Though many shows that aired during the late '90s and early '00s would go on to gain nostalgic notoriety, few earned the label of "cult classic" in quite the way that Buffy the Vampire Slayer did. After first airing on March 10, 1997, the show about a teenage vampire hunter and her friends quickly caught the attention of young women everywhere, serving as a foundational example of feminist butt-kickery that has maintained its influence among fans to this day.
As was the case for many TV series airing at this time, a number of now-notable actors made some of their earliest cameos on the show, alongside rising star Sarah Michelle Gellar and other series regulars. In fact, of all the Buffy guest stars who became famous, quite a few have become household names. Here are some of the most famous Buffy guest stars.
Pedro Pascal enjoyed a brief, one-episode stint on Buffy playing the role of Buffy Summers’s college acquaintance Edward. Sadly, he was apprehended one evening on campus and turned by a group of vampires, leading to Buffy staking him by the end of the episode.
Pascal, who had only played a few minor parts prior to his Buffy spot, went on to build a successful career, appearing in a number of TV series and films including CSI, Homeland, and perhaps most recognizably, Narcos, Game of Thrones, and The Mandalorian.
Amy Adams appeared in only one episode of Buffy as Beth Maclay, the cousin of Willow's true love Tara Maclay, who had been welcomed into the Scooby Gang thanks to her impressive Wicca skills. When Beth and the rest of Tara’s family comes to town demanding that she return home with them, Tara refuses - aided by Buffy and her new chosen family.
Adams went from this minor part to recurring roles on successful shows such as The Office and King of the Hill. A starring role in Enchanted vaulted her to mega-stardom, leading to roles in American Hustle,Vice, and Arrival.
Felicia Day, AKA Vi, spent a good portion of Season 7 fighting alongside Buffy as a Potential (a slayer-in-training) chosen by the Watchers Council. She helped achieve the closure of the Hellmouth in Sunnyvale and, by the end of the season, headed off to organize a front line in New York.
Day, who had played only a few TV roles prior to her Buffy appearance, went on to play roles in successful films such as Bring It On: Again, as well as a number of recurring appearances in TV series such as Outlands, Adventure Time, and Supernatural. Thanks in part to her webseries The Guild, Day became a darling of the gamer community.
Season 1, Episodes 2, 7
Season 2, Episode 21
Season 5, Episode 7
Appearing as Darla
Julie Benz had a recurring role as Darla on Buffy with a particularly influential and complex backstory branching all the way back to the 16th century. As the very first vampire ever to appear on Buffy - and one who "survived" all the way to the third season of spinoff series Angel - she in many ways served as the antitheses to Buffy, both in appearance and in action. Having been turned by the Master himself, she was responsible for causing mayhem across centuries of civilizations in the Buffyverse.
Benz had a substantial number of single-episode appearances on TV series prior to landing her role on Buffy, as well as her subsequent role on Angel, and went on to play roles in successful series such as Desperate Housewives, Dexter, and Hawaii Five-O.
Rachel Bilson played the role of Colleen in a single episode in Season 7 of Buffy. Colleen is one of the Potential Slayers who are seeking training before the Battle of the Hellmouth is to be undertaken; she appears in an extremely intimate dream of Xander's.
Bilson went on to have a long-recurring role on The O.C., as well as on How I Met Your Mother and Hart of Dixie.
Clea DuVall played Marcie Ross, a key character in this particular episode. Marcie is a wallflower who falls victim to the powers of the Hellmouth, eventually becoming invisible - a power she then uses to torment other students and faculty at her school as revenge for her feelings of rejection.
DuVall appeared in '90s hits like The Faculty, Girl, Interrupted, and She’s All That, and later gained fame for her roles in Heroes, American Horror Story, Veep, Broad City, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
