While on the subject of age differences, here are some that strike me weird:

The Waltons: Olivia Walton (played by Michael Learned, born 4/9/1939), mother to John Boy Walton (played by Richard Thomas, born 6/13/1951) - 12-year difference

Leave It To Beaver: ISTR reading that the actress who played Gwendolyn Rutherford* was born in 1939, while Lumpy Rutherford, her son, was played by Frank Bank, born 4/12/1942. Just three years older!

Any other such microscopic differences?

* - I could be wrong on Gwendolyn; the actress who played Violet, his younger sister, could have been the one born in 1939.

Yep.

Vicki Lawrence (March 26, 1949) played 65-year-old Thelma "Mama" Harper on "Mama's Family", starting in January 1983, when she was only 33. Her son, Vinton (Ken Berry, November 3, 1933), daughter in law, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman, April 18, 1947), sister Fran (Rue McClanahan, February 21, 1934), first daughter, Ellen (Betty White, January 17, 1922), and second daughter, Eunice (Carol Burnett, April 25, 1933) were ALL OLDER THAN VICKI LAWRENCE! Yet they all played her kids. Go figure. :lol: Betty White was in her 60's when she was on "Mama's Family", go figure. :D

EDIT: So sorry...My fault...It was REALLY late in the morning when I originally made this post. Thanks to Christopher for pointing out my mistake.

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
Yep.

Vicki Lawrence (March 26, 1949) played 65-year-old Thelma "Mama" Harper on "Mama's Family", starting in January 1983, when she was only 33. Her son, Vinton (Ken Berry, November 3, 1933), daughter in law, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman, April 18, 1947), first daughter Fran (Rue McClanahan, February 21, 1934), second daughter, Ellen (Betty White, January 17, 1922), and third daughter, Eunice (Carol Burnett, April 25, 1933) were ALL OLDER THAN VICKI LAWRENCE! Yet they all played her kids. Go figure. :lol: Betty White was in her 60's when she was on "Mama's Family", go figure. :D :rofl: Especially Betty White! :rofl:

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
Yep.

Vicki Lawrence (March 26, 1949) played 65-year-old Thelma "Mama" Harper on "Mama's Family", starting in January 1983, when she was only 33. Her son, Vinton (Ken Berry, November 3, 1933), daughter in law, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman, April 18, 1947), first daughter Fran (Rue McClanahan, February 21, 1934), second daughter, Ellen (Betty White, January 17, 1922), and third daughter, Eunice (Carol Burnett, April 25, 1933) were ALL OLDER THAN VICKI LAWRENCE! Yet they all played her kids. Go figure. :lol: Betty White was in her 60's when she was on "Mama's Family", go figure. :D


Fran was Mama's sister, not her daughter.

Jaene Harafalo played Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser's daughter. Yes, it was their daughter all grown up but yeah LOL.

Ben Stiller played Jerry Stiller's father in a "King Of Queens" flashback but yeah, that's the same thing LOL.

Originally posted by Christopher
Fran was Mama's sister, not her daughter.

:bonk: It was 2:30 in the morning when I was typing that post. :lol:

I knew something was amiss when I made that post....Just couldn't figure out what....

One Tree Hill - Moira Kelly was born on March 6, 1968. Her TV son, Chad Michael Murray, was born on August 24, 1981, when she was 13!

John Amos, who played James Evans Sr.,was born on December 27, 1939

Jimmie Walker, who played James Evans Jr., was born on June 25, 1947

That's a seven and a half year difference.

From The Wonder Years:

Dan Lauria, who played Jack Arnold (the father) was born 4/12/1947. David Huddleston, who played John Arnold (the paternal grandfather) was born 9/17/1930. That's less than seventeen years!

FWIW, Olivia d'Abo, who played Karen Arnold (the eldest Arnold child), was born 1/22/1967, while Dan was 19 and David was 36. A 36-year old grandfather!

Originally posted by James
David Huddleston, who played John Arnold

Oops, John Arnold was the grandfather's way of calling Jack. The grandfather was really named Albert!

:eek:

not great with exact dates, but I'll use ages

Phylicia Rashad was born in 1948, Sabrina LeBeauf (who played her daughter Sondra on Cosby Show) was born in 1958. Phylicia was only 9 1/2 years older

John Mahoney on Frasier was born in 1940, Kelsey Grammer was born in 1955. Meaning John would've been 14-15 when Kelsey was born

Frances Conroy (Ruth Fisher on Six Feet Under) was born in 1953, Peter Krause who plays her son Nate, was born in 1965.

I bet the actors gets a warmer feeling with a closer age actor. You may have more friend feeling vervus a parent feeling. There are some actors who look old and really they are younger than you think. I suppose it could go the other way. have some old man play your dad and you are only 18 and he's 65

One The Golden Girls, Estelle Getty was born in 1924 while daughter Bea Arthur was born in 1923! Wow, The Golden Girls are are getting so old! With the exception of Rue, they're all at or approaching 80.

One Roseanne, daughter Estelle Parsons was born in 1927, mother Shelley Winters was born in 1922.

Yes I remember reading that Shelly Winters and Estelle Parsons played on Roseanne. I never watched the show. Any way how old was Roseanne's character. She must either be young or have an old grandma. I thought having a grandma on the show was a bit much.

Originally posted by vze3t9q9
Yes I remember reading that Shelly Winters and Estelle Parsons played on Roseanne. I never watched the show. Any way how was Roseanne's character. She must either be young or have an old grandma. I thought having a grandma on the show was a bit much.

That reminds me: Episode #94 of The Brady Bunch, "You're Never Too Old," featured Carol's grandmother and Mike's grandfather (with Florence Henderson and Robert Reed playing dual roles!). That episode came out of the 1972-73 season, and Robert was 40 and Florence 39. Who would have imagined them being so athletic? The grandparents had to be close to 100! :lol:

Originally posted by James
That reminds me: Episode #94 of The Brady Bunch, "You're Never Too Old," featured Carol's grandmother and Mike's grandfather (with Florence Henderson and Robert Reed playing dual roles!). That episode came out of the 1972-73 season, and Robert was 40 and Florence 39. Who would have imagined them being so athletic? The grandparents had to be at least 90 given Mike's and Carol's ages! :lol:

Originally posted by vze3t9q9
Yes I remember reading that Shelly Winters and Estelle Parsons played on Roseanne. I never watched the show. Any way how was Roseanne's character. She must either be young or have an old grandma. I thought having a grandma on the show was a bit much.

That reminds me: Episode #94 of The Brady Bunch, "You're Never Too Old," featured Carol's grandmother and Mike's grandfather (with Florence Henderson and Robert Reed playing dual roles!). That episode came out of the 1972-73 season, and Robert was 40 and Florence 39. Who would have imagined them being so athletic? The grandparents had to be at least 90 given Mike's and Carol's ages! :lol:

(Note: Here's what I wanted to say. I apologize for putting my edited response in the form of a quote. :eek: )

I apoligize for leaving out the word "old" . I fixed it but James got my point Well done Jimmy.

Drea DeMateo is only 5 years older than her "Joey" son Paulo Constanzo.

James Eckhouse who played Jim Walsh(born Feb. 14, 1955) was only 14 years older than Jason Priestley(born in Aug. 28, 1969), who played his son Brandon and 16 years older than Shannen Doherty(born in April 12, 1971)!

In Good Morning Miami, Suzanne Pleshette(born Jan 31, 1937) played Grandma to Mark Feuerstein(born June 8, 1971) that means she is only 34 years older than her grandson!

Also In Good Morning Miami, Carrie Fisher(born in Oct. 21, 1956) played Mark's mom which makes her only 14 years. older than her son!

On The Big House Faizon Love's character is 26, but the actor was born in 1968. Arnetia Walker who plays his mom was bornm in 1961 Her husband on the show, Keith David, was born in 1956.

Faizon is in his mid 30s playing a guy in his mid 20s. 10 years ago he began playing Wendell on the Parent Hood. Wendell was in his mid 30s but Faizon was only in his mid20s.

Originally posted by Miss Vicki
Yep.

Vicki Lawrence (March 26, 1949) played 65-year-old Thelma "Mama" Harper on "Mama's Family", starting in January 1983, when she was only 33. Her son, Vinton (Ken Berry, November 3, 1933), daughter in law, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman, April 18, 1947), sister Fran (Rue McClanahan, February 21, 1934), first daughter, Ellen (Betty White, January 17, 1922), and second daughter, Eunice (Carol Burnett, April 25, 1933) were ALL OLDER THAN VICKI LAWRENCE! Yet they all played her kids. Go figure. :lol: Betty White was in her 60's when she was on "Mama's Family", go figure. :D

EDIT: So sorry...My fault...It was REALLY late in the morning when I originally made this post. Thanks to Christopher for pointing out my mistake.

Wasn't Danny's girlfriend on Full House named Vicki Lawrence? hmmm...

Originally posted by barb1686
Wasn't Danny's girlfriend on Full House named Vicki Lawrence? hmmm...

Nevermind, her last name was Larson. I was close though LOL

Originally posted by jamesanthony
On The Big House Faizon Love's character is 26, but the actor was born in 1968. Arnetia Walker who plays his mom was bornm in 1961 Her husband on the show, Keith David, was born in 1956.

Faizon is in his mid 30s playing a guy in his mid 20s. 10 years ago he began playing Wendell on the Parent Hood. Wendell was in his mid 30s but Faizon was only in his mid20s.

It's funny seeing actors playing characters much older or younger than they really are! In 8 Simple Rules, Amy Davidson(dob: 09/15/79) plays 15 year old Kerry, but in real-life she will be 25 later this year which means she's actually 6 years older than her "older sister" played by Kaley Kuoco(dob:11/30/85), who is 17 years old just like the character she plays.:D

Amy is doing a "Richard Crenna" He was in his late 20's when he played high schooler Walter Denton on Our Miss Brooks

In the short-lived 1986-87 The Ellen Burstyn Show : Ellen Stritch(b. 1925) played mother to Ellen Burstyn(b. 1932) that would mean there was only a 7 year age difference between mother and daughter!

In the 1993-96 Australian tv series Snowy River: The McGregor Saga , Andrew Clarke(b. 1954) played father to Brett Climo(b.1964) and Guy Pearce(b. 1967) that would mean he was only 10 and 13 when his sons were born!:D

Barbara Bel Geddes, who played Miss Ellie on "Dallas", is only 10 years older than Larry Hagman, who played Ellie's son J.R.

As for "The Waltons", Livvie Walton supposedly had John Boy when she was 17 years old, so the 12-year real-life age difference there wasn't too bad.

Laurie Walters, who played Joannie on "Eight is Enough" is six months older than Betty Buckley, who played stepmom Abby. Granted, Abby was supposed to be a bit younger than Tom Bradford, but I don't think she was meant to be younger than one of the Bradford girls! (OK, Walters was playing a character about 10 years younger than she was in real life, and Buckley was playing a character older than she actually was.)

hate to bump up an old thread... but definately one to be mentioned.

Drea DeMateo was born in January 1973, yet she's playing mom to Paulo Contanzo, who was born in September 1978, on Joey. Not only that, but poor Drea is also playing Matt LeBlanc, who is 5 1/2 years Drea's senior in real life,'s big sister. LOL.

I know there are cases like Mama's Family and The Golden Girls, where Vicki Lawrence and Estelle Getty wore makeup to appear 20-40 years older than they really were and were in fact younger than their onscreen children, but on this show, Drea isn't made up to look older than she is, yet she's still "Mom" to an actor 5 1/2 years her junior.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
hate to bump up an old thread... but definately one to be mentioned.

Drea DeMateo was born in January 1973, yet she's playing mom to Paulo Contanzo, who was born in September 1978, on Joey. Not only that, but poor Drea is also playing Matt LeBlanc, who is 5 1/2 years Drea's senior in real life,'s big sister. LOL.

I know there are cases like Mama's Family and The Golden Girls, where Vicki Lawrence and Estelle Getty wore makeup to appear 20-40 years older than they really were and were in fact younger than their onscreen children, but on this show, Drea isn't made up to look older than she is, yet she's still "Mom" to an actor 5 1/2 years her junior.


hahaha
funny show non-the-less.

Originally posted by James
While on the subject of age differences, here are some that strike me weird:

The Waltons: Olivia Walton (played by Michael Learned, born 4/9/1939), mother to John Boy Walton (played by Richard Thomas, born 6/13/1951) - 12-year difference

Leave It To Beaver: ISTR reading that the actress who played Gwendolyn Rutherford* was born in 1939, while Lumpy Rutherford, her son, was played by Frank Bank, born 4/12/1942. Just three years older!

Any other such microscopic differences?

* - I could be wrong on Gwendolyn; the actress who played Violet, his younger sister, could have been the one born in 1939.

Violet was played by Veronica Cartwright born in 1950. She is the older sister of Angela Cartwright (Make Room For Daddy, Lost In Space)

Originally posted by barwars
hahaha
funny show non-the-less.

yep, but in the Friends-verse, I suppose ages of brothers and sisters don't matter. Remember that Ross was the older brother and Monica the younger sister, though Courteney Cox was 2+ years older than David Schwimmer

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
yep, but in the Friends-verse, I suppose ages of brothers and sisters don't matter. Remember that Ross was the older brother and Monica the younger sister, though Courteney Cox was 2+ years older than David Schwimmer

While watching the Season 1 DVDs, it seemed like Monica was acting as the older sister, but that changed eventually.

The same thing for soaps, too - on One Life To Live Gabrielle's son, Al, was in his 20's - but in reality, the actors: Fiona Hutchison and Nathaniel Marston were 12 years apart...:lol:

Nathaniel, 32
Fiona, 44


Feen

Originally posted by Moondance
The same thing for soaps, too - on One Life To Live Gabrielle's son, Al, was in his 20's - but in reality, the actors: Fiona Hutchison and Nathaniel Marston were 12 years apart...:lol:

Nathaniel, 32
Fiona, 44


Feen

HA! Don't get me started on AMC. JR Chandler (played by Jacob Young) is supposed to be at least 5 years older than step-brother Jamie Martin (played by Justin Bruening), but in real life, Young and Bruening were both born in September 1979, only a few days apart!

On "Ryan's Hope," Helen Gallagher played matriarch Maeve Ryan. For the show's first year (1975-1976), the Ryans' oldest son Frank Ryan was played by Michael Hawkins. The thing is, Helen was born in July 1926 and Michael in November 1928!

In AMC, I always thought the 14 yr. age difference between Erica and Kendall rather weird. When Sarah Michelle Geller first played Kendall, she was only 16 but played a 24 yr. old and Erica was supposed to be 36 back then but obviously was older in real life! How old are Erica and Kendall(now played by Alicia Minsew) are now?


I always think its funny that Amy Davidson(Kerry from 8 Simple Rules ) is playing someone who is 10 yrs. younger(she is 25 and Kerry is about 15) and she plays the younger sister, even though she's actually 6 yrs. older than "big sister" Kaley Cuoco(Bridget from 8 Simple Rules )!

:D

I always think its funny that Amy Davidson(Kerry from 8 Simple Rules ) is playing someone who is 10 yrs. younger(she is 25 and Kerry is about 15) and she plays the younger sister, even though she's actually 6 yrs. older than "big sister" Kaley Cuoco(Bridget from 8 Simple Rules )!
Well Gabrielle Carteris and Stacey Dash were both about 30 years old when they appeared on 90210 and Clueless (movie and TV show) respectively, so that's another similar scenario.

Originally posted by MistyDoll
In AMC, I always thought the 14 yr. age difference between Erica and Kendall rather weird. When Sarah Michelle Geller first played Kendall, she was only 16 but played a 24 yr. old and Erica was supposed to be 36 back then but obviously was older in real life! How old are Erica and Kendall(now played by Alicia Minsew) are now?

Susan Lucci is either 56 years old or 57. Many places say she was born in 1946, but many others say 1947. Alicia is 30 years old, born in 1974. Lucci was either 46 or 47 in 1993, so she was tn years older than her character. In 1970, when the show premeired, Erica was 19, making her born in 1951, yet Lucci was 23 or 24 at the time. Kendall was 24 in 1993, making her born in 1969, when Erica was actually 18, not 14 (the age at which she was raped).

So in conclusion, Erica Kane is 53 years old, but Susan Lucci is 57. Kendall Hart is 35 years old, but Alicia Minshew is 30.

Originally posted by JT
Susan Lucci is either 56 years old or 57. Many places say she was born in 1946, but many others say 1947. Alicia is 30 years old, born in 1974. Lucci was either 46 or 47 in 1993, so she was tn years older than her character. In 1970, when the show premeired, Erica was 19, making her born in 1951, yet Lucci was 23 or 24 at the time. Kendall was 24 in 1993, making her born in 1969, when Erica was actually 18, not 14 (the age at which she was raped).

So in conclusion, Erica Kane is 53 years old, but Susan Lucci is 57. Kendall Hart is 35 years old, but Alicia Minshew is 30.

Thanks soo much for the info! I get confused with these ages sometimes! :lol:

In Passions there is alot of it:)

Leigh Taylor-Young(b.1944) plays Katherine Crane mother to Julian played by Ben Masters(b.1947) and they are only 3 years apart!
Rodney Johnson(b.1961) who plays T.C. is father to Brook Kerr(b. 1973) who plays Whitney and they are only 12 yrs. apart!
Eva Tamargo(b.1962) who plays Pilar, mother to Luis played by Galen Gering(b.1971) makes them only 11 years apart!

Originally posted by JT

On "Ryan's Hope," Helen Gallagher played matriarch Maeve Ryan. For the show's first year (1975-1976), the Ryans' oldest son Frank Ryan was played by Michael Hawkins. The thing is, Helen was born in July 1926 and Michael in November 1928! [/B]


That's crazy! I watch "Ryan's Hope" on SoapNet and never knew they were so close in age...

BTW, did you know that Michael Hawkins in Christian Slater's dad?


Feen

Christian Slater was also in the cast of "Ryan's Hope", about a decade after his father.

On Bonanza, Lorne Greene, born in 1915, played Ben Cartwright, father to Dan Blocker, born in 1928 who played Hoss Cartwright....a 13 year age difference.

On Hope and Faith ,Faith Ford, born in 1964 once played mother to Nicole Paggi(ex-Sydney), who was born in 1977!) There's only a 13 year age difference!

I remember when Kendall was first introduced, there was a big brou-ha-ha about the age the show intended to show her as. Supposidly, Kendal was going to be 15, and Erica had her when she was 14. That would have made Erica just 29 year old, just a bit older than the show! In the end, they adjusted the dates because it was just to ridiculous.

Still, for a 57 year old, Susan Lucci is looking good.

I was watching The Waltons on DVD recently and found out that Corabeth, who married Ike Godsey the store owner, was the kids' cousin! The actress who played her, Ronnie Claire Edwards, was born in 1933, while Miss Michael Learned, the who played Olivia, the kids' mother, was born later (and I mentioned this at the beginning of the thread), in 1939!

In Suddenly Susan, Barbara Barrie (5/23/1931) played Grandma to Brooke Shields (5/31/1965) despite only a 24-year age difference. :eek:

John O'Hurley (10/9/1954) and Peter Barton (7/19/1956) played father and son on Y&R despite being less than 2 years apart in age!! :rofl:

Here's the capper: Jed Allan (3/1/1937), who briefly played Edward Quartermaine on GH, played father to Stuart Damon (2/5/1937). His onscreen son was older than him!! No wonder the recast didn't work out and John Ingle returned to the role. Never mind that John Ingle (5/7/1928) is less than a decade older than Stuart Damon, but it works.

Isn't the real life age of the actors who play Lorelai and Rory on Gilmore Girls a example of this?