During Sunday’s Bill Cosby-filled episode of Family Guy, Peter’s sister Karen comes to Quahog for Thanksgiving. Because she was a bully and because Peter hated being bullied as a kid, he never talks about her and both his kids and the audience had no idea that she existed. But when Karen opened her mouth, one thing I was certain of was that Karen had a very familiar voice, but not familiar enough that it was instantly recognizable. Turns out, it was Kate McKinnon, SNL‘s every-week MVP, playing a female wrestler after having previously worked with Seth MacFarlane in Ted 2.
Family Guy is a broad show — in its jokes, its stories, and its characters — but it’s deceptive when it comes to voice actors. There are celebrities who play themselves, like the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Liam Neeson, Tom Brady, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Then there are those who are playing almost-recognizable characters. Here are 15 examples of the latter.
Guest Star: Anna Kendrick
Episode: “Internal Affairs”
Role: Nora, Joe Swanson’s new cop partner
Guest Star: Anne Hathaway
Episode: “Go, Stewie, Go!”
Role: Mother Maggie, the host of Jolly Farm Revue
Guest Star: Cate Blanchett
Episode: “Mr. and Mrs. Stewie”
Role: Penelope, the ultra-evil female Stewie
Guest Star: David Lynch
Episode: “The Splendid Source”
Role: Gus the Bartender (also on The Cleveland Show)
Guest Star: Ed Helms
Episode: “FOX-y Lady”
Role: An impression of Al Gore
Guest Star: Ellen Page
Episode: “Tom Tucker: The Man and His Dream”
Role: Lindsey, Chris’ girlfriend who looks like Lois
Guest Star: Glenn Howerton
Episode: “The Book of Joe”
Role: Blake Walker, the publisher of Joe’s book, The Hopeful Squirrel
Guest Star: Jessica Biel
Episode(s): “Brian the Bachelor” and “Valentine’s Day in Quahog”
Role: Brooke Roberts, Brian’s bachelorette
Guest Star: Jim Parsons
Episode: “Joe’s Revenge”
Role: A gay skyjacker. Yup, that’s it.
Guest Star: Lauren Bacall
Episode: “Mom’s the Word”
Role: Evelyn, who falls for Peter (until he accidentally kills her)
Guest Star: Nick Kroll
Episode: Nick Kroll
Role: Ricky, Peter and Quagmire’s music agent
Guest Star: Robert Downey Jr.
Episode: “The Fat Guy Strangler”
Role: Patrick Pewterschmidt, Lois’ insane brother
Guest Star: Sofia Vergara
Episode: “The Giggity Wife”
Role: An unnamed flower saleswoman
Guest Star: Tom Hiddleston
Episode: “No Country Club for Old Men”
Role: A statue of Peter’s ancestor
Guest Star: Will Ferrell
Episode: “Mr. Saturday Knight”
Role: The Black Knight
