The Bear, the critically acclaimed FX series, recruits major stars to play minor roles (which qualify for Guest Star Emmys).
Some of the show’s biggest cameos came in season two’s iconic episode “Fishes,” which introduced amie Lee Curtis’ Donna Berzatto, John Mulaney’s Steve, Sarah Paulson’s Michelle and Bob Odenkirk’s Uncle Lee.
Much to fans’ joy, a couple of those actors reprised their roles in season 3.
The new installment also introduced some new characters portrayed by major celebs, including John Cena’s Sammy Fak and Josh Hartnett’s Frank. Even Bradley Cooper made brief appearance.
Christopher Storer series finished shooting its third season only weeks before its Hulu release and will jump back into shooting season 4. “I think the structure will look like it has in the past,” White had said. His onscreen sister, Abby Elliot, who plays Sugar, added, “Because we shoot in Chicago, because we’re with our family, we just get right back into the groove and our rhythm. We kind of just leave the outside world behind.”
The cameos, from returning actors to award-winning chefs you may have missed.
Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna
Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna in ‘The Bear.’ CHUCK HODES/FXJamie Lee Curtis debut came in season two, and she returned to Chicago as the infamous Donna Berzatto in season three’s episode eight, “Ice Chips.”
Natalie (Abby Elliot) goes into labor at Restaurant Depot while Pete (Chris Witaske) is flying back from a trip, and everyone at The Bear is getting ready for dinner service so their phones are in their lockers. With no one else to call, Natalie finally reaches out to her mother, after months of seemingly wanting to but not being able to do it. Natalie and Donna spend time together, as they discuss their rocky relationship and have an honest conversation between mother and daughter.
Jon Bernthal as Michael Berzatto
Jon Bernthal appears in flashbacks in The Bear season three. He shows up in Carmy’s flashbacks this season, and also in Tina’s (Liza Colón-Zayas) past. Episode six, “Napkins,” directed by co-star Ayo Edebiri, follows Tina after she’s let go from her job of 15 years and tries to find new work without bachelor’s degree. When one job she falls through, she stumbles upon The Original Beef and befriends Mikey, who offer her a line cook job.
John Cena as Sammy Fak
One of this season’s biggest surprises was John Cena, who appears as Sammy “fucking Fak” in episode five, “Children,” as another member of the large Fak family. He stops by The Bear to help the crew buffer the floors ahead of photographer from the Chicago Tribune stopping by the restaurant before the paper’s review comes out. Cena’s Sammy introduces the Fak family tradition of “haunting” loved ones, repeatedly brought up between brothers Neil (Matty Matheson) and Ted (Ricky Staffieri).
Olivia Colman as Chef Andrea Terry
Oliva Colman makes her The Bear comeback as Chef Andrea Terry in flashbacks throughout the season and in photos of news stories when she announces that her restaurant Ever will be closing. In episode 10, “Forever,” Carmy, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), attend the final meal at the restaurant where Carmy trained as chef. After an entire season of White’s character panicking over wasting time in the kitchen, Colman’s Andrea tells Carmy she’s closing the restaurant because she wants to have life outside of the kitchen.
Will Poulter as Luca
Will Poulter portrays chef Luca, a former colleague of Carmy’s and the person who showed Marcus (Lionel Boyce) how to take his pastry chef game to the next level in Copenhagen in season two. He appears in Carmy’s flashbacks in season three before showing up in the final episode, as they say goodbye to Ever.
John Mulaney as Steve
John Mulaney makes brief cameo as Steve in season three, episode one, “Tomorrow,” in flashback of Carmy’s time as a chef in New York. While working at Eleven Madison Park, he crashes on Steve and Michelle’s (Sarah Paulson) couch. On several nights, Steve covers Carmy with a blanket as he sleeps and, at one point, tells him he smells like a donkey. Mulaney and Paulson’s characters were introduced in season two’s iconic episode “Fishes.”
Josh Hartnett as Frank
Fresh off his role in best picture Oscar winner Oppenheimer, Josh Hartnett appeared in The Bear season three. He portrays Frank, the fiancé of Richie’s ex-wife Tiff (Gillian Jacobs), in episode four, “Violet.” Richie drops off his daughter Evie at Frank’s house, and the two have awkward conversation about how they’re now a part of the same family. Frank apologizes for not having spoken with Richie before proposing to Tiff, as Taylor Swift’s “Long Live” plays.
Bradley Cooper as Chef Adam Jones
Bradley Cooper’s fictional Chef Adam Jones from Burnt makes very brief cameo in The Bear season three. When Carmy attends Ever’s funeral dinner service, he takes a look at a board that displays the restaurant’s history, and right in the middle of it is a photo of Cooper as Adam. The 2015 film followed the multihyphenate’s character, who was once top chef in Paris until his drug and alcohol use put his career on hold.
