--- description: Several famous actors and chef appear throughout season 2 of The Bear. Here's a rundown of the many cameos. title: All the Cameos in The Bear Season 2 image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd814a01c6172bfd2/698a3e1be6e84af5a42b03a7/THE_BEAR_208_0003.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Television](/tag/television/) ## Television Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # _The Bear_ Adds Even More Star Power in Season 2 With These Guest Stars by [Shannon Carlin](/author/shannon-carlin/) ## Shannon Carlin Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Carlin is a contributor for TIME. Updated: Dec 11, 2023 7:57 PM CUTPublished: Jun 22, 2023 6:35 PM CUT  Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon in 'The Bear' Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon in 'The Bear'Chuck Hodes—FX Networks by [Shannon Carlin](/author/shannon-carlin/) ## Shannon Carlin Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Carlin is a contributor for TIME. Updated: Dec 11, 2023 7:57 PM CUTPublished: Jun 22, 2023 6:35 PM CUT **_Warning: This post contains spoilers for_** **The Bear** **_season 2_** In season 2, [_The Bear_](https://time.com/6287989/bear-season-2-review/ "undefined") expands its scope beyond the chaotic life of Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White). The stressed out chef—who is busy launching a new restaurant in his family’s former beloved sandwich shop, The Beef, on a truly insane timeline—is still very much the star of the acclaimed FX series, now streaming in full on [Hulu](https://time.com/6274473/best-shows-hulu/ "undefined"). But the new season makes plenty of room for _The Bear_’s excellent supporting cast, which includes [Ayo Edebiri](https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2022/6213739/ayo-edebiri/ "undefined"), Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and real life chef Matty Matheson, to shine. Not to mention, a few famous faces who up the star power and add to the chaos of season 2\. While notable [season 1 guest stars](https://time.com/6288002/the-bear-season-2-refresher/ "undefined") Jon Bernthal and Oliver Platt are back for more, this new run of episodes also features a range of Hollywood stars in small, but important roles, and blink and you’ll miss it cameos from notable Chicago chefs. Keep reading to see who shows up in _The Bear_ season 2.  Chris Witaske and Jon Bernthal in 'The Bear' Chuck Hodes—FX Networks ## **Robert Townsend** The actor, director, and comedian, best known for his roles in 1987’s _Hollywood Shuffle_ and the late ‘90s WB sitcom _The Parent’Hood,_ plays Sydney’s (Edebiri) dad. When he appears in episode 2, we see how much he loves his daughter, but also how scared he is that her newest restaurant venture will end as badly as her last. He even suggests that she reach out to a cousin at Boeing to see if he can hook her up with a more stable gig. Despite his concerns, he does buy her a copy of legendary Duke men’s basketball coach [Mike Krzyzewski](https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1226165,00.html "undefined")’s book, [_Leading with the Heart: Coach K’s Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life_](https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Heart-Successful-Strategies-Basketball/dp/0446676780 "undefined")_,_ to help her as she embarks on her latest culinary journey. The self-help sports book pops up throughout the season, becoming one of its best running jokes. [**_Sign up for_** **Worth Your Time**](https://cloud.newsletters.time.com/signup?nln=worth-your-time "undefined") **_for weekly recommendations on what to read, watch, and listen to._** ## **Molly Gordon** The [_Booksmart_ ](https://time.com/5594000/booksmart-review/ "undefined")actor makes her debut in season 2, and her character Claire, a former crush of Carmy’s, becomes an integral part of his journey towards finding his purpose. Like Carmy, she grew up in Chicago and is buddies with his sister Sugar (Abby Elliott) and best friend, Fek (Matheson). Claire is finishing her residency in emergency medicine and is really jazzed about resetting tibias. She’s also a good listener who seems to understand the world Carmy grew up in. She’s a calming presence, which is something Carmy could use in his chaotic life.  Will Poulter and Lionel Boyce in 'The Bear' Chuck Hodes—FX Networks ## **Will Poulter** The [_Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3_](https://time.com/6276775/guardians-of-the-recap-before-vol-3/ "undefined") star ditches his most recent golden god getup as Adam Warlock to play a talented and heavily tattooed pastry chef with ties to Carmy. In episode 4, Marcus heads to Copenhagen to study under Poulter’s tough, but fair and kind English pastry chef, who, unlike Carmy, seems to have found a proper work-life balance. His “minty Snickers bar” dessert is one of the most beautifully composed dishes you’ll see on the show. ## **Alex Moffat** In episode 3, Sydney makes a new hire to the new restaurant’s kitchen crew, who happens to be the former _Saturday Night Live_ cast member, who left the series in 2022 after six seasons. It doesn’t hurt that he is also a Chicago native. ## **Rob Levitt** The acclaimed chef and butcher now at [Publican Quality Meats](https://www.publicanqualitymeats.com/ "undefined") in Chicago shows up briefly in episode 3 to help Sydney pick out the right cuts of meat. ## **Donnie Madia** Sydney has a friendly chat with one of Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurateurs, who was awarded [Outstanding Restaurateur in 2015 by the James Beard Foundation](https://www.eater.com/2015/5/4/8548653/james-beard-foundation-awards-2015-winners-michael-anthony-blue-hill#:~:text=Outside%20of%20New%20York%2C%20Jessica,of%20Chicago's%20Publican%20and%20Blackbird. "undefined"). His advice to make sure she has a good partner in Carmy becomes a bit of an albatross around her neck throughout the season. ## **Dylan Patel** The chef de cuisine at [Avec](http://www.avecrestaurant.com/ "undefined"), a 20-year mainstay in the Chicago culinary scene for its midwestern take on Mediterranean dining, appears in episode 3 as part of Sydney’s food tour. ## **David Posey** In episode 3, the executive chef and co-owner of [Elske](https://elskerestaurant.com/ "undefined"), a creative Chicago spot focused on American cuisine with Danish influences, shares some real talk with Sydney about bad business partners being the downfall of his and his wife, executive pastry chef Anna Posey’s previous restaurant. ## **Mitra Jouhari** In episode 5, viewers meet Kelly, Claire’s heartbroken bestie, played by the comedian who has appeared in _Broad City_, _Search Party_, and _Abbott Elementary_. (She has also written for _Big Mouth_, _High Maintenance_, and _Miracle Workers_.) Most recently, she showed up in[ _I Think You Should Leave_ season 3](https://time.com/6282147/most-anticipated-tv-shows-summer-2023/ "undefined") as the date of a guy with a hair-do that looks a lot like an English Springer Spaniel’s. ## **Bob Odenkirk** The gray-haired star of _Better Call Saul_—and Illinois native—is Uncle Lee, who in episode 6, which flashes back to a 2018 Berzatto family Christmas, can’t seem to get anyone to take a scalding dutch oven off his hands or listen to his take on the seven fishes. His fork fight with Mikey (Bernthal) sure escalates quickly. ## **Jamie Lee Curtis** The [2023 Oscar winner](https://time.com/6262178/oscars-recap-2023/ "undefined") plays Diane, the very blonde, very red-nailed, very not okay (though, definitely don’t ask her) matriarch of the Berzatto family in episode 6, which may be the most stress-inducing episode of _The Bear_ yet. No one ever said cooking the seven fishes was easy though. She shows up again in the present day-set finale for another heartbreaking moment. ## **John Mulaney** The comedian appears in episode 6 as Stevie, cousin Michele’s partner, who no one remembers despite having met him a million times. Luckily, he really knows how to give a Christmas dinner speech. Of course, viewers know Mulaney from many (many) things, including his latest Netflix comedy special, [_Baby J_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss9nFwhqMNw "undefined"). ## **Sarah Paulson** The actor takes a break from the [Ryan Murphy](https://time.com/5667752/ryan-murphy-netflix/ "undefined") Cinematic Universe to join _The Bear_ as cousin Michelle, who, in episode 6, plays Carmy’s biological family member, who has survived the Berzatto family dysfunction by escaping to New York, only coming back to celebrate the occasional holiday. ## **Gillian Jacobs** The _Community_ and _Love_ star shows up in episode 6 as Tiffany, cousin Richie’s then-wife, now ex, who vomits all over herself. (She’s pregnant, FYI.) The couple’s relationship in 2018 is sweet and sour, but it’ll have you rooting for a reunion in the future. ## **Olivia Colman** The former star of [_The Crown_](https://time.com/5717556/the-crown-season-3-netflix-review/ "undefined") and current star of [Marvel’s _Secret Invasion_](https://time.com/6289141/secret-invasion-captain-marvel-refresher/ "undefined") plays Chef Terry, the owner and head chef at the [three-star Michelin restaurant](https://guide.michelin.com/en/us/restaurants/3-stars-michelin "undefined") where Richie trains in episode 7\. She teaches Richie how to fancily peel mushrooms and that it’s never too late to start over. ## **Adam Shapiro** The rather stressed out chef in episode 7, who is really, really mad about a smudged plate, is the same actor who plays Mr. Shapiro in Netflix’s [_Never Have I Ever_](https://time.com/5827768/maitreyi-ramakrishnan-never-have-i-ever/ "undefined"). (He’s also married to _Scandal_ and [_Inventing Anna_](https://time.com/6147088/inventing-anna-true-story/ "undefined") star Katie Lowes.) ## **Sarah Ramos** The _Parenthood_ star and [“Hollywood actress”](https://twitter.com/sarahramos?lang=en "undefined") pops up in episode 7 to help Richie learn the color coded system that helps the front of house staff understand which diners have allergies, are celebrating a birthday, or eat unusually fast. ## **Rene Gube** The actor who plays the general manager at one of the best Chicago restaurants in episode 7 previously appeared on _Crazy Ex-Girlfriend._ He’s also a co-executive producer and writer on _The Bear._ ## **Joel McHale** The _Community_ star follows up a memorable season 1 cameo as Carmy’s former abusive boss, with an equally stress-inducing appearance in the finale. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/6289319/the-bear-season-2-guest-star-cameos/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/6289319/the-bear-season-2-guest-star-cameos/"},"headline":"The Bear Adds Even More Star Power in Season 2 With These Guest Stars","datePublished":"2023-06-22T18:35:41.000Z","dateModified":"2023-12-11T19:57:14.000Z","description":"Several famous actors and chef pop up in show's second season","url":"https://time.com/6289319/the-bear-season-2-guest-star-cameos/","keywords":["Television","freelance","culturepod"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd814a01c6172bfd2/698a3e1be6e84af5a42b03a7/THE_BEAR_208_0003.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Shannon Carlin","jobTitle":"Carlin is a contributor for TIME.","url":"https://time.com/author/shannon-carlin/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd814a01c6172bfd2/698a3e1be6e84af5a42b03a7/THE_BEAR_208_0003.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"THE_BEAR_208_0003","caption":"THE BEAR — “Bolognese” — Season 2, Episode 8 (Airs Thursday, June 22nd) Pictured: (l-r) Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, Molly Gordon as Claire. 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