Since 2011, FX’s anthology horror series American Horror Story has managed to keep audiences entertained with its unique blend of gore, sex, and social commentary. AHS taps into fears and phobias by taking an over-the-top approach to scary storytelling, one sustained by its talented ensemble cast.
Many recognizable faces have popped up over American Horror Story’s nine seasons, totaling 103 episodes so far. These actors play a range of characters, both good and evil, in each season’s self-contained plot. While some of these actors were launched into the mainstream thanks to their work on AHS, others were well-known before they joined the cast of the series. So, who among this talented bunch has appeared in the most episodes?
Cheyenne Jackson: 43 Episodes
Actor and singer Cheyenne Jackson first appeared in the Hotel season of AHS as Will Drake, the new owner of the haunted Hotel Cortez. Jackson went on to star in three other seasons: Roanoke, Cult, and Apocalypse.
Jackson plays the executive producer of My Roanoke Nightmare in Roanoke, Ally Mayfair-Richards’s psychiatrist in Cult, and a warlock teacher in Apocalypse.
Emma Roberts: 46 Episodes
Emma Roberts broke into the AHS world playing bad witch Madison Montgomery in Coven, a role she later reprised in the Apocalypse season.
Roberts also plays lead characters in Freak Show and 1984. She portrays repentant con artist Maggie Esmeralda in Freak Show, while her 1984 character is slasher final girl Brooke Thompson. Roberts also makes a cameo as ill-fated reporter Serena Belinda in Cult.
Angela Bassett: 48 Episodes
Oscar nominee Angela Bassett made her AHS debut as voodoo priestess Marie Laveau in Coven. Bassett later returned as Laveau in Apocalypse.
Bassett’s other AHS credits include the Three-Breasted Woman Desiree Dupree in Freak Show and actor Ramona Royale in Hotel. Bassett also portrays Monet Tumusiime in Roanoke, an actor who reenacts the experiences of Lee Harris in My Roanoke Nightmare.
Lily Rabe: 52 Episodes
Lily Rabe has been with AHS from the beginning, playing former Murder House owner and resident ghost Nora Montgomery. Rabe plays the possessed Sister Mary Eunice McKee in Asylum, a role she picks up again in Freak Show; witch Misty Day in both Coven and Apocalypse; Lavinia Richter, a murderous ghost who haunts Camp Redwood, in 1984. Finally, Rabe plays the real Shelby Miller in Roanoke.
Frances Conroy: 52 Episodes
Frances Conroy won untold praise for her portrayal of matriarch Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under before signing on to star in the Murder House season of AHS. In Murder House, Conroy plays Moira O’Hara, a former housekeeper whose spirit continues to service the current occupants of the eponymous house.
Another one of Conroy’s memorable AHS characters, witch Myrtle Snow also appears in Apocalypse. Conroy’s matronly vibes are on full display in Freak Show, Roanoke, and Cult as well.
Jessica Lange: 53 Episodes
The skilled and evocative Jessica Lange made waves playing the jaded Constance Langdon in Murder House, a role she brought back in Apocalypse. Langdon turns out to be the grandmother of the Antichrist, making her one of the most iconic AHS characters.
Kathy Bates: 59 Episodes
Kathy Bates was no stranger to horror when she signed on to play Delphine LaLaurie in Coven — a character brought back in Apocalypse. Bates’ name is attached to Stephen King feature-length adaptations like Misery and Dolores Claiborne.
Bates also plays the Bearded Lady Ethel Darling in Freak Show, Iris in Hotel, and Satanist Miriam Mead in Apocalypse. In Roanoke, Bates plays both the Butcher and the actor who portrays the demonic spirit in My Roanoke Nightmare, Agnes Mary Winstead.
Denis O’Hare: 60 Episodes
Denis O’Hare has also been with AHS from season 1, playing former Murder House owner Larry Harvey. O’Hare portrays the disturbed butler Spalding in Coven, the swindling Stanley in Freak Show, and the trans Hotel Cortez bartender Liz Taylor in Hotel.
O’Hare also plays two characters in Roanoke: actor William van Henderson, who plays documentary filmmaker Dr. Elias Cunningham in My Roanoke Nightmare.
Sarah Paulson: 86 Episodes
Sarah Paulson’s name is forever attached to AHS. The dynamic actor has played a diverse cast of characters in all but the 1984 season. From reporter Lana Winters in Asylum to witch Cordelia Goode in both Coven and Apocalypse, Paulson often breathes life into characters fighting for justice — and their lives. Paulson’s double role in Roanoke as Shelby Winters and Audrey Tindall attests to her range.
Other Paulson AHS characters include the naive, conjoined Tattler twins in Freak Show, the Hotel Cortez ghost Sally McKenna from Hotel, and medium Billie Dean Howard in Murder House, Hotel, and Apocalypse. She also plays Wilhemina Venable in Apocalypse, as well as the clown-hating Ally Mayfair-Richards in Cult.
Evan Peters: 95 Episodes
The real star of AHS, it seems, is Evan Peters. Although Peters doesn’t appear in 1984, the actor brings both psychopathic and innocent characters to life in every other season. Peters plays the villainous ghosts Tate Langdon and James Patrick March in Murder House and Hotel, respectively — characters later reprised in Apocalypse. But Peters’ most memorable villain is madman Kai Anderson in Cult.
While Peters makes one intense and compelling bad guy, he also shines as the protagonist Kit Walker in Asylum, the reanimated Kyle Spencer in Coven, the Lobster Boy Jimmy Darling in Freak Show, and the tech nerd Mr. Gallant in Apocalypse. Finally, Peters plays both Edward Philipe Mott and Rory Monahan in Roanoke.
