Popular Guest Stars Who Have Appeared on Empire

Even though Empire has only been on for 3 seasons, there have been numerous popular guest stars on the show, who have either had a character role or played themselves.

Appeared as Characters on Empire

Cuba Gooding Jr.– Cuba Gooding Jr. appeared in season 1, episode 3- The Devil Quotes Scripture. He played the role of Dwayne “Puma” Robinson, a songwriter and past associate of Lucious and Cookie.

Raven-Symone– Raven-Symone appeared in season 1, episode 6- Out, Damned Spot and episode 7- Our Dancing Days. She played the role of Olivia Lyon, the ex-wife of Jamal.

Mary J. Blige– Mary J. Blige appeared in season 1, episode 10- Sins of the Father. She played the role of Angie, a woman from Lucious’s past. Her character appears briefly in a flashback scene.

Chris Rock– Chris Rock appeared in season 2, episode 1- The Devils are Here. He played the role of Frank Gathers, a drug kingpin who previously worked for Lucious and Cookie.

Ludacris- Ludacris appeared in season 2, episode 2- Without a Country. He played the role of Officer McKnight, who worked as a security guard when Lucious was imprisoned for the murder of Marcus “Bunkie” Williams.

Alicia Keys– Alicia Keys appeared in season 2, episode 9- Sinned Against and episode 10- Et Tu, Brute? She played the role of Skye Summers, a pop singer who is also Jamal’s casual fling.

Rosie O’Donnell– Rosie O’Donnell appeared in season 2, episode 9= Sinned Against. She played the role of Pepper O’Leary, who was Cookie’s cellmate for more than 10 years, when Cookie was in prison for selling drugs.

Mariah Carey– Mariah Carey appeared in season 3, episode 3- What Remains is Bestial. She played the role of Kitty, a singer who worked with Jamal.

Courtney Love– Courtney Love appeared in season 1, 6- Out, Damned Spot and episode 7- Our Dancing Days. She played the role of Elle Dallas, a multi-platinum Rockstar with a drug addiction, who needs a comeback.

Jennifer Hudson– Jennifer Hudson appeared in season 1, episode 10- Sins of the Father, episode 11- Diet But Once and episode 12- Who I Am. She played the role of Michelle White, a gospel singer and music therapist.

Marisa Tomei- Marisa Tomei appeared in season 2, for 5 episodes. She played the role of Mimi Whiteman, who betrayed Lucious for control of Empire Entertainment.

Appeared as Themselves on Empire

Snoop Dogg– Snoop Dogg appeared as himself in Season 1, episode 11- Die But Once. In the season 1 finale, Snoop Dogg performs his song titled “Peaches and Cream,” from his album, “Bush.”

Gladys Knight- Gladys Knight appeared as herself in season 1, episode 3- The Devil Quotes Scripture. In the episode, she sings her song, “What a Fellowship” at the funeral of Marcus “Bunkie” Williams.

Patti LaBelle– Patti LaBelle appeared as herself in season 1, episode 12- Who I Am. In the episode, she sings a duet with Jamal, titled “Nothing to Lose.”

Pitbull– Pitbull appeared as himself in season 2, episode 3- Fires of Heaven. In the episode, Pitbull performs a duet with Jamal, titled “No Doubt About It,” during the welcome home party for Lucious.

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page,  Follow Our Twitter Account or Head Over To Our Pinterest Page!