Every ‘Between Two Ferns’ Guest

Every ‘Between Two Ferns’ guest has something in common: they willingly sat in a tiny, awkward interview space with Zach Galifianakis, two suspiciously underpaid plants, and the strong possibility of being roasted in front of the internet. That is bravery. Or poor calendar management. Either way, the result became one of the most memorable comedy interview formats of the digital era.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis began as a deliberately uncomfortable parody of celebrity talk shows. Instead of flattering questions, polished lighting, and warm promotional banter, the series offered deadpan insults, broken showbiz etiquette, awkward silences, and a set that looked like it had been decorated by someone who lost a bet at a garden center. The joke was simple but brilliant: what if a celebrity interview removed the fake sparkle and replaced it with a folding-chair interrogation?

Over the years, the guest list grew from indie-comedy favorites and Hollywood stars to musicians, politicians, Oscar winners, talk-show legends, and Netflix movie cameos. This guide breaks down the major Between Two Ferns guests, explains why the show worked, and gives fans a clean, easy-to-read list of the famous faces who stepped between the foliage.

What Is ‘Between Two Ferns’?

Between Two Ferns is a satirical talk show hosted by Zach Galifianakis. The format is intentionally cheap-looking: two potted ferns, a plain backdrop, clumsy graphics, and an interviewer who seems allergic to normal human politeness. Guests usually appear as themselves, but the “interview” is less about promotion and more about turning celebrity publicity into a comedy obstacle course.

The humor comes from contrast. A-list actors and public figures are used to being treated like rare crystal. On this show, they are treated more like someone who cut in line at the DMV. Zach’s character asks strange, blunt, or hilariously misguided questions while the guest tries to stay composed. The best episodes feel like a game of comedy chicken: who will blink first, the celebrity or the fern?

Why the Guest List Became So Famous

The Between Two Ferns guest list matters because it shows how flexible the format became. A tiny web comedy sketch somehow attracted Oscar winners, blockbuster stars, comedians, musicians, and even presidential candidates. That range helped the show move beyond “funny internet video” and into pop-culture history.

Another reason the list is fun to revisit is that each guest brought a different flavor of awkwardness. Michael Cera leaned into the uncomfortable indie-comedy vibe. Natalie Portman handled the chaos with dry precision. Justin Bieber’s episode played like a fake disciplinary meeting. Barack Obama’s appearance turned the format into a public-service comedy moment. Brad Pitt’s episode proved that even one of the world’s most famous movie stars could sit still while being comically misnamed, mocked, and interrupted.

Every Main Web-Series Guest

The original online run is the heart of the show. These episodes built the reputation of Between Two Ferns as the place where famous people went to be lightly roasted under questionable office lighting.

Early Episodes: The Awkward Foundation

• Michael Cera The first major guest set the tone: uncomfortable, minimal, and wonderfully weird.
• Jimmy Kimmel A talk-show host entering a parody talk show is comedy folding in on itself like a nervous lawn chair.
• Jon Hamm The Mad Men star became one of the show’s recurring celebrity targets.
• Natalie Portman Her episode showed how well the format worked with an Oscar-level performer who could keep a straight face.
• Bradley Cooper A frequent Zach Galifianakis collaborator, Cooper appeared during the rise of The Hangover era.
• Carrot Top A surprise appearance that fit the show’s love of odd left turns.
• Charlize Theron Another major movie star dropped into the anti-glamour machine.
• Conan O’Brien A comedy veteran who understood the rhythm of awkwardness immediately.
• Andy Richter Appearing with Conan, Richter added an extra layer of talk-show-world self-parody.
• Andy Dick Part of the show’s expanding universe of chaotic cameo energy.
• Ben Stiller A perfect guest for a format that mocks celebrity promotion while still promoting something.
• Steve Carell A master of uncomfortable comedy meeting another master of uncomfortable comedy. Naturally, the ferns survived.
• Sean Penn His episode played on intensity, seriousness, and Zach’s talent for testing both.
• Bruce Willis A classic example of the show putting an action star in a very non-action setting.
• Jennifer Aniston Her appearance turned the awkwardness toward sitcom royalty.
• Tila Tequila Appeared in the same episode, adding to the strange celebrity mix.
• Will Ferrell As one of the faces connected with Funny Or Die, Ferrell’s presence felt both natural and ridiculous.

The Comedy Central Special Guests

The 2012 Comedy Central special, often known as A Fairytale of New York, expanded the format into a longer television-style event. It featured:

• Tina Fey A comedy icon whose timing matched the show’s dry absurdity.
• Jon Stewart Another talk-show heavyweight, making the fake interview even funnier by comparison.
• Richard Branson A billionaire entrepreneur in a setting that looked like it cost less than a sandwich tray.

The Oscar Buzz Guests

The Oscar-themed episodes turned awards-season campaigning into a comedy buffet. The guests included:

• Jennifer Lawrence
• Naomi Watts
• Christoph Waltz
• Anne Hathaway
• Amy Adams
• Jessica Chastain
• Sally Field
• Emmanuel Lewis
• Bradley Cooper, returning for more fern-based discomfort

These episodes are especially important because they captured the silliness of awards-season interviews. Instead of asking actors about “craft” and “process,” the show treated prestige cinema like a party where someone forgot to bring chairs.

Music, Movie Stars, and Political Guests

• James Franco His episode leaned into the actor’s public image as unpredictable and artsy.
• Edward Norton Appeared in the James Franco-related special material.
• The Lonely Island The comedy music trio joined the series’ strange promotional universe.
• Jerica Young Listed among the show’s special guests.
• Justin Bieber One of the most viral installments, built like a mock scolding session.
• Tobey Maguire Featured in the holiday edition.
• Samuel L. Jackson Also part of the holiday edition, bringing heavyweight screen presence to a very lightweight set.
• Arcade Fire The band brought music-world prestige into the fern zone.
• Barack Obama A historic appearance that blended comedy with public outreach.
• Brad Pitt One of the most famous episodes, featuring sharp deadpan exchanges and a cameo surprise.
• Louis C.K. Appeared as a cameo in the Brad Pitt episode.
• Hillary Clinton Her appearance continued the show’s unexpected political reach.
• Jerry Seinfeld A comedy legend placed inside an interview format designed to make talk-show legends uncomfortable.
• Wayne Knight Appeared in the Seinfeld and Cardi B episode, adding a Seinfeld-related wink.
• Cardi B Her entrance gave the episode a sudden jolt of modern pop-culture electricity.
• Sofia Coppola Listed among the show’s special guests, adding auteur credibility to the strange little set.

The Netflix Era: ‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie’ Guests

In 2019, Between Two Ferns: The Movie took the tiny web-show idea and stretched it into a road-trip comedy. The movie kept the core formula while adding a larger fictional story: Zach and his crew travel around trying to film celebrity interviews. The film also gave fans a fresh batch of guests and cameos.

Major Movie Interview Guests and Cameos

• Matthew McConaughey A major opening guest whose interview helps kick off the movie’s chaotic plot.
• Keanu Reeves A perfect match for deadpan politeness versus Zach’s awkward hostility.
• Paul Rudd Brings his easy charm, which the show immediately tries to dent.
• Brie Larson Appears in the movie and later uncut interview material.
• David Letterman A talk-show legend meeting the least hospitable talk show in the business.
• Awkwafina Brings sharp comic timing to the expanded fern universe.
• Benedict Cumberbatch His famously distinctive name alone feels like something the show was invented to mishandle.
• Hailee Steinfeld One of the younger stars featured in the movie’s interview run.
• Adam Scott Appears in movie-related interview material.
• Jon Hamm Returns from earlier fern history.
• Will Ferrell Plays a key role in the movie’s fictional Funny Or Die setup.
• Chance the Rapper Adds music-star energy to the film’s cameo list.
• Rashida Jones Another comedy-friendly performer who fits the tone neatly.
• John Cho Appears as part of the film’s celebrity lineup.
• Jason Schwartzman A natural fit for an absurdist comedy environment.
• Peter Dinklage Featured in the movie’s road-trip structure.
• Gal Gadot Adds blockbuster-star sparkle to a format determined to remove sparkle.
• Tiffany Haddish Brings high-energy comedy to the movie’s guest roster.
• John Legend Appears alongside the film’s larger celebrity world.
• Chrissy Teigen Part of the movie’s expanded cameo storyline.
• Tessa Thompson A major contemporary star featured among the movie guests.
• Michael Cera Returns as part of the franchise’s wider cast of familiar faces.
• Matt Berninger Appears as himself in the movie.
• Phoebe Bridgers Appears as herself, connecting the film to indie music culture.
• Walter Martin Also appears as himself in the film.
• Bruce Willis Included through archive footage.

Why Celebrities Agreed to Do It

At first glance, agreeing to appear on Between Two Ferns seems like agreeing to attend your own roast in a dentist’s waiting room. But for celebrities, that was the attraction. The format let famous people prove they could laugh at themselves. In an entertainment culture full of polished press junkets, this show offered a different kind of publicity: controlled chaos.

For actors, musicians, and public figures, the benefit was clear. A standard interview might deliver a few polite quotes. A Zach Galifianakis interview could become a viral comedy moment. The guest did not need to sell the project directly; the performance of surviving the interview became the promotion.

The Best Types of ‘Between Two Ferns’ Guests

1. The Deadpan Survivors

Guests like Michael Cera, Keanu Reeves, and Natalie Portman worked because they could sit inside the awkwardness without overexplaining the joke. Their calm reactions made Zach’s behavior seem even more ridiculous.

2. The Comedy Pros

Conan O’Brien, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, and Jerry Seinfeld understood the machinery immediately. They knew when to push back, when to pause, and when to let the silence do the heavy lifting.

3. The Prestige Stars

Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Christoph Waltz, Amy Adams, and other award-season figures made the show funnier because they were usually surrounded by serious promotional language. The contrast was the joke.

4. The Political Guests

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made the series feel bigger than entertainment. Their appearances showed that the internet comedy format had become influential enough to sit beside traditional media, wave politely, and then ask a very weird question.

How the Show Changed Celebrity Interviews

Between Two Ferns did not invent awkward comedy, but it perfected the short-form celebrity anti-interview. Before the format became common on social media, the show understood something important: online audiences enjoy seeing famous people step outside their managed image. The ferns were not just plants; they were tiny green lie detectors.

The series also helped prove that web comedy could attract major talent. A few minutes on Funny Or Die could compete with a traditional late-night appearance because the concept was sharper, stranger, and more shareable. Viewers did not need context. They only needed to see a movie star sitting in a bad chair while Zach Galifianakis asked a question no publicist would ever approve.

A Complete Quick-Scan Guest List

For easy reference, here is a compact list of notable Between Two Ferns guests across the web series, specials, and movie universe:

Michael Cera, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Hamm, Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, Carrot Top, Charlize Theron, Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Andy Dick, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis, Jennifer Aniston, Tila Tequila, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jon Stewart, Richard Branson, Jennifer Lawrence, Naomi Watts, Christoph Waltz, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Sally Field, Emmanuel Lewis, James Franco, Edward Norton, The Lonely Island, Jerica Young, Justin Bieber, Tobey Maguire, Samuel L. Jackson, Arcade Fire, Barack Obama, Brad Pitt, Louis C.K., Hillary Clinton, Jerry Seinfeld, Wayne Knight, Cardi B, Sofia Coppola, Matthew McConaughey, Keanu Reeves, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, David Letterman, Awkwafina, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Scott, Chance the Rapper, Rashida Jones, John Cho, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Tessa Thompson, Matt Berninger, Phoebe Bridgers, Walter Martin, and other associated cameo performers from the movie era.

Experiences Related to Watching Every ‘Between Two Ferns’ Guest

Watching every Between Two Ferns guest in order is a surprisingly strange experience. At first, it feels like browsing random internet comedy from the late 2000s: grainy, short, low-budget, and powered almost entirely by timing. But the deeper you go, the more the series starts to feel like a time capsule of celebrity culture. The guest list tells a story about who was famous, who was rising, who was Oscar-campaigning, who was internet-savvy, and who was confident enough to let Zach Galifianakis poke holes in their public image.

The early episodes feel especially small in the best possible way. Michael Cera’s appearance has that “is this a real interview or did someone accidentally leave the camera on?” energy. Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Hamm make the concept feel sturdier, as if the show suddenly realized, “Wait, famous people will actually come here?” By the time Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, Charlize Theron, and Steve Carell appear, the format has sharpened into something recognizable: a celebrity interview where the guest’s job is not to promote but to survive.

The Oscar episodes are fun to revisit because they capture awards season from the side door. Normally, Oscar interviews are full of careful praise, emotional journeys, and phrases like “I was drawn to the material.” Between Two Ferns takes that whole machine and replaces the velvet rope with a plastic fern. Watching Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, Christoph Waltz, Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Sally Field, and others sit through the format makes awards campaigning feel less like a grand ceremony and more like a very odd waiting room.

The political episodes create a different kind of viewing experience. Barack Obama’s appearance still feels like a “how did this happen?” moment. It is not just a funny video; it is proof that internet comedy had become powerful enough to reach audiences traditional interviews might miss. Hillary Clinton’s episode works in a similar way, though with a different rhythm. In both cases, the show becomes more than a comedy sketch. It becomes a media event disguised as a bad local-access program.

The Netflix movie era is best experienced as a victory lap. The cameos are bigger, the production is cleaner, and the fictional story gives the interviews a loose road-trip frame. Yet the best moments still depend on the original formula: famous person, weird question, uncomfortable pause, fern. Keanu Reeves, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, David Letterman, Awkwafina, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Matthew McConaughey all show how durable the format is. No matter how famous the guest becomes, the chair still looks uncomfortable.

What makes the full guest list enjoyable is not simply the number of celebrities. It is the variety of reactions. Some guests stare Zach down. Some smile through the pain. Some fight back. Some appear to wonder whether their agent has betrayed them. That range is why the show remains rewatchable. Every guest changes the temperature of the room, even though the room itself never changes much. Same ferns, new victim, fresh awkwardness.

In the end, watching every Between Two Ferns guest is like flipping through a scrapbook curated by a hostile houseplant. It is silly, sharp, and oddly revealing. The show reminds viewers that celebrity interviews do not always need glamour to be memorable. Sometimes all they need is one comedian, two ferns, and a guest brave enough to ask, “Can my publicist fix this?”

Conclusion

The full Between Two Ferns guest list proves how a tiny web comedy idea grew into a pop-culture landmark. From Michael Cera to Barack Obama, from Brad Pitt to Cardi B, from Oscar winners to Netflix cameos, the series attracted an astonishing range of guests by doing the opposite of a normal interview. It stripped away polish, lowered the emotional temperature to “office basement,” and let awkwardness become the star.

That is why Between Two Ferns still matters. It turned celebrity promotion into comedy performance. It gave viewers a reason to enjoy interviews again. Most importantly, it taught us that no matter how famous someone is, they can still look deeply uncomfortable next to a potted plant.