Performers who've portrayed two iconic characters - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

cpmaz · 08-21-2022, 07:08 PM

The list is short, IMO.
Not talking about performers who have been in two (or more) long-running series, otherwise Johnny Galecki or Kaley Cuoco would make the list (and I like them both) nor am I talking about people who've played an iconic role in one series and the lead in another, otherwise Alyson Hannigan would make the list (also like her).

Bob Newhart - Robert Hartley and Dick Loudon
Mary Tyler Moore - Laura Petrie and Mary Richards
Bill Cosby - Alexander Scott and Cliff Huxtable

and if you stretch the definition (just) a little

James Garner - Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford
Avery Brooks - Hawk and Benjamin Sisko

My guess is that some of the people here will come with a few more, but the end list will still be short, maybe 10 or 15 actors long.

Any others?

stevea · 08-21-2022, 07:30 PM

Lucille Ball -- Lucy Ricardo, Lucy Carmichael, Lucy Carter

Robert Young - Jim Anderson, Dr. Marcus Welby

TSMIV · 08-21-2022, 07:36 PM

Andy Griffith--Andy Taylor, Ben Matlock
Ron Howard--Opie Taylor, Richie Cunningham
Larry Hagman--Tony Nelson, J.R Ewing

cpmaz · 08-21-2022, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Lucille Ball -- Lucy Ricardo, Lucy Carmichael, Lucy Carter

Robert Young - Jim Anderson, Dr. Marcus Welby

Thought about Lucille Ball, but, while they have different names, they were essentially the same character.

As for Robert Young, while he was the lead in both series, I don't believe the characters were iconic.

cpmaz · 08-21-2022, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMIV

Andy Griffith--Andy Taylor, Ben Matlock
Ron Howard--Opie Taylor, Richie Cunningham
Larry Hagman--Tony Nelson, J.R Ewing

Andy Griffith - While Andy Taylor qualifies, Ben Matlock doesn't.

Ron Howard - maybe.

Larry Hagman - No. Tony Nelson doesn't qualify. J.R. definitely does.

TSMIV · 08-21-2022, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpmaz

Andy Griffith - While Andy Taylor qualifies, Ben Matlock doesn't.

Ron Howard - maybe.

Larry Hagman - No. Tony Nelson doesn't qualify. J.R. definitely does.

If Alexander Scott and Hawk qualify then Ben Matlock qualifies. Matlock is much more recognizable than either of those.

Even though I never liked him, Michael Landon has to be on the list for 3 characters: Little Joe, Charles Ingalls, and Jonathan Smith. He might be the only one to have 3.

opus · 08-21-2022, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpmaz

Avery Brooks - Hawk and Benjamin Sisko

I’ve never heard of Avery Brooks, Hawk, or Benjamin Sisko. Every other name mentioned in here thus far I recognize.

stevea · 08-21-2022, 11:02 PM

I guess it depends on how you judge. Robert Young won primetime Emmys for both series.

It'd be interesting to do a poll on all these.

stevea · 08-21-2022, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

I’ve never heard of Avery Brooks, Hawk, or Benjamin Sisko. Every other name mentioned in here thus far I recognize.

Nor have I.

If you polled Lucille Ball's or Andy Griffith's multiple roles, I'd bet they'd both win over James Garner or Avery Brooks.

icecream · 08-22-2022, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

I’ve never heard of Avery Brooks, Hawk, or Benjamin Sisko. Every other name mentioned in here thus far I recognize.

Avery Brooks was the star of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine playing Captain Benjamin Sisko. not familiar with Hawk

opus · 08-22-2022, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

Avery Brooks was the star of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine playing Captain Benjamin Sisko

Is he iconic?

stevea · 08-22-2022, 08:39 AM

At least I've heard of Deep Space Nine.

I finally found Hawk--it's A Man Called Hawk, and ran for 13 episodes in 1989. I'd hardly call that an iconic role.

Willbo · 08-22-2022, 09:15 AM

Carroll O'Connor for Archie Bunker in All in the Family and Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night. He was the only actor the win Emmy's for outstanding lead best actor for both comedy and drama categories.

stevea · 08-22-2022, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willbo

Carroll O'Connor for Archie Bunker in All in the Family and Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night. He is the only actor the win Emmy for outstanding lead best actor for both comedy and drama categories.

That's why i was irritated about Robert Young. He won lead actor Emmys for both Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby MD.

Willbo · 08-22-2022, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

That's why i was irritated about Robert Young. He won lead actor Emmys for both Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby MD.

I agree with you. Robert Young had two very different iconic roles. Marcus Welby even hit number one in the ratings.

08-21-2022, 07:08 PM	#1
cpmaz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 364	Performers who've portrayed two iconic characters The list is short, IMO. Not talking about performers who have been in two (or more) long-running series, otherwise Johnny Galecki or Kaley Cuoco would make the list (and I like them both) nor am I talking about people who've played an iconic role in one series and the lead in another, otherwise Alyson Hannigan would make the list (also like her). Bob Newhart - Robert Hartley and Dick Loudon Mary Tyler Moore - Laura Petrie and Mary Richards Bill Cosby - Alexander Scott and Cliff Huxtable and if you stretch the definition (just) a little James Garner - Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford Avery Brooks - Hawk and Benjamin Sisko My guess is that some of the people here will come with a few more, but the end list will still be short, maybe 10 or 15 actors long. Any others?

08-22-2022, 09:15 AM	#13
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 864	Carroll O'Connor for Archie Bunker in All in the Family and Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night. He was the only actor the win Emmy's for outstanding lead best actor for both comedy and drama categories.
	Last edited by Willbo; 08-22-2022 at 10:33 AM.

08-21-2022, 07:30 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,088	Lucille Ball -- Lucy Ricardo, Lucy Carmichael, Lucy Carter Robert Young - Jim Anderson, Dr. Marcus Welby

08-21-2022, 07:36 PM	#3
TSMIV Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 29, 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 696	Andy Griffith--Andy Taylor, Ben Matlock Ron Howard--Opie Taylor, Richie Cunningham Larry Hagman--Tony Nelson, J.R Ewing

08-21-2022, 11:02 PM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,088	I guess it depends on how you judge. Robert Young won primetime Emmys for both series. It'd be interesting to do a poll on all these.

08-22-2022, 08:39 AM	#12
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,088	At least I've heard of Deep Space Nine. I finally found Hawk--it's A Man Called Hawk, and ran for 13 episodes in 1989. I'd hardly call that an iconic role.