The West Wing’s 10 Best Guest Stars, Ranked

Aaron Sorkin’s show, The West Wing, was known for featuring both famous actors and rising stars who made a strong impression in smaller parts. Sorkin clearly has a knack for casting, as he often works with the same actors across his different projects.

The seven seasons of The West Wing were perfect for memorable guest appearances. Because the main characters constantly faced new challenges in the political arena, they frequently met new people who became friends or allies. The show’s generally sincere tone also helped these guest actors leave a strong emotional impact on viewers.

With The West Wing now available on Netflix, it’s a great time to revisit the show and remember some of the fantastic actors who made guest appearances and the roles they played.

10. Felicity Huffman As Ann Stark

Felicity Huffman, known for her role in Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night, plays Ann Stark in “The Leadership Breakfast.” Ann is the chief of staff for the Republican Senate Majority Leader, and her arrival causes tension among the senior staff. She uses her complicated past with Toby to try and get him to go against CJ’s wishes.

The episode is awkward because Toby and CJ are already close friends. “The Leadership Breakfast” emphasizes the power dynamic within the staff – specifically, Toby’s position above CJ – as he uses his authority to make CJ move the press conference after breakfast to the Capitol.

Ann’s actions created a lot of tension between Toby and CJ, but Felicity Huffman really shines when it’s revealed Ann deliberately manipulated Toby. She leaked a private comment, sabotaged the press conference, and left both Toby and the viewers unsure of who was to blame until the damage was done.

9. John Larroquette As Lionel Tribbey

As fans of his work on Night Court would expect, John Larroquette brings a knack for comedy to his role on The West Wing. He plays Lionel Tribbey, the White House Counsel, who, in the episode “And It’s Surely To Their Credit,” is both hilariously unpredictable and genuinely good-hearted.

In the episode “And It’s Surely To Their Credit,” Lionel is in a bad mood and goes around angrily brandishing a cricket bat. He gets even more upset when Leo tells him that Ainsely Hayes, a Republican, will be his new assistant at the White House. He’s so frustrated that he storms into the Oval Office to complain to the President, who is currently giving a speech on the radio with an audience present.

Initially, Tribbey takes a hands-off approach with Ainsley, only suggesting she avoid overly formal language. However, after discovering Ainsley was mistreated during her initial task, he intervenes, revealing a protective side that establishes him as a supportive and reliable figure.

8. Mary-Louise Parker As Amy Gardner

I always loved the story of how Mary-Louise Parker landed her role on The West Wing. Apparently, she left Aaron Sorkin a voicemail – a pretty bold one! She basically told him that Josh Lyman needed some romance in his life, and she was the woman for the job. It worked, too – she showed up in the very next episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Though, looking back, I’d say Amy Gardner ended up causing Josh more heartache than happiness, wouldn’t you?

Their relationship is complicated, with frequent miscommunication and both people occasionally working against each other. This pattern mirrors Parker’s appearances on the show, where they come and go for a few episodes at a time.

Amy worked several jobs during this period, but she’s best remembered for briefly being the First Lady’s chief of staff. Her direct personality, combined with the clear connection she shared with Josh – even though they often clashed – reveals a softer side to Josh and hints at the romantic feelings he has for Donna.

Amy’s character on The West Wing was mostly known for its humor. Later, Mary-Louise Parker played a similar role in Jenji Kohan’s Weeds, bringing that same quirky and confident energy to the new show.

7. Adam Arkin As Dr. Stanley Keyworth

Adam Arkin appears in a memorable episode of The West Wing called “Noël,” where Josh attends therapy to explore potential PTSD. Arkin, who is well-known for his work on Chicago Hope, plays the role of Josh’s therapist, Dr. Stanley Keyworth.

Like many storylines in The West Wing, the interaction between Keyworth and Josh is both clever and competitive. Keyworth quickly understands Josh’s patterns, and despite Josh’s resistance, Keyworth demonstrates his skill. He unexpectedly cuts their long session short, with Josh wanting to continue, but Keyworth claims Josh is simply too straightforward a patient for him to be challenged.

Later, in the episodes “Night Five” and “Holy Night,” Keyworth becomes the President’s therapist, helping him deal with insomnia. Just as he did with Josh, Keyworth is able to connect with President Bartlet, leading to a productive session that leaves the President wanting to continue therapy despite his initial reluctance.

6. Mark Harmon As Simon Donovan

Mark Harmon, famous for his role on NCIS, appeared in a memorable and emotional storyline on The West Wing. Following a series of death threats, CJ Cregg was given a temporary Secret Service bodyguard, Agent Simon Donovan.

At first, CJ is hesitant about the increased security Donovan provides, but his calm and sophisticated personality quickly wins her over, and they begin a romantic relationship. Like many characters on The West Wing, CJ’s dedication to her job creates challenges in her personal life. However, in the episodes “The Black Vera Wang” and “We Killed Yamamoto,” Donovan offers her some genuinely kind and appreciated affection.

Honestly, I was gutted when Donovan died in “Posse Comitatus.” He was shot while stopping a robbery, and even though he was only around for four episodes, actor Harmon really made an impression. It’s not just about how CJ reacted to it – Donovan’s whole story felt genuinely tragic, and it’s still one of the saddest moments in the show for me.

5. Marlee Matlin As Joey Lucas

Similar to how Amy Gardner affects him, Joey Lucas makes Josh clumsy and awkward around someone he’s attracted to. Donna’s enthusiastic, and rather obvious, attempts to push Josh towards Joey also reveal her own romantic feelings. While it’s clear Josh and Donna are meant to be together, actress Janel Moloney gives such a strong performance as Joey that you can’t help but hope she and Josh end up together.

Marlee Matlin, the actress, and her character, Joey, are both deaf. Joey always has her interpreter, Kenny (played brilliantly by Bill O’Brien), by her side, and the two work together seamlessly. Their timing is perfect, whether they’re aiming for laughs or a powerful emotional impact.

Some of Joey’s most iconic scenes happen when she confidently takes charge, dismissing Kenny’s help to make her point – like when she emphatically declares, “You idiot! I’m Joey Lucas!” Beyond providing Josh with comedic relief, Joey proves to be a reliable and skilled pollster, becoming a valuable asset to the entire White House staff. While Amy often created both personal and professional turmoil, Matlin’s portrayal of Joey consistently improves The West Wing in every way.

4. Matthew Perry As Joey Quincy

Surprisingly, Matthew Perry received two Emmy nominations for his guest role on The West Wing – one more than he got during all ten seasons of Friends. In his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big, Terrible Thing, he shares that he was a devoted fan of the show before he was even cast.

Joe Quincy was introduced in “Evidence of Things Not Seen” when Josh interviewed him for the Associate White House Counsel position, hoping to find a replacement for Ainsley Hayes. The interview stretched on longer than expected because the White House went into lockdown. Throughout the conversation, Perry seemed capable and agreeable, but also came across as strangely unsettling, yet not threatening.

Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford have immediate and engaging chemistry together. When Josh starts going on and on about something strange he’s noticed about Joe, Donna jokingly asks, “Are you writing poetry about this now?” And honestly, it’s a fair point – his explanation is getting pretty flowery.

Even with only three episodes, Perry gives a performance that people will remember and that deserves awards. Because of their great chemistry in The West Wing, Sorkin created his next show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, specifically to feature Perry and Whitford together again.

3. Oliver Platt As Oliver Babish

Oliver Babish quickly becomes central to the most dramatic and emotionally charged plotline of the series. Stepping in as the new White House Counsel after Lionel Tribbey’s sudden exit (which is largely ignored), Babish immediately faces a huge legal challenge: dealing with the fallout from President Bartlet’s decision to publicly disclose his multiple sclerosis.

Watching Babish in action reminds me a lot of Stanley Keyworth – he really pushes everyone, even the President, to their limits. But what grounds the whole thing is Oliver Platt; he delivers a performance that feels totally authentic. He’s confident, professional, smart, and just…calm. It’s a really reassuring presence amidst all the chaos.

He intensely questions CJ about how she concludes her meetings with the President, specifically if she asks if there’s anything else he thinks she should be aware of. His serious tone makes it clear this detail is crucial. However, he frequently lightens the mood with humor, similar to the way he plays his character in the show The Bear.

2. Elisabeth Moss As Zoey Bartlet

Elisabeth Moss began her television career at age 17 with a role on The West Wing, playing President Bartlet’s daughter, Zoe. Throughout the series, she skillfully depicted a young woman whose innocence was touched by the harsh realities of public life. Her character’s relationship with Charlie was particularly compelling, forced to grow up quickly after a dangerous attack on his life.

The fourth season of The West Wing concludes with a shocking event: Zoe’s kidnapping. This mirrored a moment from season one where President Bartlet sternly warned Zoe about the risks that came with her position, a conversation that deeply upset her. Even if the storyline hadn’t come full circle, that earlier scene immediately highlighted Elisabeth Moss as a talented addition to the show’s cast.

Even among the rest of her now-storied career, Moss’s performance as Zoe is one to remember.

1. Emily Procter As Ainsley Hayes

Emily Procter does a fantastic job portraying Ainsley, the first Associate White House Counsel. Her character immediately causes tension with the senior staff, who are unhappy about working so closely with someone from the Republican party. For much of her time on the show, Ainsley’s main role is to offer a dissenting opinion from the other characters.

The show frequently mentions Ainsley’s looks, but the actor, Procter, pulls off a remarkable feat: she portrays Ainsley as humble without being submissive, having strong opinions without being argumentative, and incredibly smart without talking down to anyone. Ainsley is open-minded and, crucially, so genuinely likable that both the characters within the show and the viewers are compelled to respect her.

As a big fan of The West Wing, one of the things I always loved was how genuinely warm everyone was to each other. The staff really embraced Abby, and it was touching to see them all come together to welcome her. Usually, the main characters all see eye-to-eye, so having someone who thinks differently was fantastic. It created some really compelling drama and allowed for some incredibly powerful conversations. It just made the show feel more real, you know?

While Ainsley often finds herself in conflict, her scenes are frequently funny. A prime example is her first interview with Leo, filled with awkward but brilliantly acted conversation. This continues as she reveals her fear of meeting the President and deals with her less-than-glamorous office—located in the building’s basement, playfully referred to as the Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue.

As a big fan of The West Wing, I always felt a little frustrated by how some great characters just disappeared without much of a send-off. But honestly, for me, the departure of Emily Procter as Ainsley Hayes was the most disappointing. It really felt like a huge loss for the show.

2025-12-16 00:33