Television creator Ryan Murphy has built one of modern TV’s most recognizable creative empires. From bold musical comedies to twisted horror anthologies, Murphy’s TV shows share a distinctive voice and style. Series like Glee, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and Feud constantly dominate pop-culture conversations. One reason for that success is Murphy’s habit of working with a trusted circle of performers who understand his creative instincts.
As such, several actors have stepped into Murphy’s TV universe more than once. Performers such as Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Darren Criss all delivered memorable roles across their projects. However, a smaller group of actors has appeared even more frequently. Several performers have collaborated with Murphy five times, while one star leads the pack with seven projects. These actors form the backbone of Murphy’s television repertoire and help define the tone of his ever-expanding universe of shows.
Matt Bomer — 5 Times
Matt Bomer built a strong partnership with Ryan Murphy through a series of memorable roles across the producer’s television projects. Bomer first entered Murphy’s orbit with a guest appearance on Glee, where he played Cooper Anderson, the hilariously self-absorbed older brother of Blaine, in a 2012 episode (“Big Brother”). His comedic timing and charisma made the episode stand out, and Murphy quickly recognized his ability to shift between humor and drama.
Bomer soon became a familiar face within Murphy’s darker projects. He appeared in multiple seasons of American Horror Story, including Freak Show and Hotel. He also worked with Murphy on other productions tied to the creator’s television empire. Across these projects, Bomer demonstrated impressive versatility, playing characters ranging from charming and romantic to morally complex. His five collaborations highlight Murphy’s tendency to bring back actors who thrive within his bold storytelling style. The last time Murphy and Bomer worked together was in the 2025 sitcom Mid-Century Modern, which Murphy executive-produced.
Cameron Cowperthwaite — 5 Times
Cameron Cowperthwaite may not have the same household recognition as some of Ryan Murphy’s other collaborators. However, his recurring presence within the producer’s projects proves how much Murphy values dependable performers. Cowperthwaite built a steady working relationship with Murphy through several appearances in the producer’s television universe.
Actors like Cowperthwaite often help populate Murphy’s expansive ensemble casts. Cowperthwaite first worked with Murphy in American Horror Story, before portraying singer-actor Michael Parks in Feud. Since then, he’s been in 9-1-1: Lone Star, American Horror Stories, and Monster.
Leslie Grossman — 5 Times
Actress Leslie Grossman represents one of Ryan Murphy’s longest-running collaborators. She first worked with him on his first TV show, the teen dramedy Popular, in the late 1990s. For audiences that watched the show, Grossman played the outrageous Mary Cherry. Her character quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her over-the-top personality and sharp comedic timing. She also appeared in Murphy’s sophomore TV series Nip/Tuck.
Years later, Murphy welcomed Grossman back into his television universe through several seasons of American Horror Story. On the show, she portrayed characters like Meadow Wilton in Cult and Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt in Apocalypse. Grossman thrives in Murphy’s stylized storytelling because she fully embraces the camp, humor, and theatricality that define his shows. Her five collaborations thus far prove how Murphy often reconnects with actors who helped shape his early career.
Billie Lourd — 5 Times
Actress Billie Lourd joined Ryan Murphy’s creative universe early in her career and quickly became one of his most recognizable recurring performers. She first collaborated with Murphy on Scream Queens, where she played the mysterious and deadpan Chanel #3. Her performance balanced humor with unsettling energy, a match for Murphy’s signature tone.
Lourd continued working with Murphy on multiple seasons of American Horror Story. Each season allowed her to explore different personalities, settings, and genres. So far, her five collaborations reflect Murphy’s talent for nurturing young actors and integrating them into his long-running creative network.
Niecy Nash-Betts — 5 Times
Niecy Nash‑Betts stands out among Ryan Murphy’s collaborators because she often brings warmth and emotional depth to stories that explore dark themes. Nash-Betts first made a major impact in Murphy’s universe through appearances in Scream Queens, where she played the determined security guard Denise Hemphill.
Her collaboration with Murphy continued through several other projects, including high-profile true-crime dramas. Nash delivered particularly powerful performances in Murphy-produced series that explored real historical events and complex social issues. Across five projects, she has demonstrated an ability to move seamlessly between comedy, suspense, and drama. They last collaborated in Murphy’s legal drama All’s Fair, where she joined the main cast as Emerald Greene.
Hudson Oz — 5 Times
Young actor Hudson Oz has quietly become one of the more surprising members of Ryan Murphy’s recurring ensemble. Despite his age, Oz has appeared in multiple Murphy-produced television projects, building a unique presence within the producer’s growing TV universe.
Murphy often casts young actors in key roles to humanize complex or disturbing storylines. Oz’s performances across several Murphy productions illustrate that strategy perfectly. By returning to the same young performers across different projects, Murphy creates a sense of continuity throughout his shows. Oz’s fifth collaboration was in an episode of the biography crime drama anthology series Monster.
Sarah Paulson — 7 Times
No actor defines Ryan Murphy’s television universe more than Sarah Paulson. Their collaboration began with a guest role on Nip/Tuck and quickly grew into one of the most productive partnerships in modern television. Paulson’s performances often anchor Murphy’s most ambitious projects.
She became especially famous for her many roles in American Horror Story, where she portrayed a wide range of characters across different seasons. Paulson also delivered award-winning work in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, where she portrayed prosecutor Marcia Clark and won an Emmy Award. In total, Paulson has collaborated with Murphy on seven television projects, more than any other actor in his creative circle. Her versatility, emotional intensity, and willingness to tackle bold characters make her the defining star of Ryan Murphy’s television empire.
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