Let' think of and discuss, sitcoms that launched music careers. What future music stars had acting jobs on a sitcom, and went on to music stardom. And more particully lets talk about sitcoms that showcased this future stars as singers.

Two that come to mind are Janet Jackson and Marquous Houstan.

Janet Jackson of course was on "Good Times", "Diff'rent Strokes", and "Fame". "Fame" was the only show that showcase her singing ability. But I do recall a couple of episodes of "Diff'rent Strokes" that her charactered sang.

Marquous Houstan has some of you may or may not know, was on the sitcom "Sister Sister". Marquous is not as famous as Janet nor his "Sister Sister" is as popular and well known as the three Janet sitcoms. Anyway I have watched "Sister Sister" reruns on Disney, and I have notice there are so many episode that Marquous' character sings. I find that a little erridating, at least "Fame" it made more scence. But it seemed to me that the "Sister Sister" the writers scrambled to find ways or excuses to get Marquous' character to sing.

At least it is better, than "The Brady Bunch" trying to launch the Brady kids as a singing group, and finding excuses to allow them to sing.

one of the most famous was Rick Nelson from Ozzie And Harriett.

Others that come to mind...
Jasmine Guy from A Different World (she scored 2 hit singles in the early 90's)
Joey Lawrence from Blossom (didn't last long)
Katey Sagal has also had a fairly successful music career as a backup vocalist. She sang backup on a few of Olivia Newton-John's hits from the 80's (I know she did on Soul Kiss) and some other stuff

Speaking of Jasmine Guy, her former Different World co star Cree Summer is currently using a show the animated Rugrats spinoff "All Grown Up" to try to launch a music carrer. (I know she released an album because it was mention on th E! special "More 80's Child Stars ").

When Sister Sister aired, Marques Houston was already a singer. He was a member of the group Immature(now IMX). The show did not launch his career. They had him sing to promote the group's second album release.

Well, it depends on how you define launch. You could still say that "Sister Sister" helped launch Marques Houstan's solo carrer.

I also mentioned Janet Jackson, she already had a record contract, and already released two albums when she joined the cast of "Fame."

Tina Yothers of Family Ties sang on the show, and now has a band.

I don't know if Jim Nabors was already an established singer when he appeared on The Andy Griffith Show or Gomer Pyle, but what a voice he had.

Would Ricky Nelson qualify?

Another thought about Marques Houston and his role on "Sister Sister." Why did they protray his character has an annoying loser neighbor or a Urkel type of character for most of the series? Wouldn't that image hurt his music carrer,, especially in a group like Immature which is suppose to attract a lot of female fans.

Patty Duke made an album in 1965 and did some singing on her show(The Patty Duke Show).
Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams did an album together.
Micheal McKean and David Lander also did an album together as well.
Anson Williams made a solo album as did Donny Most.
Shelly Fabares and Paul Petersen from the Donna Reed Show had solo hits(Shelly with Johnny Angel and Paul with She Can't Find Her Keys and My Dad)

Originally posted by tvje
At least it is better, than "The Brady Bunch" trying to launch the Brady kids as a singing group, and finding excuses to allow them to sing.

Personally I like the Brady kids singing.

:music: :singer: :drummer:

David Cassidy in The Partridge Family.

What about The Monkees? Their first single was #1 before the show debuted, but they really took off during the show's 1st run.

Originally posted by BravesFan712002
Patty Duke made an album in 1965 and did some singing on her show(The Patty Duke Show).
Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams did an album together.
Micheal McKean and David Lander also did an album together as well.
Anson Williams made a solo album as did Donny Most.
Shelly Fabares and Paul Petersen from the Donna Reed Show had solo hits(Shelly with Johnny Angel and Paul with She Can't Find Her Keys and My Dad) Henry Winkler also sang once on an episode of "Happy Days". The fact that he didn't do it again (at least, as far as I know) tells you what he was like!!!puke:
Jack Klugman & Tony Randall made an album during the run of "The Odd Couple". (one of the songs was called-and I swear, I'm not making this up-"When bannana peels are falling dear, I'll come sliding back to you")
:D :D

Butch Patrick-Eddie on "The Munsters"-recorded a rock and roll version of the shows theme once, in the 60s.

Desi Arnez was already established as a band leader when "I Love Lucy" debuted, but he recored a version of the show's theme on a record in 1953, and sang it on the show once.

Andy Griffith recorded his shows theme for a record album in the early 60s called "Music From THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" (or something like that)

Here's are some TV stars went from sitcoms to recording stars:

1. Bill Cosby recorded several albums in the 60's through the 80's before he starred as Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show".
2. Hilary Duff went from "Lizzie McGuire" to a singing star. Her first album "Metamorphosis" was #1 on the album charts.
3. Jim Nabors from "Gomer Pyle" went from actor to singing. He made terrific albums during the 60's and early 70's.
4. The Partridge Family was a family group from TV stars to recording artists. Their only #1 hit was "I Think I Love You" in 1970 was a success.
5. The Olsen Twins went from "Full House" to a recording artists. Their first album "Brother For Sale" was a success and continued on right until "Greatest Hits 3" in 2002.

i dont think anyone has said this .... but

Will Smith- Fresh Prince of Bel-Air :D

Originally posted by BrooklynGuy78
Here's are some TV stars went from sitcoms to recording stars:

1. Bill Cosby recorded several albums in the 60's through the 80's before he starred as Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show".
2. Hilary Duff went from "Lizzie McGuire" to a singing star. Her first album "Metamorphosis" was #1 on the album charts.
3. Jim Nabors from "Gomer Pyle" went from actor to singing. He made terrific albums during the 60's and early 70's.
4. The Partridge Family was a family group from TV stars to recording artists. Their only #1 hit was "I Think I Love You" in 1970 was a success.
5. The Olsen Twins went from "Full House" to a recording artists. Their first album "Brother For Sale" was a success and continued on right until "Greatest Hits 3" in 2002. Bill Cosby starred with Robert Culp in "I Spy" in the 60s, while he was making those albums.

And, Jim Nabors already had a singing & comedy career BEFORE he started playing Gomer Pyle.

And, David Cassidy was the only member of "The Partrige family" who actually sang. The actual music was done by some studio musicans.

I don't think "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" launched Will Smith's career, he was already a famous rap star before the sitcom debuted. IMO, it launched Tatyana Ali's career. If I remember correctly, there were a few episodes in which she sang. After the show was cancelled she released her debut album, Kiss The Sky, and had two modest hits, "Daydreamin'," and "Boy You Knock Me Out" with Will Smith.

I also disagree about "Sister, Sister" starting off, or "launching" Marques Houston's singing career, as someone has already stated, he was already in Immature.

I've heard Cree Summer's old album, it was quite good actually. It was produced by Lenny Kravitz, who was with Summer's co-star, Lisa Bonet.

BrooklynGuy, I don't know why, but whenever you mention the Olsen twins as singers, I get offended. I'm not a musician, but simply being a fan of music is enough to be offended when someone calls "Brother For Sale" actual music. In reality, it's just two tone-deaf girls talking over a cheap record. And the album was NOT a success, despite all the hype around them, it only sold 300,000 copies. It's more than what Justin Guarini sold, but it still doesn't qualify as a success.

Vicki Lawrence from the Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family had a million selling number 1 record in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"

Also in answer to the one about the Partridge Family,I read that Shirley Jones sang backup with David on their songs and that the rest was done by studio musicians and singers.

In addition,Florence Henderson and Shirley Jones were already well established singers before they became sitcom stars.

I would also add to the list since she later starred in a sitcom herself,Doris Day.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
BrooklynGuy, I don't know why, but whenever you mention the Olsen twins as singers, I get offended. I'm not a musician, but simply being a fan of music is enough to be offended when someone calls "Brother For Sale" actual music. In reality, it's just two tone-deaf girls talking over a cheap record. And the album was NOT a success, despite all the hype around them, it only sold 300,000 copies. It's more than what Justin Guarini sold, but it still doesn't qualify as a success.

true true, but when you think about it, 300,000 is quite impressive considering they were like 5 or 6 when the album came out and I don't think very many teens or adults (or even adolescents) were buying the cd to enjoy for themselves. So it was a hit considering their age and market

Penny Marshal & Cindy Williams recorded an ALBUM (yes, an [I]entire album[/I ]:D during the run of "Laverne & Shirley" called-what else?-"Laverne & Shirley sing".
Wonder how long it took to come up with that title? :)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air effect on Will Smith's career is actully the opposite of what we are talking about. Will Smith was already an established rap star, the show launched his acting career.

Believe it or not, William Shatner recorded a few albums. Two of them were in the 1970's, and the most recent one was with Leonard Nemoy in 1997. Unfortunately, they all bombed. :(

Screech (Dustin Diamond) from Saved by the Bell has a band now.

Originally posted by Jenya
Believe it or not, William Shatner recorded a few albums. Two of them were in the 1970's, and the most recent one was with Leonard Nemoy in 1997. Unfortunately, they all bombed. :(

Did Lenoard Nemoy sing in it?!?!

Also, if I'm not mistaken, a few cast members from The Dukes of Hazzard made a successful Country music career . :)

Originally posted by Colonel Juke "N" Jive
Did Lenoard Nemoy sing in it?!?!

I think he did sing a few songs on that 1997 album.

Both Tom Wopat and John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard have had fairly successful singing careers.

Shelly Fabares played the daughter on The Donna Reed Show. She sang the song "Johnny Angel" back in the 1950s or 60s. She had a follow-up hit after that, that connected to the first song (if I recall right).

Originally posted by jayman75
Both Tom Wopat and John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard have had fairly successful singing careers.


Didn't the guy who played Cooter (Ben Jones was his name I think), had a singing career after the show as well?

Originally posted by treky

And, David Cassidy was the only member of "The Partrige family" who actually sang. The actual music was done by some studio musicans.


Wrong. Shirley Jones also sang on the "Partridge Family" records although David Cassidy sang lead. Listen to "I Think I Love You" and you'll hear her in the background. Speaking of which, did you know that Danny Bonaduce recorded a solo album while making the series? I'll have to check the name of it but its true!


...and of course, you have to include "The Monkees". The show, and the band that resulted from it, were so successful that Screen Gems immediately rushed "The Partridge Family" into production hoping that lightning would strike twice. Needless to say, it did!

Originally posted by treky

Desi Arnez was already established as a band leader when "I Love Lucy" debuted, but he recored a version of the show's theme on a record in 1953, and sang it on the show once.

Andy Griffith recorded his shows theme for a record album in the early 60s called "Music From THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" (or something like that)

Andy Griffith also recorded comedy albums during the 1950s which made him a household name and led to success on Broadway and TV. One of his routines was called "What It Was, Was Football" which hit #1 in parts of the US.

You also mentioned Desi Arnaz but you also have to remember Desi Jr. He was in a band called Dino, Desi, & Billy (Dino was Dean Martin Jr.) which had a few hits in the late 1960s around the time that he appeared on "Here's Lucy".

Originally posted by Jenya
Didn't the guy who played Cooter (Ben Jones was his name I think), had a singing career after the show as well?

Jenya, I'm not sure if Ben Jones had a singing career, but after Dukes, he had a political career. I think he was a congressman, or a senator, or something like that, but I don't know for what state.

Originally posted by phoebe7165
Jenya, I'm not sure if Ben Jones had a singing career, but after Dukes, he had a political career. I think he was a congressman, or a senator, or something like that, but I don't know for what state.

Thanks for the info phoebe. I read up on Mr. Jones and found out he did get into politics after the show. :)

Tatyana Ali (spelling?) from Fresh Prince

Martika - Kids Incorporated (hit with Toy Soldiers)
Wild Orchid - 2 of the girls that played sisters on Kids Incorporated I think Stacy and Rene are there names (another person in the band but ? was she on TV?)
Tina Yothers - Family Ties (Jaded)
Tatiyana Ali - Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Jennifer Love Hewitt - Kids Incorporated Also

actually when sister sister aired Marques already had a platinum album titled "Playtime is over"

Another thought about Marques Houston and his role on "Sister Sister." Why did they protray his character has an annoying loser neighbor or a Urkel type of character for most of the series? Wouldn't that image hurt his music carrer,, especially in a group like Immature which is suppose to attract a lot of female fans.

Actually even when he portrayed a geek i still thought he was hot so no lol

Hilary duff from lizzie mcguire
Alyson michalka From phil of the future