Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

My brother and I had this same conversation recently, his reasoning was because there were (are) so few black actor in between that they were just rotated from show to show. Remember Alderman Davis played Florida's cousin in one episode, and remember the people that we mentioned from Michael the Warlord that appeared on Sanford and Son. Louis Gossett played Thelma's older man and came back as her uncle.

Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

He played two different roles on That's My mama

He played two different roles on That's My mama
You know, I can't recall if I ever felt bothered or annoyed by that. Maybe it was something that occurred so often back then that I became accustomed to it. Nowadays, I don't think television could get away with that. Can anyone think of anything in the last decade where the same actor portrayed more than one character on the same show???? And I don't mean like Jaleel White playing Urkel and what was that dumb-ass girl he played. Nothing like that. I mean just like what they did on 70's shows.

I remember on the Odd Couple they had a token black actor who never had a line.

BUt would show up as a janitor or some other stereotypical black job from time to time.

I remember on the Odd Couple they had a token black actor who never had a line.

BUt would show up as a janitor or some other stereotypical black job from time to time.
really???? interesting. I watched Odd Couple when I was young, but didn't watch it too intensely to notice that. Now I want to see it!!!! He was always on the Odd Couple or did he show up on other shows as well?

Also that ugly women at the Unemployment Office who screamed-"EUGENE PRUITT" who also the barmaid when Florida and willona went out to the bar.

Hal Williams played a couple of roles on the show. He was an eviction mover and then he played Willie Washington.

Hal Williams played a couple of roles on the show. He was an eviction mover and then he played Willie Washington.


And he played the Father of one of J.J's Art students

And he played the Father of one of J.J's Art students


I don't remember that, but of course I'll take your word for it. ;)

I don't remember that, but of course I'll take your word for it. ;)


Yeah remember the Guy who played Marcus on the Jeffersons, he worked in Jeffersons Cleaners. He was one of J.J's Art Students who was clumsy and knocking everything over

That I remember.

really???? interesting. I watched Odd Couple when I was young, but didn't watch it too intensely to notice that. Now I want to see it!!!! He was always on the Odd Couple or did he show up on other shows as well?


He never spoke a word.

A couple of other eps he appeared in that come to mind is the WRestling episode where he was one of the USA Wrestlers.

and played some sort of orderly in the episode where they were on the fat farm.

A very menacing looking person. I just don't know the actor's name.

He never spoke a word.

A couple of other eps he appeared in that come to mind is the WRestling episode where he was one of the USA Wrestlers.

and played some sort of orderly in the episode where they were on the fat farm.

A very menacing looking person. I just don't know the actor's name.
Thanx George for the info. appreciate that. And you know, since he never spoke a word, his name won't appear on any credits either. What a shame.

Wasn't he married to Joan Pringle, who played Ms. Buchanan on "The White Shadow?" And didn't he appear on "The White Shadow?" I know he was also in an episode of "The Waltons."

Wasn't he married to Joan Pringle, who played Ms. Buchanan on "The White Shadow?" And didn't he appear on "The White Shadow?" I know he was also in an episode of "The Waltons."
Okay, I think we're getting some more info here. He played Mr. Buchanan, or he was married to her in real life? Which episode of the Waltons????

Okay, I think we're getting some more info here. He played Mr. Buchanan, or he was married to her in real life? Which episode of the Waltons????

I think it is the episode where John boy goes on his first hunting trip.

Are we still talking about Theodore Wilson ? If so he was on Mama's Family and Golden Girls. So he's made his rounds on TV I guess.

Are we still talking about Theodore Wilson ? If so he was on Mama's Family and Golden Girls. So he's made his rounds on TV I guess.



The only reason there was a Sweet Daddy Character on Good Times was because the show he was on before Good Times was cancelled. That show was That's My Mama. Then he tried to star in another show in 1977 and that was cancelled which is why he returned to Good Times in 1978.

The only reason there was a Sweet Daddy Character on Good Times was because the show he was on before Good Times was cancelled. That show was That's My Mama. Then he tried to star in another show in 1977 and that was cancelled which is why he returned to Good Times in 1978.

He was also in another CBS show called "Roll Out."

He was also in another CBS show called "Roll Out."


Yup, all the shows he was in was cancelled with That's My Mama being the longest one

Roll Out-1973-74
That's My Mama-1974-75
Sanford Arms-Sept 1977-Oct 1977

he was married to actress Joan Pringle and they have twin daughters.

he was married to actress Joan Pringle and they have twin daughters.


Thanks for the info. Never knew that. Also Welcome to the Boards. Hope you stick around

Maybe it does happen on today's shows, but since we don't see them day after day we don't notice like we do on Good Times and other reruns? I saw the guy who played Sweet Daddy Williams on two episodes of What's Happening! playing two different people.