All The Amazing Guest Stars On The Good Fight, So Far

All five seasons of The Good Fight boast incredible guest appearances featuring some serious talent.

From eccentric judges to formidable lawyers, questionable clients, and a Civil Rights icon, take a look back at how these guest stars left their mark on The Good Fight.

Stream Seasons 1-5 of The Good Fight on Paramount+ and don't miss the Season 6 premiere on Thursday, Sept. 8 on Paramount+.

Garrison Vitar makes a fiery introduction in The Good Fight as a temperamental game creator who monetizes off of an original dance called "The Spanky Leg," created by a young Black TikToker named TipTop Trina. 

After Judge Hal Wackner rules in Trina's favor and forces Vitar to split half of the financial earnings with her, Vitar threatens to sue him for $800,000. After an unexpected ambush at his home leaves him wheelchair-bound, Vitar sees the situation differently and hands Trina her earnings. 

STREAM: Jesse Tyler Ferguson Is Garrison Vitar In The Good Fight Episode, "And the Two Partners Had a Fight" 

Played by CBS' B Positive actor Ben Vereen, the Civil Rights icon Frederick Douglass makes an appearance in The Good Fight as a hallucination experienced by investigator Jay DiPersia (Nyambi Nyambi).

After learning that the FBI is about to execute a search warrant at her house, Diane asks Liz and Jay to advise her on how to prepare for a raid on her home, 

Frederick Douglass emerges in Jay's bedroom while Jay is on the phone with Diane, speaking in prolific metaphors in an attempt to hinder Jay from helping her. 

STREAM: Ben Vereen Is Frederick Douglass In The Good Fight Episode "And the Clerk Had a Firm..."

In an attempt to uncover more details about Memo 618, Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) visits Linda Shuck, a knowledgable court stenographer that may be the key to the answers that Diane is searching for. 

Because she mistrusts the internet, Linda hoards the documents of all of the court causes she's ever worked on inside of her home. 

In an exchange of information, Shuck reveals to Diane that the Department of Justice has been using Memo 618 since the 1940s to get what they want by issuing an immediate order. 

STREAM: Rachel Dratch Is Linda Shuck In The Good Fight Episode "The Gang Offends Everyone"

Linda Emond reprises her role as Judge Leora Kuhn from The Good Wife in "The Gang Goes to War," when she presides over a military trial. Corporal DeMarcus Laney testifies against his commanding officer, Sergeant Meyer, accusing him of mercilessly killing an Afghan translator while also committing other war crimes. In an effort to stop his superior from hurting more innocent people, Corporal Laney purposefully jammed Sergeant Meyer's gun. 

Judge Kuhn is assertive and direct, correct Liz Reddick (Audra McDonald)'s failure to use appropriate military court language multiple times. 

STREAM: Linda Emond Is Judge Leora Kuhn In The Good Fight Episode "The Gang Goes to War"

Erik King's Jonah first appears in "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It" as a physical manifestation of Judge Julius Cain (Michael Boatman)'s conscience. He urges Julius to stay true to his traditionalist morals as a conservative Black judge. 

Jonah returns in "The Gang Goes to War," criticizing Julius for having weak conservative principles and being "a bad judge" after Julius initially accepts a document with Memo 618 references. 

STREAM: Erik King is Jonah In The Good Fight Episode "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It"

The attorneys at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart fight an uphill battle when Judge Dash Toosi is assigned to a class action case against the firm accusing them of overly benefiting from their clients' settlement awards. Facing off against prosecutor Roland Blum (Michael Sheen), the new judge and Trump appointee bonds with Blum over their similar views of masculinity and love of model trains.

Luckily, the attorneys use Toosi's not-too-bright-nature and some unconventional tactics to sway him to their side.

STREAM: Chris Sullivan Is Judge Dash Toosi In The Good Fight Episode "The One About the End of the World"

When Roland Blum threatens Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart with publicly releasing allegations against founding partner Carl Reddick (Louis Gossett, Jr), the partners are forced to release the information themselves. But their biggest client, ChumHum, is concerned about the optics of the move in a post-#MeToo world. So, in "The One Where the Sun Comes Out," ChumHum hires Brenda Decarlo to conduct an internal investigation into the firm's handling of the allegations against Carl.

Brenda is certainly memorable for her proclivity to laugh uncontrollably at inopportune times, a symptom of pseudobulbar affect.

STREAM: Cheryl Hines Is Brenda Decarlo In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where The Sun Comes Out"

Judge Pamela Farley presides over a trial that marks the return of Felix Staples (John Cameron Mitchell) in "The One Where Kurt Saves Diane." The controversial blogger sues ChumHum for de-ranking his posts, thereby reducing his income.

Farley runs a relatively no-nonsense courtroom, telling a courtroom guest—Lace of conservative black vloggers Leather & Lace—to quiet down when she voices support for her testifying co-blogger. Farley has no problem kicking her out of the courtroom for the disruption.

STREAM: Jane Curtin Is Judge Pamela Farley In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where Kurt Saves Diane"

In a particularly fourth-wall-breaking moment of The Good Fight, Gary Carr arrives at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart seemingly as an associate to Roland Blum. Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) is surprised to find Blum's so-called aide to be much more competent than the garrulous Blum.

This revelation is all the more surprising when Lucca learns Carr isn't a legal aide at all, but a real-life actor with a role in Season 4 of Downton Abbey.

Lucca lets her crush on Carr grow...that is until he tells her about a "personality test" he thinks she should try—aka an intro to Scientology.

STREAM: Gary Carr Is Himself In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where Liz and Diane Topple Democracy"

Judge Gayle Eno presides in a case where Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart represents a woman suing the manufacturer of a voting machine that wrongfully changed her vote.

Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), Liz Reddick (Audre McDonald) and Adrian Boseman (Delroy Lindo) think they have a solid case after Jay DiPersia (Nyambi Nyambi) discovers malware in the software architecture of the machine. However, Judge Charlotte Hazlewood (Tamberla Perry) provides some shocking information to the Reddick Boseman attorneys that challenges their ability to build a case.

STREAM: Kathy Najimy Is Judge Gayle Eno In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where Diane and Liza Topple Democracy"

Wade V's appearance on The Good Fight is short but sweet.

In "The One With the Celebrity Divorce," Lucca Quinn is visited by Wade V, a celebrity hairstylist. Wade won't give up his client's name but explains this person is looking for postnuptial advice with serious discretion. Upon some investigation, Jay DiPersia believes the client in question is Kim Kardashian, looking to get a divorce from Kanye West.

His intel isn't correct in the end, but the real client turns out to (possibly) be even more high-profile than Kim K.

STREAM: Tituss Burgess Is Wade V In The Good Fight Episode "The One With the Celebrity Divorce"

When Lucca and Jay are sent to monitor polling locations in the Chicago area, Judge Sig is on the scene to make sure no illegal electioneering takes place.

Savvy to the ways of the respective Democratic and Republican monitors, Judge Sig lays down the law, emphasizing that none of the representatives are to influence the voters. The to-the-point Sig has no interest in entertaining the lawyers' questions, however: "You do your job, I'll do mine."

STREAM: Scott Adsit Is Judge Sig In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where A Nazi Gets Punched"

Patrick Basehart shows up in Season 2 episode "Day 485" when Jay DiPersia is arrested while transporting a witness in possession of drugs. Jay was raised thinking himself to be a U.S. citizen, but he discovers he was actually born in Nigeria and his parents faked his birth certificate.

Basehart tries to deport him.

The attorneys at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart are able to hold off Baseheart with the help of a few judges, but he returns in "Day 492" to indict Tully on a terrorism charge in front of a grand jury, hoping to indict Diane as well for conspiracy to assassinate the president.

STREAM: Enrico Colantoni Is Patrick Basehart In The Good Fight Episode "Day 485"

Colin Morello (Justin Bartha)'s overbearing mother, Francesca (Andrea Martin), finally meets her match in Lucca Quinn's mom, Deidre, played by the iconic Judith Light.

Deidre comes to Chicago for the birth of Colin and Lucca's baby. She imparts an important piece of advice as Lucca decides on whether to move to Washington DC to live with Colin, telling her to wait for the right person rather than compromise.

STREAM: Judith Light Is Deidre Quinn In The Good Fight Episode "Day 492"

Gabriel Kovac makes a discernible impact on the attorneys of Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad with his unscrupulous, albeit small-time, tactics.

In "Reddick v Boseman," the self-confessed not-great lawyer represents a man falsely accusing a pastor of sexually assaulting him. He goes on to creepily suggest Marissa Gold (Sarah Steele) give eHarmony a try and professes his love for Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie) in "Day 464" after agreeing to be a puppet lawyer for a friend of Jay's.

STREAM: Fisher Stevens Is Gabriel Kovac In The Good Fight Episode "Reddick v Boseman"

Legendary lawyer Solomon Waltzer proves a formidable foe for the attorneys at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart when they come face to face with him over a Chicago police officer's lawsuit. The officer alleges he was mistakenly shot by a fellow officer because he is black. After losing in court, Waltzer offers to buy out the firm to increase the diversity of his own staff in "Day 457."

At first, Diane underestimates Waltzer's abilities, wondering if he may be senile when she faces him in court. But it's all part of his tactics, and in "Day 471," the attorneys see his duplicity firsthand.

Solomon returns in "The One Where Kurt Saves Diane," representing Felix Staples in his suit against ChumHum.

STREAM: Alan Alda Is Solomon Waltzer In The Good Fight Episode "Day 471"

Everyone needs a good strategist and that includes aspiring politician Colin Morello.

In "Day 450," Stephen Rankin-Hall is hired by Colin's mother Francesca (Andrea Martin) to advise him on his image as Colin lobbies four Democratic party bosses to endorse his run for the Senate. Stephen admittedly doesn't understand sarcasm well and has the effect of leaving Lucca somewhat offended by his commentary.

STREAM: Michael Ian Black Is Stephen Rankin-Hall In The Good Fight Episode "Day 450"

Character actress Margo Martindale appears as Ruth Eastman, a Democratic National Committee representative who's exploring law firms to advise the DNC on impeaching President Trump. Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart is an eager candidate.

At first, Margo appears to be an ally to the firm. But eventually she takes her extreme devotion to the Democratic Party too far, betraying the firm as part of a political ploy to get more Democrats elected in the November 2018 elections.

Margo Martindale also appears as Ruth Eastman in 13 episodes of The Good Wife, and guest stars on Robert and Michelle King's BrainDead as Dr. Joanne Alaimo.

STREAM: Margo Martindale Is Ruth Eastman In The Good Fight Episode "Day 464"

The slightly nutty Judge Oliver Walenstadt loves addressing the jury, repeatedly explaining that real-life courtrooms aren't like the ones shown on television.

In "Day 443," Walenstadt won't stand for any of Adrian's showy litigation tactics, though Diane insists he's just doing his job. She even inserts a reference to The Good Wife, quoting Will Gardner when she asks for a ruling she can appeal.

The Good Fight isn't Matt Walsh's only CBS affiliation—he's also guest-starred on the CBS All Access original comedy No Activity alongside Patrick Brammall and Tim Meadows.

STREAM: Matt Walsh Is Judge Oliver Walenstadt In The Good Fight Episode "Day 443"

The Honorable Claudia Friend isn't a fan of excessive motions, but at least she has a sense of humor about it.

The exasperated judge ribs Lucca about the number of pre-trial motions she's requested in "Day 443", but she doesn't take sides, giving Colin just as much grift about his number of motions. When Colin tries to move the date of the trial to coincide with Lucca's due date, Claudia is forced to deal with the on-again-off-again couple's heated exchanges.

Judge Claudia Friend originated in The Good Wife, while Cheers and Frasier star Bebe Neuwirth has appeared in CBS drama Madam Secretary as Nadine Tolliver, as well as on Blue Bloods as Kelly Peterson.

STREAM: Bebe Neuwirth Is Judge Claudia Friend In The Good Fight Episode "Day 443"

Who doesn't enjoy a lovable rogue? In The Good Fight, that's Tully Nelson, a rough-around-the-edges political firebrand and protestor who Diane meets in "Day 429," when he bartends a party hosted at the Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad law offices.

That's just the beginning of their relationship, however. The two go home together and in the following episode, Diane has to bail Tully (Tim Matheson) out of jail after he's arrested while getting up to some protest-related hi-jinks.

He makes another appearance in "Day 457," this time when Diane has to appear at his bail hearing for incitement to riot and resisting arrest.

Diane's dalliances with Tully come back to haunt her, however, when federal prosecutor Patrick Basehart attempts to indict her for conspiracy to assassinate the president based on a recording of Tully where Diane was present.

STREAM: Tim Matheson Is Tully Nelson In The Good Fight Episode "Day 429"

Poor Judge Josh Brickner is subjected to the heated squabbling of Adrian Boseman and Andrea Stevens (Christine Lahti) when the firm goes head to head with Andrea over a lawsuit alleging a client was raped while on the set of a reality dating show.

To get their attention, he drops a gigantic stack of files on the floor from the bench, causing everyone within earshot to hit the ground, fearing a gunman. When the lawyers talk over each other once more in argument, Brickner shuts them up with his distinctive, "Bap! Bap! Bap!"

STREAM: Rob Reiner Is Judge Josh Brickner In The Good Fight Episode "Day 422"

Assistant United States Attorney Spencer Zschau first appears in "Not So Grand Jury" when he teams with Matt Kresteva (Matthew Perry) in an attempt to have Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad indicted for illegal bribery.

He reappears in Season 3 episode "The One Where Diane Joins the Resistance" when he takes over a case Maia and Roland Blum are working on, derailing their plan to get a plea deal. Zschau proves less easily daunted by Blum's antics than his predecessor.

STREAM: Aaron Tveit Is Spencer Zschau In The Good Fight Episode "The One Where Diane Joins the Resistance"

In The Good Fight episode "Reddick v Boseman," fans finally meet Carl Reddick, one of the founding partners at Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, when he comes back to the firm and asks for help in clearing a local pastor's name.

Throughout the episode, Carl clashes with Adrian Boseman over how to carry the firm into the future, while keeping its roots in the past. In the Season 2 premiere, "Day 408," Carl passes away, and in the Season 3 premiere, "The One About the Recent Troubles," the attorneys at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart are forced to reckon with some of Carl's past actions, which continue to impact the firm long after his death.

STREAM: Louis Gossett Jr. Is Carl Reddick In The Good Fight Episode "Reddick v Boseman"

The only thing louder than Felix Staples' fashion sense is his online presence—and he wouldn't have it any other way.

In The Good Fight episode "Social Media And Its Discontents," Felix bursts onto the scene a fervent advocate for free speech and the alt-right. Though Diane ultimately has the last word when first encountering Felix, the outspoken online troll finds his way back into the spotlight in "Chaos," another memorable appearance.

He reappears in "The One Where Kurt Saves Diane," when he sues Chum Hum over its removal of his posts from the site.

STREAM: John Cameron Mitchell Is Felix Staples In The Good Fight Episode "Social Media And Its Discontents"

Rich, influential, and always stirring up trouble—that's Dylan Stack!

In the season 1 finale of The Good Fight entitled "Chaos," the Bitcoin creator seeks legal counsel from Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, claiming someone's framed him for issuing cyber terrorism threats. After triggering some truly calamitous events across Chicago, Dylan's real intentions come to light.

The Good Wife fans will recognize Dylan Stack from the character's appearance in two episodes of Robert and Michelle King's series.

STREAM: Jason Biggs Is Dylan Stack In The Good Fight Episode "Chaos"

Though she's witty and seemingly friendly, Federal Investigator Madeline Starkey proves to be nothing but trouble for Maia when she probes into the Rindell family's past on The Good Fight.

Tasked with getting answers about the Rindell Ponzi scheme, Madeline uses tricky interrogation tactics to attempt to catch Maia in a lie in "Self Condemned."

She reappears in "Day 408" to mine Maia for information about her father's location, and again in "Day 464" to help Diane with a client who claims to have damaging information about President Trump.

Catch Jane Lynch as Dr. Spencer Reid's institutionalized mother Diana on CBS drama Criminal Minds.

STREAM: Jane Lynch Is Madeline Starkey In The Good Fight Episode "Self Condemned"

What should have been a romantic date at an art gallery turns awkward for Lucca and Colin when Colin's mother, Francesca Lovatelli, interrupts their passionate kiss.

To make things even more uncomfortable, Francesca invites Lucca to Colin's birthday party, where she and her husband insist on making Lucca a part of their discussions about race and politics.

Once Lucca is pregnant with Colin's child in Season 2, Francesca becomes an even bigger presence in her life, particularly when Lucca runs into her on a police ride-a-long when she's booked for driving under the influence in "Day 436."

STREAM: Andrea Martin Is Francesca Lovatelli In The Good Fight Episode "Day 436"

Smarmy Mike Kresteva is the face of the Special Counsel in charge of the Department of Justice Police Accountability in the 21st Century Task Force. Driven by his dubious motives, Mike takes it upon himself to bring down Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad.

In "Not So Grand Jury," the attorneys are forced to bring in Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) to deal with Kresteva after he tries to show a grand jury that the firm took an $800,000 bribe.

The Good Fight isn't the first time Robert and Michelle King fans get a glimpse at Mike Kresteva's shady tactics—Matthew Perry first played the character in The Good Wife.

STREAM: Matthew Perry Is Mike Kresteva In The Good Fight Episode "Not So Grand Jury"

Alma Hoff goes head to head with Diane Lockhart and Lucca Quinn in "Henceforth Known as Property," when the attorneys of Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad represent a woman whose frozen ovum was erroneously given to another couple who only want it for its genetic material.

Alma gives Lucca and Diane a run for their money, but with a little help from Barbara Kolstad (Erica Tazel), the pair are able to find a way around Alma's tactics.

Hoff comes up against Liz Reddick (Audra McDonald) and Maia Rindell in "Day 478" on The Good Fight, representing a woman who's sued by a man after she posts a negative account of their date on a blog called "Assholes to Avoid."

Becky Ann Baker also appeared as Alma Hoff on The Good Wife and had a guest role on CBS drama Madam Secretary.

STREAM: Becky Ann Baker Is Alma Hoff In The Good Fight Episode "Day 478"

This Judge doesn't play games—and she insists that the attorneys in her courtroom don't either. When Lucca first faces Colin Morello in court in The Good Fight episode "The Schtup List," Judge Suzanne has to ask for order more than once, and much to her displeasure.

She reappears in "Day 485" of The Good Fight as the presiding judge over a case for drug possession against Jay DiPersia, who finds out his parents faked his birth certificate when ICE tries to deport him. However, Judge Suzanne has no problem showing her colors as an ally of DiPersia and the Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart lawyers.

The Honorable Suzanne Morris made her debut on Robert and Michelle King's The Good Wife, serving from the bench on several important cases.

STREAM: Jane Alexander Is Judge Suzanne Morris In The Good Fight Episode "Day 485"

The ChumHum billionaire—best known for his affinity for zip-up hoodies and disdain for the law—makes an appearance on The Good Fight in "Social Media And Its Discontents" where he consults Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad on how to curb hate speech in the comment sections of his company's website.

While he seems invested in finding a solution, Neil eventually shocks everyone and rescinds his request after commenters start using his name in place of a derogatory term.

Catch episodes of The Good Wife on CBS All Access to discover Neil Gross' origin story.

STREAM: John Benjamin Hickey Is Neil Gross In The Good Fight Episode "Stoppable: Requiem for an Airdate"

Colin Sweeney, an eccentric billionaire whose alleged crimes include the murder of two of his wives, constantly finds himself in trouble on The Good Fight.

His first appearance, in "Self Condemned," sees him turning to the lawyers of Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad with a police brutality case, accusing a cop who pulled him over of assault.

In "Day 471" of The Good Fight, Sweeney finds himself back at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart when he's ready to marry a third wife, but needs help arranging a prenup to suit both their likings.

Before making trouble on The Good Fight, Colin Sweeney made several more-than-mischievous appearances on its sister series, The Good Wife.

STREAM: Dylan Baker Is Colin Sweeney In The Good Fight Episode "Day 471"

Notorious for his deep sympathy toward humanitarian causes and his left-leaning political views, Judge Charles Abernathy was a fan-favorite from his very first appearance on The Good Wife.

In The Good Fight episode "First Week," a bespeckled Judge Abernathy tries to keep the peace in the courtroom as Lucca and Andrea Stevens (Christine Lahti) go head-to-head over a case over where a footwear employee allegedly stole $70,000 worth of shoes.

The Judge once again takes his place on the bench in Season 2 episode "Day 415," when he presides over Maia's trial where she stands accused of being complicit in her father's Ponzi scheme.

STREAM: Denis O'Hare Is Judge Charles Abernathy In The Good Fight Episode "Day 415"

Andrea Stevens, a shrewd attorney and pro at backhanded compliments, faces off against Lucca Quinn twice in The Good Wife before an especially dramatic courtroom dance in The Good Fight episode "First Week."

In Season 2 episode "Day 422," Andrea returns representing a reality dating show being sued by a contestant who alleges she was raped on set.

And catch Christine Lahti in Robert and Michelle King's dramatic CBS series, Evil, where she plays Sheryl, the mother of forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers). She also appears in CBS series "Hawaii Five-0" as Doris McGarrett.

STREAM: Christine Lahti Is Andrea Stevens In The Good Fight Episode "Day 422"

It's not every day you meet a lawyer who conducts her business from inside a dentist's office, but then again, Elsbeth Tascioni is no ordinary lawyer.

In The Good Fight, Elsbeth employs her strange, but effective, tactics as she represents Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad in its case against the cunning Mike Kresteva beginning in "Stoppable: Requiem for an Airdate."

A proven fan favorite, Elsbeth returns in "Day 429" of Season 2 of The Good Fight, this time brought in by Lucca to represent her estranged brother when he's sued by the Department of Corrections over an app he created that helps inmates file complaints against their prisons.

Elsbeth Tascioni originated in The Good Wife episode "Hybristophilia," and fans quickly grew to love the quirky attorney.

STREAM: Carrie Preston Is Elsbeth Tascioni In The Good Fight Episode "Not So Grand Jury"

Howard Lyman's guest role on The Good Fight is brief but memorable.

In the series' first episode, "Inauguration," Lyman incorrectly assumes that Maia's role at the firm isn't to provide legal expertise, but rather to select and display the lobby's floral arrangements. None of which meet his standards, no less!

Lyman returns in the second season premiere, "Day 408," of The Good Fight, in his new job as a hilariously forgetful judge. At one point, his bailiff is forced to explain what "all this stuff" on his bench is: his docket. When Colin Morello and Diane try to get a continuance on a case to attend Carl Reddick's funeral, Judge Lyman exhibits his lingering dislike by denying their motion.

The Good Fight isn't Howard Lyman's first appearance. He's also a recurring guest star on Robert and Michelle King's original CBS series, The Good Wife.

STREAM: Jerry Adler Is Howard Lyman In The Good Fight Episode "Day 408"


Stream every episode of The Good Fight Seasons 1-5 on Paramount+ and catch the Season 6 premiere on Thursday, Sept. 8.