‘Grey’s Anatomy’ remains one of the longest-running shows of all time, with more than 400 episodes and still counting. The show first aired in 2005 and became the platform for many young actors to kickstart their careers. Here are 10 guest appearances on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ you probably don’t even remember.
10. Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson appeared in only one episode of the show, but her role was significant and memorable. Season 6, episode 15, “The Time Warp,” was a flashback episode where we get to see Meredith’s mother, Dr. Ellis Grey, portrayed by Sarah Paulson.
Though she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, we see her in flashback sequences as Richard Webber reflects on his former colleague. The episode recalls a case wherein a patient in 1982 was diagnosed with GRID, the virus we would later come to know as AIDS.
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9. Christina Ricci
Ricci appeared in two episodes of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 2, episodes 16 and 17, “It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It,” which turned out to be the show’s highest-rated and most-watched episodes. She portrayed the role of a paramedic named Hannah.
Though luck wasn’t on her side because, in that same episode, a patient came in with a bomb in their chest. The person trying to stop the bleeding was Hannah, who ended up holding the bomb with her hand inside the patient’s body. Making a single movement meant blowing up the entire Seattle Grace, along with everyone inside it.
8. Dylan Minnette
If you also felt that this ’13 Reasons Why’ star was familiar, you probably remember him from season 4, episode 5, “Haunt You Every Day.” Minette appeared as Ryan, a young boy born with the ability to hear but without external ears.
Dr. Mark Sloan worked with the team at Seattle Grace attempting a pro bono ear reconstruction for him. You might remember him as the adorable boy bonding with Meredith.
7. Joshua Bassett
You might have seen this ‘High School Musical’ star in two episodes of the show. He portrayed the role of Linus, a boy who met and fell for Betty while they were in rehab together.
Though their story was beautiful, the ending wasn’t along the same lines. After overdosing, both Linus and Betty were taken to the hospital, where they met their tragic ending.
6. Rachel Brosnahan
Turns out that Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actually had a very deep connection with ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Rachel Brosnahan appeared in the show as Brian Weston, a transgender man.
In Season 9, Episode 14, titled “The Face of Change”, he came to Seattle Grace to have his breasts removed as part of his sex reassignment surgery. Though the first time he came was at the age of 14, inquiring about sex reassignment surgery when he met Dr. Alex Karev. Karev referred him to a transgender support group, where he even met his girlfriend.
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5. Keke Palmer
Palmer appeared at Grey Sloan Memorial as a 17-year-old patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in season 10, episode 16, “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.” Her role was Sheryl Jeffries, who desperately needs a heart transplant.
When surgery doesn’t work, Sheryll comes back pregnant to join Cristina’s clinical trial. Unfortunately, she didn’t meet the age requirement and ended up going into labor prematurely. As wild as the plot sounds, Palmer really showed off her acting skills in this episode.
4. Elisabeth Moss
In season 3, episode 19, “My Favorite Mistake,” you can see Elizabeth Moss in the role of Nina Rogerson, the daughter of a patient with a rare bone disease. Her mother needs a very risky surgery, and she tries to make sure she receives the best care.
This was way before her rise to stardom because of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ Though in a few months after her appearance in the show, ‘Mad Men’ premiered, and the world got to see the genius of Elizabeth Moss.
3. Mandy Moore
The pop star was already an established actress when she made her appearance in the four episodes in Season 6 Season 6, episodes 23 & 24 “Sanctuary” & “Death and All His Friends,” and Season 7 episodes 1 & 6 “With You I’m Born Again” & “These Arms of Mine” of the show. She portrayed the role of Mary Portman, a patient in for a colostomy bag reversal surgery.
Unfortunately, Moore also chose a terrible time to visit Seattle Grace because in that same episode, the hospital shuts down due to an active shooter entering the building. She made it out alive and reunited with her husband. But her storyline ended tragically when she ended up in a coma after her surgery, and her husband had to take her off life support.
2. Demi Lovato
Lovato made her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ debut in season 6, episode 22, “Shiny Happy People,” to show her potential beyond the music industry. She appeared as Hayley May, who had a pretty rough time at Seattle Grace.
She was incorrectly diagnosed with schizophrenia after she accidentally hurt herself. Fortunately, she received an accurate diagnosis later and also underwent a successful surgery.
1. Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown appeared in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the 2015 Season 11, Episode 15, titled “I Feel the Earth Move”. No one obviously thought much of it because she was just a child actress at the time. Though her role was totally reminiscent of Eleven.
She played the part of a girl who performs an emergency medical procedure on her own mother while receiving directions from doctors over the phone. But the following year, ‘Stranger Things’ was released and catapulted Brown to stardom.
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