When a series has been on the air a long time, it’s fun to look back at the guest stars who have helped make the show a success.
It’s no surprise that CSI was loaded with some of the best entertainment has to offer. We’re bringing them to you in the following slideshow. Every network, genre and generation is covered. You can count on it.
Just sit back and enjoy photos from actual episodes of the series for a walk down memory lane as we say goodbye to one of television’s greats.
Krista Allen as Kristy Hopkins – “Pilot” – 2000
Krista Allen played prostitute Kristy Hopkins in three episodes of CSI in it’s premiere season, beginning with its pilot!. Don’t get too attached. She unwittingly makes a connection with Nick, and after sleeping with him in CSI Season 1 Episode 13 becomes the subject of a murder investigation. Oh no!!
Milo Ventimiglia as Bobby Taylor – “Friends & Lovers” – 2000
Milo Ventimiglia turns up as a suspect and eventual killer of his best friend in this heartbreaking performance on “Friends & Lovers,” CSI Season 1 Episode 5. Look at those tears!
Dakota Fanning as Brenda Collins – “Blood Drops” – 2000
A teeny weeny little Dakota Fanning was at the heart of a family massacre story on “Blood Drops,” CSI Season 1 Episode 7, when she guest starred as Brenda Collins in 2000. A sad tale of murder and sexual abuse, her face sure belies the tale!
Shawn Christian as Patrick Haynes / Chad Matthews – “Table Stakes” – 2001
Hey! Days of Our Lives star Shawn Christian got down and dirty when his sister (who he was passing off as his wife) killed a woman on “Table Stakes,” CSI Season 1 Episode 15. Whoopsies!
Aldis Hodge as Tony Thorpe – “Too Tough to Die” – 2001
Aldis Hodge played Tony Thorpe in CSI Season 1 Episode 16, “Too Tough to Die,” a role he’d later reprise in 2008. Talk about a long wait to return! Pretty cool though. His character was a murderer and rapist, who was used by the victim’s husband years later to justify pulling the plug on his brain-dead wife.
Brigid Branaugh as Tammy Felton – “Face Lift” – 2001
Bridgid Branaugh was on two episodes of CSI. In the first, “Face Lift,” CSI Season 1 Episode 17, she’s discovered to have been a woman who was kidnapped as a small child and raised as someone different. In the next, CSI Season 2 Episode 9, “And Then There Were None,” she’s murdered. Multiple episodes of CSI are bad on guest stars!
Brian McNamara as Steven Anderson – “Gentle, Gentle” – 2001
Brian McNamara guest starred as a father protecting his family from a tragic lie in CSI Season 1 Episode 19, “Gentle, Gentle.” If you can imagine the worst possible circumstances happening to a family by accident? Yep, this would suit.
Rainn Wilson as Guy in Supermarket – “Strip Strangler” – 2001
While fellow guest star Michael Cerveris was getting away with murder, guy in supermarket Rainn Wilson was pretending to make a pass on Sara to steal her wallet in the first season finale of CSI titled “Strip Strangler.” See his shifty eyes? He was getting ready to move!
Brenda Strong as Dr. Leigh Sapien, “Overload,” 2001
Brenda Strong was Dr. Leigh Sapien in CSI Season 2 Episode 3, “Overload.” The good doctor is a psychiatrist who practices rebirthing and it goes terribly wrong on a 14-year-old boy. Do these sessions ever go right in these situations?
Jeremy Renner as Roger Jennings – “Alter Boys” – 2001
Before Jeremy Renner was doing the impossible beside Tom Cruise, he was a pizza boy accused of murder on CSI Season 2 Episode 6, “Alter Boys.” Did he really do the crime? Watch to find out.
Kelly Rowan as Eileen Nelson – “Slaves of Las Vegas” – 2001
Kelly Rowan guest starred in the first episode of CSI to show brief nudity and also the first to feature Melinda Clarke as Lady Heather, who will reprise her role in the series finale. Not much of a nod, but here she is, nonetheless!
Marcia Cross as Julia Fairmont – “Organ Grinder” – 2001
Marcia Cross was in CSI Season 2 Episode 11, “Organ Grinder” as part of a killer duo. She’s the second of the Desperate Housewives to hit this slideshow, and was the wife of the victim, a secretary and murderer!
Jason Beghe as Russ Bradley – “Burden of Proof” – 2002
On CSI Season 2 Episode 15 Jason Beghe guest starred as Russ Bradley. THE KILLER!!! Of course the big gun on Chicago PD was playing a killer in 2002! Sadly, that isn’t the worst crime he committed. And? No deal.
Zachary Quinto as Mitchell Sullivan – “Anatomy of a Lye” – 2002
Zachary Quinto guest starred as a dude working in a chop shop in CSI Season 2 Episode 21, “Anatomy of a Lye.” How adorable does he look as that kind of dude? LOL
Mark Sheppard as Rod Darling – “The Hunger Artist” – 2002
Mark Sheppard guest starred as Rod Darling on CSI Season 2 Episode 23, “The Hunger Artist,” and isn’t he just darling? This was the episode in which Grissom started experiencing hearing problems.
Ian Somerhalder as Tony Del Nagro – “Revenge is Best Served Cold” – 2002
The CW is represented going out of Season 2 and swinging into Season 3 as Ian Somerhalder guest stars in CSI Season 3 Episode 1 as Tony Del Nagro (what a name!), “Revenge is Best Served Cold.” You think he’s serving the revenge? You really think I’d tell you a reveal on a guest star this big? Tsk, tsk.
Chad Michael Murray as Tom Haviland – “The Accused is Entitled” – 2002
Because the better looking the guest star, well, the better, CSI Season 3 Episode 2, “The Accused is Entitled” featured Chad Michael Murray as the entitled accused, a skanky (and hot) movie star. The Wallflowers (remember them?) also made an appearance.
Niecy Nash as Snuff Film Processor – “Snuff” – 2002
Niecy Nash has come a long way from her guest starring role as a no-named snuff film processor on CSI Season 3 Episode 8, “Snuff.” She’s now a rent-a-cop on Scream Queens!
Evan Rachel Wood as Nora Easton – “Got Murder?” – 2003
Evan Rachel Wood made an appearance in CSI Season 3 Episode 12, “Got Murder?” as Nora Easton. She’s still a kid!
Pauley Perrette as Candeece / Pink Hair ‘ “Lady Heather’s Box” – 2003
CSI Season 3 Episode 15, “Lady Heather’s Box” brings with it Pauley Perrette as Candeece / Pink Hair. She seems to be just a little bit typecast as the tough yet soft chick, doesn’t she?
Katherine LaNasa as Ginger – “Precious Metal” – 2003
Satisfaction’s Katherine LaNasa guest starred as Ginger on CSI Season 3 Episode 18, “Precious Metal.” She comes off a little like Rizzo from Grease in this one.
Willie Garson as Bud Simmons/Sexy Kitty – “Fur and Loathing” – 2003
Willie Garson headed to CSI Season 4 Episode 5, “Fur and Loathing” to play Bud Simmons/Sexy Kitty. What?! Methinks this furry ain’t going by a CB handle! Did he feel safe enough to kill in there?
T. R. Knight as Zero Adams – “XX” – 2004
T. R. Knight as Zero Adams in CSI Season 4 Episode 17, “XX” wasn’t the only guest star, as Gina Torres also starred as a prison warden.
Megan Follows as Beth Darian – “Bad to the Bone” – 2004
She was no queen when Megan Follows guest starred on CSI Season 4 Episode 18 as Beth Darian, but she’s still royalty to us!
Melissa Leo as Sybil Perez – “Harvest” – 2004
Oscar winner Melissa Leo was the mother of a murdered teenager on “Harvest,” CSI Season 5 Episode 1. She’s come a long way from these guest arcs!
David Anders as Travis Watson – “Crow’s Feet” – 2004
iZombie’s David Anders showed up as a lab tech on CSI Season 5 Episode 4. He looks awfully serious, doesn’t he?
Seth Gabel as Gavin ‘Rex’ Layne – “Formalities” – 2004
Seth Gabel pops up as a possible drug dealer and murderer on CSI Season 5 Episode 7, “Formalities.” He does something he does very well; acts entitles and like a total smartass.
John Krasinski as Lyle Davis – “Who Shot Sherlock” – 2005
John Krasinski is involved in a case where he might have left a dude for dead after helping his car veer off the road on CSI Season 5 Episode 11. Whoops!
Misha Collins as Vlad – “Nesting Dolls” – 2005
Before he was the go-to angel on Supernatural, Misha Collins was doing blink and you miss them roles on shows like this, seen here on CSI Season 5 Episode 13.
Eric Winter as Julian Harper – “Room Service” – 2005
Eric Winter guest starred as an up and coming movie star and VICTIM OF MURDER in CSI Season 6 Episode 2! Who could be so horrible to kill such a pretty face?
Silas Weir Mitchell as Willie Angel – “Room Service” – 2005
What? A two-fer? Yep, because this Grimm guy was a suspect in the murder of Eric Winter’s character. Did he do it or was he just a thief stuck in the room watcing Winter boink a woman? Hmmmm…
Seamus Dever as Adam Gilford – “Bite Me” – 2005
Look who made an appearance in CSI Season 6 Episode 5! Castle’s own Seamus Dever! This installment was about a woman who took to biting her male friends in the neck. Her nickname? Buffy. Of course.
Kristin Bauer van Straten as Kenli Johnson – “Secrets and Flies” – 2005
When she wasn’t the sultry and sexy Pam on True Blood, Kristin Bauer van Straten looks a little a different. Here she is as Kenli Johnson, a suspect for the murder of an adoptive mother on CSI Season 6 Episode 6, “Secrets and Flies.”
Faye Dunaway as Lois O’Neill – “Kiss Kiss, Bye Bye” – 2006
CSI Season 6 Episode 13 had a movie star in its midst as Faye Dunaway guest starred as Lois O’Neill, a socialite who published a tell-all book about old Las Vegas on “Kiss Kiss, Bye Bye.”
Taraji P. Henson as Christina – “I Like to Watch” – 2006
It’s Cookie! Well, not exactly. It’s Taraji P. Henson as Christina on CSI Season 6 Episode 17, “I Like to Watch.” Her character was the victim of a terrible sexual assault, and she’s strong enough to talk about it in detail.
Kat Graham as Tisha – “Poppin’ Tags” – 2006
Ian Somerhalder isn’t the only Vampire Diary vet who can cry crocodile tears. Check out Kat Graham as Tisha in CSI Season 6 Episode 20, “Poppin’ Tags.” They have something else in common – they’re both in the hot seat within the last quarter of their respective episodes!
John Mayer – “Built to Kill, Part 1” – 2006
John Mayer had a guest starring role as himself in the CSI Season 7 premiere, “Built to Kill, Part 1.” It was a lot like the Wallflowers role mentioned earlier. Cirque du Soleil also guest starred. If you can call it that.
Sean Young as Dusty – “Built to Kill, Part 2” – 2006
Sean Young joined the lineup for the second half of the CSI Season 7 premiere as the mother of one of the suspects. She wasn’t happy to learn her son was fingerprinted, at all!
Jim Beaver as Stanley Tanner – “Fannysmackin'” – 2006
Jim Beaver guest starred as a tourist who was happening by when he got the beat down in an alley on CSI Season 7 Episode 4. Greg was beaten, as well, as he got caught in the melee and saved the fellow.
David Ramsey as Gerald Crowley – “Burn Out” – 2006
David Ramsey plays Gerald Crowley in “Burn Out,” CSI Season 7 Episode 6. Crowley is the father of one of two missing boys, one black and one white. He intitially thinks his father might be to blame.
Frank Grillo as Gary Sinclair – “Happenstance” – 2006
On CSI Season 7 Episode 8 Frank Grillo guest starred as Gary Sinclair, the better half to Joanna Going’s character, who played identical twins.
Joanna Going – “Happenstance” – 2006
Yep, another two-fer. After all, Joanna Going and Frank Grillo were both in Kingdom in 2014 and both in the same episode of CSI in 2006. Worth mentioning, don’t you think?!
Roger Daltrey as Mickey Dunn – “Living Legend” – 2006
I’m not sure Rober Daltrey’s foray into television on CSI Season 7 Episode 9, “Living Legend,” was as successful as Glen Frey years earlier on Miami Vice, but whatever.
Walton Groggins as Marlon Frost – “Empty Eyes” – 2007
On CSI Season 7 Episode 18 Walton Groggins WAS A MURDERER!!! Not of one, not of two, not even of three women. He got a whole gaggle of ’em as Marlon Frost. He received justice.
Laura Vandervoort as Miss Tangiers – “Big Shots” – 2007
CSI Season 7 Episode 18 didn’t see Laura Vandervoort being Bitten, but she was almost hit and smashed by a runaway limo. Hey, those things happened all the time in Vegas!
Britt Robertson as Amy Macalino – “Go to Hell” – 2007
How freakin’ adorable is Britt Robertson this young and as a brunette? Well, not much else about her story in CSI Season 8 Episode 3, “Go to Hell,” is adorable. She’s used an abused. It’s terrible.
Octavia Spencer as Sherry – “Drops Out” – 2008
Octavia Spencer working at a fast food restaurant? I don’t think so! But that’s what she’s doing on CSI Season 8 Episode 14 as Sherry.
Katey Sagal as Annabelle Fundt / Natasha Steele – “Two and a Half Deaths” – 2008
Katey Sagal is playing a tempermental actress and her photo standin in CSI Season 8 Episode 16 and they BOTH manage to get murdered. Hahahahahaaaa!
Jeffrey Tambor as Jerzy Skaggs – “Art Imitates Life” – 2008
Jeffrey Tambor guest starred as an artist who created some pretty freaky death-like sculptures that happened to take shape in the real world in CSI Season 9 Episode 3.
Katheryn Winnick as Maureen Martin – “One to Go” – 2009
Not quite the Viking in CSI Season 9 Episode 10, as Maureen Martin Katheryn Winnick is a victim of the Dick and Jane Killer. Or she might be. Dun dun dun dunnnnnn!
Michael Cudlitz as Josh Martin – “The Grave Shift” – 2009
Michael Cudlitz was A MURDERER on CSI Season 9 Episode 11. Don’t ever let him tell you any differently!
Charisma Carpenter as Mink – “The Descent of Man” – 2009
When a dude falls to the ground after his parachute doesn’t open, Charisma Carpenter’s character, Mink, is one of the suspects in his maiming and possible death on CSI Season 9 Episode 19, “The Descent of Man.”
Liza Weil as Risa Parvess – “A Space Oddity” – 2009
Where did Liza Weil learn how to get away with murder? On CSI Season 9 Episode 20, of course, where she was a part of “A Space Oddity.” Duh.
Henry Thomas as Jeremy Kent – “If I Had a Hammer” – 2009
ET go home! Henry Thomas was a prisoner conspiring against another inmate on CSI Season 9 Episode 20, “If I Had a Hammer.”
Charotte Ross as Sabrina Owen – “If I Had a Hammer” – 2009
Arrow’s Mama Smoak got into a speck of trouble by helping out that aforementioned inmate, Henry Thomas during CSI Season 9. Whoopsies!
Jason Dohring as Danny Nagano – “Long Ball” – 2010
Jason Dohring plays a suspect in his father’s death in “Long Ball,” CSI Season 10 Episode 12. He looks sad, but does that make him a murderer?
Matt Barr as Bellermine Quisk – “The Panty Sniffer” – 2010
Everyone’s a suspect when … no, Matt Barr is whisking up some drugs in the hotel room as Bellermine Quisk on CSI Season 10 Episode 16, “The Panty Sniffer.” With a name like that, what else could he do?
Lucas Gabreel as Guillermo Seidel and Cassi Thomson as Katy – “Field Mice” – 2010
HOLY MOLY! Future Switched at Birth spouses Lucas Gabreel and Cassi Thomson starred as little squinterns on CSI Season 10 Episode 20! How friggin cute is that?!
Justin Bieber as Jason McCann – “Shock Waves” – 2012
Yep. It’s little baby Bieber starring in the CSI Season 11 premiere. Remember when he was all sweet and innocent? Is he even a thing anymore?
Sasha Roiz as Danny Macklin – “Pool Shark” – 2010
Sasha Roiz tries to get a little close to Marg Helgenberger on CSI Season 11 Episode 2, “Pool Shark,” but she shuts him down. Crazy lady.
Annie Wersching as Dr. Priscilla Prescott – “House of Hoarding” – 2010
Another Vampire Diaries representative as Annie Wersching plays Dr. Priscilla Prescott on CSI Seaosn 11 Episode 5, “House of Hoarding.”
Josh Dallas as Kip Woodman – “Targets of Obsession” – 2011
Can Josh Dallas save the day? We sure hope so! He’s on the bomb squad on CSI Season 11 Episode 15, “Targets of Obsession.” It’s that damn Bieber again, raising trouble!
Matt Lauria and Grant Show as Agents Pratt and McQuaid – “Zippered” – 2011
Matt Lauria as Agent Matthew Pratt and Grant Show as Agent Viggo McQuaid guest starred on CSI Seaosn 12 Episode 9 as a couple of unwanted FBI dudes interested in a specific weapon on a case. What they couldn’t say really annoyed everyone.
Rose McIver as Bridget Byron – “Tressed to Kill” – 2012
Rose McIver as Bridget Byron was in a very tight space on CSI Season 12 Episode 13, “Tressed to Kill.”
Mary Page Keller as Leslie Clyborn – “Seeing Red” 2012
Mary Page Keller had a husband and son along with her on the suspects list on CSI Season 12 Episode 14. Not a fun place to be!
Paul Blackthorne as Tom Laudner – “Trends with Benefits” – 2012
Here’s something you don’t see Quentin Lance do very often – SMILE! The jury’s out on whether Paul Blackthorne should be smiling on CSI Season 12 Episode 17 as the college professor teaching…gossip…however.
Kyle Richards as Ms. Young – “Play Dead” – 2013
Kyle Richards caught the acting bug just in time for the Halloween episode (Get it? She was in the original Halloween movie…) as a busy body neighbor on CSI Season 13 Episode 5.
Kirk Acevedo as James Boyd – “In Vito Veritas” – 2013
When DB helped out his old pal Mac Taylor on CSI Season 13 Episode 13, it was Kirk Acevedo who turned out to be the baddie who Mac tossed around the interrogation room. Fun!
David Cassidy as Peter Coe – “Last Woman Standing” – 2013
David Cassidy guest starred as a professional poker player and MURDER VICTIM on CSI Season 13 Episode 16, “Last Woman Standing.” Certainly wasn’t this man!
Lucas Bryant as Sean McHenry – “Dead of the Class” – 2013
Poor Lucas Bryant guest starred as a murder suspect and reunion guest who never went anywhere, but almost got lucky the second time around on CSI Season 13 Episode 17, “Dead of the Class.”
Neal McDonough as Tommy Barnes – “Sheltered” – 2013
Neal McDonough made a big mistake holding a gun on one of their own! He was living off the grid on CSI Season 13 Episode 18 and a suspect in a murder.
Dichen Lachman as Jessica Lowell – “Fearless” – 2013
Who doesn’t like a good mud bath? So asks Dichen Lachman’s character Jessica Lowell during CSI Season 13 Episode 20, “Fearless.” Personally, I’m afraid of them.
Ian Bohen as Thomas Pope / Jonathan Harris – “Ghosts of the Past” – 2013
No idea why or how Ian was playing two characters during CSI Season 13 Episode 21, but he sure looks good doing it, doesn’t he? This one is about ghost hunters, and they were killed on location. Bohen’s location. Uh oh…
Black Sabbath – “Skin in the Game” – 2013
Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath made an appearance on the CSI Season 13 Season Finale. Who in the hell would have expected that one? Not me!
Jason Priestly as Jack Witten – “Frame by Frame” – 2013
Jason Priestly was a suspect in the murder of Bethany Joy Lenz on CSI Season 14 Episode 5. Can this really be the face of a murderer? Probably.
Lea Thompson as Jennifer Rhodes – “Under a Cloud” – 2013
Was Jennifer Rhodes “Under a Cloud” on CSI Season 14 Episode 7? We’d have to ask Lea Thomspon, I suppose! She was helping on a case when a dude went into a crime scene without consent.
John Heard as Roger Ridley – “Love for Sale” – 2014
John Heard made an appearance on CSI Season 14 Episode 15 as a shady character named Roger Ridley who was involved in prostitution that might have encapsulated 16-year-old girls. No bueno.
Gene Simmons – “Long Road Home” – 2014
Gene Simmons played a version of himself on CSI Season 14 Episode 17, offering fans the “fame experience.” But a chick got killed on the fake rock star bus. Whoops!
Greg Gunberg as Len Bryant – “Road to Recovery” – 2014
Greg Gunberg is one of a few guest stars on CSI Season 15 Episode 7 taking the “Road to Recovery.” Follow to the next slide to see who joined him for the stay at rehab!
Merrin Dungey as Twyla Owens – “Road to Recovery” – 2015
Merrin Dungey was one of the counselors on “Road to Recovery.” Does that make her more of a suspect? Give it a watch to find out!
Sharon Osbourne as Elise Massey – “Dead Rails” – 2014
Hey, her hubby had already made an appearance on the show, so why not Sharon? She guest starred as Elisa Massey on CSI Season 15 Episode 10.
Lisa Rinna as Tori Nolan – “Under My Skin” – 2015
Lisa Rinna’s daughters are missing on CSI Season 15 Episode 17, but she wasn’t the best mother, so there are things she did very, very wrong. That’s why she’s crying. They caught right up to her.
