The Good Wife has always given us great guest stars.

Whether it’s a Broadway performer, a familiar face from TV or film, or an unknown discovery, the CBS series tapped the best the acting field has to offer. More than any other series, the drama proved to be an expert at bringing out stellar performances from its bevy of fabulous guest stars.

The Good Wife comes to an end this Sunday. (Let’s pause to take a sip from our collective glass of wine.) In celebration of the incredible drama’s final moments, we culled through the seven seasons to pick our favorite guest stars. There are some obvious omissions (no way Kalinda’s ex-husband was making it to this list), but others may surprise you (Nathan Lane’s Clarke Hayden story arc, for example, never quite worked).

We also stuck to actors who were always listed as recurring or guest stars (Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Jason and Matthew Goode’s Finn Polamar were both series regulars), and actors who appeared on the show at least twice. Here they are—the 42 greatest guest stars on The Good Wife.



Actor: Denis O’Hare

First episode: “Stripped” Season 1, Episode 2

Number of episodes: 9

Our favorite liberal judge. No I’m not crying. It’s just the pepper spray.



Actor: Joe Morton

First episode: “Fixed” Season 1, Episode 4

Number of episodes: 11

Long before he became Papa Pope on Scandal, Morton’s Daniel Golden helped get Peter Florrick out of jail.



Actor: David Krumholtz

First episode: “Sticky Content” Season 6, Episode 9

Number of episodes: 7

The most cynical member of Alicia’s campaign team for State’s Attorney, Josh was the most fun when he was clashing with Eli.



Actor: Matthew Perry

First episode: “Blue Ribbon Panel” Season 3, Episode 19

Number of episodes: 4

Peter’s opponent in the governor’s race as not the Friend we were used to seeing.



Actor: David Paymer

First episode: “Pilot” Season 1, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 8

He seriously disliked Peter (get in line buddy) and bookended the series by presiding over the first and last cases. You never forget your first judge.



Actor: Michael Urie, Tobias Segal, Zach Woods

First episode: “The Bit Bucket” Season 5, Episode 2

Number of episodes: 5

Obsessed with Alicia and fairly incompetent, we so hope they aren’t an accurate representation of the guys listening in on our conversations in real life. Now let me just send you this YouTube video of goats bleeting to “I Will Always Love You.”



Actor: David Hyde Pierce

First episode: “Message Discipline” Season 6, Episode 7

Number of episodes: 8

Alicia’s opponent in the State’s Attorney’s race always took the higher moral ground. Of course, that worked to make Alicia’s willingness to dive into the gray moral area all the worse.



Actor: Ed Asner

First episode: “Dark Money” Season 6, Episode 13

Number of episodes: 2

A racist misogynist with loads of money, Guy became the best representation of how low Alicia would sink to win the election.



Actor: Anne Marsen

First episode: “A New Day” Season 3, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 6

This was Grace’s quirky tutor/friend who liked flash-mobs and roller skates. She marched to her own beat, and although her story line never quite went anywhere, it was nice that Grace found someone who understood her.



Actor: Mo Rocca

First episode: “Loser Edit” Season 6, Episode 18

Number of episodes: 3

The go-to reporter when you don’t want to be asked any tough questions, Willoughby’s soft-ball queries were hilarious, and—given our current election cycle—not that far from reality.



Actor: Laura Benati

First episode: “Tying the Knot” Season 5, Episode 19

Number of episodes: 2

Colin Sweeney’s wife (and later, ex-wife) was just as crazy and evil as he was. It was always a special treat to watch both of them creepily vibe off each other.



Actor: Matthew Lillard

First episode: “Goliath and David” Season 5, Episode 11

Number of episodes: 2

Two words: Thicky Trick.



Actor: Linda Lavin

First episode: “Dear God” Season 6, Episode 3

Number of episodes: 3

Cary’s pretrial service officer was always dealing with some sort of personal crisis on the phone. She brought a bit of much-needed comic relief to the stress of Cary facing criminal charges.



Actor: John Noble

First episode: “The Decision Tree” Season 5, Episode 10

Number of episodes: 2

Matthew Ashbaugh died before we ever even met him. Appearing only in flashbacks, Ashbaugh was Alicia’s litigious and very wealthy client. He left Alicia $12 million, and in the end, Noble’s character was truly priceless.



Actor: Michael Cerveris

First episode: “A Material World” Season 5, Episode 17

Number of episodes: 10

The incumbent State’s Attorney and Alicia’s would-be opponent was nasty to the core, but so much fun to watch.



Actor: Renee Elise Goldsberry

First episode: “Painkiller” Season 1, Episode 12

Number of episodes: 23

An attorney in Peter’s office, Geneva popped up in the show’s penultimate episode as a key witness in Peter’s trial. Did she actually have a long-standing affair with Peter? The show will probably never confirm this, but we definitely believe it.



Actor: Wallace Shawn

First episode: “Runnin’ with the Devil” Season 4, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 3

Lemond Bishop’s lawyer had the appearance of your kind, gentle uncle. But his demeanor belied those terrifying threats, which he delivered with a smile on his face.



Actor: Christopher McDonald

First episode: “Bond” Season 7, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 7 episodes

Alicia’s worst enemy in bond court, Judge Schakowsky was not above a well-placed bribe.



Actor: Nikki James

First episode: “Lies” Season 7, Episode 6

Number of episodes: 6

Monica joined the firm after accusing them of discrimination. But I think you’ll really like her. You two have a lot in common.



Actor: Nicole Roderick

First episode: “Ham Sandwich” Season 2, Episode 17

Number of episodes: 18

Eli’s assistant is probably the only one who knows exactly how to handle ALL of Eli’s moods. What a trooper.



Actor: Margo Martindale

First episode: “Bond” Season 7, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 13

Peter’s Presidential campaign manager was a worthy opponent to Eli, but her penchant for doing things old school style eventually cost Peter the campaign.



Actor: Kevin Conway

First episode: “Threesome” Season 1, Episode 9

Number of episodes: 3

The original title partner, Stern was a loose cannon (with dementia) whose departure lead to the first of many (many) name changes for the law firm.



Actor: Ana Gasteyer

First episode: “Fleas” Season 1, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 5

The show’s quirkiest judge (and that’s saying something), Judge Lesser had all sorts of rules for her courtroom. But still she’s one of the best judges the show ever had… in our opinion.



Actor: Tim Guinee

First episode: “Silly Season” Season 2, Episode 12

Number of episodes: 10

Andrew was a Mr. Mom investigator who really knew what he was doing, and an old friend of Cary’s from the Innocence Project. Whenever we saw him he was hard at work, but also an incredible multi-tasker, dragging his children about in strollers, car seats and baby carriers all over the city.



Actor: Dreama Walker

First episode: “Threesome” Season 1, Episode 9

Number of episodes: 8

Zach’s high school (sort of) girlfriend was a horror show—sickly sweet to adults, obsessed with the underbelly of Florrick’s life and not afraid to take on anyone—even Eli.



Actor: Titus Welliver

First episode: “Pilot” Season 1, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 16

Childs took over as State’s Attorney when Peter went to jail. He had a serious vendetta against Peter, and, as a result, actually succeeded in making the governor look sympathetic.



Actor: Gary Cole

First episode: “Bang” Season 1, Episode 15

Number of episodes: 13

A gun expert who romanced Diane all the way to the altar, Kurt rarely lost his cool and brought a steamy side to Diane’s personal life.



Actor: Anna Camp

First episode: “Marthas and Caitlins” Season 3, Episode 5

Number of episodes: 9

One of the greatest character bait-and-switches the show ever pulled, Caitlin was introduced as an All About Eve type who wanted to usurp Alicia’s career. But in the end she left it all behind to get married and have a family. Thankfully, viewers got the chance to see her one last time this season.



Actor: Anika Noni Rose

First episode: “Breaking Fast” Season 2, Episode 3

Number of episodes: 14

Peter’s rival in his bid for re-election to the State’s Attorney office, Carr was a strong and conniving opponent who later appeared to prosecute Will in a bribery case.



Actor: Jess Weixler

First episode: “Runnin’ with the Devil” Season 4, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 19

Brought in during the fourth season to help Kalinda, Robyn was a stellar investigator who mysteriously disappeared once Cary and Alicia returned to Lockhart/Gardner. Seriously—where are you, Robyn?



Actor: Jerry Adler

First episode: “Great Firewall” Season 2, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 30

Prone to long naps, racist remarks and taking off his pants, Howard is not the lawyer you want when you’re in trouble. But he made for some truly fantastic subplots on the series.



Actor: Martha Plimpton

First episode: “Crash” Season 1, Episode 5

Number of episodes: 5

Nobody put Will in his place like this character. The no-nonsense Nyholm took no flak from anyone, even when she was nine months pregnant—which she frequently was.



Actor: Mary Beth Peil

First episode: “Pilot” Season 1, Episode 1

Number of episodes: 49

Peter’s mother never, ever saw any faults with her son, but saw many with Alicia. Her fractured relationship with her daughter-in-law provided the show with some of its best domestic scenes.



Actor: Dallas Roberts

First episode: “Breaking Fast” Season 2, Episode 3

Number of episodes: 14

Devoted to his sister, Alicia’s brother got himself into trouble over the years, but he was the one Alicia turned to when times got really tough. Owen was loyal to a fault, and he was responsible for some of the funniest bits of dialogue on the show.



Actor: Stockard Channing

First episode: “A Defense of Marriage” Season 4, Episode 9

Number of episodes: 12

Alicia’s mother was a glorious mix of narcissism, motherly love, inappropriate behavior and total lack of self-control.



Actor: Michael J. Fox

First episode: “Poisoned Pill” Season 2, Episode 6

Number of episodes: 26

Canning became an especially unforgettable character/nemesis as soon as it became clear that he wasn’t afraid of using his disability to get what he wanted—and he often got what he wanted. In his most recent appearance, Canning—who’d once tried to partner up with his former courtroom faux—told Alicia, “God I love you.” But we really, really loved him.



Actor: Sarah Steele

First episode: “Silver Bullet” Season 2, Episode 15

Number of episodes: 22

Eli’s daughter, who became Alicia’s body woman during her campaign, was constantly a refreshing presence. She said what she wanted to say. Always. And we’d definitely watch a spin-off where Marissa goes to law school. Now go drink your milk.



Actor: Mamie Gummer

First episode: “Bad” Season 1, Episode 13

Number of episodes: 8

Oh my goodness! Not nearly as naïve as Nancy Crozier wanted us to believe, her flustered, sweet act was just that—an act. She was a snake in the legal grass.



Actor: Dylan Baker

First episode: “Bad” season 1, episode 13

Number of episodes: 8

The creepiest serial killer of them all, Colin Sweeney had a nasty habit of… murdering his wives. Yup. Baker was always delightfully amusing, even when totally horrifying us.



Actor: John Benjamin Hickey

First episode: “Great Firewall” Season 2, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 8

The tech genius behind the fictional Chumhum (the show’s search engine of choice), the ever-cocky Neil Gross is used to things always going his way and brought the show some of its most of-the-moment tech cases.



Actor: Mike Colter

First episode: “Fleas” Season 1, Episode 16

Number of episodes: 21

The best criminal on prime time TV, Bishop defied viewers’ expectations of how a crime lord should act. He was a deeply devoted dad and a savvy businessman, even as he continuously left murder and mayhem in his wake.



Actor: Carrie Preston

First episode: “Mock” Season 1, Episode 20

Number of episodes: 14

With her quirks and stream of consciousness lawyering, Elsbeth was, arguably, the most brilliant lawyers on the show, and Preston’s portrayal of her was equally brilliant. The most beloved guest star by far, we’re still holding out hope for an Elsbeth spin-off.



Amy Amatangelo, the TV Gal ®, is a Boston-based freelance writer, a member of the Television Critics Association and a regular contributor to Paste. She wasn’t allowed to watch much TV as a child and now her parents have to live with this as her career. You can follow her on Twitter or her blog.