...characters

https://www.metv.com/stories/carroll-oconnor-explained-how-bill-gillespie-and-archie-bunker-were-two-different-characters

"The similarities between the two would be almost nil except for the fact that the same actor is playing both parts."

Carroll O'Connor said that he actually preferred writing to acting (https://www.metv.com/stories/carroll-oconnor-said-that-he-actually-preferred-writing-to-acting)

"Leave me alone. Can't you see I'm writing?"