I was curious to know if there were any guest stars on TMTMS that hit it big after the show? Maybe not necessarily right after there guest spot but sometime after?

Helen Hunt

Henry Winkler

John Ritter

Craig T. Nelson
Doris Roberts

Can't think of any more off the top of my head.

- Kristen

I was just about to post Henry Winker, but was beat to it. I just saw the episode he appeared in just a few days ago. In this particular case, his appearance was just a few months before Happy Days premiered. He probably already had the part of Fonzie when he guested on MTM.

On the top of my head, the late Mary Frann. Also, Isabel Sanford while she was recurring on AITF and a few years before the Jeffersons.

Penny Marshall, who played her neighbor Paula, shortly before Laverne & Shirley.

:( This thread makes me think of actress Barbara Colby, who played Sherry on MTM and went on to play Julie Erskine on Phyllis, before her murder in 1975. I wonder where her career might have gone.

Nancy Walker of course went on to be a regular on spinoff Rhoda,and the well know Bounty commercials and a regular on McMillan and Wife.

David Ogden Stiers,was one of the many WJM station managers,who hit the big time on MASH.

James L.Brooks made an appearance as the Rabbi who marries Ida and Martin in the third season episode "Enter Rhoda's Parents",Jim Brooks of course one of the joggers in the later MTM credits,he also makes a cameo appearance in "Rhoda's Wedding" in the subway.

I thought of David Ogden Stiers earlier, but wasn't sure if he was on TMTMS before or after he joined MASH. (I really should know that, since I've been watching MASH longer than TMTMS LOL!)

Ooh, what about Bernie Koppel, Mary's date for the infamous "Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcaster's School"? Can't believe nobody's mentioned him!

- Kristen

From Season 1 of TMTMS, Paul Sand in a few years got his own TV series titled Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (1974) - and he later went on to appearances as part of the cast of other series.

Bruce Boxleitner was a guest in an episode (I think S4), and from there became a star in Scarecrow & Mrs. King and Babylon 5. John Gabriel, who played the sportscaster/Mary's boyfriend Andy Rivers, went on to become a leading actor on the now-defunct soap opera Ryan's Hope. I think Gordon Jump (WKRP) and Vic Tayback (Alice) guested as well.

Bruce Boxleitner was a guest in an episode (I think S4), and from there became a star in Scarecrow & Mrs. King and Babylon 5. John Gabriel, who played the sportscaster/Mary's boyfriend Andy Rivers, went on to become a leading actor on the now-defunct soap opera Ryan's Hope. I think Gordon Jump (WKRP) and Vic Tayback (Alice) guested as well.
Another eventual Alice cast member Beth Howland, played a flight attendant and former girlfriend of Joe Warner in the 6th season. Joe (Ted Bessell) was Mary's love interest for a short time.

I just thought of one. Mary Jackson, who played Howard and Paul Arnell's mom was also Emily Baldwin in The Waltons. :)

Yes Henry Jones was in that same episode with Mary Jackson,of course he went on to be a regular on Phyllis,he popped up in so many things,the short lived "Mrs Columbo",he was also the Mad Robot Maker in the "Six Million Dollar Man",he was in three stories.

Film wise,he did a lot of movies,he'd already been in "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" before MTM,he went on to do the movie "Arachnophobia".


John Saxon was Phyllis' platonic date in "Menage a Phyllis",he'd already been in "Enter The Dragon" and went on to be in "Nightmare On Elm Street".

He also played Rashid Ahmed on "Dynasty" and Tony Cumson on "Falcon Crest" as well as appearances in "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman".(the orginal series)

Beth Howland was also in a Season 3 episode.

For those who are familiar with soaps, Y&R's Eric Braeden was on in Season 7.

For those who are familiar with soaps, Y&R's Eric Braeden was on in Season 7.

Really? I watched Y&R for many years after it first debuted. What character did he play on MTM?

Also, to catlover: Great quote from Alice Cooper in your signature!

It's been a while since I had seen the episode that Eric Braden appeared in.

What I remember is his character sharing the news anchor desk with Ted Baxter.

He was in "The Critic," as the guy who put down everything in Minneapolis.

- Kristen

Oh yeah I remember that--funny! Thanks for the info.

Also, to catlover: Great quote from Alice Cooper in your signature!

Thank you!! :D