‘Party of Five’ Ended 25 Years Ago — And You Totally Forgot These Big Names Guest Starred
It wasn’t just Party of Five, it was party of many. If you rewatch the ’90s family drama now, you’d see tons of familiar faces, as you’ll discover in the lineup of famous guest stars below.
Debuting on September 12, 1994, and ending on May 3, 2000 — a quarter-century ago now! — the Fox series followed the lives of the young Salinger siblings, orphaned after the deaths of their parents, and their friends and significant others.
The show struggled to find its audience in its first two seasons — TV Guide Magazine called it “The Best Show You’re Not Watching” in 1995 — but a Golden Globe win for best TV drama in 1996 gave it a much-needed boost.
And speaking of boosts, Scott Wolf told TV Insider recently that playing Bailey Salinger on Party of Five began his career in earnest. “I’m still incredibly proud of being part of that show,” he added. “It was such a beautiful experience on and off camera. Second family with that whole cast, still in touch with all of them. Some of the best times in my life.”
Those best times included the actors below, who all made appearances on the show — some in recurring roles, some in blink-and-you-miss-them parts. Here are some of the show’s famous alumni.
Lauren Ambrose
David Gray / © Columbia Pictures Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection
In Party of Five‘s sixth season, this Six Feet Under and Yellowjackets star played the troubled teen Myra Wringler, whom Charlie (Matthew Fox) tutors before her mother makes insinuations about their relationship.
Julie Bowen
This Modern Family star portrayed Shelley, a coworker who denies Charlie’s advances, in the Season 2 episode “Unfair Advantage.” (Fun fact: Bowen later played Matthew Fox’s ex-wife in Lost.)
Billy Burke
This Fire Country actor played a club patron in Season 1’s “Father and Sons” and Gil, a random guy that Justin’s (Michael A. Goorjian) friend Allison (Poppy Montgomery) flirts with, in Season 2’s “Poor Substitutes.”
Michael Cudlitz
Prior to Southland and The Walking Dead, Cudlitz popped up as Schuyler, a crass Merchant Marine pal of Griffin’s, in Season 4’s “Past Imperfect.” Diss alert: Julia (Neve Cambell) deemed Schuyler “Popeye the Sailor Pig.”
Wilson Cruz
: © Columbia Tri-Star TV / Courtesy: Everett Collection
This My So-Called Life actor appeared in nearly a dozen Season 6 episodes, playing Victor, a nanny for both Daphne (Jennifer Aspen) and the Salinger family.
Charles Esten
An alum of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Nashville, Esten played Luke Sheppard, Daphne’s boyfriend, in Season 6.
Patricia Heaton
In Season 2’s “Poor Substitutes” and “Comings and Goings,” this Everybody Loves Raymond actor guest-starred as Robin Merrin, biological mom of Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
Kate Hudson
This rom-com queen got her first screen credit in 1996 when she played Cory, a coworker of Justin’s who may be more than just a friend, in Season 2’s “Spring Breaks: Part 1.”
Jane Kaczmarek
Prior to her long-running gig as Malcolm’s mom in Malcolm in the Middle, Kaczmarek played Justin’s mom, Helene Thompson, in three Party of Five episodes between Season 1 and Season 5.
Peter Krause
Before his starring roles in shows like Six Feet Under and 9-1-1, Krause appeared in Party of Five Season 4’s “Zap” and “Fight or Flight,” playing Julia’s lecherous museum boss.
James Marsden
© Columbia Pictures Television / Courtesy: Everett Collectionc
Now known for Jury Duty and Paradise, Marsden originated the role of Griffin Holbrook in Season 1 — but when he got cast on another show, the role went to Jeremy London.
Brittany Murphy
In the Season 1 episodes “Homework” and “Good Sports,” this late movie star portrayed Abby, a popular classmate with whom Julia tries to ingratiate herself.
Niecy Nash
Nash, who had major roles in the TV shows Monster and Grotesquerie recently, had a bit part as an unnamed nurse in one 1996 episode.
Adam Scott
Long before his Parks and Recreation and Severance days, Scott recurred in Season 5, playing the role of Julia’s college friend and love interest Josh Macon.
Taylor Sheridan
Now known as the actor and TV producer behind Yellowstone (and its spinoffs), Lioness, and other hard-hitting dramas, Sheridan had an inauspicious role in Party of Five: He played “Counter Guy” in Season 5’s “Haunted.”
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