<Dd> Played by Nicole Scherzinger; appears in "Glitter". She plays an old friend of Robin's from Canada . Glitter was her character's name on a Canadian TV show called "Space Teens" where she and Robin used math to complete missions in space . </Dd> <Dd> Played by Carrie Underwood; appears in "Hooked". Ted is said to be "on the hook" for this girl: he is infatuated with her while she is just friends with him . Brian Zoromski of The A.V. Club described her acting as "decent", especially for a "singer turned actor". </Dd> <Dl> <Dt> "Blah Blah" / Carol </Dt> <Dd> Played by Abigail Spencer; appears in "How I Met Everyone Else" and "Gary Blauman". She meets Ted on World of Warcraft and when she is introduced to the gang, they spend the night wondering whether she is crazy . Ted calls her "blah blah" upon recounting the story to his children in "How I Met Everyone Else", as he cannot remember the girl's name; this joke was called "ridiculously funny" by one critic . She appears again in "Gary Blauman", where Ted suddenly remembers that her name was Carol . </Dd> <Dt> Mrs. Buckminster </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jane Carr; appears in "Nannies". She is a "delightful" nanny but Marshall and Lily cannot afford her salary . Barney tries to pay, but Lily realises she feels uncomfortable leaving Marvin with a stranger . </Dd> <Dt> Carly Whittaker </Dt> <Dd> Played by Ashley Benson; appears in "Ring Up!". She is Barney's half - sister, whom Ted briefly dates . </Dd> <Dt> Cathy </Dt> <Dd> Played by Lindsay Price; appears in "Spoiler Alert". Ted is happy dating Cathy until his friends point out that she never stops talking . Once Ted realises this, it starts to annoy him and they eventually break up . </Dd> <Dt> Cindy </Dt> <Dd> Played by Rachel Bilson; appears in 4 episodes from "Girls Versus Suits" to "How Your Mother Met Me". She is a PhD candidate who dates Ted . Her roommate turns out to be The Mother . Cindy turns out to be a lesbian and marries Casey . Cindy, who first appears in the show's 100th episode, "is very important to the ultimate story" according to Bays . </Dd> <Dt> Coat - Check Girl </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jayma Mays; appears in "Okay Awesome" and "The Time Travelers". Ted meets this girl at a dance club, but never calls her; several years later, he imagines her dropping by at MacLaren's . </Dd> <Dt> Darren </Dt> <Dd> Played by Andrew Rannells; appears in "Bass Player Wanted" and "How Your Mother Met Me". Tracy invited him to join her band, and he quickly began to take over it, culminating in him firing Tracy . Darren tries to ruin friendships between Ted and Barney, and Lily and Robin; one critic said "his shit - starting added an edge to everybody's dynamic ." </Dd> <Dt> Daryl </Dt> <Dd> Played by Seth Green in "The Final Page--Part 1". A friend from their college days, Daryl became obsessed with Lily and Marshall . He runs a successful business selling Hacky Sacks . Max Nicholson said "Daryl's "Hackmigos" bit was a little bizarre, but funny ." </Dd> <Dt> Garrison Cootes </Dt> <Dd> Played by Martin Short; appears in 3 episodes from "The Naked Truth" to "The Burning Beekeeper". He is Marshall's "workaholic boss" and an "environmental pixie" at the Natural Resources Defense Council . It was announced that Short would appear on the show playing Marshall's boss in June 2011 . </Dd> <Dt> Genevieve Scherbatsky </Dt> <Dd> Played by Tracey Ullman; appears in 3 episodes from "Vesuvius" to "The End of the Aisle". She is Robin's mother, but the gang know very little about her until she is finally seen in season 9 . Nicholson described her scene in "Vesuvius" as "an appearance that fans have been waiting to see since the season began". </Dd> <Dt> Hammond Druthers </Dt> <Dd> Played by Bryan Cranston; appears in 3 episodes from "Aldrin Justice" to "Platonish". Druthers is a condescending architect who is Ted's boss at their architecture firm . Druthers designs a building in Spokane, Washington that, according to Ted and Lily, looks like an erect penis; their client accepts Ted's design instead . Druthers is then forced to work under Ted . It was announced in 2013 that Cranston would return to the show . In the ninth season (during "Platonish"), Druthers offers Ted a new job but Ted declines; an editor for Vulture criticized Cranston's appearance in this episode . </Dd> <Dt> Janice Aldrin </Dt> <Dd> Played by Meagen Fay; appears in 3 episodes from "Bachelor Party" to "The Sexless Innkeeper". Janice is Lily's mother, who divorced Lily's father (Mickey) in 1985 . She and Lily do not have a good relationship . </Dd> <Dt> Jen </Dt> <Dd> Played by Lindsay Sloane; appears in "Double Date". Ted and Jen are set up on a blind date in 2002 and again in 2009 . </Dd> <Dt> Jefferson Coatsworth </Dt> <Dd> Played by John Cho; appears in "I'm Not That Guy". He interviews Marshall for the Nicholson, Hewitt & West law firm . </Dd> <Dt> Jenkins </Dt> <Dd> Played by Amanda Peet; appears in "Jenkins". Jenkins is a lawyer at Goliath National Bank . She kisses Marshall when drunk and is attacked by Lily when she finds out . </Dd> <Dt> Jerome Whittaker </Dt> <Dd> Played by John Lithgow; appears in 4 episodes from "Legendaddy" to "The End of the Aisle". Barney begins to wonder who his real father is after James meets his own biological father in "Cleaning House". Though Barney refuses Loretta's initial offer to reveal his father, he discovers in "Natural History" that it is Jerome, although Barney was told as a child that Jerome was his uncle . Barney is disappointed that Jerome is a "lame suburban dad". Jerome has a wife named Cheryl and two children: J.J. (Jerome Junior) and Carly . </Dd> <Dt> Kara </Dt> <Dd> Played by Aisha Kabia; appears in "Ted Mosby: Architect" and "World's Greatest Couple". Marshall's friend from law school and Brad's old girlfriend . </Dd> <Dt> Karen </Dt> <Dd> Played by Laura Prepon; appears in 3 episodes from "Sorry, Bro" to "Say Cheese", as well as being mentioned in several others . Ted's first real girlfriend, Karen is depicted as highly sarcastic and snooty, which results in Marshall and Lily loathing her . The feeling is mutual, as Karen also has a low opinion of Ted's friends . Karen enjoys berets, Bordeaux wine and Baudelaire's erotic poetry . While Ted is deeply in love with her, Karen cheats on him every time she wants to break up . Karen is often described by critics as "Ted's worst girlfriend". </Dd> <Dt> Katie Scherbatsky </Dt> <Dd> Played by Lucy Hale; appears in 2 episodes from "First Time in New York" to "Vesuvius". Katie visits Robin (her sister) in New York and Robin reacts badly when she discovers Katie is planning to lose her virginity to a boy named Kyle . Bustle ranked her second in a list of best guest stars in the series . </Dd> <Dt> Klaus </Dt> <Dd> Played by Thomas Lennon; appears in "Farhampton" and "The Pre-Nup". Klaus is Victoria's fiancé . They were classmates at Victoria's culinary fellowship in Germany but enter a relationship roughly a day after Ted and Victoria break up . He appears on - screen in "Farhampton" as Victoria's groom, but both of them get cold feet at their wedding . The failure of the wedding sends Klaus into a spiral and he briefly stays at Ted's apartment . </Dd> <Dt> Professor Lewis </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jane Seymour; appears in "Aldrin Justice". Professor Lewis is Marshall's recently divorced law professor who is considered a "cougar" by Barney . He has sex with her several times . </Dd> <Dt> Liddy Gates </Dt> <Dd> Played by Mircea Monroe; appears in "Romeward Bound". She is Barney and Robin's wedding planner, and has a "ridonkulous" body according to Ted and Barney . </Dd> <Dt> Mary </Dt> <Dd> Played by Erinn Bartlett; appears in "Mary the Paralegal". Although she is a paralegal, Barney tells Ted she is a prostitute . After initially refusing, Ted tries to have sex with Mary but when he calls her a prostitute she slaps him . </Dd> <Dt> Maggie Wilks </Dt> <Dd> Played by JoAnna Garcia; appears in "The Window". She is described by Ted as so perfect that every person that meets her falls in love with her . Ted tries three times to start a relationship with her, between her long - term relationships with other men, but fails each time as when he arrives she is already dating another man . </Dd> <Dt> Marissa Heller </Dt> <Dd> Played by Darby Stanchfield; appears in "Robots Versus Wrestlers". She used to live in Ted and Marshall's apartment and they occasionally receive mail supposed to go to her . </Dd> <Dt> Mrs. Matsen </Dt> <Dd> Played by Renée Taylor; appears in 3 episodes from "As Fast as She Can" to "The Magician's Code--Part 2". She is Ted's neighbor and helps Marshall reunite Ted and Zoe in "Oh Honey". </Dd> <Dt> Max </Dt> <Dd> Played by Geoff Stults; appears in "Subway Wars" and "Architect of Destruction". He dated Robin briefly . </Dd> <Dt>' Crazy' Meg </Dt> <Dd> Played by April Bowlby; appears in 4 episodes from "Dowisetrepla" to "Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra". A girl who appears obsessed with commitment, Meg initially hooks up with Barney in an apartment that Marshall and Lily later buy, but was arrested for trespassing when Barney leaves her there . In "The Rough Patch", she is part of Lily's plan to break up Robin and Barney, with whom she is still obsessed . </Dd> <Dt> Naomi the' Slutty Pumpkin' </Dt> <Dd> Played by Katie Holmes; appears in "The Slutty Pumpkin Returns", after being the subject of "Slutty Pumpkin". After meeting her at a Halloween party ten years earlier, Ted believed that they were very compatible but lost the candy bar where she had written her phone number . For years, Ted wore the same costume and attended the same party in hopes of running into her again . By chance, he finally finds her costume and tracks her down, but finds that they are not as well - matched as they believed . They break up . </Dd> <Dt> Nate "Scooby" Scooberman </Dt> <Dd> Played by Robbie Amell; appears in "A Change of Heart" and "The Exploding Meatball Sub". Robin finds this enthusiastic guy in the park and is slow to realize his dog - like qualities . </Dd> <Dt> Nora Zinman </Dt> <Dd> Played by Danneel Ackles; appears in "Shelter Island". Nora is Stella's sister . After her fiancé ran off, Stella offered to take over her sister's wedding with Ted . </Dd> <Dt> Penelope </Dt> <Dd> Played by Amy Acker; appears in "Come On". A girl who hooked up with Barney twice, Penelope tries to teach Ted how to do a rain dance . </Dd> <Dt> PJ </Dt> <Dd> Played by Ryan Sypek; appears in "Mosbius Designs". For a brief time, he is Ted's office assistant and dates Robin . </Dd> <Dt> Punchy </Dt> <Dd> Played by Chris Romano; appears in 4 episodes from "Sandcastles in the Sand" to "The Best Man". Adam "Punchy" Punciarello is Ted's high school buddy . Ted experiences "revertigo" when he is around Punchy: he acts the way he was in high school . The gang attends Punchy's wedding in "The Best Man". </Dd> <Dt> Randy Wharmpess </Dt> <Dd> Played by Will Forte; appears in "Rebound Bro" and "Canning Randy". An employee of Goliath National Bank's legal department, Randy worships Barney . Randy's ineffectiveness results in his sacking, but is rehired as Marshall feels guilty . Randy then resorts to destroying Marshall's office to get fired again, wanting a severance package so he can establish a new microbrewery for his signature beer . </Dd> <Dt> Rhonda French </Dt> <Dd> Played by Stephanie Faracy; appears in "The Yips". A friend of Loretta Stinson, Rhona is known as the "man - maker" as she has made many men lose their virginity, including Barney . </Dd> <Dt> Sam Gibbs </Dt> <Dd> Played by Ben Vereen; appears in 4 episodes from "Cleaning House" to "The End of the Aisle". He is James Stinson's father, who was absent from his childhood as Loretta did not want him around . James meets him at the age of 37 . Sam officiates at Barney and Robin's wedding . </Dd> <Dt> Sarah O'Brien </Dt> <Dd> Played by Beth Lacke; appears in "Matchmaker". She is an engaged dermatologist deemed to be extremely compatible with Ted by Love Solutions, a dating service . </Dd> <Dt> Sascha </Dt> <Dd> Played by Carla Toutz; appears in "Sweet Taste of Liberty". An airport security officer, Sascha invites Barney and Ted back to her house for an incredibly disappointing "party". </Dd> <Dt> Shelly </Dt> <Dd> Played by Eva Amurri; appears in "The Playbook" and "Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra". Shelly is a teacher who works at Lily's school . After she sees Ted stuffing himself with chicken wings, Lily waits three years before trying to fix them up again . However, Barney sleeps with her before Ted can meet her . </Dd> <Dt> Simon Tremblay </Dt> <Dd> Played by James Van Der Beek; appears in 3 episodes from "Sandcastles in the Sand" to "Bedtime Stories". Robin's Canadian ex-boyfriend, who broke up with her to date Louise Marsh . Years later, he visits Robin in New York and they briefly date; he breaks up with her a second time, again to date Louise Marsh . He later becomes engaged to Louise and Robin steals and eats his wedding cake . </Dd> <Dt> Dr. Sonya </Dt> <Dd> Played by Vicki Lewis; appears in three episodes from "The Stinson Missile Crisis" to "The Magician's Code--Part One". She is Lily's doctor and helps her give birth to Marvin, as well as being the doctor who tells Robin she is infertile . </Dd> <Dt> Stacy Gusar </Dt> <Dd> Played by Janet Varney; appears in "Little Boys". Barney and Ted try to sleep with her in order to determine who has the most "game". </Dd> <Dt> Steve Biel </Dt> <Dd> Played by Kevin Heffernan; appears in "I'm Not That Guy". He is a porn star who performs under the name "Ted Mosby". </Dd> <Dt> Steve' Blitz' Henry </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jorge Garcia; appears in "Blitzgiving" and "Gary Blauman". He is a college friend of Ted and Marshall, who gets his nickname from the curse he has: amazing events occur whenever he leaves . He passes the curse on to several other characters, including Barney and Ted, before the curse gets passed back to him . He makes numerous allusions to Jorge Garcia's Lost character . </Dd> <Dt> Tom </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jai Rodriguez; appears in "The Rebound Girl" and "Gary Blauman". Tom marries James Stinson and they adopt two children, Eli and Sadie . James cheats on Tom and they almost get divorced . </Dd> <Dt> Lucy Zinman </Dt> <Dd> Played by Darcy Rose Byrnes . Daughter of Stella and Tony, she is often seen happily around Ted and her parents . Appears in 5 episodes from "Rebound Bro" to "Happily Ever After" </Dd> <Dt> Tony Grafanello </Dt> <Dd> Played by Jason Jones; appears in three episodes from "Shelter Island" to "As Fast as She Can". He dated Stella and they have a child together . Stella leaves Ted at the altar and gets back together with Tony . Feeling guilty for "stealing" Stella, Tony gets Ted a college teaching position . Subsequently, Tony made a movie about their love triangle called The Wedding Bride, and two sequels were later released . Ted is infuriated at his portrayal as a stereotypical, over-the top antagonist, although his friends find it hilarious and, at times, quite accurate . </Dd> <Dt> Trudy </Dt> <Dd> Played by Danica McKellar; appears in "The Pineapple Incident" and "Third Wheel". She ends up in Ted's bed after he gets really drunk . In a later episode, Ted tries to have a threesome with her and another girl, although it is never said whether he did or not . </Dd> <Dt> Professor Vinick </Dt> <Dd> Played by Peter Gallagher; appears in "The Final Page--Part 1". He told Ted he'd never make it as an architect, damaging Ted's self - esteem and causing him to bear a grudge . </Dd> </Dl> <Dt> "Blah Blah" / Carol </Dt>

Who played randy in how i met your mother