Grayson West
“Sex and the City” offered more than Carrie and her close-knit circle—it also attracted a surprising lineup of famous faces. Throughout its run, numerous celebrities popped up in quick but memorable appearances, sometimes in roles fans barely noticed. Looking back, it’s surprising how many recognizable stars briefly joined the show’s glamorous world. Here are 20 stars who stepped into the spotlight.
Andy Cohen
Next time you rewatch Season 4, pause during the gay bar scene. You will spot Andy Cohen in his blink-and-you-miss-it cameo as “Shirtless Guy.” The moment lasts only seconds, but it is notable for one reason: years later, Cohen and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw, became close friends off-screen.
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper made a quick appearance in the “They Shoot Single People, Don’t They?” episode. His character, Jake, swept Carrie Bradshaw off her feet with a kiss in his convertible. However, the moment collapsed when he saw her awkward magazine cover, a reminder that even small details can instantly change someone’s impression.
Matthew McConaughey
In Season 3’s “Escape from New York,” Carrie finds herself in Hollywood, meeting Matthew McConaughey to discuss turning her column into a movie. He portrays an exaggerated, eccentric version of himself, and the conversation quickly turns awkward. By the end, Carrie is visibly uneasy and eager to leave the strange meeting.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Season 3 brought in Debbie, a Hollywood executive portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who tried to lure Carrie into selling the film rights to her work. Debbie’s fast, nonstop talking and constant need for compliments quickly became exhausting. Carrie soon sensed that Debbie’s bubbly excitement was less about true interest and more like a well-rehearsed act.
Tony Hale
Before “Arrested Development” made him a household name, Tony Hale appeared on “Sex and the City.” In the Season 4 episode titled “The Real Me,” he portrayed Tiger, a waiter with offbeat charm. His distinctive attentiveness to guests hinted at the comedic style that later defined Buster Bluth.
Kristen Johnston
Played by Kristen Johnston, Lexi Featherston was introduced in the “Splat!” episode as a washed-up party girl mourning her glory days. She delivered an intense speech about how New York’s nightlife had lost its magic. Mid-rant, she fell from a window and turned the scene into one of the show’s most shocking moments.
Jennifer Coolidge
Season 6 featured Jennifer Coolidge as Victoria in the episode “The Perfect Present.” In the role, she created handbags with eccentric shapes and unusual details, but Samantha Jones, the show’s bold and outspoken publicist, showed little enthusiasm for them. The scene humorously highlighted how extreme fashion ideas can miss the mark.
Elizabeth Banks
In Season 3 of “Sex and the City,” Elizabeth Banks played Catherine, the polished fiancee of a politician. Her brief appearance took place during a glamorous fundraiser and lasted only a few moments on screen. Even in that short time, her confident presence was memorable.
Timothy Olyphant
During Season 1’s episode “Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys,” Timothy Olyphant played Sam, Carrie’s short-term love interest. At first, his easy charm drew her in. That changed when she saw his messy apartment and questionable hygiene, quickly ending the romance.
Kat Dennings
Season 3’s “Hot Child in the City” introduced Jenny Brier, a teen with expensive tastes and big party plans, played by Kat Dennings before her Hollywood breakthrough. Her extravagant bat mitzvah prep, part of a Jewish tradition, came with quick jabs and confident flair, stealing the spotlight from Samantha herself.
Alanis Morissette
The Season 3 episode “Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl…” showcased Alanis Morissette as Dawn, a character attracted to both men and women, who joined a playful spin-the-bottle game. During the game, Dawn kissed Carrie. It became her only on-screen kiss with another woman and remains iconic for its bold and surprising twist.
Geri Halliwell
Imagine turning on “Sex and the City” and suddenly spotting a Spice Girl. That’s exactly what viewers got in Season 6’s “Boy Interrupted,” when Geri Halliwell played Phoebe at a lively Soho House party. Her energy, style, and pop star charisma fit right in with the show’s fashionable Manhattan atmosphere, delighting fans.
Lucy Liu
Some celebrities are happy to joke about themselves on screen. In Season 4’s “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” Lucy Liu appeared as herself and hired Samantha Jones, the show’s bold and glamorous PR pro, as her publicist. When Samantha used her name to get the luxury handbag Birkin, Liu confronted her on the spot, firmly ending their business relationship.
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi guest-starred in Season 2’s “Games People Play” as Seth, a man Carrie meets while attending therapy. She enjoyed their conversations so much that she kept returning to the sessions, and he eventually invited her on a date. The date took an unexpected turn after Seth admitted he feared commitment.
David Duchovny
In Season 6’s “Boy Interrupted,” David Duchovny took on the role of Jeremy, Carrie’s high school sweetheart. They reconnected years later, and she learned he now lived in a psychiatric facility. Their reunion ended there and delivered a bittersweet conclusion to what began as a nostalgic reconnection.
Justin Theroux
Dating the same man twice is one thing, but being involved with the same actor as two different people is another. Carrie first met Jared in Season 1, a writer with performance issues. In Season 2, he returned as Vaughn, whose family adored her. Yes, she dated both, which cemented him as a cameo.
Nathan Lane
Carrie learned a quick lesson in assumptions during Season 5’s “I Love a Charade.” Nathan Lane appeared as Bobby Fine, the lively lounge singer with a flair for the dramatic. Everyone, including Carrie, believed he was gay; however, his wedding to Bitsy von Muffling, a wealthy New York socialite, proved them wrong.
Margaret Cho
Confidence sometimes needs a little push. In “The Real Me,” Lynne Cameron, the whip-smart producer portrayed by Margaret Cho, gave Carrie exactly that by convincing her to model in the fashion show’s runway lineup. Her quick wit and firm guidance turned Carrie’s hesitation into a confident, crowd-pleasing moment.
Peter Hermann
Peter Hermann’s role as David in Season 6’s “Hop, Skip and a Week” gave Charlotte her first post-divorce date. It was an evening filled with pleasant conversation and promising chemistry. That promise dissolved unexpectedly when a dog bite ended the night and made the storyline a brief though memorable comedic moment.
Carrie Fisher
Season 3’s “Sex and Another City” offered Carrie Fisher a chance to play herself with unapologetic poise. She welcomed Samantha to her LA home; however, things soured when Carrie Bradshaw exposed her assistant, Keith, for sleeping with Samantha in her bed. Fisher fired him, leaving no doubt about her stance on boundaries.