What character went the most seasons being a recurring character in a primetime series? (meaning he or she was never billed in the show's main titles). The ones I think of were Ralph the doorman and Charlie the bartender who were both in all 11 seasons of the Jeffersons. Is there anyone who recurred longer?

At the moment I can't think of any that went longer than 11 seasons but, according to the IMDb, there were two recurring characters who appeared in all but the first season of M*A*S*H's 11-year run:

Kellye Nakahara appeared as Nurse Kellye in seasons 2-11 (and also as Nurse Able for one episode in season 3 and Nurse Yamoto once in season 2). She was in 55 episodes in total.

Jeff Maxwell played Cpl. Igor Straminsky, also in seasons 2-11, for a total 63 episodes.

There were also a few other M*A*S*H characters (Sgt. Zelmo Zale, Lt. Ginger Bayliss, Roy Goldman) who were in 20-25 episodes over several seasons.

That Means Somebody in Cast or not in Cast

In the Cast not Leads
Mr. & Mrs. C from Happy Days

not in the Cast
Newman From Seinfeld
The Kids from Everybody Loves Raymond

That Means Somebody in Cast or not in Cast

In the Cast not Leads
Mr. & Mrs. C from Happy Days

was there ever a season where Tom Bosley and Marion Ross weren't in the opening credits?

didn't last 11 seasons, but 10. Janice appeared in the first episode of Friends, and recurred all the way until the third-to-last episode.

Not a lead but recurring Mr. Turner on Boy Meets World

was there ever a season where Tom Bosley and Marion Ross weren't in the opening credits?


No they were always in the opening credits and Tom Bosley always had an and starring next to his name.

Maxine from Family Matters was on for about 7 years and never made it plast Recurring Guest

Richard Deacon was never listed in the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke show"

Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell) was never in the opening credits of "Leave it to Beaver"

Not a lead but recurring Mr. Turner on Boy Meets World

He was part of the cast.... and it wasn't a very long running show.

The Cheers barflies...

Of course there were several but Paul (Paul Willson, aka one of the Bobs from Office Space ) and Phil (Phil Perlman, aka Rhea Perlman's father) probably did the most episodes.

Also some of the KACL staff from Frasier... again a revolving door but I think probably Gil (the food guy), Noel? (was that his name? the Star Trek fan), and Kenny the station manager probably appeared the most.

Sam Noonan apeared on Gunsmoke for 13 years and was never in the opening. Gunsmoke has a long list of recuring characters such as Hank the stableman 1957-1975, Mr Jonus 1955-1960, Louie Pheeters, Percy Crump, Ma Smalley, Nathan Burke 1963-1975, Mr Halligan 1967-1975 Mr Lathrop #1965-1975, Ed O'Conner, and a few more

Other than Janice there were other long running recurring characters on Friends ....

Christina Pickles as Mom Geller... loved Ross, hated Monica
Eliott Gould as Jack Geller....Dad loved his little harmonica...... 11 seasons...

different actors played him.... 10 seasons... Ben Willick.....only seen until season 8....

James Michael Tyler... as Gunther .... 11 seasons... originally hired as an extra to work in the coffee shop... eventually a character...

Beverly Leslie on Will and Grace....