16 Celebrity Game Show Appearances You Forgot Happened
Many famous celebrities once appeared on game shows long before or after their rise to fame.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Game shows often featured unknown contestants who later became major celebrities. Some also brought in already famous stars for charity episodes or special events. Here are 16 surprising celebrity game show appearances that many people may have forgotten.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Dating Game (1973)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Before becoming a Hollywood star, Schwarzenegger appeared as a bachelor on The Dating Game. At the time, he was known mainly as a bodybuilder. His appearance showed a playful side before his acting career began. Few people remember this early television moment.
2. Steve Martin – The Dating Game (1968)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Long before his comedy and movie career, Martin appeared as a contestant. His charm and humor were visible even at a young age. He had not yet joined Saturday Night Live or starred in films. It remains a surprising early credit.
3. Jon Hamm – The Big Date (1996)
Dominick D on Wikimedia Commons
Hamm appeared on this short-lived dating show years before Mad Men. He looked very different from his later Don Draper persona. Though he lost the game, his appearance resurfaced after he gained fame. It became a viral clip once fans discovered it.
4. Farrah Fawcett – The Dating Game (1969)
ABC Television on Wikimedia Commons
Before Charlie’s Angels, Fawcett also appeared as a contestant. Her appearance highlighted her popularity even before her breakout role. She went on to become one of television’s most recognizable stars. The episode is rarely remembered today.
5. Steve Harvey – Family Feud Contestant (1990s)
Angela George on Wikimedia Commons
Before hosting the show, Harvey once played as a celebrity contestant. Few remember he sat on the opposite side before becoming its most iconic host. His later hosting career gave the show a resurgence in popularity. His early appearance shows how game shows recycle talent.
6. Patrick Dempsey – Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (1987)
David Merrett on Wikimedia Commons
Dempsey appeared on the celebrity edition long before Grey’s Anatomy. At the time, he was an emerging film actor. The episode showcased his lighthearted personality. It is often overlooked in his career timeline.
7. Aaron Paul – The Price Is Right (2000)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Years before Breaking Bad, Paul appeared as an excited contestant. His enthusiasm on stage was memorable, even though he did not win big. The clip later became widely shared online after his success. It remains a favorite example of a celebrity’s early days.
8. Lady Gaga – MTV’s Boiling Points (2005)
The White House on Wikimedia Commons
Before her music career, Gaga appeared on this hidden-camera game show. She played an unsuspecting participant in a prank scenario. Most viewers at the time did not know who she was. The clip resurfaced after she became an international pop star.
9. Kirstie Alley – Match Game (1979)
Alan Light on Wikimedia Commons
Before Cheers, Alley appeared as a contestant on Match Game. She stood out with her quick answers and humor. This appearance came before her acting breakthrough. Many fans forget this was her television introduction.
10. Vanna White – The Price Is Right (1980)
Goszei on Wikimedia Commons
Before becoming famous as the Wheel of Fortune co-host, White was a contestant. She did not win but left a strong impression. Soon after, she landed her iconic role with Pat Sajak. The clip shows her early step into television.
11. Simon Cowell – Sale of the Century (1989, UK)
Alison Martin on Wikimedia Commons
Before American Idol, Cowell appeared as a contestant on this British game show. He was far from the sharp-tongued judge audiences came to know. His calm and competitive appearance surprised viewers who discovered it later. It gave an early look at his TV presence.
12. Martha Stewart – To Tell the Truth (1960s, as a teenager)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
As a young model, Stewart appeared on this long-running game show. Contestants had to guess her identity. She had not yet built her business empire. It became an unusual piece of trivia about her early career.
13. Regis Philbin – Password (1960s)
John Mathew Smith on Wikimedia Commons
Before hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Philbin appeared as a celebrity guest on Password. He was a rising television personality at the time. His appearance showed the wide reach of game shows for TV hosts. It is a rarely discussed early credit.
14. Kelly Clarkson – Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2002, celebrity edition)
Kathy Reesey on Wikimedia Commons
Just after winning American Idol, Clarkson appeared on a celebrity edition. She played for charity and entertained fans with her personality. This was one of her first appearances outside of Idol. Many forget this came at the start of her career.
15. Chrissy Teigen – Deal or No Deal (2007)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Before her modeling and television career grew, Teigen was one of the briefcase models. She appeared on multiple episodes but was not yet well-known. Fans later connected her to those early appearances. It marked one of her first steps into television.
16. Steve Jobs – What’s My Line? (1970s, guest contestant)
Matthew Yohe on Wikimedia Commons
As Apple was emerging, Jobs made a guest appearance on the classic show. Contestants had to guess his occupation. It was before Apple became a global brand. The appearance is almost completely forgotten today.