When we think back on the late Elizabeth Taylor, we tend think of her major films roles (particularly the two, in BUtterfield 8 and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, that won her Oscars) and, yes, her many husbands. What we don't always think of his just how accessible Taylor was as a movie star. After all, it's not every double Academy Award-winning Hollywood icon who does guest spots on productions as wide-ranging from General Hospital to The Simpsons. So, on a day of remembrance, let's look back at Taylor's eight most memorable cameos from television and film.
Here's Lucy (1970)
During the first of their two marriages, Taylor and Richard Burton guest-starred on Lucile Ball later-era sitcom. Their episode featured Burton as himself disguised as a plumber in an effort to escape his fans. Lucy needs a plumber... you see where this is going? Somehow this leads to Lucy getting Taylor's famous diamond ring stuck on her finger.
General Hospital (1981)
Sorry, James Franco: Elizabeth Taylor beat you to the recurring-role-on-General Hospital meme by almost 30 years. Amid the Luke and Laura plotline that was sweeping the nation, Taylor actually requested a part on the popular daytime soap; she, of course, was granted the role of Helena Cassadine. Taylor, who was even actually present during the famous Luke and Laura wedding scene, only played the role through 1981, but her character was so popular that Cassadine has been revived by two different actresses and continues to this day -- even intersecting with Franco's storyline.
All My Children (1984)
"I think that woman's pilot light is out." Opposite occasional AMC guest Carol Burnett, Taylor has a very funny blink-and-you-miss-it cameo as the comedienne's animated alter ego from the opening and closing credits of The Carol Burnett Show.
Captain Planet (1992)
Taylor was known for her tireless work in the HIV/AIDS community, so it wasn't too big of a stretch that Taylor would lend her voice to an episode of the environmentally conscious series Captain Planet in a disturbing, AIDS-themed episode. Taylor voices the mother of an AIDS-stricken high school basketball star (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) who is shunned at by classmates who go as far to post fliers around school with the word "AIDS" written below his picture.
The Simpsons (1993)
The youngest Simpson, Maggie, speaks her first word on The Simpsons. Providing the voice? Who else?
The Flintstones (1994)
Slightly larger than a cameo, Taylor plays Fred Flintstone's (John Goodman) mother-in law Pearl Slaghoople in this live-action adaptation of the popular animated series. In the prequel, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Slaghoople would be portrayed by Joan Collins.
The Nanny (1996)
This cameo on The Nanny was Taylor's penultimate live-action appearance (she had a role in a 2001 made-for-television film called These Old Broads), featuring the star playing herself. It's a fairly predictable scenario (I mean, this is The Nanny), but Taylor doesn't miss the opportunity to poke fun of herself and her many marriages.
God, the Devil and Bob (2001)
Taylor's last acting stint (albeit animated) was in this short-lived James Garner-voiced series from 2000. Garner plays God -- and in this episode we learn that God used to have a girlfriend named Sarah (Taylor), whom God accidentally runs into at a restaurant. Only four episodes aired of this series on NBC before it was canceled. The episode featuring Taylor was first broadcast just this past Saturday on Adult Swim.
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