The Office: 10 Best Characters Who Appeared in Only One Episode

The last episode of The Office may have aired ten years ago, but the series remains popular thanks to numerous past and present streaming options. NBCUniversal is promising previously unreleased content of the show, and Peacock’s recently released never-seen-before cold open (“Toilet Humor”) provides more hope for new footage.

Aside from the beloved series regulars of The Office, numerous guest appearances played by well-known actors helped create an ever-changing dynamic to the office’s daily routine of selling paper. The show was not short of characters who appeared in only one episode. In true quirky “office” fashion, fans would be well served if Peacock released additional footage of characters featured in only one episode, or perhaps fans will see these characters in a reboot or online shorts released on Peacock or its YouTube channels.

10 Tim Meadows (Christian)

In “The Client” (Season 2, Episode 7), Micheal and Jan are at the local Chili’s trying to swoon Meadow’s character into buying paper from Dunder Mifflin. From singing “Chili’s Baby Back Ribs” to finally closing the sale, Meadow’s character showcases Micheal’s ability to sell paper.

What happens to Christian and his business isn’t known, but Meadows is known for playing down-on-their-luck characters. A reboot could feature a quick documentary interview with Christian about his life after business with Dunder Mifflin (an interview conducted preferably at a Chili’s). Meadows currently acts and voices characters in several shows. As an actor who has consistently worked for decades in several comedic projects at a time, Meadows might be the one-episode-only actor with the most chance to appear in a reboot cameo.

9 Will Arnett (Fred Henry)

Fred has a three-step plan guaranteed to work, except he is not willing to share it during his interview for office manager during Season 7, Episode 24. With a smug demeanor and Arnett’s trademark deep voice, Fred quickly annoys the search committee, which gives Dwight reason to beg for a chance to be interviewed.

The “Search Committee” episode features several cameos, and a Peacock reboot could feature a “Where are they now?” from all of the branch manager interviewees. While Arnett currently hosts the popular Smartless podcast with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, fans can always hope for a Fred Henry update featuring an insight into all three steps of his plan to double profits. Arnett made a surprise appearance on ABC’s December 2021 live reboot of The Facts of Life, so fans can hope that his willingness to make cameos on reboots remains open.

8 Evan Peters (Luke Cooper)

In Season 7, Episode 1, Peters plays Luke Cooper, who might be the most agreeably “worst” employee the Scranton branch has seen. Micheal sides with his employees and spanks Luke, who eventually runs out of the office, crying. Creed lets everyone know Luke is trashing them on Twitter.

Peters has had several successful roles since The Office, including American Horror Story and his role as Quicksilver in the X-Men movies. Unlikeable then, perhaps the show can reboot a new and improved Luke Cooper. Creed seems impressed with his Twitter skills, so an interesting reboot of the character could feature a Creed/Luke storyline. Plus, Peters is no stranger to surprising and well-played cameo appearances, having played his X-Men Quicksilver character in Disney+’s WandaVision.

7 Jim Carrey (The Fingerlakes Guy)

The “Search Committee” episode is filled with short scenes featuring famous actors. The viewer cannot be certain how the interview went, but Carrey’s character was in a hurry to get to his family in the Fingerlakes because people disappear in the Fingerlakes and he doesn’t want them to worry.

Carrey’s appearance as an unimportant character with only a few seconds of screen time make the cameo memorable. Unfortunately, the “Finger Lakes Guy” didn’t get the management position, which brought the character’s arc to a quick end even though Jim Carrey’s unique form of comedy would have fit well with The Office‘s cast. Even without a Jim Carrey cameo, the show can feature an update about “the guy who disappeared in the Fingerlakes.” While the content may not exist, never-seen-before footage of the actual interview would be great to see.

6 Joan Cusack (Erin’s Biological Mother)

Erin’s biological mother, played by Cusack, appears in the series finale. Cusack’s character asks Erin if she hates her mother. Erin’s responds, “Maybe . . . but not hate hate . . . I’d have to meet her.”

Cusack’s character adds closure for Erin with just the right amount of awkwardness viewers expect from the show. Where was Erin’s mother all this time? Did she establish a relationship with Erin after the documentary ended? A reboot or release of new footage could allow fans to know more about why Erin’s biological mother appeared in the final minutes of the show.

5 Tig Notaro (Single Mom)

Andy is attacked in the office parking lot by a gang of ruthless kids in Season 8, Episode 17. One of the moms, played by Notaro, comes to the office to look for “the fancy gentleman with the squeaky voice.” Notaro perfectly delivers her one-line defense of her daughter: “You know what? Tiffy’s going to college.”

Notaro’s notoriety has increased since her brief appearance on The Office, and given her more recent comedic fame, maybe Peacock can convince Notaro to reprise her role and update fans on the life of Tiffy. Did Tiffy go to college? Did Pam correctly predict Tiffy’s teenage pregnancy? Like many one-episode actors/characters, Notaro could appear in an online short without the need to feature any other actor or character.

4 Christian Slater (uncredited)

In Episode 15 of Season 6, Slater plays himself in a training video for Sabre. “Have you ever tasted a rainbow? At Sabre, you will.”

Short and sweet, Slater’s few seconds of air time are perfectly suited for the ridiculous and surprising changes Sabre brings to Dunder Mifflin. Perhaps Peacock will release additional Sabre training videos in upcoming “never-seen-before” content and fans can see more of the mysterious Christian Slater character and his ill-stated metaphors about Sabre. Interestingly, Sabre training videos could be released on Peacock’s YouTube channel completely independent of any reboot content.

3 Rob Riggle (Captain Jack)

In “Booze Cruise” (Season 2, Episode 11), Captain Jack is the “party captain” for the office workers (and a few others) during a cold cruise. Roy proclaims a date for his engagement to Pam after listening to Captain Jack’s speech about relationships.

In an episode that should be overshadowed by the Jim and Pam romance drama, former Marine Riggle holds his own as Captain Jack. Any update of Captain Jack could feature a rekindling of his short (very short) lived relationship with Meredith. Riggle has had a long list of guest appearances and hosting gigs during his acting career, and if the timing is right, Riggle is a likely actor to reappear on a reboot.

2 Jack Black

The two-part episode “Stress Relief” (Episodes 14 and 15, Season 5) features Jim and Pam watching a bootleg film titled Mrs. Albert Hannaday. Black plays the lead male role in the film, a man who is in love with the grandmother of his fiancé. Alas, his love is unrequited.

While a show reboot is uncertain, bringing back Black’s character for a sequel “movie-within-the show” would be a great twist and possible without needing any other actors (aside from maybe Jessica Alba). Scheduling film time around the cast is a large hurdle for bringing the show back, but that should not affect any appearance by Black’s character. Mrs. Albert Hannaday 2 sounds like a good Netflix movie for Jim and Pam.

1 Cloris Leachman

Leachman plays the title role of Mrs. Albert Hannaday in the bootleg film featured in the adored “Stress Relief” episode. As the grandmother of Jessica Alba’s character, acclaimed actress Leachman somehow believably plays Jack Black’s love interest.

Leachman passed away in 2021, so fans will not see her reprise the character in any potential reboot of the series that extends the movie-within-the-show. Perhaps Peacock will release original footage of her role now that the streaming service is providing “never-before-seen” content. A reboot featuring the movie-within-the show, Mrs. Albert Hannaday 2, would be a great way to honor the actress.

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