Amanda Peet may have charmed audiences across decades of film and television, but even seasoned actors have moments that leave a lasting mark. The Saving Silverman star recently revisited one such memory—a nerve-wracking guest appearance on Seinfeld—during a candid chat on Watch What Happens Live. And as it turns out, she wasn’t the only one dishing out behind-the-scenes drama, with fellow guest Elizabeth Banks recounting a chilling ghost encounter on a movie set.
A sitcom legend, and a tough experience
Appearing on the Thursday, May 23 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Amanda Peet didn’t hold back when it came to reflecting on her past television roles. During a cheeky segment called “Spill the IMDb Tea,” Peet spun the nostalgia wheel and landed on Seinfeld, the iconic sitcom where she once played a waitress who briefly dated Jerry Seinfeld.
What might have been a highlight for some actors clearly stirred up less fond memories for Peet, who responded with a visibly pained expression. “That was a rough one for me,” she admitted with a laugh. “I had a lot of stage fright. I’m going to give it like a 5. I was really scared.”
The 53-year-old actress, known for her confident performances in dramas like Your Neighbors and Friends and comedies like The Whole Nine Yards, opened up about the pressure of performing on such a legendary stage. With a live audience and a cast of sitcom royalty, the high expectations rattled her nerves. Her brief stint on Seinfeld may have lasted only an episode, but the memory still carries weight.
The hidden realities of guest starring
Peet’s confession touches on a reality many actors face but few publicly admit—guest-starring on a hit show can be both an opportunity and a minefield of anxiety. For Peet, the challenge wasn’t the script or the cast—it was the environment and the pressure of delivering in front of a live audience.
While the episode itself was well received by fans, the personal toll it took on her remains memorable. Stage fright isn’t uncommon in Hollywood, even for well-known performers. The vulnerability Peet displayed in recounting her experience was met with laughter, but it also offered a rare glimpse behind the scenes of what it takes to walk into an already-successful machine like Seinfeld and try to make your mark.
Her honesty stood out in an industry where stars often gloss over the less glamorous moments of their careers. Peet’s ability to poke fun at herself while still being vulnerable is a reminder that every polished performance is built on a foundation of nerves, prep, and, occasionally, discomfort.
Elizabeth Banks and the haunted film set
While Peet’s challenge was rooted in stage fright, co-guest Elizabeth Banks brought a different kind of fear to the table—a supernatural one. During the same segment, Banks revisited her time filming Fred Claus and revealed a spine-tingling story from the set. “Yes, I have [seen a ghost],” Banks said when asked if she’d ever had a paranormal encounter. The Pitch Perfect and Hunger Games star recalled being touched by a ghost while filming at Pinewood Studios in London, a location with a long history of ghost stories and haunted whispers.
“She grabbed me and everything!” Banks exclaimed, recalling how the ghost appeared to her when she was alone on set. The experience was so vivid that she claims to have communicated with the spirit. “I had to be like, ‘I see you, I get it. You don’t want me to sit in this bed. I will not do it anymore!’”
That eerie interaction left a mark on Banks, who gave the Fred Claus filming experience a 4.85 out of 10—not for the movie itself, but for the spectral surprise. “I loved living in London, but I met a ghost,” she summarized, weighing the perks and pitfalls of the production.
When the past lingers
For both Peet and Banks, revisiting old roles wasn’t just about fame and fun—it was a journey through unpredictable moments that shaped their careers in ways both big and small. Whether it was nerves on set or a literal haunting, each story revealed the complex realities of a profession that’s as challenging as it is glamorous.
Amanda Peet’s willingness to share her insecurities, especially about an appearance on such a cultural touchstone as Seinfeld, makes her all the more relatable. Even with a robust résumé and years of experience, some roles leave behind more than just a credit—they leave impressions that last a lifetime. And in Banks’ case, it’s not just memories that haunt—it’s ghosts.
