American Dad!is a popular animated sitcom that has captured the hearts of audiences with its unique blend of comedy, satire, and memorable, and often outrageous, characters. Created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman, the show made its debut in 2005 as a spin-off of MacFarlane’s other animated hit,Family Guy. Set in the fictional town of Langley Falls, it centers around the Smith family and their quirky escapades. With its irreverent humor and clever social commentary, the show has carved its own niche in the world ofanimated shows for adults.
Throughout its impressive run,American Dadhas gained a reputation for its utilization of celebrities, both as themselves and as fictional characters, throughout its extensive run. Whether it’s musicians, actors, or notable personalities,American Dadincorporates celebrities seamlessly into its storytelling, allowing them to showcase their comedic chops or play exaggerated versions of themselves.
The show’s clever writing and willingness to poke fun at celebrity culture provide a platform for these guest stars to shine and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the series. From hilarious cameos to recurring roles,American Dad!continues to surprise and delight audiences almost every time our ears perked up at the sound of a much-recognized voice.
10Chris Pine
Chris Pine’s portrayal of Alistair Covax gives audiences what is, quite possibly, the most unsettling villainAmerican Dadhas ever seen. As the show deviates from its usual format and delves into the realms of horror, the episode masterfully builds a sense of unease and suspense (whilst maintaining its usual wit), allowing Pine to excel in a nuanced performance, that many may not even realize is him upon initial viewing. Covax’s presence permeates the storyline and infuses it with a palpable sense of dread as his calculated actions and sinister intentions nicely subverts fans’ expectations as he plays against his usual “good guy” type.
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9Seth Rogen
Seth Rogenhas almost become a staple in the world of animation by this point, lending his distinctive gruff tones to a plethora of animated characters including roles inThe Super Mario Bros., Kung Fu Panda, Sausage Party, Monsters vs. Aliensand the latest Disney remake ofThe Lion King. Rogen’s appearance inAmerican Dadis brief but unmissable.
According to the DVD commentary, he was originally meant to be in the episode “Bar Mitzvah Hustle” playing the character Etan Cohen. However, it was deemed by theAmerican Dadteam that his voice was too deep, and not “child-like” enough, so Seth Green was chosen to play the part rather than Rogen. Instead, Rogen lends his inimitable voice to one of the college students in the episode “Camp Refoogee.”
8CeeLo Green
“Hot Water” is one of the show’s more surreal installments of the series. TheAmerican Dadepisode takes viewers on a mind-bending journey involving an evil hot tub. What makes this episode even more bizarre is the inclusion of singer-songwriterCeeLo Green, who serves as the live-action narrator and voices the anthropomorphic hot tub.
Green’s presence is certainly unexpected, further adding to the absurdity and unpredictability to the episode. It also features one of most shocking (and hilarious) episode endings in which we witness Stan Smith actually die followed by Green bluntly stating, “Well, there you have it. That’s our story. Stan’s dead. Goodnight.”
7Kim Kardashian
Another example ofAmerican Dadthinking outside the box and using a celebrity in a way in which no one expected is the appearance ofKim Kardashian. Here, we have the world’s biggest reality TV star and cultural icon appearing on a sitcom known for its biting satire and social commentary — you might think the jokes write themselves, but few expected Kardashian to be voicing a fluffy pink alien who falls in love with theSmith’s family alien Roger. It is a nice touch at the end of the sequence, though, for it to be framed as an origin story for the megastar Kim Kardashian we’re all familiar with now.
6Lisa Kudrow
Christmas is a big deal in Langley Falls, andAmerican Dadhas become quite renowned for its extravagant holiday episodes. A standout episode is “The Best Christmas Story Never,” which featuresLisa Kudrowvoicing the angel Michelle in which she brings her humorous trademark deadpan delivery to a plot that is loosely based onIt’s a Wonderful Lifebut doneAmerican Dad-style, which means moreTaxi Driverreferences and lessTom Sawyerreferences.
5Forest Whitaker
IncludingForest Whitakerin an episode ofAmerican Dadwas a stroke of genius due to the clever meta-reference to his usual acting roles and captivating performances in serious and intense films. Playing the character of Daniel Turlington, Deputy Director Bullock’s new boss, Whitaker’s presence pokes fun at his own dramatic reputation, and by casting him in a comedic animated series, the episode playfully subverts audience expectations. This not only creates an amusing juxtaposition but also allows fans to appreciate Whitaker’s willingness to embrace a lighthearted and self-referential role, demonstrating his sense of humor and adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the episode.
Related:Family Guy Characters Voiced by Seth MacFarlane, Ranked
4The Weeknd
The Weekndis somewhat of an enigma within the world of pop music with a masterfully crafted image that has seen him rise to the top of his game. This is why seeing him appear in a show likeAmerican Dad,which is pretty much the antithesis of everything one would normally associate with the megastar, was so refreshing and enjoyably.
“A Starboy Is Born,” revolves around Stan’s attempts to turn Steve into a successful pop star which cleverly satirizes the music industry, its obsession with image and fame, and the commercialization of artists. The Weeknd appears as a fictionalized version of himself and by poking fun at himself and his own persona, The Weeknd showcases a self-awareness that adds depth to the hilarity (and social commentary) within the episode.
3Werner Herzog
For those unaware,Werner Herzogis arenowned German filmmakerknown for his distinct style of directing that includes non-conventional storytelling, elements of surrealism, and emphasizing improvisation with movies like 1979’sNosferatu the Vampyreand the Nicolas Cage’sBad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
It makes sense, then, that theAmerican Dadepisode he appears in, “Ricky Spanish,” stands out as one of the show’s most surreal and absurdist episodes to date. From start to finish, the storyline takes viewers on a strange, twisted and at times nonsensical journey. The character Ricky Spanish, known for his chaotic and unpredictable behavior, becomes the focal point as we witness the narrative unfold with increasingly bizarre and outlandish situations, pushing the boundaries of reality in a manner that is reminiscent of Herzog himself.
Clearly recognizing the similarities, it was a beautiful touch to close the episode with a philosophical voiceover narration from Herzog, as we bear witness to a butterfly being freed from its cocoon only to find itself already in a jar destined to perish. Deep.
2Patrick Stewart
More of a supporting character than a guest but far too brilliant to leave off this list, CIA Deputy Director Bullock, played byPatrick Stewart, is by far one of the show’s funniest characters and definitely the most outrageous. His comedic brilliance lies in his ability to push the boundaries of absurdity and political correctness. His outrageous behavior, whether it’s his extravagant schemes, over-the-top reactions, or bizarre eccentricities, is perfectly brought to life by the veteran British actor who is known mostly for playing dramatic roles, but expertly showcases his versatility here.
1Snoop Dogg
Snoop Doggis undeniably one of the most well-known figures in popular culture who has achieved immense fame and recognition worldwide which now extends far beyond music, and has become a symbol of contemporary coolness.
Snoop delivers a suitably laid back yet quirky performance as thecharacter Tommie Tokes, a Willy Wonka-esque figure who embraces Snoop’s well-known affinity for the old wacky backy or in this case; a fictional drug called “klooger” that becomes popular in Langley Falls. Of course, Tokes is the face of this drug, but as the episode unfolds, the Smith family and the town’s residents get caught up in the addictive and hallucinatory effects of klooger, leading to a series of chaotic situations.
The casting choice brilliantly taps into Snoop’s public persona, creating a character that seamlessly blends him as a person (and brand) with the wacky animated world ofAmerican Dad.
