Commonly cited as one of television’s greatest modern titles,Lostpremiered twenty years ago to widespread praise. Famous actor Matthew Fox sits at the top of a star-studded cast, playing a spinal surgeon named Jack Shepherd. After his plane crashes on a massive, mysterious island, Jack leads his fellow survivors on a thrilling journey while flashbacks grant insight into each of their unique backstories.
Other characters are played by the likes of Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, and Dominic Monaghan. Famous names, and fans ofLostcan likely recall their fictional counterparts in a mere matter of seconds. However, it’s been twenty years since season one initially hit the airwaves — there’s a solid chance that you’ve forgotten an actor or two who appeared among its cast. These are fifteen names that are bound to fit the bill.
15Robert Patrick
Known as T-1000 fromTerminator 2: Judgment Day(1991) as well as his appearances in other action flicks,Robert Patrickhas numerous performances that may have been lost (no pun intended) throughout the years — not just in movies, but also on the medium of television. With regard to the show at hand: He appears in a single episode of season one, playing a friend of Sawyer’s, whose name is Hibbs.
A Forgotten Character
One of the most inventive storytelling tactics in Lost would beits utilization of flashbacks. Each episode focuses on a different character, both with regard to their escapades on the island on top of their life back at home. For Sawyer, he was a confidence man, with his featured flashbacks shining light on his inventive deceits, only to be duped by Patrick’s character Hibbs. He got one over on one of the smartest minds onLost.
14Clancy Brown
A master of modern westerns,Clancy Brownhas played prominent parts in movies likeThe Burrowers(2007),Cowboys & Aliens(2011), andThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs(2018). But he’s alsoappeared in several sports films, such asThe Hurricane(1999) andThe Express(2008).Perhaps his most famous film role is Captain Byron Hadley inThe Shawshank Redemption(1994), but none of that even accounts for Clancy’s contributions to television.
Clancy Brown: Master of Television
Since the very first episode ofSpongeBob SquarePants(1999–present), he’s voiced main character Mr. Krabs, while also showing up in various other cartoons throughout his underrated career. He even had an appearance inLostthroughout seasons two and three, playing Kelvin Inman, the character who manned the Hatch before Desmond Hume’s arrival. Not the most prominent figure, but still a solid showing from the talented Clancy Brown.
13Saïd Taghmaoui
Achieving critical acclaim inLa Haine(1995), underrated actorSaïd Taghmaouitransitioned to Hollywood fairly soon thereafter. One of his biggest roles was inThree Kings(1999), written and directed by David O. Russell, who would cast Saïd in a couple of other projects before the actor appeared inWonder Woman(2017). He then worked onJohn Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum(2019), but well before his Hollywood blockbusters, Saïd played a character onLost.
A Tragic Twist
In the show’s fifth season, after Ajira Airways Flight 316crashes onto the island, Saïd’s character Caesar assumes the leadership position for his undersized group of survivors. Like several members of Oceanic 815, he takes a keen interest in the island’s many Dharma stations, but unfortunately for fans of Saïd, his character dies after a few short episodes. With the same shotgun that Caesar stole, Ben Linus shoots him dead.
12Julie Bowen
Before ever appearing inModern Family(2009–2020), famous actressJulie Bowenhad a recurring role inLost. Five episodes, in fact, as she portrayed Sarah Shephard — later known as Sarah Wagner — the ex-wife of lead character Jack. Flashbacks grant audiences insight into the protagonist’s troubled psyche, which was caused by a number of personal relationships blowing up before his eyes. This includes Bowen’s character Sarah.
A Tragic Character Herself
While she’s easy to root against, Sarah harbors some dark memories of her own — three years before Oceanic 815 crashed on the infamous island, Sarah wasin a car accident. This is how she meets Jack, the spinal surgeon who operated thereafter and became close with Sarah as her fiancée Kevin tucked tail and ran. Quite a tragic backstory for Sarah, who was played with grand emotion by the famous Julie Bowen.
11Saul Rubinek
Early in season two,Saul Rubinekplayed a one-off character named Clark Finney. Only appearing for a single episode, Saul Rubinek is never regarded as a main cast member ofLost. Nor should he be. But his dramatis personae Clark Finney will likely ring a bell upon hearing his role in the plot of “Adrift”, the second episode of season two.
As Cheap as Money Can Get
As the attorney of major character Michael Dawson, minor figure Clark Finney was essentially hired because of his cheap reputation. He then represented Michael in his custody battle, and left the show from there. Though also known as a film actor, Saul Rubinek has primarily focused on his television output. With scores of credits to his name, it’s no wonder that he played a part inLost, even if fans likely forgot that he made an appearance in the first place.
10John Hawkes
Nominated for an Academy Awardin the same year he appeared on the television show at hand,John Hawkesnever gets credit for the work he put intoLost. As a supporting figure in season six, he plays a supporting character named Lennon, who’s stationed at the Temple with a certain section of “The Others”.
Doomed If You Do, and If You Don’t
As one of season six’s most climactic plot points, the man in black (disguised as John Locke) uses his supernatural powers to destroy the Temple and everyone who chooses to stay. In all likelihood, this would’ve included Lennon had he not been killed off by Sayid Jarrah.
With a sort of hippie persona about him, Lennon remains a memorable character in the show’s final season. But with overgrown hair and a distinct set of bifocals, some fans may not have even realized he was portrayed by John Hawkes.
9Holland Roden
Known for her work onTeen Wolf(2011–2017), famous actressHolland Rodenhas had several other roles on television throughout the years, as well as a few credits for film. InLost, she played the teenage version of Emily Locke, while Swoosie Kurtz played her adult counterpart. Although Holland appeared for just one episode — early in the series, too — it’s one that fans can likely remember in hindsight.
Mother of the Year
After bursting out of her home to see a man whom her mother forbids her to see, teenage Emily gets hit by a car, which sends herto the emergency room. It’s there that Emily reveals she’s sixth months pregnant, and the doctors deliver her baby on the spot. Soon after John Locke’s birth, Emily leaves the hospital and refuses her role as mother until decades down the line, when she cons him out of a kidney. Mother of the year, right there.
8Rodrigo Santoro
If there’s one series commonly associated withRodrigo Santoro, it’s undoubtedly the sci-fi hybridWestworld(2016–2022). Another famous role under Santoro’s belt is Xerxes in300(2007), as well as its sequel, subtitledRise of an Empire(2014). Though nowhere near as popular, his character inLostdeserves just as much respect for offering a well-written backstory while traversing some endearing dynamics.
A Fellow Survivor
One of the many minor members of Oceanic 815 is Paulo, played by Rodrigo Santoro in several episodes of season three. He mostly appears alongside Kiele Sanchez, who portrays Paulo’s girlfriend Nicki. You’ll remember the couple trekking through the haunted forest fora set of stolen jewels— worth $8 million in total.
In just as memorable a plot point, he’s accidentally buried alive alongside his girlfriend Nicki, but unless fans have revisitedLostin more recent years, they may have forgotten that he was portrayed by Santoro.
7Rob McElhenney
Thanks to his work onIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia(2005–present), lead actor and showrunnerRob McElhenneyhas become something of a household name. And justifiably so. But he only garnered that sort of claim within the past several years — well after he appeared as a member of “The Others” inLost.
Standing Guard as a Foot Soldier
Two episodes feature McElhenney, who plays a character named Aldo. He’s at first stationed at Hydra Island, where he guards a wily prisoner named Carl. When Aldo resurfaces, he’s now letting loose passive-aggressive one-liners at the Temple, an indelible setting first introduced throughout the climactic plot points of the show’s sixth season.
He’s killed off by Claire Littleton soon after returning to the scenes, so it’s understandable if Aldo was wiped from your memory. But for some fans, Rob McElhenney’s appearance remains entirely unforgettable.
6Hiroyuki Sanada
As of late,Hiroyuki Sanadahas become known for his leading role inShogun(2024). He also appeared in a few episodes ofWestworld(2016–2022), and several Hollywood action movies, such as47 Ronin(2013)andJohn Wick: Chapter 4(2023). There’s alsoa pair of Marvel films—The Wolverine(2013) andAvengers: Endgame(2018). But all those roles came after becoming a legend of Japanese cinema, and after his stint onLost.
Sanada’s Early Years
After appearing in dozens of action flicks and science fiction films, Hiroyuki Sanada was put on the map of international prominence thanks to two films in particular:Ring(1998), andThe Twilight Samurai(2002).
In the final season ofLost, he played a high-ranking “Other” named Dogen — an enigmatic character who’s master of the Temple, a sanctuary in which he and his subgroup reside. Well-written through and through, Dogen only appeared for five episodes, leaving some fans to forget about Sanada’s appearance in general.
