Where were your favorite characters before they entered Shondaland? Take a look at the Scandal cast through the years and find out now!
Scandal Cast Photo
Say hello to one of the most talented, most diverse casts on TV… and then find out what they were up to prior to Scandal.
Kerry Washington in Save the Last Dance
Kerry Washington’s breakout role came in the Julia Stiles-driven film Save the Last Dance. She played Chenille, a teen mother who befriends Stiles’ character.
Kerry Washington on Boston Legal
No stranger to legal dramas, Kerry Washington appeared on Boston Legal for several seasons.
Kerry Washington in The Last King of Scotland
One of Washington’s most famous film credits includes playing Kay Amin in The Last King of Scotland and starring alongside Forrest Whitaker.
Kerry Washington in Django Unchained
Another notable film credit was Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Broomhilda in Quentin Tarrantino’s Django Unchained.
Kerry Washington on Scandal
These days, aside from being a new mother, Kerry Washington is leading the Gladiators into battle as Olivia Pope on Scandal.
Tony Goldwyn in Ghost
One of Tony Goldwyn’s first major roles came as Carl Bruner, the guy who killed Patrick Swayze in Ghost. But hey, if he hadn’t killed his best friend, we wouldn’t have gotten that pottery scene and Unchained Melody wouldn’t mean anything.
Tony Goldwyn in Kiss The Girls
Once again playing a villain, Tony Goldwyn played a kidnapping rapist in Kiss the Girls. He was thwarted by Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman.
Tony Goldwyn on Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Fans of Law & Order: Criminal Intent will remember that Tony Goldwyn played Frank Goren, schizophrenic brother to Vincent D’Onofrio’s Robert Goren.
Tony Goldwyn in Divergent
Most recently, Tony Goldwyn took on the task of playing Abnegation faction leader Andrew in the film adaptation of Veronica Roth’s Divergent.
Tony Goldwyn on Scandal
One of Tony Goldwyn’s most sizzling roles to date has to be that of President Fitzgerald Grant on Scandal. He makes the screen steamy in every scene.
Scott Foley on Dawson’s Creek
Diehard Dawson’s Creek fans remember when Scott Foley hit Capeside High School in a Letterman’s jacket. SWOON!
Scott Foley on Felicity
NOEL!!!! Scott Foley’s time on Felicity led to his marriage to Jennifer Garner (before she cheated on him with Michael Vartan. WHO CHEATS ON SCOTT FOLEY!?!? NO ONE, THAT’S WHO!)
Scott Foley on Scrubs
Scott Foley appeared in 12 episodes of Scrubs over 6 years as Sean Kelly. He was in so few episodes because he was also starring in…
Scott Foley on The Unit
From 2006 to 2009, Scott Foley played Bob Brown on The Unit, starring with Dennis Haysbert. He left the military for Seattle Grace and showed up on…
Scott Foley on Grey’s Anatomy
As Henry Burton on Grey’s Anatomy, Scott Foley got his first taste of the world of Shonda Rhimes. Let’s hope Jake doesn’t meet a similar fate.
Scott Foley on True Blood
Before heading to Washington, Scott Foley did a stint in the bayou, appearing on True Blood for 10 episodes.
Scott Foley on Scandal
Is he a bad guy? Is he a good guy? NO ONE CAN DECIDE! One thing we know is that Scott Foley as Jake Ballard adds a certain something-something to the Olivia Pope love drama.
Bellamy Young in We Were Soldiers
Bellamy Young played Army wife-turned-widow Catherine Metsker in We Were Soldiers.
Bellamy Young on Scrubs
Another Scandal star to appear on Scrubs, Bellamy Young played Dr. Miller. And look! She was blonde!
Bellamy Young on Scandal
On Scandal, Bellamy Young turned what started as a three episode guest appearance into a full-fledged character, Mellie Grant, the First Lady everyone loves and loves to hate.
Jeff Perry on My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life! MY SO-CALLED LIFE!! Jeff Perry played Mr. Katimski, an inspirational teacher and mentor. MY SO-CALLED LIFE! JARED LETO!
Jeff Perry on Nash Bridges
Jeff Perry, in this crazy get-up, was Inspector Harvey Leek for all 122 episodes of Nash Bridges.
Jeff Perry on Prison Break
Terrence Steadman was a central figure on Prison Break. Lincoln Burrows was framed for his murder. That sounds like a character right up Jeff Perry’s alley.
Jeff Perry on Grey’s Anatomy
Jeff Perry was another Scandal member to visit Shondaland by way of Grey’s Anatomy, in the role of Thatcher Grey, Meredith’s alcoholic father.
Jeff Perry on Scandal
These days, Jeff Perry plays Cyrus Beene, a gay Republican White House Chief of Staff convinced his man is the best man for the job because it puts him closer to power.
Guillermo Diaz in Half Baked
Guillermo Diaz played a character named Scarface in the Dave Chappelle comedy Half Baked. He later reprised the role for several episodes of Chappelle’s Show.
Guillermo Diaz in Mercy
In Mercy, Guillermo Diaz played Nurse Angel Garcia, a marked change from his typical roles but one much closer to his actual personality.
Guillermo Diaz on Weeds
On Weeds, Guillermo Diaz played a drug-slinging gangster named…Guillermo.
Guillermo Diaz on Scandal
Now, Guillermo Diaz plays government assassin turned computer hacker and Gladiator Huck on Scandal.
Katie Lowes on Easy Money
Katie Lowes first hit the scene as Brandy Buffkin in Easy Money. Looks like she has a little attitude here, doesn’t it!?
Katie Lowes in Wreck-It Ralph
Prior to being cast on Scandal, Katie Lowes offered her voice talents to the Disney film Wreck-It Ralph as a cartoon character named Candlehead.
Katie Lowes on Scandal
Katie Lowes breakout role is Quinn Perkins on Scandal. Over the past two seasons, we’ve watched her go from meek and nervous to stone cold assassin.
Darby Stanchfield on Jericho
See that face in the middle, second row? That’s Darby Stanchfield as April Green on Jericho.
Darby Stanchfield on Mad Men
On Mad Men, Darby Stanchfield played a neighbor of Betty Draper’s. Betty once slapped Helen Bishop in the grocery store’s produce section.
Darby Stanchfield on Scandal
As Abby Whelan, Darby Stanchfield plays one of the most polarizing Gladiators. Some people love her. Some people hate her. She’ll go over the cliff for Olivia Pope no matter what.
Joshua Malina on Sports Night
Joshua Malina played Jeremy Goodwin on Sports Night, a show about sports that wasn’t about sports at all.
Joshua Malina on The West Wing
Malina’s most famous role (before now) was Will Bailey on The West Wing. Scandal just brought him back into the world of D.C. politics.
Joshua Malina on In Plain Sight
For a time, Joshua Malina guest starred on In Plain Sight, a USA Network original series.
Joshua Malina on Scandal
David Rosen was supposed to be a guest role only, but fans reacted so well, and Shonda loved Joshua Malina so much, she decided to keep him around. For now.
Joe Morton on A Different World
Joe Morton has been acting since the late 1970s. One of the first photos we could find was of him on A Different World as Byron Douglas III.
Joe Morton in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
One of Morton’s most famous screen credits includes Miles Dyson in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Joe Morton on Smallville
For a grand total of four episodes, Joe Morton played Dr. Steven Hamilton on Smallville.
Joe Morton on The Good Wife
On The Good Wife, Joe Morton played Daniel Golden, the attorney who defended Peter Florrick in his appeal against his corruption conviction.
Joe Morton on Scandal
Joe Morton showed up on Scandal as a mystery man called Command. It was later revealed that he is Olivia Pope’s father, Rowan Pope. He’s the baddest of the bad.