Sweet Daddy actor plays different character - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 09-01-2005, 11:42 PM

Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

Jrnygrl · 09-02-2005, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

My brother and I had this same conversation recently, his reasoning was because there were (are) so few black actor in between that they were just rotated from show to show. Remember Alderman Davis played Florida's cousin in one episode, and remember the people that we mentioned from Michael the Warlord that appeared on Sanford and Son. Louis Gossett played Thelma's older man and came back as her uncle.

TVFactFan · 09-02-2005, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.

He played two different roles on That's My mama

Ireneparalegal · 09-02-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroTVCollector

He played two different roles on That's My mama

You know, I can't recall if I ever felt bothered or annoyed by that. Maybe it was something that occurred so often back then that I became accustomed to it. Nowadays, I don't think television could get away with that. Can anyone think of anything in the last decade where the same actor portrayed more than one character on the same show???? And I don't mean like Jaleel White playing Urkel and what was that dumb-ass girl he played. Nothing like that. I mean just like what they did on 70's shows.

GeorgeWBushGOP · 09-03-2005, 07:59 AM

I remember on the Odd Couple they had a token black actor who never had a line.

BUt would show up as a janitor or some other stereotypical black job from time to time.

Ireneparalegal · 09-04-2005, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeWBushGOP

I remember on the Odd Couple they had a token black actor who never had a line.

BUt would show up as a janitor or some other stereotypical black job from time to time.

really???? interesting. I watched Odd Couple when I was young, but didn't watch it too intensely to notice that. Now I want to see it!!!! He was always on the Odd Couple or did he show up on other shows as well?

TVFactFan · 09-04-2005, 11:55 AM

Also that ugly women at the Unemployment Office who screamed-"EUGENE PRUITT" who also the barmaid when Florida and willona went out to the bar.

Brian Damage · 09-04-2005, 03:47 PM

Hal Williams played a couple of roles on the show. He was an eviction mover and then he played Willie Washington.

TVFactFan · 09-04-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Hal Williams played a couple of roles on the show. He was an eviction mover and then he played Willie Washington.

And he played the Father of one of J.J's Art students

Brian Damage · 09-04-2005, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroTVCollector

And he played the Father of one of J.J's Art students

I don't remember that, but of course I'll take your word for it.

TVFactFan · 09-04-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I don't remember that, but of course I'll take your word for it.

Yeah remember the Guy who played Marcus on the Jeffersons, he worked in Jeffersons Cleaners. He was one of J.J's Art Students who was clumsy and knocking everything over

Brian Damage · 09-04-2005, 04:05 PM

That I remember.

GeorgeWBushGOP · 09-04-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

really???? interesting. I watched Odd Couple when I was young, but didn't watch it too intensely to notice that. Now I want to see it!!!! He was always on the Odd Couple or did he show up on other shows as well?

He never spoke a word.

A couple of other eps he appeared in that come to mind is the WRestling episode where he was one of the USA Wrestlers.

and played some sort of orderly in the episode where they were on the fat farm.

A very menacing looking person. I just don't know the actor's name.

Ireneparalegal · 09-04-2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeWBushGOP

He never spoke a word.

A couple of other eps he appeared in that come to mind is the WRestling episode where he was one of the USA Wrestlers.

and played some sort of orderly in the episode where they were on the fat farm.

A very menacing looking person. I just don't know the actor's name.

Thanx George for the info. appreciate that. And you know, since he never spoke a word, his name won't appear on any credits either. What a shame.

Jrnygrl · 09-04-2005, 09:32 PM

Wasn't he married to Joan Pringle, who played Ms. Buchanan on "The White Shadow?" And didn't he appear on "The White Shadow?" I know he was also in an episode of "The Waltons."

09-01-2005, 11:42 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Sweet Daddy actor plays different character Why I wonder during the 70's did actors play more than one character on a sitcom? For example, Sweet Daddy Williams is now Stanley the nightclub manager (owner?). When I watch sitcoms nowadays, one actor plays a character but they don't bring them on to play another. Or am I wrong? Once you see an actor play a character, you associate them with that character, even if they had a small part. So, for me to see the actor who has a somewhat recurring role on GT's, playing a diff. character makes me wonder...couldn't the casting director find any other black actors???? I can't believe there weren't enough black actors that they had to resort to using the same ones over and over.
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09-04-2005, 03:47 PM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Hal Williams played a couple of roles on the show. He was an eviction mover and then he played Willie Washington.
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09-03-2005, 07:59 AM	#5
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	I remember on the Odd Couple they had a token black actor who never had a line. BUt would show up as a janitor or some other stereotypical black job from time to time.

09-04-2005, 11:55 AM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	Also that ugly women at the Unemployment Office who screamed-"EUGENE PRUITT" who also the barmaid when Florida and willona went out to the bar.

09-04-2005, 04:05 PM	#12
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	That I remember.

09-04-2005, 09:32 PM	#15
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Wasn't he married to Joan Pringle, who played Ms. Buchanan on "The White Shadow?" And didn't he appear on "The White Shadow?" I know he was also in an episode of "The Waltons."