they made a pact that no one would try to date her.
2.
Mariska Hargitay as potential Elaine on Seinfeld
ABC
Before we knew her as Olivia Benson, Mariska had a role in an episode of Seinfeld. She auditioned to play Elaine on Jerry’s show-in-a-show.
3.
Kristin Davis as girlfriends on Seinfeld and Friends
ABC
Prior to Sex and The City, Kristin Davis had supporting roles on both of NBC’s iconic sitcoms. On Seinfeld, she used a toothbrush that fell in the toilet – much to Jerry’s disgust – and on Friends she played one of Joey’s one-night stands, which he eventually fell in love with.
Fun fact: Kristin actually auditioned for the role of Monica!
4.
Bryan Cranston as Jerry’s dentist in Seinfeld
ABC
Though of course he’s now best known for Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston began his career with a five-part arc on Seinfeld.
5.
Catherine Keener as Jerry’s artist friend in Seinfeld
ABC
She only appeared in one episode, but Catherine Keener’s character, Nina, was responsible for the iconic artwork called “The Kramer.” The actor has since starred in The 40 Year Old Virgin and Get Out.
6.
Jennifer Coolidge as a masseuse on Seinfeld and as a fake Brit on Friends
ABC
In “Seinfeld,” the legendary Jennifer Coolidge played Jerry’s masseuse friend, Jodi, who he desperately wanted a massage from. A decade later, she played Monica and Rachel’s friend, who developed a terrible British accent after living in the UK.
7.
Courtney Cox as Jerry’s fake wife in Seinfeld
ABC
We love crossovers! Just months before the “Friends” pilot aired, Courtney Cox had a role on an episode of “Seinfeld” as Jerry’s girlfriend, posing as his wife for a free dry cleaning service.
8th.
And Steve Zahn as Phoebe’s fake husband in Friends
ABC
Steve Zahn made his name in movies like You’ve Got Mail in the ’90s and ’00s, but one of his first big roles was in Friends as a Canadian ice dancer who married Phoebe for a green card.
9.
Denise Richards as Hottie on Seinfeld and Friends
ABC
In 1993, Denise Richards starred in Seinfeld as Molly, the 15-year-old daughter of the NBC chairman, who George gets caught at. Seven years later, she appeared on Friends as Cassie, Ross and Monica Geller’s cousin.
10
Debra Messing as Jerry’s racist date in Seinfeld
ABC
Before joining Will & Grace, Debra Messing appeared on Seinfeld as Beth, a friend of Jerry and Elaine. She appeared in two episodes – one as Jerry’s wedding date, though he immediately dumped her after she said something racist.
11.
Sarah Silverman as Kramer’s surprisingly good-looking girlfriend in Seinfeld
ABC
Prior to her successful stand-up comedy career, Sarah Silverman starred as Kramer’s hottie on Seinfeld.
12.
Aisha Tyler as Charlie in Friends
ABC
Early in her career, with few acting credits under her belt, Aisha Tyler starred in nine episodes of Friends as Charlie Wheeler, a love interest of Joey and Ross.
13.
Maggie Wheeler as the voice girl on Seinfeld and Friends
ABC
Apparently Maggie Wheeler played the nasal Janice in Friends. But did you know that she was also on Seinfeld? She played one of Elaine’s friends who is romantically involved with George – who says he loves her “mellifluence” voice.
14
Teri Hatcher as one of Jerry’s friends on Seinfeld
ABC
Teri Hatcher had a small but very memorable role on Seinfeld as Jerry’s girlfriend, who he suspected has breast implants. This was the actress’ big break as she starred in Lois & Clark, Tomorrow Never Dies and of course Desperate Housewives.
fifteen.
Molly Shannon as Elaine’s nemesis in Seinfeld
ABC
Molly Shannon had already been a cast member on SNL for two years when she appeared in 1997’s Seinfeld as Elaine’s co-star, who walks without moving her arms.
16
Rebecca Romijn as Dirty Girl in Friends.
ABC
Rebecca Romijn’s very first acting role was in Friends. She played Cheryl, a girl who was dating Ross – only for everything to fall apart when she saw how messy her apartment was.
17
Christine Taylor as love interests on Seinfeld and Friends
ABC
Before starring in Zoolander and Dodgeball, Christine Taylor starred in both iconic ’90s sitcoms. On Seinfeld she played Ellen, Jerry’s girlfriend, and on Friends she played Bonnie, Phoebe’s girlfriend who was set up with Ross.
18
Mae Whitman as Girl Scout on Friends
ABC
Mae Whitman appeared in Season 3 of Friends in one of her very first roles as Sarah, a girl scout who sells cookies so she can go to space camp.
19
Jon Lovitz as the wrong cancer guy on Seinfeld and the stoned guy on Friends
ABC
Seinfeld fans definitely remember the story of Jon Lovitz on the show as Jerry’s boyfriend who pretended he had cancer. He actually appeared on Friends twice, eight years apart. He started out as “the stoned guy,” a restaurateur Monica was trying to impress. Later in the series, his character has an unsuccessful blind date with Rachel, and it turns out he lost his job due to a drug problem.
20
Melora Hardin as Marcel’s attacker in Friends
ABC
You’ll probably recognize her as Jan from The Office, but before she took on the role, Melora Hardin played Celia, one of Ross’ girlfriends, in the first season of Friends. In the end, she is attacked by his pet monkey, Marcel.
21
Bob Odenkirk as a failing doctor on Seinfeld
ABC
Long before Breaking Bad, Bob Odenkirk played Elaine’s doctor friend, who kept failing his bar exam.
22
James Spader as an ice cream vendor in Seinfeld
ABC
Prior to his starring roles in The Blacklist and The Office, James Spader starred as Jason Hanky, a childhood friend of George’s who worked at Baskin Robbins. He was personally invited by Jerry Seinfeld to play the role as the two were close friends.
23
Patton Oswold as a video store clerk in Seinfeld
ABC
A young Patton Oswold made waves as a clerk at a video store in Seinfeld season 6 before making his name with King of Queens.
24
Reese Witherspoon as Rachel’s sister in Friends
ABC
Early in her career, Reese Witherspoon appeared in two episodes of Friends as Rachel’s sister Jill, who is trying to date Ross.
25
Brad Garrett as Jerry’s mechanic in Seinfeld
ABC
Jerry’s auto mechanic Tony was played by none other than Everyone Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett. It was one of his first acting appearances and helped the actor to establish himself as a TV star.
26
Kathy Griffin as Seinfeld’s annoying girlfriend
ABC
Comedian and actress Kathy Griffin appeared in two episodes of Seinfeld in the ’90s. She played Susan’s old roommate, Sally Weaver, who gives Jerry a big wedding present for George and Susan.
27
Lauren Graham as speed dial data at Seinfeld
ABC
Long before Stars Hollow, Lauren Graham played another of Jerry’s girlfriends in Seinfeld. Her character Valerie has him on speed dial after only two dates.
28
Rob Schneider as another of Elaine’s nemesis on Seinfeld
ABC
Another SNL star who appeared on Seinfeld, Rob Schneider played Elaine’s partially deaf colleague Bob.
29
Larry Hankin as two iconic roles in Seinfeld and Friends
ABC
Larry played fairly iconic roles on both shows. On Seinfeld he took on the role of Kramer on Jerry’s Show and on Friends he played their neighbor Mr. Heckles. He was originally dubbed “The Weird Man” in his first episode.
30
Jim Rash as the Phalange Fearer on Friends
ABC
Jim Rash – who later starred in “Community” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” – appeared in the very final episode of “Friends” as a nervous plane passenger opposite Rachel.
31
Anna Gunn as Jerry’s girlfriend in Seinfeld
ABC
There’s something in the air with these Breaking Bad actors and Seinfeld cameos. Anna Gunn played Amy, Jerry’s girlfriend who he suspects is having an affair with his cousin Jeffrey.
32
Jeremy Piven as a potential George in Seinfeld
ABC
Jeremy Piven appeared on Seinfeld as an actor auditioning for the role of George on Jerry’s fictional show.
33
Jason Alexander as a disgruntled office worker in Friends
ABC
Of course we know him as George. But after Seinfeld ended, Jason Alexander landed a role on Friends as a depressed office worker.
34
Jon Favreau as friend and clown on Seinfeld and Friends
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images/NBC/Netflix
Friends fans will definitely recognize Jon Favreau as Monica’s millionaire friend Pete. But his role in Seinfeld is not easily remembered. He played Eric, the clown who angered George when he didn’t know who Bozo was.
35
George Clooney as a hot doctor on Friends
ABC
George Clooney had already made his mark on television when he appeared in a Season 1 episode of Friends with his ER co-star Noah Wyle.
36
Debra Jo Rupp as booking agent at Seinfeld and wife at Friends
ABC
This actor may not be widely known, but surely you recognize her as the mom on That ’70s Show? She appeared twice on Seinfeld as Jerry’s (incompetent) bookings manager Katie, and on Friends she played the role of Frank Jr.’s former Home Ec teacher and now-wife.
37
Leah Remini as a heavily pregnant woman on Friends
ABC
One of Leah Remini’s earliest roles was on the first season of Friends, as a woman going into labor who was helped by Joey. In fact, Leah was one of the many women who auditioned for the role of Monica before Courtney Cox landed the part.
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