The West Wingfeatured an ensemble cast that is still regarded highly in the history of data pipe TV.
Along the way, guest stars made their own impact on the political drama.
They shook up thestatus quo, allowing the main characters to grow and change.
Image by Federico Napoli
Others, likeJohn Gallagher Jr.’s Tyler, became entangled in the day-to-day chaos of presidential campaigns.
Each character brought something new to the unbridled chaos of the White House.
Cregg (Allison Janney) to advocate for a wolves-only highway.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
With his team, he presented the case of Pluie, a wolf killed by a farmer.
He and his team were invited to the West Wing as a part of Big Block of Cheese Day.
Big Block of Cheese Day was such an iconic part ofThe West Wing.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
Jerry and his team may have initially seemed like unhinged advocates for a hopeless cause.
Instead, Jerry and the team delivered a surprisingly heartfelt message about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Along the way, the staffers got caught up in Tyler’s personal romantic drama.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
Tyler was a lovable if ultimately ineffective, character.
In addition to embodying teen angst, Gallagher Jr. was able to capture the attitude of an entire generation.
With an apathetic exterior, it quickly became clear that Tyler as a character was incredibly politically engaged.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
He represented the hopes and dreams of young voters looking to the future.
Simmons
J.K. Simmonsappeared inThe West Wing’s final season as Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Harry Ravitch.
After a fictional nuclear accident in California, Ravitch is brought in to advise the President.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
The accident had far-reaching implications for the presidential election.
As expected, Simmons brought his signature gravitas to the role.
Every moment he’s on-screen, he emphasizes the seriousness of the nuclear accident.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
He proved to be an invaluable resource to the entire presidential team.
7Christopher Lloyd
The legendaryChristopher LloydjoinedThe West Wingas constitutional scholar Professor Lawrence Lessing.
His task was to assist a Belorussian delegation as they sought to establish their own constitution.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
Lessing is one of a handful of real-life characters who were fictionalized in the series.
6Bellamy Young
Before herScandaldays,Bellamy Youngwent toe-to-toe with Josh Lyman onThe West Wingas lawyer MaryLou Meriwether.
This belated Civil War drama played out in the West Wing offices.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
This charactercould hold her own against any top TV lawyers.
She criticized the Bartlet administration for its lack of action on agricultural issues.
This character’s country charm makes her immediately likable.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
Additionally, she is exactly the perspective Toby and Josh need to hear.
Meeshel was a journalism student who was Charlie’s date.
She ended up in a physical spat with Charlie that the President witnessed.
Photo Courtesy of NBC.
This character deserved so much better from Charlie, even though they were on a single date.
3Glenn Close
Legendary actressGlenn Closeplayed powerhouse Chief Justice Evelyn Baker Lang.
Initially, she was considered a wild choice for the United States Supreme Court.
What made this character so magnetic was her obvious love of the law.
It was clear that her judicial expertise made her the obvious choice for such a prestigious job.
2Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood played C.J.
Cregg’s niece Hogan.
Hogan bonded with her aunt despite how stressed C.J.
Hogan added another layer of depth to C.J.
’s character by allowing her to be a mother figure to her niece.
1Laura Dern
Laura Dernmade an appearance onThe West Wingas U.S.
Poet Laureate Tabitha Fortis.
She had strong opinions regarding landmines and wanted to use her platform to speak out against their use.
This put her in direct conflict with Toby.
She remained committed to maintaining her art’s integrity even when advised against prioritizing this.
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