PBS
When it comes to a long line of fabulous guest stars, Sesame Street has really led the charge. Over the course of the 50+ years it's been on air, the show has repeatedly pulled some of the most exciting names to come swing by and entertain and educate kids with the help of the residents of Sesame Street.
Even though the show took its time bringing actual queer representation to the block, it's never shied away from having LGBTQ+ celebrity guests. Everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Elton John to every famous queer Billy/Billie you can imagine has made a stop on Sesame Street. So to celebrate its recent salvation via Netflix, here are just a few of our faves over the years.
1. Billie Eilish
Pop stars performing on Sesame Street is a time-honored tradition, and Billie Eilish clearly didn't mind revisiting her lyrics to make way for The Count.
2. Ian McKellen
If only Patrick Stewart had joined them!
3. Tracy Chapman
Those are some lucky muppets to get a personal Tracy Chapman concert like that.
4. Kate McKinnon
Kate McKinnon's energy is practically made for Sesame Street.
5. Kal Penn
Kal Penn has made several appearances on Sesame Street — you know, in between his busy acting schedule and that time he went to go work at the White House for awhile, nbd.
6. Rosie O'Donnell
A native New Yorker, Rosie O'Donnell just fits right in on Sesame Street.
7. Billy Porter
The mere idea of Billy Porter appearing on Sesame Street caused quite a stir, but Sesame Street is for everyone.
8. Reneé Rapp
Reneé Rapp appeared on Sesame Street for the first time in 2025, but we hope she'll be back!
9. Keke Palmer
Only Keke Palmer could make "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" sound so fun.
10. Harvey Fierstein
Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein visited Sesame Street on several occasions, but his song about noses parodying "Everything's Coming Up Roses" is one to remember.
11. Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho kept the laughs coming when she worked through some emotions with Big Bird.
12. Billy Eichner
Forget Billy on the Street — Billy on the Sesame Street is totally where it's at.
13. Janelle Monáe
Sesame Street has never been quite as stylish as when Janelle Monáe stopped by.
14. Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming on Sesame Street somehow just makes perfect sense.
15. Jodie Foster
Is there anything more weirdly adorable than Jodie Foster trying to befriend Oscar the Grouch?
16. Dan Levy
It's too bad we couldn't have had his Schitt's Creek alter ego show up and try to adjust to life on Sesame Street, but everyone was just as thrilled to see Dan Levy leading a dinosaur hunting expedition on the show as himself.
