22 Best Celebrity Cameos On The Rookie

Originally released in 2018, The Rookie has carried on through six seasons, with a seventh season renewal recently confirmed. Starring Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, the LAPD's oldest rookie, the series navigates the character's adventures as he navigates this new career path in his mid-forties. With creator Alexi Hawley, The Rookie showcased some fresh takes on modern police procedurals and combined the occasional humor with the harsh realities of police officers in the LAPD. The Rookie's exceptional casting and gripping storylines gave it the edge in a crowded market. Additionally, The Rookie incorporated a multitude of exciting celebrity cameos that may have surprised fans.

Early in the series, The Rookie implemented some of the most exciting celebrity cameos on TV. From will.i.am to Mark Cuban, The Rookie excited viewers with its spot-on celebrity cameos and sparked fervor among fans well into the later seasons. The show was already thrilling, with its unique premise, but spotting fan-favorite celebrities made it that much more enticing to watch.

Updated September 2, 2024, by Joshua M. Patton: One of the fun things about The Rookie being set in Los Angeles is how naturally it allows recognizable figures to appear as themselves or, in the case of other guest stars, as original characters. From faces fans know from movies and television to former castmates from previous Nathan Fillion projects, the celebrity guests add elements of fun to a show that can get pretty heavy at times. This article has been updated to match CBR's new formatting standards, as well as to showcase even more of The Rookie's celebrity guest appearances.

22TikTok Star and Rapper Connor Price Took Fans Behind-the-Scenes

Price Appeared in a Comedy Cameo as a Drug Dealer and DJ

The cast of The Rookie are no stranger to posting TikTok videos, with Tim Bradford actor Eric Winter and Lucy Chen actor Melissa O'Neill very active on the platfform. Connor Price, however, is a genuine TikTok star, and he appeared in a comedic cameo in the second episode of Season 6 as John Nolan's and Bailey Nune's wedding DJ, and also a drug-dealer. On his TikTok account, he posted a video of his appearance and his audition.

In the scene, Nolan and Bailey are simply stopping by to pay him for his DJ services. Yet, during the visit he brandishes an illegal knife, discusses selling stolen property and, the final straw, offered the two of them felony weight of MDMA. Despite all the criminality, it's a funny scene in which Nolan really tries to be present as a fiancé and not a cop.

21Eric Weddle and Robert Woods Brought NFL Energy to The Rookie

The Football Stars Showed Up in an Episode About Community Outreach

In the second season of The Rookie, Officers Jackson West and Tim Bradford are sent to do some community policing. The two are dispatched to help the Watts Rams as they train for their youth football league games. However, both police officers are joined by some real-life NFL players on the gridiron.

Los Angeles Rams players Eric Weddle and Robert Woods both appear as themselves. As per usual with celebrity cameos on The Rookie, the two NFL stars are there merely to have fun. The scenes in which West and Bradford interact with them are wonderfully light moments in an episode where the other stories are a bomb threat and Nolan's trouble with relationships.

20The Rookie Feds Cast Showed Up In The Rookie's Season 6 Finale

Just Because Their Series Ended Doesn't Mean Their Characters Vanished

Despite only lasting for a single season, The Rookie: Feds embraced crossovers with the original series, and that attitude continues even though the series is finished. In the Season 6 finale, Felix Solis, Kevin Zegers, and Britt Robertson reprised their roles as Matthew Garza, Brendon Acres, and Laura Stensen, respectively. Since the Mid-Wilshire police department was compromised by a corrupt police therapist, Sergeant Gray didn't know who in the LAPD to trust. This was not these characters' first time on The Rookie either. individually they appeared in three to five episodes through Season 4 and 5.

While these actors aren't the most recognizable names on this list, this Season 6 cameo was a big deal for the future of The Rookie: Feds' characters after the series was canceled by ABC. Despite no longer appearing on their own weekly show, they are alive and well in The Rookie universe. This means (pending actor availability and a good story) these characters, or others from Feds including lead character Simone Clark, could appear in future episodes.

19Breaking News: Jake Tapper Tweeted His Way Into a Rookie Cameo

The CNN Commentator Also Shouted Out His Hometown Baseball Team

The Rookie Season 5, Episode 7 "Crossfire" is a heavy episode in which Nolan and the officers of the Mid-Wilshire precinct help bring closure to the victims of a killer. However, the episode ends with a light-hearted moment showing the ensemble celebrating Halloween. Nolan and Bailey, both dressed as Captain America, see Jake Tapper and his real-life son at their door. Nolan comments on his Phillies jersey, saying he looks like "that guy from CNN."

Tapper identifies himself, and Nolan comically replies that's not who he's thinking of. This particular cameo likely came about because of a tweet the CNN anchor shared with Nathan Fillion in February 2021. "[M]y son, 11, and I have been watching The Rookie, and we really love it. Thanks for making a show like this," he wrote. Executive producer Alexi Hawley shared it on his own Twitter/X feed, and likely reached out to Tapper's agent.

18Mario Lopez Was an Early Cameo Not Saved by the Bell

His Cameo Was a Blink-and-Miss-It Moment in The Rookie Season 1

During the first season of The Rookie, when Chenford wasn't even on fans' radars yet, Tim Bradford was Lucy Chen's training officer. He was tough on her, never giving an inch to his "boot." Yet, in the Season 1 finale, Internal Affairs was trying to catch police officers violating protocol on duty. This is where Mario Lopez came in speeding dangerously in a flashy sports car.

Mario Lopez's appearance was a trick played on Bradford and Chen by Internal Affairs, and it almost worked on Lucy.

Bradford and Chen see him run a stop sign, and Chen is obviously enamored by the handsome celebrity. As he tries to talk his way out of the ticket, even offering a "bribe" of movie premiere tickets, Bradford realizes it's a set-up. Angry, Bradford throws the book at him, writing up for no fewer than a half-dozen citations.

17Felicia Day Played a Not "Horrible" Doctor on The Rookie

The Guild Star and Nathan Fillion Have Hollywood History

Shows and Films With Both Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
• Robot Chicken (2001-2022)
• The Guild (2007-2013)
• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)
• Husbands (2011-2013)
• Lust for Love (2014)
• Con Man (2015-2017)

Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day are both mainstays of genre television and geek culture. However, they both played grounded characters on The Rookie. In Season 5's "Exposed," Day doesn't just cameo, she's a full-fledged guest star. She plays Doctor Morgan, who enlists the Mid-Wilshire Precinct's help with tracking down people who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus.

However, Fillion and Day go way back to the 2007 Writer's Guild of America strike, when they teamed up with other actors for an online, musical web series. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was an early streaming sensation, with Fillion playing the superhero "Captain Hammer," and Day as the primary love interest Penny. Unfortunately, the story doesn't end well for her.

16Joel McHale Appeared As Brad Hayes On An Earth-Shaking Episode

The Comedic Actor Brought His Signature Wit to The Rookie as a Criminal and Snitch

Joel MacHale was one of the most unexpected celebrity cameos on The Rookie. Joel McHale is famous for hosting the satirical weekly show The Soup and his unforgettable role as Jeff Winger on the popular television sitcom Community.

Joel McHale appeared in The Rookie, Season 1, Episode 17, "The Shake Up," in the role of Brad Hayes, whose work has made him the target of a dangerous cartel. The Rookie gave Joel McHale a fitting part, as fans could identify many instances of plain satire and apparent arrogance McHale's characters were usually known for.

15Nicey Nash-Betts Took a Cameo and Built a Series Out of It

The Rookie Feds Spinoff Didn't Last Long, but It Made Its Mark

Niecy Nash-Betts appeared on The Rookie as a kind of mirror character to John Nolan in Simone Clark, a presumably "too old" trainee for the FBI. However, during her appearance in two episodes in The Rookie Season 4, the universe created by Alexi Hawley expanded to the federal level. While this is not technically a cameo — it's more of a backdoor pilot — Nash's Clark brought a new, exciting energy to the show. She made a natural friend and foil, depending on the circumstances for John Nolan, as well.

Simone Clark crossed over from her series onto The Rookie twice in Season 4, and twice more in Season 5. Of course, The Rookie Feds was unfortunately canceled by ABC, and Nash is an actor in demand. The chances of seeing Simone Clark appear on episodes of The Rookie in the future appear slim, though since her costars showed up in Season 6, anything is possible.

14Frankie Muniz Played Corey Harris, A Child Star-Turned-Cult Leader

Malcolm In The Middle Made Muniz a Child Star, but Not a Cult Leader (Yet)

Frankie Muniz was another surprising celebrity cameo on The Rookie, with the series seemingly enjoying his acting skills to the point where a whole episode was dedicated to his character. Frankie Muniz is generally known for his role as Malcolm in the popular family comedy Malcolm in the Middle. His appearance on the show seemed to poke fun at that pop culture notoriety but with a disturbing criminal twist.

The Rookie, Season 3, Episode 7, "True Crime" surrounded child actor-turned-cult leader Corey Harris, played by Frankie Muniz. This episode was especially interesting as it was filmed through the perspective of a true-crime documentary trying to unveil the many mysteries of Harris' cult. This is a format The Rookie returned to more than once.

13Mark Cuban Played Himself On The Rookie (While Promoting Shark Tank)

Mark Cuban also appeared on The Rookie, with Cuban playing the role of none other than himself. Pittsburgh, PA native Mark Cuban is known for many things, but mostly his recurring presence on the well-known ABC reality television show Shark Tank.

Playing himself in a TV show was probably a considerable honor for Mark Cuban (and a little bit of ABC vertical integration), with pictures teasing his appearance on The Rookie, Season 2, Episode 1, "Impact" well before the season actually aired. In this episode, Cuban only played a minor role in calling the LAPD on an excited business owner who wanted to pitch Cuban his company.

12Kelly Clarkson Got Her Cameo On The Rookie After An Interview

Kelly Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, and writer known for her singing talents and kind-hearted nature. Clarkson's cameo on The Rookie was actually in planning for a year after the cast of The Rookie appeared on her popular The Kelly Clarkson Show.

With The Rookie, Season 5, Episode 12, "Death Notice," Clarkson finally made it onto the show and gave fans a funny start to the episode. The episode saw Clarkson holding balloons and a bouquet in a hospital elevator, with nearly all the main Rookie characters joining her while seemingly looking roughed up.

11Molly Quinn Played A Daughter On The Rookie, Just Not Nathan Fillion's

Molly Quinn was known for her role as Alexis Castle, daughter of Richard Castle, in the American crime mystery TV Show Castle. This was especially funny, as actor Nathan Fillion plays The Rookie's main character, John Nolan, and Castle's lead, Richard Castle.

Molly Quinn assumed the role of Ashley, the daughter of recurring criminal Oscar Hutchinson, during The Rookie, Season 3, Episode 8 "Bad Blood." It was probably not the reunion fans were hoping for, as the characters of both actors stood at the opposite line of the law. She appeared for a second time in Season 5, Episode 12, "Death Notice," where her father gets leave from prison to donate a kidney to her.

10Pete Davidson Shows Up on The Rookie For Some Brotherly Love

Pete Davidson was a rather unexpected surprise for The Rookie fans. Pete Davidson is generally known as a successful comedian whose jokes sometimes crossed the lines, giving the comedian a trademark image. This presented Pete Davidson with many opportunities in series and movies such as The Suicide Squad (with Nathan Fillion) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

The Rookie brought Pete Davidson on for more than just a cameo, as he portrayed the role of Pete Nolan, John Nolan's estranged stepbrother. Pete was the exact opposite of the responsible John Nolan, and traveled through the country while taking drugs and getting in all kinds of trouble. Their relationship flourished throughout the series and left both with a growing connection. He appeared once in Season 2, with two more appearances in Season 4.

9Flula Borg Shines as Skip Tracer Randy on The Rookie

Flula Borg was a German actor and comedian and became a recurring character on The Rookie. Flula Borg became famous through his involvement with a multitude of animated movies, such as Trolls World Tour, or arguably his most successful role as Pieter Krämer in Pitch Perfect 2. However, he starred with Nathan Fillion in The Suicide Squad directed by James Gunn.

During his time on The Rookie, Flula Borg played Randy, a skip tracer turned bounty hunter whose cheery attitude nearly got him killed on several occasions. Randy definitely left an impression on the characters of The Rookie and fans alike, with his German accent and positive attitude to hunting criminals. He appeared in three episodes during Season 4 and returned for one more appearance near the end of Season 5.

8Will.i.am Helped Get It Started On The Rookie

Musician Will.i.am's unexpected cameos on The Rookie came early in the series and set the tone for the celebrity cameos that followed. Will.i.am is an extremely accomplished rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer with hits like "Scream and Shout," reaching over a billion views on YouTube.

Will.i.am made his celebrity cameo in The Rookie, Season 1, Episode 10, "The Checklist." During this cold open, a stalker tried to reach Selena Gomez's house with the help of a parachute; luckily, they missed and landed in Will.i.am's backyard. Needless to say, the rapper was far from impressed but left the LAPD officers with quite the star-struck moment.

7Rainn Wilson Collects Dead Celebrities In The Rookie's Universe

Rainn Wilson was another one of those big names that made it onto The Rookie. Rainn Wilson became famous with the extremely successful mockumentary The Office and has since starred in other movies and shows. In 2023, he started his own documentary where he pursued the secrets behind being happy in Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss.

The Rookie, Season 3, Episode 7, "True Crime" featured Rainn Wilson acting as himself during another mockumentary involving Corey Harris, played by Frankie Muniz, a child actor who became a cult leader. In this episode, Rainn Wilson was interviewed after Rainn's ill-gotten Charlie Chaplin mummy was found inside Harris' house. Rainn Wilson's celebrity cameo was undoubtedly just one factor that added to this episode's strangeness.

6Emily Deschanel Solved The Mystery Of John Nolan's Ex-Wife

Emily Deschanel was arguably one of The Rookie's most unexpected but well-received cameos. With Bones, Emily Deschanel rose to fame, and fans of both The Rookie and Bones could revisit their admiration of her acting through The Rookie's excellent casting choice.

Emily Deschanel played Sarah Nolan, John Nolan's wife, and made her first appearance in The Rookie, Season 3, Episode 12, "Brave Heart." Fans of The Rookie have wondered who would leave the likable John Nolan from the beginning of the series, but seeing Emily Deschanel on-screen definitely created some surprise. Equally surprising is that, despite being a show about a divorced father changing his life, Nolan's ex-wife has only appeared one time, despite their amicable separation.

5Like A Leaf On The Wind, Alan Tudyk Flies High As Ellroy Basso

Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion go way back to the cult-classic space adventure series Firefly, and his beloved character Wash suffers a heartbreaking and memorable death in the film sequel Serenity. Like Maher, he never made it to Castle with his former captain. He and Fillion teamed up for a hit web series called Con Man about the fan convention circuit. While currently the star of Resident Alien on SyFy, Tudyk was able to find some time to show up on The Rookie as a charming character.

Ellroy Basso works in "bioremediation," which is a fancy word for cleaning up crime scenes. He forms a friendship with John Nolan, who even serves as Ellroy's wingman with the recurring character Nell Forester. In the climax of "Clean Cut," Nolan and Basso are chased by criminals, and his shrieks of terror end up saving the day by distracting them long enough for Nolan to shoot them. He showed up again in Season 4, Episode 22, "A Day In the Hole." When a remote station occupied by Nolan comes under siege, Ellroy proves his mettle by helping to fight off the criminals.

4Castle Alum Tamala Jones Showed Up As A Reality TV Mom

Aaron Thorsen was added to The Rookie after Officer Jackson West was killed off rather unceremoniously. Eventually, his family was introduced as people very influential in the entertainment industry, specifically reality TV. His mother, Yvonne, is the matriarch of their entertainment empire. In Season 4, Episode 16, she returns in "Real Crime" when a family friend and longtime producer is murdered. The investigation revealed she had an affair, which damaged her relationship with her son.

Tamala Jones played Yvonne, and her appearance brought about yet another reunion for Fillion and one of his Castle cast mates. Appearing in the pilot of that series, Jones played Dr. Lanie Parrish. While the character often appeared and was beloved by the fans, Jones was never actually a series regular.

3Seamus Deaver Showed Up As Sleazy Political Aide Chaz Bachman

In the same episode featuring Castle alum Jon Huertas, his partner on the show, Seamus Deaver, also appeared in a smaller role. It's just a single scene, but Deaver played it perfectly, proving why he was one of the most valuable performers in Nathan Fillion's previous police procedural. As Detective Kevin Ryan, he was one of the most loyal friends and a heroic police officer. In The Rookie, he takes on an entirely different kind of role that brought laughs to a very heavy episode.

In Season 2's "The Bet," along with the Homeland Security storyline, Officer West is involved in a chase that results in a child accidentally shooting his mother. Even with the titular bet between Chen and Bradford about his love life, the episode was light on laughs. So, when Nolan and Lopez pull over Chaz Bachman after seeing him buy drugs, he tries to schmooze his way out of a ticket. Nolan calls his bluff by calling his boss, and he confesses to purchasing the drugs.