Recurring
Richard Jenkins as Nathaniel Fisher Sr. – the patriarch of the Fisher family, who dies at the start of the series, but appears in dream sequences and flashbacks (seasons 1–5)
Joanna Cassidy as Margaret Chenowith – Brenda and Billy's psychologist mother (seasons 1–5)
Giancarlo Rodriguez as Julio Diaz – Federico and Vanessa's son (seasons 1–5)
Tim Maculan as Father Jack – priest at the Fisher's family church (seasons 1–5)
Eric Balfour as Gabriel Dimas – Claire's high-school boyfriend and a chronic drug user (seasons 1–3)
Robert Foxworth as Dr. Bernard Chenowith – Brenda and Billy's psychiatrist father (seasons 1–3)
Ed O'Ross as Nikolai – Ruth's boss and boyfriend when she worked as a florist (seasons 1–2, 5)
Marina Black as Parker McKenna – a friend of Claire's during high school (seasons 1–2)
David Norona as Gary Deitman – Claire's counselor (seasons 1–2)
Gary Hershberger as Matthew Gilardi – an employee of a major funeral home organization, who attempts to buy out Fisher & Sons (seasons 1–2)
Ed Begley Jr., as Hiram Gunderson – a hair stylist with whom Ruth had an affair while she was married to Nathaniel (seasons 1 and 5)
Illeana Douglas as Angela – Frederico's temporary replacement at Fisher & Sons (seasons 1 and 5)
Dina Waters as Tracy Montrose Blair (season 1)
Patricia Clarkson as Sarah O'Connor – Ruth's younger sister, an artist who lives in Topanga Canyon (seasons 2–5)
Lili Taylor as Lisa Kimmel Fisher – Nate's former roommate, his first wife, and mother of his daughter Maya (seasons 2–5)
Melissa Marsala as Angelica – Vanessa's sister, who has a contentious relationship with her brother-in-law Federico (seasons 2–5)
Aysia Polk as Taylor Charles – Keith's niece, who is under his care (seasons 2–5)
John Paul Pitoc as Phil – Claire's boyfriend (briefly) who works at the crematorium (seasons 2–3)
Kellie Waymire as Melissa – a high-class prostitute whom Brenda befriends (season 2)
Nicki Micheaux as Karla Charles – Keith's sister and Taylor's mother, a drug addict (season 2)
Julie White as Mitzi Dalton-Huntley – an employee of a major funeral home organization that attempts to buy out Fisher & Sons (seasons 1–2)
Kathy Bates as Bettina – Sarah's friend and caretaker; she becomes a good friend of Ruth's (seasons 3–5)
Peter Macdissi as Olivier Castro-Staal – Claire's professor at art school and Margaret Chenowith's lover (seasons 3–5)
Ben Foster as Russell Corwin – Claire's boyfriend during art school (seasons 3–5)
Brenna Tosh and Bronwyn Tosh as Maya Fisher – Nate's and Lisa's young daughter (seasons 3–5)
Rainn Wilson as Arthur Martin – a young intern from mortuary school, who works for the Fishers (seasons 3–5)
Justin Theroux as Joe – Brenda's neighbor and boyfriend during season four (seasons 3–4)
Idalis DeLeón as Sophia – an exotic dancer with whom Federico has an affair (seasons 3–4)
Catherine O'Hara as Carol Ward – Lisa's boss, a neurotic motion-picture producer (seasons 3 and 5)
Sprague Grayden as Anita Miller – Claire's friend from art school (seasons 4–5)
Peter Facinelli as Jimmy – Claire's friend from art school and one-time lover (seasons 4–5)
Mena Suvari as Edie – a free-spirited lesbian artist and friend of Claire's from art school (season 4)
Michael Weston as Jake – a mentally unstable crack addict who kidnaps and assaults David (seasons 4–5)
Tina Holmes as Maggie Sibley – George's daughter, who has a brief affair with Nate (seasons 4–5)
Matt Malloy as Roger Pasquese – Keith's employer, a movie producer (seasons 4–5)
Julie Dretzin as Barb – Lisa's sister (seasons 4–5)
Jeff Yagher as Hoyt – Lisa's brother-in-law (season 4)
Michelle Trachtenberg as Celeste – a spoiled pop star under Keith's protection (season 4)
Bobby Cannavale as Javier – Keith's colleague (season 4)
Chris Messina as Ted Fairwell – Claire's boyfriend, a lawyer at the firm where she worked (season 5)
Kendré Berry as Durrell Charles-Fisher – an adopted son of David's and Keith's (season 5)
C. J. Sanders as Anthony Charles-Fisher – an adopted son of David's and Keith's (season 5)
Anne Ramsay as Jackie Feldman – Brenda's colleague and friend (season 5)
