Actors Who Guest Starred First Before Joining a Show

[Adamantium]

They either guest starred once and then became a cast member or was a recurring character and then became a cast member. And I mean they guest starred as the character they eventually became a cast member as. So Jon Lovitz of "NewsRadio" doesn't count.

Tony Shalhoub (Antonio Scarpacci of "Wings") - He made a guest appearance in season two. Then he returned on a regular basis in season three, and by the end of that same season he was a fully credited cast member.

Farrah Forke (Alex Lambert of "Wings") - She came in season four on a recurring basis and joined the cast for season five.

Christopher Lloyd (Jim Ignatowski of "Taxi") - He first guest starred in a season one episode. He returned in the second season and became a cast member.

Carol Kane (Simka of "Taxi") - She guest starred in season two, and was recurring in season four. She became a full cast member in season five.

Dave Higgins (Joe of "Ellen") - He first guest starred in episode #8 of the first season. He was in the remainder of the first season, joining the cast in the second season.

Clea Lewis (Audrey of "Ellen") - She guest starred once in season one, was recurring in season two and a cast member beginning in season three.

Andy Hallet (Lorne of "Angel") - He was a recurring character starting with the premiere of season two. He officially joined the cast towards the end of the fourth season.

David Boreanaz (Angel of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") - He was recurring in the first season and joined the cast in the second season.

James Marsters (Spike of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") - He was recurring in season two, absent for all but one episode of season three and made a full cast member during the fourth season.

John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin of "Cheers") - This is a technicality. He appeared in every episode of the first season, but he was billed as a guest star. He officially joined the cast in season two.

Kelsey Grammer (Frasier Crane of "Cheers") - He first popped up at the Boston bar at the beginning of season three. He officially joined the cast in either the fourth or fifth season.


I know of some more, but I'll save it for other people to post.

[tv star collector]

As I recall, Henry Winkler's "Fonzie" was a very minor character in his first
episode--but, by the time star Ron Howard left Happy Days, Winkler
had top billing.

[JamesG]

Since you mentioned Buffy/Angel there is one more that should be mentioned.

Amber Benson who played "Tara" was first introduced in Season 4 as a love interest for "Willow". She was recurring up until Season 6.

However, on the episode that she got star billing She was killed off.

[robyrob]

Lori Beth Allen Cunningham (Lynda Goodfriend) first appeared as Ralph's date Kim on Happy Days

and KC Cunningham (Crystal Bernard) first appeared as the "fast girl" Mikki that Jenny spread those rumors about on Happy Days.

[wkomorow]

This is the Urkiel syndrome . Urkiel began as a guest and then became the focus of Family Matters. Technically there is a difference between something like JJ on Good Times, who was one of the cast, vs. someone like Urkiel, who was only supposed to be aa guest on one episode but became a regular character.

[KurtfromPitts]

Ted McGinley guested on a "Married...With Children" ep [albeit in a different role] and a couple of years later became Jefferson.

[70s show watcher]

lisa robin kelly was a recurring guest star on that 70s show the first season and also michael mckean and billy crystal hosted saturday night live first and became cast members later on

[Zoneboy]

George Lindsey was first introduced as Gomer's Cousin, Goober Pyle in the episode "Fun Girls" which originally aired on April 13th, 1964. This was also the first and only time that Gomer and Goober appeared in the same episode. George later became a regular on the series starting with the episode "Goodbye Sheriff Taylor" which aired on November 23rd, 1964.

[megamanj2004]

Ted McGinley guested on a "Married...With Children" ep [albeit in a different role] and a couple of years later became Jefferson.

I remember the episode he guest starred as a different character!

It was on the S3 or S4 episode where the Bundy kids had something like a dream sequence of what it would be like to be a part of a rich family and Ted played the dad of the rich family.


Can I also add:

Martin Landau as Rolland Hand on M:I: during S1, he was credited as "Special Guest Star" on all eps. he was present on before the producers of M:I negotiated his contract full-time and made him a permanent cast member for S2 and S3.

Herman Wedemyer - Hawaii Five-O: he 1st appeared on the show in S1 not as Duke, but as Lt. Balta. he appeared as Duke sometime in either S4 or S5 as a recurring character before he was added to the cast permanently in S9 as Duke.

Richard Kline - Three's Company: Before he became a permanent cast member, he appeared as Larry in a few early season eps.

Joe Santos as Lt. Becker - The Rockford Files: He appeared in the S1 pilot episode and probably a few S1 eps. before he became a permanent cast member for S2 and beyond.

Daryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson - A Different World: He occasionally appeared in a handful of S1 eps. before he got permanent cast billing for S2 and beyond.

Jada Pinkett - A Different World: She 1st appeared in S4 or S5 and was only credited as "Guest Star" or sometimes as "Featuring" before she permanently got opening credits and cast billing in S6.

Sinbad as Walter Oakes: - A Different World: Like Daryl M. Bell, Sinbad appeared in a few S1 eps. before he got permanent cast billing from S2-S5.

Lou Myers as Vernon Gaynes - A Different World: 1st appeared in S2 before he replaced Mary Alice for S3 and beyond.

Crystal Fox - In the Heat of the Night: appeared during either S4 and/or S5 before she got cast billing in from S6-S8.

[comedyfreak]

Florence Johnston was introduced on The Jeffersons during the first season and didn't become a regular until the 2nd or third season.

[catlover79]

Julia Duffy guest starred on one episode of Newhart in Season 1, and became a regular in the second season.

[TJL]

Harry Morgan guest starred in one episode during season 3 of M*A*S*H as the unhinged General Steele and returned in season 4 as Col Potter after McLean Stevenson left the show.

[TV-aholic]

Barney Miller was bad at this.

Ron Carey (Levitt) and Paul Lieber (Dorsey) both protraied criminals before becoming regulars of the 12th Precinct

[catlover79]

Barney Miller was bad at this.

Ron Carey (Levitt) and Paul Lieber (Dorsey) both protraied criminals before becoming regulars of the 12th Precinct
Don't forget Steve Landesberg. He appeared in the Season 2 premiere as a phony priest, and made his first appearance as Arthur Dietrich a few weeks later. Also on Newhart, Larry, Darryl and Darryl also appeared in a couple of first season eps before becoming regulars the next season.

[Dusty's Fan]

Tina Cole appeared a couple of times on My Three Sons as other characters before her permanent role as Katie was introduced. IIRC, one was a b/w appearance and the other in color, both prior to the Douglas family's move to California.

Nancy Stafford appeared as a call girl in season 1 of Matlock before joining the cast as beautiful attorney Michelle Thomas in season 2. Daniel Roebuck also appeared as a different character before becoming a regular late in the series' run.

Mary Jane Croft appeared on I Love Lucy as the woman on the airplane with Lucy returning from Europe (and one other appearance), later becoming a regular in the role of Betty Ramsey on that series.

Alice Ghostley appeared as a bumbling maid on Bewitched before beginning her role as Esmeralda much later on.

Paul Lynde appeared as Sam's driving instructor on Bewitched before beginning his role as Uncle Arthur later.

Also on Bewitched, Bernard Fox appeared as a guy who didn't believe in witches (how to describe?) before beginning his role as Dr. Bombay.

[markway895]

Tina Cole appeared a couple of times on My Three Sons as other characters before her permanent role as Katie was introduced. IIRC, one was a b/w appearance and the other in color, both prior to the Douglas family's move to California.

Nancy Stafford appeared as a call girl in season 1 of Matlock before joining the cast as beautiful attorney Michelle Thomas in season 2. Daniel Roebuck also appeared as a different character before becoming a regular late in the series' run.

Mary Jane Croft appeared on I Love Lucy as the woman on the airplane with Lucy returning from Europe (and one other appearance), later becoming a regular in the role of Betty Ramsey on that series.

Alice Ghostley appeared as a bumbling maid on Bewitched before beginning her role as Esmeralda much later on.


In addition to Alice Ghostly, both Paul Lynde and Bernard Fox appeared on Bewitched as different characters in the first season before their reaccuring
roles of Uncle Arthur and Dr. Bombay.

[ryan423]

Gloria Reuben and Laura Innes of ER were recurring before becoming regulars.

[catlover79]

In addition to Alice Ghostly, both Paul Lynde and Bernard Fox appeared on Bewitched as different characters in the first season before their reaccuring
roles of Uncle Arthur and Dr. Bombay.
That's right. How could I have forgotten them?? D'OH!! :wallbang

[treky]

Harry Morgan guest starred in one episode during season 3 of M*A*S*H as the unhinged General Steele and returned in season 4 as Col Potter after McLean Stevenson left the show.
and that episode was Harry Morgans "on-air audition" to become McLean Stevensons replacment. And the scene wher Gen. Steele and Col. Blake are talking about a tounge depressor was the scene that made them decide on him as the replacment.

[treky]

I think the guy whp plays the coroner on "C.S.I." first guest-starred in the role, then became a regular.
Same with the one on "C.S.I.: NEW YORK"

[tv star collector]

Al Lewis guested as Mr. Spencer, the man hired to demolish Mrs. Bronson's
(Molly Picon) home in the episode "I'm Not Going" on Car 54, Where Are You? before he was later cast in the recurring role of Officer Leo Schnauser.

[Dusty's Fan]

On I Dream of Jeannie, Emmaline Henry appeared in a magician's act (Season 1) before becoming cast member Amanda Bellows in Season 2 on up. (I always loved her hair - very nice!)

[factsoflife]

On, Melrose Place Rob Estes first appeared in a season two or three episode as a date of Jane's and then starting in season 5 he got the regular role of Kyle McBride. At the time he was also the real life husband of actress Josie Bissett who played jane on the show. they are now divorced.

Laura Leighton (Sydney) first guest starred in a season two episode but became a regular shortly thereafter because she was such a hit with viewers.

Heather Locklear (Amanda) originally was contracted to appear in only a handful of season 1 episodes but was such a massive hit with viewers and provided such a massive ratings boost that she then became the lead actress on the show and assisted in changing the format of the show to more of a soap opera.

on "Beverly Hills, 90210", Kathleen Roberston first guest starred as Claire Arnold in a season three or four episode in which Claire had a crush on Brandon and attempted to seduce him. She was later added as a regular to the cast and the character changed from a bad girl to a more down to earth girl and her crush on Brandon was left aside as Claire went on to date Steve and David seriously on the show.

[Liza]

Peter MacNicol was the guest star on the second episode of Ally McBeal before joining the cast soon after.

I believe Bebe Neuwirth started out as a guest star on Cheers before joining full-time.

Juliana Margolis started out as a guest star on ER.

And while I'm at it, I may as well mention Michael Hurst of Hercules and Renee O'Conner of Xena. They were both considered guest stars for the first seasons before they finally got their names moved up to the opening credits.

[megamanj2004]

Dennis Franz - Before he became a permanent cast member as Lt. Norman Buntz for the final 2 seasons of "Hill Street Blues," he 1st guest starred on HSB as dirty, crooked cop Sal Benedetto.

[treky]

Harry Morgan first guest starred on "MASH" as Gen. Steele then became a regular the next season as Col. Potter.

[markway895]

Betty White was billed as "guest star" in the first few episodes she was in on Mary Tyler Moore. But by season 5 she became a regular.

[ComedyGuy]

Art carney portrayed a Cop on the Honeymooners before becomming a regular as Ed Norton

[factsoflife]

on Beverly Hills, 90210 Joe E. Tata as Nat was billed as a guest star before getting upped to a series regular status sometime in the series later seasons.

[OOliver]

I remember reading that Georgia Engle was supposed to be on just one episode of MTM, as Rhoda's co-worker 'Georgette Franklin'. Audiences liked her character so much, she soon returned as a regular playing Ted Baxter's girlfriend, and later, wife.

[catlover79]

I remember reading that Georgia Engle was supposed to be on just one episode of MTM, as Rhoda's co-worker 'Georgette Franklin'. Audiences liked her character so much, she soon returned as a regular playing Ted Baxter's girlfriend, and later, wife.
You're right - I think it was only supposed to be a one-time guest shot, but Georgia/Georgette was so liked, the rest is MTM history. :cool:

[treky]

Art carney portrayed a Cop on the Honeymooners before becomming a regular as Ed Nortoncorrection: he played a cop in the first "THE HONEYMOONERS" sketch on "THE CALVACADE OF STARS" on the Dumont network; before it went to CBS and was renamed "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW".

[treky]

You're right - I think it was only supposed to be a one-time guest shot, but Georgia/Georgette was so liked, the rest is MTM history. :cool:
and one reason she became Teds girlfriend was to calm down Ted Knight because he objected to playing Ted Baxter-he thought people would think he was really like that.

[megamanj2004]

Bonnie Bartlett - her character Ellen Craig, the wife of Dr. Mark Craig on "St. Elsewhere" was a recurring character from S1-S3. But because audiences liked her, they added her as a permanent regular at the start of S4.

[catlover79]

and one reason she became Teds girlfriend was to calm down Ted Knight because he objected to playing Ted Baxter-he thought people would think he was really like that.
Yes, Georgette brought out the good in Ted. I will never forget the episode where they exchanged their first "I love you"s. It was so sweet - and real. :love:

[catlover79]

Bonnie Bartlett - her character Ellen Craig, the wife of Dr. Mark Craig on "St. Elsewhere" was a recurring character from S1-S3. But because audiences liked her, they added her as a permanent regular at the start of S4.
Good catch - I think they remain the only husband and wife to win Emmys in the same year.

[megamanj2004]

Both Calvin (Curtis Baldwin) and Pearl (Helen Martin) were recurring characters in the 1st season of "227" before they received billing and permanent cast billing in the opening credits from S2 until the series end in 1990.

Strange that Curtis Baldwin is always paired with another character whenever he got cast billing in the opening credits.

[Dusty's Fan]

On The Andy Griffith Show, Jack Dodson appeared as insurance agent Ed Jenkins once prior to beginning his enduring role as county clerk Howard Sprague.

On Laverne & Shirley, Ed Marinaro appeared once as Laverne's cousin Antonio DeFazio before becoming series regular Sonny St. Jacques the following season.

[megamanj2004]

I don't know if this was already mentioned or not:

Both Ron Carey and Steve Landesberg both of their characters were originally recurring characters before they became principle cast members on "Barney Miller."

[catlover79]

I don't know if this was already mentioned or not:

Both Ron Carey and Steve Landesberg both of their characters were originally recurring characters before they became principle cast members on "Barney Miller."
Yeah, I already mentioned it. :lol: But that's OK!! :D

[treky]

Sid Melton first guest starred in an episode of "GREEN ACRES" in the first season as a plumber named Ed Fergusion, then later became a semi-regular as Alph Monroe.