James Van Der Beek made a surprise posthumous appearance in Amazon's Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, playing a crooked school district superintendent. The actor, who died in February at age 48, delivered a bright and happily self-aware performance, consistent with his roles since Dawson's Creek.
Robert Forster in Better Call Saul
Forster reprised his Breaking Bad role as Ed the vacuum cleaner repairman in Better Call Saul. Though his appearance was brief, he filled the character with calm, faint amusement and moral inscrutability, making the cameo feel fully fleshed out.
Miguel Ferrer in Twin Peaks: The Return
Ferrer's Albert Rosenfield appeared in the revival series, with age sanding down his character's rough edges. His bruised and tender performance earned him a posthumous Saturn Award nomination.
Carrie Fisher in Catastrophe
Fisher played Rob Delaney's mother in the third series, filmed before her death. Her character was rude, brittle, unsentimental, and extremely funny, with the final episode dedicated to her.
Bernard Cribbins in Doctor Who
Cribbins played Wilf Mott for the last time in 2022's Wild Blue Yonder, performing from a wheelchair just months before his death. The role was a beloved send-off for the actor.
Chadwick Boseman in What If…?
Boseman voiced T'Challa in Marvel's animated series, giving a wonderfully light and mischievous performance. Despite his illness, no trace of it appeared in his work.
Ray Liotta in Black Bird
Liotta won a posthumous Emmy nomination for his role as James “Big Jim” Keene. His performance, equal parts loving and scary, is considered arguably his best ever.
John Spencer in The West Wing
Spencer's death during production led the show to build its election night episode around it. His frail appearances gave his final scenes a sense of inevitability.
Rob Reiner in Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
Reiner's final screen appearance came seven months after his death, playing George Washington in Larry David's sketch show. The performance ends with Reiner sighing, “We're fucked.”
