10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Watch Homicide Life On The Street
6. A Long List Of Terrific Guest Actors
Homicide's main cast, talented as it was, boasted few "big names". At the time, perhaps Ned Beatty (in the role of Det. Stan Bolander) was the most well-known actor. Yaphet Kotto has always been distinct and recognizable but his name perhaps a little difficult to recall. Melissa Leo since went on to become a Hollywood A-lister (in part thanks to her Oscar-winning performance in The Fighter). But those aside, the cast was comprised of relative unknowns.
In contrast, the show presented an impressive list of established actors in guest roles, sometimes portraying murder suspects and sometimes relatives to victims.
James Earl Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Bruce Campbell, Marcia Gay Harden, Charles S. Dutton, Chris Rock, Lily Tomlin, Wilford Brimley, Robin Williams, Bruno Kirby, David Morse, Rosanna Arquette, Elijah Wood, Vincent D'Onofrio, Eric Stoltz, Melvin Van Peebles, Charles Durning, Paul Giamatti, Luis Guzman, Dan Hedaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jerry Stiller and Steve Buscemi are just some of the household names who popped up throughout the show.