Iconic and Memorable Roles: TV part III

Rod Serling as Narrator

What a great idea to let co-creator and co-writer Rod Serling to narrate and open each of the episodes. So many great directors, actors, and wonderfully creepy episodes.


This is from the terrifying episode "It's a Good Life"

A little more sci-fi and less scary than the Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits was still a great show, with many powerful episodes.


Martin Landau as Andros in
The Man Who Was Never Born


A very emotional and artistic episode, 'The Man Who Was Never Born' has Andros going back in time in order to prevent the birth of a man who was destined to bring about the world's destruction.

Not quite the same as the original, but as good. Sometimes not as memorable, but occasionally more creepy than the original.

Beau Bridges as Dr. Simon Kress


I chose this episode because it is the first of the new show. I believe it helped to set the tone for the rest of the show, which lasted seven seasons.

Alfred Hitchcock as The Presenter


A very interesting show with Alfred Hitchcock providing the opening and closing commentary for each episode. Many of the actors on the show were well known.

A very long running show with steady success. There have been multiple generations of comedians giving their varied talents to the show. There's no way I'm going to highlight all of them.

Dan Aykroyd as Disc Jockey


Steve Martin as King Tut


Gilda Radner as Roseanne Roseannadonna


John Belushi as Samurai Furtaba


Bill Murray as Nick the Lounge Singer


Chevy Chase as Chevy Chase


Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat


Martin Short as Ed Grimley


Michael Myers and Dana Carvey
as Wayne and Garth


Phil Hartman as Bill Clinton


Will Ferrell as James Lipton

Nicole Sullivan as Vancome Lady


Debra Wilson as Bunifa


Will Sasso as Kenny Rogers


Michael McDonald as Stewart


Aries Spears


Mo Collins as Stewart's Mom


Alex Borstein as Miss Swan


I'm guessing that the people that love SNL hate Madtv, and vice versa. A different kind of comedy show than SNL, Madtv invested a lot of stock in being offensive. Sometimes gross, many times over the top, Madtv really was a 90's kind of a show.

(from left to right)
Dave Foley-Mark McKinney-Scott Thompson-Bruce McCulloch-Kevin Mcdonald


I watched this show a lot as a kid. These guys were willing to play women, kids, old men, anything.

Dave Chappelle as Tyrone, Prince, and Rick James




Charlie Murphy as Charlie Murphy


This show became successful and quickly ended after the second season.

Ted Danson as Sam Malone


Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli


Shelley Long as Diane Chambers


John Ratzenberger and George Wendt as
Cliff Clavin and Norm Peterson


Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd


Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe


Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane


Bebe Neuwirth as Lillith Crane


This show became quite popular in the mid to late 80's. It was a show that successfully balanced an ensemble cast without any of the actors becoming too big for their roles. A rare thing in television shows, and it remained a successful show until its final episode.

Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold


Dan Lauria as Jack Arnold


Josh Saviano as Paul Pfieffer


Danica McKellar as Winnie Cooper


Alley Mills as Norma Arnold


Jason Hervey as Wayne Arnold


Olivia D'abo as Karen Arnold


The Wonder Years was a pretty good show about growing up during the late 60's. The characters were mixed together pretty well, and I remember being really into this show as a kid.

Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay


David Schwimmer as Ross Geller


Matt Leblanc as Joey Tribbiani


Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green


Courtney Cox as Monica Geller


Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing


It seems like no one is on the fence with this show. They either hate it with the curse of a thousand screams, or love it to the point of a near romantic obsession.

Luke Perry as Dylan Mckay


Jenni Garth as Kelly Taylor


Jason Priestley as Brandon Walsh


Shannon Doherty as Brenda Walsh


Tori Spelling as Donna Martin


Ian Ziering as Steve Sanders


Gabrielle Carteris(left) as Andrea Zuckerman


Brian Austin Green as David Silver


This show lasted ten years. 292 episodes, or so listal tells me. I watched the first couple of seasons, but didn't keep up. There were multiple departures and replacement cast members, but this was the original group.

Topher Grace as Eric Forman


Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti


Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart


Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde


Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso


Wilmer Valderrama as Fez


Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman


Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman


I'm sure most of you at least heard of this show or watched it. It was pretty fun, although like many shows, suffered from running one or two too many seasons.

Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster


Al Lewis as Grandpa


Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster


Butch Patrick as Eddie Munster


I watched this show when I was young. I especially liked the Herman Munster character.

John Astin and Carolyn Jones as
Gomez and Morticia Addams


Jackie Coogan and Ted Cassidy as
Uncle Fester and Lurch


Ken Weatherwax and Lisa Loring as
Pugsley and Wednesday Adams


I didn't see much of this show. I ended up watching the Munsters instead. You kind of have to pick one when you're young, it can get confusing if you try to watch both.

Bob Saget as Danny Tanner


Dave Coulier as Joey Gladstone


John Stamos as Jesse Katsopolis


Lori Loughlin as Becky Katsopolis


Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen as Michelle Tanner


Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner


Candice Cameron as D.J. Tanner

Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy


Katey Sagal as Peg Bundy


Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy


David Faustino as Bud Bundy


Amanda Bearse as Mary D'Arcy


An interesting show that at times felt simplistic with its visual gags, but at other times seemed, somewhat insightful. This was a show that enjoyed as much success overseas as it did in the US.

Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens


Dick York as Darrin Stephens




Sam Stephens trying to make it through each day as a witch in an idyllic American household. Problem arose every time her family stopped by and she would end up using magic at the worst times. I liked this show. Dick Sargent also played the husband character Darrin Stephens, but wasn't as memorable as the original.

Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable


Phylicia Rashad as Claire Hanks Huxtable


Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable


Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo Huxtable


Tempest Bledsoe as Vanessa Huxtable


Keshia Knight as Rudy Huxtable


Raven-Symone as Olivia Kendall




Did anyone not see the Cosby Show in the US? It was one of the most well known shows from the mid 80's until its end in the early 90's. It was a part of my childhood spent in front of the TV, as I'm sure it was for many of you.

Tim Allen as Tim 'the Tool Man' Taylor


Patricia Richardson as Jill Taylor


Richard Karn as Al Borland


Earl Hindman as Wilson


Zachery Ty Bryant as Brad Taylor


Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Randy Taylor


Taran Noah Smith as Mark Taylor


Debbie Dunning as Heidi Keppert


This show may not be as well remembered today, but at the peak of its popularity, it was a very well regarded show, and Tim Allen was for a time the most well paid man in television.

Patricia Rutledge as Hyacinth Bucket


Clive Swift as Richard Bucket


Mary Millar as Rose


Geoffrey Hughes as Onslow


Judy Cornwell as Daisy


Josephine Tewson as Elizabeth Warden


As far as I know, Keeping Up Appearances was immensely popular in the UK, and even aired in the US. A very funny class comedy, starring Patricia Rutledge as the ever social and bossy Hyacinth Bucket, or 'Bouquet' as she calls herself.

Henry Winkler as Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli


Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham


Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham


Marion Ross as Marion Cunningham


Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham


Anson Williams and Don Most as Potise and Ralph


Al Molinaro as Al Delvecchio


What a classic show with classic characters. It wasn't very deep stuff, but the show was funny, and had staying power. It ran for ten years, and spawned at least one spin off show.

Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing


Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing


Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes


Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing


Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing


Susan Howard and Steve Kanaly as
Donna Culver Krebbs and Ray Krebbs


Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing Cooper



A show I haven't seen myself, but heard plenty about. Many people followed this show religiously during its run, and it was immensely popular.

Fran Drescher as Ms. Francis Fine


Charles Schaughnessy as Maxwell Scheffield


Daniel Davis as Niles the Butler


Lauren Lane as C.C. Babcock


Benjamin Salisbury as Brighton Scheffield


Nicholle Tom as Maggie Scheffield


Madeline Zima as Grace Scheffield


This is probably one of those love it or hate it kind of shows. The one thing it had going for it was it was not your average 'who's the boss' or Mr. Belvedere' show about babysitting. Fran Drescher added her own eccentricities to her role as the ill equipped nanny to wealthy Maxwell Scheffield's children.

Matthew Fox as Dr. Jack Shephard


Naveen Andrews as Sayid Jarrah


Terry O'Quinn as John Locke


Evangeline Lily as Kate Austen


Josh Holloway as James 'Sawyer' Ford


Daniel Dae Kim as Jin Kwon


Yunjin Kim as Sun Kwon


Jorge Garcia as Hugo 'Hurley' Reyes


Emilie de Raven as Claire Littleton


Dominic Monaghan as Charlie Pace


Harrold Perrineau as Michael Dawson


Ian Somerhalder as Boone Carlyle


Maggie Grace as Shannon Rutherford


Henry Ian Cusick as Desmund Hume


Michale Emerson as Ben Linus


Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko
(my favorite character)


Michelle Rodriguez as Ana Lucia Cortez


A very popular show with plenty of characters and never-ending plot twists that reveal themselves like the peeling of an onion. I'm going to include the season one and season two cast.

Guy Williams as Professor John Robinson


June Lockhart as Maureen Robinson


Jonathan Harris as Dr. Zachary Smith


Mark Goddard as Major Don West


Billy Mumy as Will Robinson


Marta Kristen as Judy Robinson


Angela Cartwright as Penny Robinson


Dick Tufeld as The Robot
No, this isn't 'Robby' the Robot. Robby was used in the movie Forbidden Planet, and guest spots on TV shows.



The Robinson family in space. As a kid, some of the episodes were a little scary. Yep, you had Mr. Smith the backstabber, and the family that hopped from one dangerous planet to the next. This is great stuff for any kid to see.

Bob Denver as Gilligan


Alan Hale Jr. as 'The Skipper' Jonas Grumby


Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III


Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Lovey Howell


Tina Louise as Ginger Grant


Russell Johnson as Professor Roy Hinkley


Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers



A show that consisted of a shipwrecked Captain, first mate, and crew. Somehow, guest stars would find their way onto the island, but always manage to escape. The regular cast was not so fortunate.

Janine Turner as Maggie O'Connell


Barry Corbin as Maurice J. Minnifield


Rob Morrow as Dr. Joel Fleischman


Elaine Miles as Marilyn Whirlwind


John Corbett as Chris Stevens


Darren E. Burrows as Ed Chigliak


Cynthia Geary as Shelley Marie Tambo


John Cullum as Holling Vincoeur


I guess the characters aren't technically 'marooned,' but some are escaping something, while others are just looking for a place to disappear. A pretty low key but watchable show about the residents in a remote town. That town was actually Roslyn, Washington, but I think the show was pretending to be set in Alaska.

Laura Innes as Dr. Kerry Weaver


Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter


Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton


Maura Tierney as Nurse Abby Lockhart


Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene


Alex Kingston as Dr. Elizabeth Corday


Julianna Margulies as Nurse Carol Hawthaway


Goran Visnjic as Dr. Luka Kovac


Mekhi Phifer as Dr. Gregory Pratt


Geprge Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross


Yeah, hospitals. Who decided that a place full of critically wounded people would be a good place to stage a show? Well, the doctors in this particular hospital have time to save lives and sleep around with the rest of the staff. Overall, the characters were pretty decent. Like a lot of long running shows, the cast revolved in and out, and many cast members joined as many others departed.

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer


Carlos Bernard as Tony Almeida


Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe O'Brian


James Morrison as Bill Buchanan


Elisha Cuthbert as Kim Bauer


Jack Bauer uses every trick he's ever learned to kill terrorists every way he knows how. He shoots, stabs, neck breaks and tortures, killing and revenging his way to the end of each season.

Zach Braff as Dr. J.D. Dorian


Donald Faison as Dr. Christopher Turk


John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox


Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reed


Judy Reyes as Nurse Carla Espinoza


Ken Jenkins as Dr. Bob Kelso


Neil Flynn as The Janitor


Another hospital show, but this time the staff are less dramatic and more funny than the staffers in ER. Although the laughs are pretty decent, the show might have run just a little too long.

Ricky Gervais as David Brent


Mackenzie Crook as Gareth Keenan


Martin Freeman as Tim Canterbury


Lucy Davis as Dawn Tinsley


The Office follows a group of socially awkward office workers as they plod through their jobs and exercise long, uncomfortable silences. There's a lot more to it than that of course, but I haven't seen many episodes. Shows like this one work well when populated with a talented cast.

Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty


Barry Bostwick as Mayor Randall M. Winston Jr.


Connie Britton as Nicki Faber


Richard Kind as Paul Lassiter


Michael Boatman as Carter Heywood


Alan Ruck as Stuart Bondek


Victoria Dillard as Janelle Cooper


A work comedy which takes place in the fictional Mayor's office in New York. Great performances by Michael J. Fox and the rest of the cast. After Michael J. Fox left the show for health reasons, Heather Locklear and Charlie Sheen took over the lead roles in the show. However, it didn't last long after Michael J. Fox departed.

David Hasselhof as Mitch Buchannon


Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker


Alexandra Paul as Stephanie Holden


David Charvet as Matt Brody


Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden


Erika Eleniak as Shauni McClain


David Chokachi as Cody Madison


Gena Lee Nolin as Neely Capshaw


Baywatch. I found myself compelled to include this show, because it is both iconic, and memorable. Okay, the content of each episode is not memorable. But the slow motion running, the allergy to clothing suffered by most of the cast, that was memorable.

Dave Foley as Dave Nelson


Maura Tierney as Lisa Miller


Phil Hartman as Bill McNeal


Stephen Root as Jimmy James


Vicki Lewis as Beth


Andy Dick as Matthew Brock


Khandi Alexander as Catherine Duke


Joe Rogan as Joe Garrelli
(Joe Rogan used to act for a living)


NewRadio was a very enjoyable show about a news radio station and its eccentric employees. I watched the show when it came out and really enjoyed it. Phil Hartman was an important character in the show until his death in 1998.

Karl Malden as Detective Mike Stone


Michael Douglas as Inspector Steve Keller


A great cops and crime show with Karl Malden, the experienced movie actor. Michael Douglas became big on this show, and eventually traded in his tv role for movie roles.

Levar Burton as Host


I loved this show. It helped me to appreciate books more as a child, and gave me the opportunity to learn about great stories, even while watching television.

Frank Oz as Bert


Jim Henson as Ernie


Caroll Spinney as Oscar the Grouch


Caroll Spinney as Big Bird


Kevin Clash as Elmo


? as Cookie Monster


? as Grover


Brian Muehl and Martin P. Robinson as Telly Monster


Great for kids, the characters talk slowly, and there's plenty of stuff to learn in each episode. This show has a special place in my childhood.

Don Herbert as Mr. Wizard


I watched the 1980's rendition of the show, which was called "Mr. Wizard's World." The show actually began in the 50's with the same man, Don Herbert, displaying the scientific properties behind just about everything a kid would be into. Including fire. This was one my brother's favorite shows, and one of mine as well. I think any kid watching this show would love to be in at least one episode.

Bill Nye as Bill Nye the Science Guy


Bill Nye was actually a local (Seattle) comedian and part of a comedy show called "Almost Live" which aired in Washington in the late 80's and early 90's. So when I first saw "Bill Nye, the Science Guy" I said 'what the hell is he doing on a science show? Isn't that Speed Walker?'

Just watch it. Then you'll know what I mean.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e6h4zLC5U8

Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog


Frank Oz as Fozzie Bear


Frank Oz as Miss Piggy


Dave Goelz as Gonzo


I loved this show. I probably still do, although I haven't watched any episodes in quite some time.

And these guys were great. But grumpy.

Gerard Parkes as Doc


Steve Whitmore as Sprocket the Dog


Jerry Nelson as Gobo Fraggle


Karen Prell as Red Fraggle


Dave Goelz as Boober Fraggle


Uncle Traveling Matt


Doozers


I watched this show even more than the Muppets. It had a great opening, and really fun characters.

Paul Zaloom as Beakman


Mark Ritts as Lester


Alanna Ubach as Josie


Senta Moses as Phoebe


Eliza Schneider as Liza


Beakman's World was an offbeat science show for kids that contrasted quite a bit from Bill Nye, the Science Guy. I actually watched this show more often, and it's too bad it's not as well known as it could have been.

David Joyner as Barney


I was a little too old for Barney, so I saw almost none of it when it came out. However, I did know that it was immensely popular, and the merchandising for this purple dinosaur was out of control. I think it was a little too childish, even for kids, but then again I wasn't four of five when it came out, so I couldn't say how enjoyable it would have been for a young child. Parents seemed to love it though.

John Simmit as Dipsy, Nikki Smedley as Laa-Laa
Pui Fan Lee as Po and Mark Heenehan as Tinky Winky


Yes, there are the Teletubbies. However, I don't know which one is which. I didn't watch this show, but from what little I know, there wasn't a lot in the way of content. But lack of content doesn't mean no one watched the show. It was popular at the time of its airing.

Eric Fleming as Gil Favor


Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates


I'll admit this isn't one I have seen much of. The cast is quite large, but Eric Fleming plays the trail boss, and Clint Eastwood is the most remembered cowboy in the series.

James Arness as Matt Dillon


Amanda Blake as Kitty


Dennis Weaver as Chester


Ken Curtis as Festus


Gunsmoke starred the massive James Arness as lawman Matt Dillon. He had a couple of sidekicks and a lady friend, pretty much everything you need in a western. Except the horse, gun, and hat.

Steve McQueen as Josh Randall


Steve McQueen as the Bounty Hunter who tracks down criminals in the old west.

Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright


Michael Landon as Joseph Cartwright


Dan Blocker as Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright


Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright


A good western about a family living in Nevada. Three sons, all from different mothers, always seem to find themselves either helping out someone in need, or getting themselves into trouble.

Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger


Jay Silverheels as Tanto (Pictured right)


A show that ran for years, and enjoyed great success. It started off as a radio serial that eventually made its way onto television.