8 Most Surprising Guest Stars on Blue Bloods

Filmed in New York, Blue Bloods is surrounded by stars, but we were really surprised to see some of these iconic names on screen.

8. Ed Asner

His appearance on Blue Bloods marked one of the last television appearances of the late Ed Asner, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. Asner, a multiple Emmy Award winner and former president of the Screen Actors Guild, starred as Chuck Kennedy, a friend of Frank's who was the victim of a home invasion.

7. Chazz Palminteri

When audiences see Chazz Palminteri on screen, they either think of him as a crime boss or as Jay's friend Shorty on Modern Family. The revered actor is no stranger to guest starring on crime shows, having appeared on Blue Bloods as a lawyer for a dangerous mobster.

6. Melissa Benoist

Glee alum turned superhero Melissa Benoist is best known for her role as Supergirl in several DC movies, including Arrow, The Flash and Batwoman, and also starred opposite Miles Teller in Whiplash. For her guest appearance on Blue Bloods, Benoist ditched the superhero cape to play a victim's girlfriend, and only appeared in two small scenes, which is why so many people forget she ever appeared on the show.

5. Method Man

Grammy Award-winning rapper Method Man was not the guest star we expected to see on Blue Bloods, but in addition to a successful music career, Method Man has had many acting roles, including appearances on Law and Order and CSI, and added Blue Bloods to his list after guest-starring as a gang member in three episodes.

4. Victor Garber

From his roles in Titanic to Legally Blonde, as well as appearances on Broadway, Garber has proven himself to be a versatile performer and took on the role of a respected Jewish community leader who is dissatisfied with the department's work in solving a string of drive-by murders of Jewish men.

3. Bobby Cannavale

After starring in Will and Grace, Boardwalk Empire and even Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp, two-time Emmy Award winner Bobby Cannavale was an exciting new face on Blue Bloods, appearing in 3 episodes of the crime drama as Erin's boss, an ambitious Manhattan district attorney.

2. Danny Trejo

Trejo's intimidating looks have seen him in many big crime roles, and he also guest-starred on Blue Bloods as a cartel member known as "The Clam" who was a suspect in the murder of Delgado's wife. Trejo is no stranger to playing gritty villains, and while he only appeared in one episode, he undoubtedly left his mark on Blue Bloods.

1. Whoopi Goldberg

With her massive success in the entertainment industry, Whoopi Goldberg may be one of the most surprising talents to guest star on Blue Bloods. Playing the role of New York City Council Speaker Regina Thomas, Goldberg appeared in just three episodes, once in seasons 6, 8 and 11, often challenging Frank at the department.