The most famous guest stars from 'Gilmore Girls'

Gilmore Girls didn't just serve as a launching pad for series regulars like Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Jared Padalecki, Milo Ventimiglia, and Melissa McCarthy — many famous faces stumbled into the quaint town of Stars Hollow over the years. Some were well-established figures already, including Madeleine Albright, Carole King, and Paul Anka (the real guy, not the dog), while others, like Jon Hamm, Max Greenfield, and Danny Pudi, had bright futures ahead of them.

Let's take a look back at some of Gilmore Girls' most famous guest stars, many of whom pop a little more now than they did in the early-2000s.

01 of 16

Jon Hamm

Five years before becoming Don Draper, Jon Hamm played a man named Peyton Sanders on Gilmore Girls. The star joined the show as a bad date for Lorelai Gilmore in the 2002 episode "Eight O'Clock at the Oasis."

02 of 16

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane stepped in front of the camera for two episodes of Gilmore Girls in 2002 and 2003, playing two different characters. The Family Guy star appeared as Emily Gilmore's lawyer Bob in season 3's "I Solemnly Swear," and Zach, a guy Lorelai attends business school with in the season 2 episode "Lorelai's Graduation Day."

03 of 16

Jane Lynch

The Glee actress appeared in one Gilmore Girls episode in 2000, long before she became Sue Sylvester. Jane Lynch played a nurse in "Forgiveness and Stuff," tending to Richard Gilmore during his stay in the hospital after suffering heart problems.

04 of 16

Nick Offerman

The Parks and Recreation actor had a memorable turn on Gilmore Girls as Beau Belleville. Nick Offerman played Jackson's older brother in 2003's "The Festival of Living Art" and 2005's "Always a Godmother, Never a God."

05 of 16

Nasim Pedrad

Before making her way to Saturday Night Live, Nasim Pedrad had a brief stint on a 2006 episode of Gilmore Girls. The hilarious star played an unnamed waitress in the season 6 installment "Bridesmaids Revisited."

06 of 16

Max Greenfield

Max Greenfield may have taken some inspiration for New Girl's Schmidt from the character he played in a 2003 episode of Gilmore Girls. He appeared in "Chicken or Beef?" as Lucas, a boisterous member of Dean's bachelor party.

07 of 16

Madeleine Albright

The late former Secretary of State made an appearance on Gilmore Girls as herself. Madeleine Albright came to Rory Gilmore in a dream in 2005's "Twenty-One Is the Loneliest Number."

08 of 16

Ben Falcone

Ben Falcone made an appearance in his now-wife Melissa McCarthy's show in 2003. The Bridesmaids star played Mr. Brink in the episode "Say Goodnight, Gracie."

09 of 16

Carole King

Not only did Carole King provide the famed theme song for the show, but she also picked up a role on Gilmore Girls. The iconic singer played Sophie Bloom, the owner of a local music store, in 2002's "Help Wanted," as well as 2005's "To Live and Let Diorama" and "He's Slippin' 'Em Bread... Dig?"

10 of 16

Danny Pudi

The future Community actor was featured in four episodes of Gilmore Girls as Yale Daily News staffer Raj. Danny Pudi made appearances in 2006's "French Twist," "Go, Bulldogs!," "You've Been Gilmored," and "Friday Night's Alright for Fighting."

11 of 16

Victoria Justice

Just 10 years old at the time, Victoria Justice earned her first television credit for Gilmore Girls' 2003 episode "The Hobbit, the Sofa, and Digger Stiles." She played "Jill #2," an attendee at a birthday party where Lorelai Gilmore and Sookie St. James were working.

12 of 16

Colin Egglesfield

The Something Borrowed actor picked up a small role on Gilmore Girls in 2004. Colin Egglesfield played a guy named Sean in "Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin' the Twist," hitting on Rory Gilmore while she's on a spring break trip.

13 of 16

Mary Lynn Rajskub

The 24 star had two small roles on Gilmore Girls. Mary Lynn Rajskub played a girlfriend in a movie that Kirk made in 2002's "Teach Me Tonight," later returning as a troubadour in 2006's "Partings."

14 of 16

Norman Mailer

Famed writer Norman Mailer appeared in Gilmore Girls' aptly titled 2004 episode, "Norman Mailer, I'm Pregnant!" He played himself, joining Lorelai Gilmore and Sookie St. James at their inn.

15 of 16

Paul Anka

Singer Paul Anka, who was the namesake for Lorelai Gilmore's dog, joined Gilmore Girls as himself in 2005. He was featured with Lorelai in a dream sequence in the episode "He's Slippin' 'Em Bread... Dig?"

16 of 16

Abigail Spencer

Abigail Spencer popped up in the sixth season of Gilmore Girls, joining the 2006 episode "Bridesmaids Revisited" as Megan. The True Detective actress played a bridesmaid at Logan's sister's wedding.