Sitcoms are a huge part of television, and while some are formulaic, they are still difficult to pull off. Get things right, and you have a hit that can run for a decade. Get it wrong, and your pilot either won't get picked up, or you'll be gone in a hurry.
Seinfeld is one of the greatest sitcoms in history, and during its lengthy run, it gave smaller performers a chance to showcase their skills for a large audience.
Let's take a look at some celebrities who were on Seinfeld before becoming stars.
8 Sarah Silverman Was On The Show In 1997
Sarah Silverman has certainly done well for herself during her time in the entertainment industry, but long before she was a household name known for her brilliant comedy, Silverman wound up landing a guest spot on Seinfeld. This was a huge win for the young actress, and it set the stage for what was to come in her career.
7 Bryan Cranston Scored Multiple Episodes Of 'Seinfeld'
For a grand total of five episodes, Bryan Cranston played Dr. Tim Whatley on Seinfeld, and this was several years before he would have his breakout role on Malcolm in the Middle. Of course, some stars would have been completely content with one hit show under their belt, but as fans got to see, Bryan Cranston would go onto play Walter White in Breaking Bad, subsequently becoming a legend of the small screen.
6 Megan Mullally Was Around Before 'Will & Grace'
Back in 1993, Megan Mullally was an actress who was still finding her footing in the entertainment industry, and she wound up landing a role on a single episode of Seinfeld. Mullally's character is actually dating George Costanza in the episode, and this same episode also featured a performance from Teri Hatcher, so it functions as a double whammy of sorts. Mullally, of course, would go on to be a dynamo on Will & Grace.
5 Jon Favreau Was Still Looking For His Big Break
Long before he was an acclaimed director with films like Elf, Iron Man, and The Jungle Book to his credit, Jon Favreau was an actor who was still looking to get his breakthrough in Hollywood. He scored a role on an episode of Seinfeld, which preceded his six-episode stint on Friends by some time. Eventually, Favreau would wow audiences with his work behind the camera, while still managing to make them laugh in front of it.
4 Mariska Hargitay Became A Legend In Due Time
Mariska Hargitay is a legend of television who hardly needs an introduction, but this was not always the case. Earlier in her career before taking on the role of Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, the younger Hargitay wound up scoring a brief stint on Seinfeld. Little did people know at the time that she would go on to be nothing short of a powerhouse on the small screen. It's truly amazing to see what she has done since her time on Seinfeld.
3 Jeremy Piven Scored 'Seinfeld' Before 'Ellen' And 'Entourage'
Before Jeremy Piven became a massive television star thanks to appearing on hit projects like Ellen and Entourage, he was taking smaller roles on shows hoping to find something that would get him noticed by mainstream audiences. Eventually, Piven would land himself on an episode of Seinfeld, which certainly helped to get the ball rolling for him. To say that things worked out would be an understatement.
2 Lauren Graham Went From New York To Stars Hollow
Lauren Graham is a rare example of someone who has been a primary player on two hugely successful shows during her career, which just goes to show what she can bring to any project. Before she was hanging out with her daughter Rory and Stars Hollow, however, Graham was able to snag a role on Seinfeld. Three years later, Gilmore Girls came knocking, and she became a huge star in her own right.
1 Daniel Dae Kim Used 'Seinfeld' As A Jumping Off Point
Daniel Dae Kim is the perfect example of someone who has had an underrated career in Hollywood. He has been in more successful projects than most people even realize, and a quick look at his credits will reveal that Kim has been crushing it for years now. Before he was a household name thanks largely to his time on Heroes, he was able to get a one-off role on Seinfeld. It wasn't much, but it helped him get to where he is now.
