7 Stars You (Probably) Forgot Appeared on 'Pee-wee's Playhouse'

"Pee-Wee's Playhouse" is one of the wackiest, weirdest, and most creative shows to ever exist in the world of children's television. But did you know the Saturday morning favorite featured some soon-to-be stars? Let's take it back to the '80s and look at 7 familiar faces who started in Puppetland's Playhouse. 

Laurence Fishburne

Before "The Matrix" and "Black-ish," Fishburne played Cowboy Curtis. 

Natasha Lyonne

The "Orange Is the New Black" star played an adorable member of Pee-wee's Playhouse Gang named Opal for one season back in 1986. 

Phil Hartman

"SNL" alum Phil Hartman played Captain Carl and wrote for the series. He and Paul Reubens were in the improv troupe "The Groundlings" together. Hartman died tragically in 1998. 

S. Epatha Merkerson

Merkerson played Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on "Law and Order" for a whopping 17 seasons and now she portrays Sharon Goodwin on "Chicago Med." Before she called herself an Emmy and SAG Award winner, she was Reba the Mail Lady for eight episodes. 

Sandra Bernhard

The comedian and actress played Rhonda the Picturephone Operator in a 1990 episode of the series. 

Alisan Porter

Alisan Porter is best known for playing the title role in 1991's "Curly Sue." She recently made headlines for blowing away the coaches with her amazing voice on "The Voice" blind auditions. 

Jimmy Smits

The Emmy-winning "NYPD Blue" star had a brief one-episode appearance as Conky repairman Johnny Wilson.