Brooklyn Nine-Nine: 12 Celebrity Cameos You Might Have Forgotten About

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 6 Promo Picture

Since 2013, Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans have counted on the crew of the 99th Precinct. These fans have come to expect hilarious moments as they watch them try to navigate the complicated criminal world of New York. Not only does Brooklyn Nine-Nine have a hilarious cast of regulars, but also many comedians have delivered an entertaining Brooklyn Nine-Nine cameo or two.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns to its new home of NBC on February 6, 2020. Before Peralta (Andy Samberg), Holt (Andre Braugher), Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), Scully and Hitchcock (Joel McKinnon and Dirk Blocker), and Jeffords (Terry Crews) get back to work, NBC wants to make sure that they stay around for at least one more season: NBC renewed Brooklyn Nine-Nine for season 8. This is a smart decision by NBC because of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s huge fan support and history of major guest star cameos. We can’t wait to see what the cast and crew of Brooklyn Nine-Nine plan for Season 7 and 8, and to see who plans to pop-by the 99th Precinct. As we get ready for Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 7, let us look back at some of the series’ cameos that you may have forgotten.

Adam Sandler in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Adam Sandler

During Season 1, Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans were excited to see Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg reunite on-screen. Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg first appeared together on-screen playing father and son in That’s My Boy. The two former Saturday Night Live alumni have also both provided their voices to the animated Hotel Transylvania series, and Samberg had a small role in Grown Ups 2. Because of their friendship, it makes perfect sense that Sandler wanted to help his buddy out by making a cameo.

During an auction scene, Adam Sandler plays himself as he heckles Jake Peralta. Though Adam Sandler actively tries to humiliate Jake, Peralta gets the best line of the scene. When Sandler mentions that he is making a movie about the Russian Revolution, Jake responds by asking who Kevin James will play?

Bill Hader in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Bill Hader

The multiple Emmy winner Bill Hader is best known for playing various characters, like Stefon, on Saturday Night Live. He’s also known for his darkly hilarious role on the HBO series Barry.

In Brooklyn 99, Bill Hader appeared in the Season 3 premiere, “New Captain,” as Captain Holt’s replacement, Seth Dozerman. Dozerman takes a much more strict approach to running the 99th precinct than Holt. Dozerman’s intensity leads to him being a very short-term captain. It’s a very different role for Hader who usually plays more laidback characters, but Hader creates an extremely amusing temporary captain.

Nick Offerman in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nick Offerman

Many Parks and Recreation fans know Nick Offerman for being the ultimate man, and an expert woodsman of things like boats and furniture. These fans also know Nick Offerman for his role as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation. Offerman also gets paid to encourage people to make things as a co-host on the NBC reality-series Making It. He hosts alongside Amy Poehler.

Offerman appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3 (Episode 8), “Ava.” In it, he plays Captain Holt’s ex-boyfriend Frederick. Frederick and Holt didn’t have the most amicable breakup, which leads to some very entertaining passive aggressive moments between them. Nick Offerman doesn’t stretch his acting muscles too much in this episode, because basically he plays a less intense version of Ron Swanson. By no means are we complaining, because Ron Swanson is a hilarious and memorable character.

Maya Rudolph in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Maya Rudolph

Andy Samberg once again reunited with a Saturday Night Live alumni when Maya Rudolph made her guest appearance on the two-part Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 4 premiere, “Coral Palms Part 1 and 2.” Besides Saturday Night Live¸ Maya Rudolph has a long list of film and television appearances, including The Good Place, Bridesmaids, Forever, Big Mouth, and Wine Country.

Maya Rudolph plays Karen Haas, a United States Marshall assigned to help Jake and Holt while they’re in the Witness Protection Program. Rudolph has a limited role in these episodes, but she definitely adds her signature Rudolph humor to her scenes.

Oscar Nunez in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Oscar Nunez

The Office fans best remember Oscar Nunez for his role as Oscar Martinez in the series. He has also had series regular roles on Benched, People of Earth, and Mr. Iglesias.

Oscar Nunez appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3 episode 12, “9 Days.” Nunez plays Dr. Porp, the doctor who lets Holt and Peralta know that they’ve contracted the mumps and need to quarantine themselves. His appearance is very brief, so most of the comedy comes from Peralta, Santiago, and Holt’s reaction to the news.

Zooey Deschanel in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Zooey Deschanel

Most people recognize Zooey Deschanel for her roles on New Girl and 500 Days of Summer. Some even may remember Zooey Deschanel for her band She & Him. When New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine were both on Fox, the network decided to have a crossover event with characters from both series. Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) becomes an unwilling companion as Jake tries to catch a thief in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 4 (Episode 4), “The Night Shift.”

The first scene with Jess involves Jake and her teaming up and arguing the whole way, until they crash. It’s an odd combination considering Jake and Jess’s very different personalities, but it was still cool to see Fox try something different by crossing over the two series. Some of the other crossover scenes have hilarious results, like the one involving Boyle, Nick (Jake Johnson), and Winston (Lamorne Morris).

Nathan Fillion in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion has appeared in many different television series and movies, but he’s best known for his roles in Firefly, Big Mouth, The Rookie, and Castle. Recently, he joined the cast of Suicide Squad 2.

In Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 4 (Episode 14), “Serve & Protect,” Fillion plays Mark Devereaux, an actor on Jake and Rosa’s favorite detective series. Devereaux tries to use his fake detective skills to assist them when a crime happens on set. It’s a fun episode that allows Nathan Fillion to play the-over-the-top characters that he does so well.

Ryan Phillippe in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Ryan Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe gained most of his fame from appearing in edgy teen movies in the late 1990s, such as Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Recently, he gained more fans by appearing in Shooter from 2016 to 2018.

Phillippe appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 14 (Episode 21), “The Bank Job.” He played Milton Boyle, one of Charles’ cousins that had a secret relationship with Gina (Chelsea Peretti), which results in her pregnancy. The best thing about Ryan Phillippe’s guest appearance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the shocking moment when fans realize that there are hot Boyle cousins.

Sterling K. Brown in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown is a double Emmy winner for his roles in The People v. O.J Simpson: American Crime Story and This is Us. He has also had starring roles in Hotel Artemis, Black Panther, Army Wives, and Frozen II.

In Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 (Episode 14), “The Box,” Sterling K. Brown plays a dentist turned suspected murderer Philip Davidson. Brown brings confidence and smoothness to the character that makes you wonder if Jake and Raymond will ever get a confession. Sterling K. Brown creates one of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s most memorable criminals, and he helps the series deliver one of its best episodes.

Nicole Byer in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nicole Byer

Nicole Byer first started to gain recognition by appearing on MTV’s Girl Code. MTV eventually gave her a starring role in Loosely Exactly Nicole. However, most people recognize Nicole Byer for being the infectiously bubbly host on Netflix’s Nailed It! Byer has also had guest appearances on Bob’s Burgers, The Unicorn, and The Good Place.

She plays Doug Judy (Craig Robinson)’s sister, Trudy Judy on Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 6 (Episode 5), “A Tale of Two Bandits.” Jake and Doug team up to prove his innocence, and to prove that he is not the Pontiac Bandit anymore. All clues lead back to Doug, but twist, it was his sister Trudy. Nicole Byer creates a hilarious new character that expands on the universe of the Judy family, as well as creating a new Pontiac Bandit who might be slyer than the original.

Mario Lopez in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez began his acting career as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell. After appearing in several television shows and movies, Mario Lopez settled into hosting duties. He appeared on Extra from 2008 to 2019, and recently, Lopez joined the Access team.

In Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 6 (Episode 4), “Four Movements,” Gina tries to spend time with each member of the 99th Precinct to before she leaves. She assigns Jake with planning her going away party. He wants to make it extra special by getting Mario Lopez to make a cameo. Eventually, Jake succeeds in getting Mario Lopez there, but Gina sends him away to just spend time with her actual friends. Mario Lopez has fun with the role, even quoting his Saved by the Bell character. His appearance also gives us peak Gina as she revels in sending a celebrity away from her party.

Neil deGrasse Tyson in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson is a leading astrophysicist who also runs the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York. He has also made many television cameos, including on Family Guy, BoJack Horseman, Stargate: Atlantis, and The Big Bang Theory.

Neil deGrasse Tyson plays himself on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In Season 3, Terry recruits him to help Gina learn astronomy for her upcoming test. Terry and deGrasse Tyson go to the same gym. The funniest moment from his short appearance is when Brooklyn Nine-Nine flashes back to Terry and Neil deGrasse Tyson in the gym. Terry is struggling, but deGrasse Tyson finds it easy because of physics.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine will continue to have memorable cameos, so make sure to catch Holt, Peralta and the rest of the crew on NBC in February. The first six seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are also available to stream on Hulu.

Jerrica Tisdale
Freelance Writer

Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. I have been a life long lover of pop culture, especially television, turned that passion into writing about all things entertainment related. When I'm not writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay by kicking people out the kitchen.