Some of our favorite sitcoms from the ’90s and early 2000s had a handful of guest stars who made special appearances on the shows. Seeing some celebrities guest star as themselves was great, but the ones who played random characters were even better.

From celebrities who played shady business owners to others who played fearful yet funny criminals, here are eight hilarious times celebrities appeared on ’90s and early 2000s sitcoms.

Tommy Davidson as ‘Varnell Hill’ on 90s sitcom, Martin

Tommy Davidson portrayed Varnell Hill, the antagonist in Martin‘s “Hollywood Swinging,” parts 1 and 2. Varnell Hill was a shady talk show host who visited Martin at the WZUP station where he was employed before he went ‘Hollywood’.

Hill had promised Martin a coveted guest spot on his show if Martin ever made it to LA. However, this promise was never fulfilled, as Hill dismissed it as mere ‘Hollywood talk.’

Gary Coleman as ‘Cupid’ on ’00s sitcom,The Jamie Foxx Show

Desperate to know whether his ex-girlfriend Fancy wants to get back together, Jamie hires Cupid (yes, that Cupid). Played by Gary Coleman, the little love guy intends to help. However, things go left when the matchmaker meets Fancy and wants to keep her for himself.

Katt Williams as ‘Ricky’ on ’00s Girlfriends

In “Sleeping Dogs,” Joan learns that Darnell may have been with another woman the night before he remarried Maya. Katt Williams appears as Ricky, Darnell’s old high school friend. On a date with Joan, he reveals some ‘wild’ stories, which later results in him mistakenly revealing the secret.

Serena Williams as ‘Miss Wiggins’ on ’00s sitcom, My Wife and Kids

In the episode “Crouching Mother, Hidden Father,” Serena Williams guest stars as Kady’s kindergarten teacher and questions Jay’s directing when she tries to direct the kids in a reenactment of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Miss Wiggins tells Jay she is pushing the kids too hard, but Jay dismisses her comments and learns the hard way.

Isabel Sanford as ‘Grandma Evelyn’ on the ’00s sitcom, The Parkers

Known as the beloved Louise ‘Weezy’ Jefferson, Isabel Sanford also guest starred on The Parkers as Grandma Evelyn. She was the older, yet jazzy grandma who develops a thing for Nikki’s man, Professor Oglevee. The two then begin to indulge in a not-so-friendly competition for the professor’s attention.

Gary Coleman as ‘Mad Dogg No Good’ on Martin

In the episode “High Noon,” Martin is haunted by the return of Mad Dogg No Good. He desperately attempts to use his friends for safety. Yet the character eventually feels the wrath of the criminal he helped lock up. Coleman’s character sends Martin many cryptic messages. In the end, they finally meet in person, in a twist ending that Martin didn’t see coming.

Steve Harvey as ‘Frederick Barnes’ Loan Officer on The Parkers

To get her catering business off the ground, Nikki heads to the local bank for a loan. Her plans abruptly halt when she encounters a witty loan officer named Frederick Barnes. Played by Steve Harvey, the character shows no interest in her plan and denies her application.

Bernie Mac as ‘Shane’ on the ’00s sitcom, The Wayans Bros

Bernie Mac guest stars as Shane, and wants Marlon to marry his sister. Shane has plans to welcome Marlon into the family, but not before he tortures and threatens Marlon’s brother and father.

Each celebrity guest appearance in these sitcoms of the ’90s and ’00s brought something unique to the characters they played. These sitcom appearances will never be forgotten.

Photo credits: (SCREENSHOTS) /YouTube episode clips of the various shows