You know a show is good when icons like features Octavia Spencer, Zendaya [1], and Mary J. Blige agree to join an already stellar cast [2] for an episode or two. Over the years, Black-ish [3] has never disappointed with its parade of A-list guest stars. Wanda Sykes has earned not one, but two Emmy nominations for her recurring role, which we still count as a guest spot if the Academy does! Meanwhile, who still isn't over Tracee Ellis Ross's Girlfriends reunion? Now that the much anticipated seventh season has arrived, take a trip down memory lane with these familiar faces. Which is your favourite one-time appearance or recurring role?
Zendaya
Seeing Zendaya [4] and Yara Shahidi [5] on screen together is something we can definitely get used to. In season two of the series, Dre teaches Zoey's friend Resheida played by Zendaya, how to drive.
Wanda Sykes
Skyes began her recurring role on the show in December of 2015, and we love seeing the Emmy winner in the board room at Dre's job. Sykes plays the ex-wife of Stevens & Lido's founding partner. In the divorce, she gains control of half of the company that Dre works for and begins inserting herself into company business.
Sean "Diddy" Combs
In case you forgot, Diddy [6] appears in season one of the series as a gangster named Elroy Savoy, from Pops' childhood.
Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones's character on Black-ish [7] seems to be a great contrast to her actual personality. On the show, she plays Rainbow's reality star sister Santamonica who is high-maintenance, to put it lightly.
Daveed Diggs
If Hamilton made you a hardcore Daveed Diggs fan, you'll love the episodes of Black-ish [8] where he plays Rainbow's younger brother, Johan. He appears frequently in season three of the show where his character and Dre get into a few minor yet funny squabbles, as in-laws do.
Raven Symoné
Raven Symoné brings her funny and charming personality to the series as Dre's sister, Rhonda. Symoné's character opens up conversations about sexuality in her first appearance in which she and her fiancé are getting married and they have to break the news to Rhonda's mother, Ruby, who has been in the dark about Rhonda's sexuality.
Joel McHale
In season six's "You Don't Know Jack," Joel McHale guest stars as a version of himself.
Amanda Seales
Comedian and Insecure [9] actress Amanda Seales stars in season four of the series, in episode 15 titled "White Breakfast."
Octavia Spencer
On an episode honouring Black History Month, Black-ish [10] enlisted Spencer to help highlight prominent Black historical figures.
Tyra Banks
In a recurring role, Tyra Banks [11] plays Dre's childhood best friend, Gigi. In some ways she really just plays a version of herself, as Gigi an international pop star with supermodel looks.
Mary J. Blige
The very first season of Black-ish [12] ends with a stellar performance from Mary J. Blige singing her hit, "I'm Going Down," at the Savoy Ballroom. This all happens while the Johnsons recount an important time in their family's history during the Harlem Renaissance.
Regina Hall
Hall stars in three episodes of the show, first appearing as Vivian in the episode "Black Nanny." (She is, as Dre calls her, the titular "Black Nanny.")
Quvenzhané Wallis
This Oscar-nominated actress starred on the show back in 2013 as Dre's cousin Kyra, who the family takes in for a short time. Things get messy when Dre and Rainbow have different approaches to helping Kyra adjust to their cushy suburban life.
Jill Scott
Jill Scott lends her beautiful voice and face to "Hair Day," on season six of the show. She sings about loving your natural hair as a Black woman to encourage Diane to accept the beauty of her curls.
Amber Rose
We definitely looked twice when we saw Amber Rose pop up in season two as Charlie's girlfriend. The episode takes a hilarious turn when Charlie and his girlfriend borrow Dre's kids. This one is a must-watch if you want a good laugh.
Laila Ali
Laila Ali plays herself on the episode titled "Good in the Hood" in season five of the series. Dre and Rhonda take the twins to visit a local diner in Rhonda's neighbourhood where they bump into Ali and learn as lesson about Black culture.
The Cast of Girlfriends
Black-ish [13] took us all the way back when they reunite the cast of girlfriends in season six. Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, and Golden Brooks play Rainbow's college friends who visit to give her advice on the importance of Black feminism — a classic episode.