Anyone who's watched their fair share of Netflix original programming may notice that the same actors and actresses tend to pop up across shows on the streaming site I'm not talking about one or two actors that may have a guest spot on a TV show or two, either — no, I'm talking about nearly two dozen actors and actresses who have appeared in at least two or more Netflix shows over the course of their careers. Some of these performers land bit roles in many shows, while others start out with a smaller role that eventually ends up landing them a juicier role down the line. There are bigger stars on this list who end up in standout guest roles (yes, I'm looking at you, Jon Hamm), while others seem to put in the work and eventually earn their very own shows (hello, Will Arnett and Maria Bamford!).
Some of these names should certainly look familiar, while others may be names you're seeing for the very first time. Of course, all of these faces should look very familiar to any Netflix devotee, since you've definitely seen them before. What is clear from this list is that having an in with the blossoming streaming network could definitely lead to some steady comedic or dramatic work. Here are 21 actors and actresses who make a pretty good living on Netflix shows alone.
1. Jon Hamm
Where you've seen him: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp
Since saying goodbye to Mad Men, Hamm has been showing his comedic side on Netflix comedies in bit parts that require very funny facial hair. He's played a hied assassin named Falcon on Wet Hot that had him dressing as "Weird Al" Yankovic, and teamed up again with Tina Fey to play Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne on Unbreakable. What we learned from the latter role is that Hamm has no problem being funny and even a bit creepy.
2. Maria Bamford
Where you've seen her: Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, Lady Dynamite
Bamford's DeBrie Bardeaux might be one of the best supporting characters Arrested Development has ever seen — and that's saying a lot for this kooky show. (Too bad that Fantastic Four musical never gets off the ground, though.) Lucky for us, Bamford later got her own show where she plays a fictionalized version of herself, Lady Dynamite. Bamford as herself is funnier than any character anyone could dream up.
3. Will Arnett
Where you've seen him: Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, Flaked, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Arnett gets the honor of being the actor with the most Netflix appearances — despite the fact that two of his shows, don't really feature him at all. On BoJack Horseman, he gets to be the voice of a struggling actor/addict who's dealing with the fallout of fame, and on Unbreakable, he gets to be the voice of a cat. But, with his own show, Flaked, as well as Arrested Development, he certainly deserves the MVP award. Is there anything funnier than G.O.B. doing, well, anything? The answer is no, there just isn't.
4. June Diane Raphael
Where you've seen her: Grace and Frankie, Lady Dynamite, Bojack Horseman
Raphael gets a meatier role on Grace and Frankie as Grace's daughter, Brianna Hanson — but it's her small, but very satisfying part as Maria Bamford's real estate agent from hell on Lady Dynamite that will truly win you over.
5. Sam Elliott
Where you've seen them: Grace and Frankie, The Ranch
That voice. That mustache. Netflix is certainly making good use of Elliott's multifaceted, grizzled persona. He gets to be a real Archie Bunker-type on The Ranch with Ashton Kutcher, and then be the love interest to Jane Fonda on Grace and Frankie. But the real winner is the viewer, who get to see Elliott in both roles.
6. Amy Sedaris
Where you've seen her: BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
She's hilarious as Princess Carolyn, BoJack's agent who also happens to be a pink persian cat. And she's just as funny as wavering socialite Mimi Kanasis, who, like Jacqueline White, is looking to keep her status after her divorce. Basically, just keep giving us more Sedaris on Netflix. This shouldn't be too hard will all the original shows the streaming network has!
7. Lauren Lapkus
Where you've seen her: Orange Is The New Black, Netflx Presents: The Characters
Lapkus got her start on Netflix as a newbie guard on OITNB, working her way up to her own episode of the comedy series The Characters. Lapkus' character on The Characters is nothing like the one she played on the prison drama, though — instead she's a vapid, illiterate celebrity looking for love on Bachelorette-esque show. Who knew Susan Fischer was so funny?
8. Josh Charles
Where you've seen him: The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp
In both these guest starring roles, Charles gets to play preppies who take jokes just a little too far — along with their collars. So no, The Good Wife's Will Gardner these characters ain't. But, they will make you laugh a lot harder. Most likely at them, not with them.
9. Kerri Kenney
Where you've seen her: Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp, Love, Lady Dynamite
This comedian, known for Reno 911! and The State, is making everyone laugh on three of Netflix's comedies. Her biggest role though is on Love as Syd, Mickey Dobbs' neighbor, confidante, and sponsor who is there for her when she needs her most.
10. Rich Sommer
Where you've seen him: Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp, Love
Another Mad Men alumnus who shows his funnier side on these two comedies. Most significantly, he got to show off his tennis wear in his guest starring role on Wet Hot American Summer, playing a character that was not nearly as annoying as Harry Crane.
11. Nancy Lantis
Where you've seen her: Grace and Frankie, Love, Arrested Development
Lantis may not be the star of any one Netflix show, but she's managed to end up on three of them. Interestingly enough, two of them had her playing someone from the medical profession: a nurse on Grace and Frankie and clinic supervisor or Arrested Development.
12. John Slattery
Where you've seen him: Arrested Development, Wet Hot American: First Day Of Camp, Love
Another Mad Men alum! Slattery got to be a pervy camp play director who goes a little overboard with the wine (Wet Hot), and a less-than-stellar doctor who goes by the name Norman (Arrested Development). He's also had some fun behind the camera, directing episodes of Love.
13. Rachel Brosnahan
Where you've seen her: House Of Cards, Orange Is The New Black
Brosnahan got her Netflix start with a one episode stint as an inmate at Litchfield before getting the part of Rachel Posner on House Of Cards. Rachel Posner's life may have been tragedy after tragedy, but it's worked out very well for Rachel Brosnahan, who got an Emmy nomination for her part on the show.
14. John Early
Where you've seen him: Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp, Netflix Presents: The Characters, Love
Netflix watchers first got a glimpse of Early as an over-eager theater camp kid — but, later, Early also starred in his own episode of the sketch series The Characters, which had him playing a southern lounge singer, a guy who got a scar from a trust fall, and a fiancé who will do anything for attention.
15. Madeline Brewer
Where you've seen her: Orange Is The New Black, Hemlock Grove
Brewer may not have been the star of Orange Is The New Black — she played Tricia Miller for 7 episodes in 2013 — but she did have more of a pinnacle role on the supernatural thriller Hemlock Grove as Miranda Cates.
16. Ed Begley, Jr.
Where you've seen him: Arrested Development, Lady Dynamite
Begley, Jr. may be a little typecast when it comes to his Netflix roles. On both shows, he plays a father who is a little out there. Though, only on Lady Dynamite does he get to play drums in his family band.
17. Olivia Luccardi
Where you've seen her: Orange Is The New Black. House Of Cards
Luccardi has become a regular on OITNB, playing Jennifer Digori, who made her debut in Season 2 by falling asleep on Lolly's shoulder in the premiere. She's still around, though — she's part of the white supremacist group that's popped up this season. So, you know, that's not so great.
18. Patricia Squire
Where you've seen her: Orange Is The New Black, House Of Cards
For OITNB fans, Squire is best known as Jimmy, one of the older "Golden Girl" inmates who is suffering from dementia. She's always calling Piper Roberta, and managed to walk out of the prison and end up in a bar where Caputo's band Sideboob was playing. Her final episode is her jumping off a stage thinking she's jumping into a swimming pool. She loses her front teeth and ends up getting "compassionate" leave because the prison doesn't want to pay for her medical care. Don't worry, Squire told The Hollywood Reporter no teeth were harmed in the making of that scene. Mostly because all of her front teeth are fake.
19. Natalie Carter
Where you've seen her: The Characters, Orange Is The New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Carter is a librarian on Unbreakable and a "gospel lady" on Dr. Brown's episode of The Characters, but on Orange Is The New Black, she gets an actual nameL She's Lillian Hayes, the mother of Cindy. Fans can spot her in Cindy's flashback episode in Season 2.
20. Betsy Sodaro
Where you've seen her: Love, Lady Dynamite
Sodaro's easy to spot in these two shows; she's always the one with wearing the bun right on top of her head, kind of like a cooler Pebbles Flintstone.
21. David Cross
Where you've seen him: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Arrested Development, W/ Bob & David
Cross often plays lovable losers that you want to see win in the end. Most of the time, these characters don't — sorry Tobia — but on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Cross gets to be the love interest of Jacqueline, as well as her partner in a takedown of the Washington Redskins. In real life though, Cross is a constant winner, of course — and his biggest victory may have been getting another chance to make a new show with his Mr. Show partner Bob Odenkirk.
These are the actors and actresses that have been doing double, triple, and in Arnett's case, quadruple duty for the network. Keep your eyes peeled, since it seems like the more Netflix shows you watch, the more you may spot the same performers over and over and over again.
Image: Adam Rose/Netflix, Netflix (5); Giphy (4)
