House M.D., the legendary TV doctor renowned for his razor-sharp wit, welcomed a plethora of renowned guest stars throughout its incredible eight-season, 177-episode journey. These actors didn’t just make fleeting appearances; they seized the spotlight for an entire episode, captivating audiences with their extraordinary performances that often surpassed the rest of the cast. It’s no wonder their presence left an indelible mark on viewers, etching their names into the show’s rich tapestry.
1. Michael B. Jordan
Episode: Love Is Blind
Role: Will Westwood
In this episode of House, season eight introduces Jordan as a blind man who finds himself battling a mysterious illness at the worst possible moment – right before he’s about to propose to his girlfriend. As his health deteriorates, the team manages to save him initially. However, he begins to believe that the side effects of his treatment are far worse than death itself.
2. Amanda Seyfried
In the episode titled “Detox,” Seyfried took on the role of Pam in the first season of the show. Pam was Keith Foster’s girlfriend. Keith was the patient at the center of this particular episode, who experienced a scary incident of coughing up blood while driving, causing a car accident. It was an interesting departure for Seyfried, considering she had just portrayed Karen in Mean Girls. However, she also made appearances on other popular shows like CSI and Law & Order: SVU.
3. Sarah Wayne Callies
Episode: Open And Shut
Role: Julia
Sarah Wayne Callies, better known as Lori from The Walking Dead, made an appearance in this season six episode of House in 2010. She played the character Julia, who is involved in an open marriage. This is made clear right from the beginning when she is about to have a casual encounter, but her husband unexpectedly shows up.
Rather than getting upset, he apologizes for interrupting and leaves, giving her the space to continue. However, Julia starts experiencing intense abdominal pain and ends up in the hospital. She is treated by Thirteen, Chase, Forman, and Taub, who becomes intrigued by her open relationship.
4. LL Cool J
In the season two premiere episode titled “Acceptance,” LL takes on the role of Clarence, a death row inmate who has been convicted of four murders. These include his girlfriend, a prison guard, and two fellow inmates. During one of his exercise sessions, Clarence starts experiencing intense hallucinations of the people he has killed. The hallucinations become so overwhelming that he screams out and eventually collapses.
As a result, Clarence is rushed to the hospital where he is placed under the care of a cardiologist. However, Dr. House becomes fascinated by Clarence’s case and requests to take over. Intrigued by the hallucinations and their potential underlying causes, Dr. House is determined to investigate further and unravel the mystery surrounding Clarence’s condition.
5. Ryan Hurst
In this episode, called “The Mistake,” we witness the consequences of Chase’s error, which sadly led to the death of a patient named Kayla McGinley. Hurst takes on the role of Sam McGinley, Kayla’s brother, who is understandably upset about the prolonged wait for his sister’s treatment. Sam decides to take legal action against the hospital and eventually reaches a settlement with Cuddy, resulting in disciplinary measures for both Chase and House.
6. Evan Peters
In the episode titled “Last Resort,” I had the chance to see Oliver, played by the talented American Horror Story star. Oliver is a teenager who finds himself in a sticky situation when he becomes a hostage of another patient named Jason at the hospital. Initially, he misses a golden opportunity to escape, but his curiosity gets the better of him, and he chooses to stick around with House and Thirteen as they try to unravel Jason’s mysterious condition. To everyone’s relief, Oliver eventually manages to make a daring escape in the end.
7. Stephanie Courtney
In this particular episode titled “Selfish,” we are introduced to Stephanie Courtney, whom many recognize as Flo from the Progressive Insurance commercials. She takes on the role of Claire in the second episode of the seventh season. The story revolves around a 14-year-old girl named Della, who collapses during a skateboarding exhibition. Claire plays Della’s mother in the episode.
Facing an incredibly difficult and heart-wrenching situation, Claire and her husband find themselves confronted with a life-altering decision. They are forced to choose between allowing their daughter to pass away or opting for a risky lung transplant from their other child, Hugo. This transplant, however, would come at the cost of shortening Hugo’s life as well.
It is through this emotional and challenging scenario that Stephanie Courtney’s character, Claire, must navigate. The episode delves into the complexities of Claire’s role as a mother, as she grapples with the weighty consequences of her decision.
8. Ryan Hurst
