Lou Ferrigno (King of Queens) and Wil Wheaton (Big Bang Theory) have had recurring sitcom roles as a character who is something of a parody of themselves, living in the same neighborhood and often interacting with the show's regular characters. Are there any other instances like this? I guess I'd exclude something like Danny Thomas, where the main character is supposed to be a famous show business person himself and could be expected to know people in show business.

Robert Goulet carved out a similar little niche for himself, playing himself as a past-his-prime lounge singer in George and Leo, King of Queens, Mr. Belvedere, and I think other shows. Have any other celebrities done something similar?

Susan Lucci playing a version of herself on "Hot In Cleveland" is the only instance I can think of. Although that was only for a handful of episodes.

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

No. Susan Lucci was never on Friends that I know of. However, she did guest star on "Hope & Faith" (the Kelly Ripa/Faith Ford sitcom) playing a soap star, but not one named Susan Lucci.

didn't she also do that on "FRIENDS" once?

You may be thinking of Susan Sarandon playing a soap star on the show.

I never watched it, but James Vanderbeek played a version of himself on Don't trust the B in Apt. 23, or whatever that thing was called.

You may be thinking of Susan Sarandon playing a soap star on the show.
THAT'S it!

Jennifer Grey played herself in the late 90's sitcom It's Like, You Know..., I think she even lived in the neighborhood, and was shown as a fading star.


As for playing parodies of themselves, on the sitcom Holliston, a few horror celebs have appeared as themselves, but shown as complete opposites of how they are in real life. Danielle Harris played herself as crazy, and using people to get what she wants. Kane Hodder played himself neurotic and suicidal and can't get over the fact he was replaced in Freddy Vs Jason. Tony Todd also uses people, stays overnight at the 2 main character's apartment and won't leave.

Mary Tyler Moore played herself in an episode of Ellen. Carrie Fisher also played a version of herself in a different episode of Ellen

Speaking of Robert Goulet, he played himself in an episode of Boy Meets World.

Jerry Seinfeld played himself being pestered by Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman) in an episode of NewsRadio.

Martha Stewart played herself in an episode of Ellen.

Martha Stewart played herself in an episode of Ellen.

Oh yes. Come to think of it Ann Rice did, too.

And how could we forget Ron Palilo (TV's Horshack), who showed up in maybe two or three episodes as himself?!? Or for that matter Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played himself in an episode.

Square Pegs -
John Densmore, the original drummer for The Doors, played himself as a drummer for Johnny Slash's new wave band. Densmore was in two episodes of the series.

Johnny Carson (or his voice at least) played himself on a 7th season episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Jon Voight, Bette Midler, Fred Savage, Keith Hernandez and Roger McDowell all played themselves on Seinfeld. I'm probably forgetting about some others.

Here's a question - Do The Brady Bunch live near Lucille Ball? There was an episode where Alice arranged for Marcia to meet Desi Arnaz Jr. and Alice said something about knowing Lucille Ball's housekeeper.

Bette Midler played a version of herself in the short-lived 2000's sitcom "Bette' which aired on CBS.

Marisa Tomei also played herself on Seinfeld, and if I remember so did actress Raquel Welch.

Actor Mark Hamill played an obnoxious version of himself on an episode of Just Shoot Me!

Ed.

George Takei played himself once on"3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN", Robin Williams played himself once on "MORK & MINDY", Lucille Ball played herself once on "HERE'S LUCY", Doris Day played herself once on "THE DORIS DAY SHOW", Redd Foxx played himself once on "SANFORD & SON", Jackie Gleason played himself once in a "THE HONEYMOONERS" sketch on "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW".