MetaChat - Me and Pips were just talking TV.

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30 December 2007

Me and Pips were just talking TV. I mentioned that there were a select few actors who were 'icon' level characters twice. The list we came up with so far:→[More:]

Larry Hagman (Major Nelson and JR)
Mary Tyler Moore (Laura Petrie and Mary Richards)
Bob Denver (Maynard G. Krebs and Gilligan)
Don Knotts (Barney Fife and Mr. Furley)
Tony Danza (Tony Banta and Tony Miselli)
Jack Klugman (Oscar Madison and Quincy)
Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor and Ben Matlock)

who else is there?

(note: iconic characters who later had smaller roles don't count. I'm talking about people who were full fledged TV icons twice)

post by: jonmc at: 19:45 | 97 comments

Damn. Forgot 'more inside.' Hope me?

posted by jonmc 30 December | 19:46

just thought of two more:

James Garner (Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford)
William Shatner (Captain Kirk and TJ Hooker)

posted by jonmc 30 December | 19:51

Bob Newhart

posted by mischief 30 December | 19:51

I'd argue he dosen't count since he simply played the same guy in two shows with just a name change and a shift in settings, and even that was just a spinoff of his standup persona. (caveat: I love Bob Newhart)

posted by jonmc 30 December | 19:54

Ted Danson (Sam Malone & Becker)

posted by mischief 30 December | 19:55

I dunno if Becker reaches icon status, dude.

posted by jonmc 30 December | 19:56

Raymond Burr (Perry Mason & Ironside)

posted by mischief 30 December | 19:59

Now that I've got a feel for what you're looking for..

posted by mischief 30 December | 20:02

also, Michael Landon, a three-timer (Little Joe Cartwright, Pa Ingalls and the Highway To Heaven guy)

posted by jonmc 30 December | 20:08

Dick Van Dyke -- Rob Petrie and that Diagnosis Murder guy.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:12

I'd argue he dosen't count since he simply played the same guy in two shows with just a name change and a shift in settings

Yeah, I think Lucille Ball doesn't count for the same reason.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:15

Buddy Ebson -- Jeb Clampett and Barnaby Jones

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:15

Damn, this is fun.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:16

Bill Bixby- My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Incredible Hulk.

posted by Doohickie 30 December | 20:17

Oh, oh, oh! (jumps up and down) How 'bout Susan Saint James -- Sally McMillan and Kate McArdle. Two Mc's -- that's pretty awesome, doncha think, jonmc?

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:19

Meredith Baxter Birney -- Bridget Loves Birney and Family Ties

posted by netbros 30 December | 20:19

Throw in The Magician and Bill Bixby's got the quadruple!

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:20

Harry Morgan -- Dragnet and M*A*S*H.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:21

ALL THE GOLDEN GIRLS!!!!!!!

posted by jrossi4r 30 December | 20:21

Sally Field -- Gidget, The Flying Nun, Brothers and Sisters

posted by netbros 30 December | 20:22

Bill Cosby (Alexander Scott; I Spy & Cliff Huxtable)

Iconic for me:

June Lockhart (Ruth Martin & Maureen Robinson)

posted by mischief 30 December | 20:23

I can't belive I hadn't thought of Ron Howard before -- Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:23

Gidget! That's the one I couldn't think of for Sally Field.

posted by mischief 30 December | 20:23

I need to stop now -- I'm experiencing a pop culture meltdown. G'night everybody.

posted by JanetLand 30 December | 20:23

Richard Dean Anderson - McGyver and Col. Jack O'neill.

Martin Landow and Barbara Baine - Mission Impossible and Space 1999 (not sure if this one counts.)

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 20:39

Dirk Benedict (Starbuck & Faceman)

Minor icon:
Susan Dey - (Laurie Partridge & Grace Van Owen)

posted by mischief 30 December | 20:43

Burt Reynolds - Dan August, Gunsmoke
Dennis Weaver - Gunsmoke, McCloud

posted by iconomy 30 December | 20:52

Ahhhh....... David Hasselhoff!!!! (Knight Rider & Bay Watch)

posted by Pips 30 December | 20:54

Gavin MacLeod - Murray Slaughter and Cpt. Merrill Stubing.

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 20:56

And Alyssa Milano (Charmed & Who's the Boss).

posted by Pips 30 December | 20:56

Heather Locklear - Dynasty, TJ Hooker
I don't think she was iconic in Spin City but I'll add it anyway to mention
Michael J Fox - Family Ties, Spin City

posted by iconomy 30 December | 21:00

If Becker isn't icon status then the character on Charmed certainly isn't.

posted by gaspode 30 December | 21:01

Maybe not iconic, but powerful characters in shows: The guy who played Lt. Simone on NYPD Blue and the Presidential Candidate on West Wing. The Caruso guy from CSI:Miami and the first season of NYPD Blue (that first season was widely thought of as revolutionary TV, FWIW).

How about John Cleese - Monty Python and Fawlty Towers. Both major shows.

posted by rumple 30 December | 21:04

Does British TV count?
*ducks quickly*

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 21:08

If Becker isn't icon status then the character on Charmed certainly isn't.

Maybe, but Phoebe could kick Becker's ass anyday.

posted by Pips 30 December | 21:15

The guy who played Lt. Simone on NYPD Blue and the Presidential Candidate on West Wing.
Jimmy Smits was also Victor Sifuentes (sp?) on LA Law.

And Heather Locklear was totally iconic on Melrose Place.

posted by jrossi4r 30 December | 21:18

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. - Dynasty and The FBI
Doris Roberts - Remington Steele and Everybody Loves Raymond

posted by iconomy 30 December | 21:20

Timothy Busfield was Elliot in "thirtysomething" and also was "Trapper John, MD" Both lead roles in successful shows, but probably not icons.

I am ashamed

posted by rumple 30 December | 21:20

How about Avery Brooks? - Hawk from Spencer for Hire and Commander Sisco from Star Trek.

posted by octothorpe 30 December | 21:26

I was holding back on Billy Crystal, but now that John Cleese has been thrown into the pot, then Jodie Dallas and Fernando "You look mahvelous" Lamas deserve mention.

posted by mischief 30 December | 21:26

Chris Noth - Sex and the City and Law and Order (both at the same time....ftw)
Katherine Helmond - Soap and Who's the Boss (I'm ashamed now too)
Don Johnson - Miami Vice and Nash Bridges
Kyle MacLachlan - Twin Peaks and Sex and the City

posted by iconomy 30 December | 21:29

Trapper John MD was an iconic flop, that should count.
(And Avery Brooks? MM MM MM.)

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 21:29

Again with Spencer, what about Robert Urich? Spencer for Hire and Dan Tanna Vega$.

posted by octothorpe 30 December | 21:31

Trapper John MD was an iconic flop, that should count.

Flop? It ran for seven years. It sucked but it was pretty successful.

posted by octothorpe 30 December | 21:33

I had no idea. I thought it bombed. So much for my memory!

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 21:37

William Conrad - Cannon and Jake and the Fatman
Pernell Roberts - Trapper John MD and Bonanza (Pernell Roberts had the lead role in Trapper John MD)

posted by iconomy 30 December | 21:40

Robert Young was the Father (Jim) in Father Knows Best, as well as being Marcus Welby, M.D.

posted by rumple 30 December | 21:44

Caroll O'Connor: All In The Family and In The Heat of The Night

posted by BoringPostcards 30 December | 21:50

Damn, BP, I was about to mention Carroll O'Connor. Of course, Archie is SO iconic, he overshadowed the other role which did run for 8 seasons.

And in addition to Avery Brooks, in the Trek-verse you have Scott Bakula, from Quantum Leap and Enterprise, and MAYBE Kate Mulgrew from Mrs. Columbo and Voyager.

And how could you miss Neil Patrick Harris: Doogie Howser MD and Barney in "How I Met Your Mother".

posted by wendell 30 December | 21:56

Teri Hatcher - Desperate Housewives, Lois and Clark

posted by iconomy 30 December | 21:58

Ok, this is a bit more of a stretch, but Capt. La Forge from Star Trek the New Generation is played by LeVar Burton, who also played Kunta Kinte in the seminal mini-series Roots.

posted by rumple 30 December | 22:04

Babylon 5 had a handful:

Bill(y) Mumy, as Lennier, formerly Will Robinson in "Lost in Space"

Bruce Boxleitner, as Captain Sheridan, formerly of "Scarecrow and Mrs. King"

Stephen Furst, as Vir Cotto, formerly Dr. Axelrod in "St. Elsewhere" (not to mention Flounder in the "Animal House" movie AND the failed TV spin-off "Delta House"... iconic, if TV-forgetable)

and in a minor recurring role, former Trekker Walter Koenig without his Chekov accent as evil telepath Bester (yes, I'm a B5 fanboy)

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:10

I'd argue he dosen't count since he simply played the same guy in two shows with just a name change and a shift in settings, and even that was just a spinoff of his standup persona.

So -- you'll likely discount Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier).

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:12

yes, eric. Here's a copy of our home game.

(also: Allan Melvin (Sam The Butcher and Magilla Gorilla))

posted by jonmc 30 December | 22:13

Bill Bixby- My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Incredible Hulk.

Don't forget 'The Magician!'

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:14

This may be a stretch (but a fun one), Richard Dawson on "Hogan's Heroes" and "Family Feud". (I really wanted Richard Karn to pull off the same trick, but not quite)

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:14

Miko chimes in with Sarah Jessica Parker, for Sex and the City, and Square Pegs.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 30 December | 22:19

This is early but Jackie Gleason in The Life of Riley and The Honeymooners.

posted by octothorpe 30 December | 22:20

Robert Vaughn -- The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Protectors [British series], The A-Team and Hustle [British series].

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:20

One of the greatest secondary characters TWICE: Al Lewis, who was Officer Schnauzer on the almost forgotten "Car 5 Where Are You" before Grandpa on "The Munsters".

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:21

If cartoon voices count, Don Adams was Tennessee Tuxedo and Inspector Gadget as well as Maxwell Smart, and Wally Cox was early TV schollteacher Mr. Peepers, the voice of Underdog and a Hollywood Square.

Speaking of voices, William Daniels as KITT on Knight Rider and Dr. Craig on St. Elsewhere AT THE SAME TIME with bonus points for Mr. Feeny in Boy Meets World.

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:26

The Love Boat Captain / The Sidekick Murray in Mary Tyler Moore.

posted by rumple 30 December | 22:27

(I think we're stretching the definition of 'icon' a bit thin here, guys.)

posted by jonmc 30 December | 22:31

And for BBC-philes, Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster and Dr. House.

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:34

And stretching PROUDLY.

posted by wendell 30 December | 22:35

One man's icon is another man's recycle bin.

posted by mischief 30 December | 22:38

Bea Arthur -- Maude and The Golden Girls.

Betty White -- Mama's Family, The Mary Tyler Show and The Golden Girls.

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:38

One man's icon is another man's recycle bin.

Other peoples' stuff = shit.

Your shit = stuff.

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:40

Bertie Wooster! Yay! We just finished up season 4 of the Jeeves and Wooster dvds tonight.

(I introduced PG Wodehouse to mr. gaspode a few years ago when he was too busy to read regularly and wanted something light. Best gift I've ever given him.)

posted by gaspode 30 December | 22:51

Diahann Carroll -- Julia and Dynasty.

posted by ericb 30 December | 22:53

Ernist Borgnine has to fit in here but I can't recall just now.

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 23:03

Willard Scott -- Bozo The Clown and NBC Today Show.

Bob Keeshan -- Clarabell the Clown [Howdy Doody] and Captain Kangaroo.

posted by ericb 30 December | 23:05

Ernist [sic] Borgnine has to fit in here but I can't recall just now.

Ernest Borgnine -- McHale's Navy, Airwolf and SpongeBob SquarePants (hehe)!

posted by ericb 30 December | 23:09

No way, SongeBob!? Cool. And MaHale's Navey had Tim Conway, too.

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 23:16

Alan Alda - Mash and Scientific American Frontiers.

And I'll fight the first person who give me shit about mentioning a PBS series.

posted by danf 30 December | 23:17

You could add "West Wing" to Alda's credits.

Tim Conway would be iconic from McHale's Navy and the Carol Burnett Show (where Mr. Tudball was his most nearly-iconic character). Where I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Tim Conway was the celebrity who lived closest to my neighborhood. Three blocks.

Where was I? Oh yeah, TV icons. How many people remember William Frawley, Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy" was also Uncle Bub on "My Three Sons" (the first 5 of its 12 seasons)

posted by wendell 31 December | 00:03

*gives danf shit*

posted by iconomy 31 December | 00:08

John Forsythe for "Charlie's Angels" and "Dynasty"

Robert Wagner for "It Takes a Thief" and "Hart to Hart"

posted by taz 31 December | 00:42

And before Martin Milner drove a police car in "Adam 12", he drove around for fun on "Route 66".

And Ray Walston, "My Favorite Martian", got a career revival as Judge Bone on "Picket Fences".

And how did I forget Jim Backus, Mr. Magoo AND Mr. Howell??? And William Conrad (Cannon, Jake and the Fatman) was also the Narrator on Rocky and Bullwinkle. And cartoon-voicewise, Paul Winchell didn't have a thousand voices, but he was both Dick Dastardly (Wacky Races) and Tigger.

And Babylon 5's Peter Jurasik (Londo Molari) was also Sid the Snitch on "Hill Street Blues" (Hey, I said I was a B5 fanboy). For equal time, DS9's Armin Shimerman, Quark the Ferengi, was also the Evil Principal on "Buffy", but once you get into the Buffyverse, it gets crazy... (does David Boreanaz' character on "Bones" come close to Angel, icon-wise?)

Well, thanks for giving me a way to take my mind off how SICK I am right now (coughs, aches, nausea and an infected eye) right in time for New Year's. I'll get some sleep now.

posted by wendell 31 December | 00:49

Patrick McGoohan - The Secret Agent and The Prisoner. (Though possibly the same character.)

posted by Iridic 31 December | 02:04

Good one, Iridic!

posted by mischief 31 December | 02:23

Roger Moore - The Saint and Lord Brett Sinclair

posted by essexjan 31 December | 04:36

Tony Martin - Reverend Bob in E Street and Bill McCoy in Wildside

Penny Cook - Vicky the Vet in A Country Practice and Dr Elly in E Street

Alan Dale keeps having heart attacks, as Jim Robinson in Neighbours, Caleb Nichol in The OC and now as Bradford Meade in Ugly Betty

Julia Sawalha as Lynda Day in Press Gang and as Saffy in AbFab

Joanna Lumley as Sapphire in Sapphire and Steel and Patsy in AbFab

Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing in Dallas and Scuzzlebutt's leg in South Park

Sarah Chalke as Elliot in Scrubs and the other Becky in Roseanne

Okay, the last two are a stretch...

posted by goo 31 December | 08:05

Oh, another Australian I forgot: John Wood as Michael Rafferty in Rafferty's Rules and Sgt Tom in Blue Heelers

posted by goo 31 December | 08:14

And I think Kelsey Grammer counts for Frasier and Sideshow Bob, don't you?

posted by goo 31 December | 08:32

And Michael C Hall for Dexter Morgan and David Fisher.

God, stop me now

posted by goo 31 December | 08:35

If Kelsey Grammer counts for Sideshow Bob, then Shearer counts for Burns and Smithers.

posted by box 31 December | 09:20

Loosely relatedly, Richard Belzer has played Det. John Munch on, what, three different shows now?

posted by box 31 December | 09:21

box: seven

And if you haven't seen it before, the Tommy Westphall Universe.

posted by goo 31 December | 09:31

Katey Sagal for Futurama and married with Children

And, I came up with a few triples for doubles already listed... Shatner on Boston Legal (I wouldn't have thought it, but I have heard random strangers make Denny Crane jokes in public, so I'd say that's icon status), and Locklear in Melrose Place as well.

posted by kellydamnit 31 December | 10:36

Stephen Root on NewsRadio and King of the Hill.

posted by box 31 December | 10:37

Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing in Dallas and Scuzzlebutt's leg in South Park

and "The Man from Atlantis" that was on TV in the '70's for about 10 minutes. I remember trying to swim like him. Also he had crazy contact lenses or something.

posted by chococat 31 December | 13:21

2 more News Radio ones:
Maura Teirney (sp.?) went to ER (as Abby)
Dave Foley came from Kids in the Hall

posted by chococat 31 December | 13:24

Edward James Olmos - Miami Vice & Battlestar Galactica

posted by deborah 31 December | 15:26

I cannot believe it took like 30 comments before somebody mentioned The Caruso

Infidels!

posted by matteo 01 January | 13:29

Rik Mayall (The Young Ones, The New Statesman)
Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Minder)

posted by pompomtom 01 January | 19:55

What about Christina Applegate for Married...With Children, and that new show (so might not count, yet) where she has amnesia?

posted by redvixen 01 January | 20:13

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