Five Sitcom Stars Who Hated the Roles that Made Them Famous

[Oriole Adams]

An interesting article, I thought! See what you think.

[Mikado]

I knew about pretty much all of them except Marcia Strassman (Although, I can understand her point about the shallowness of her character)......I was surprised that your namesake Don Adams wasnt here, as he came to hate playing Maxwell Smart after a few seasons

[Adamantium]

I figured Fred Gwynne would be on that list for playing Herman Munster. I knew Robert Reed would be there and after seeing Tina Louise on the list, that seemed right. But Marcia Strassman, John Amos and Gary Burghoff came as a shock to me. Especially since they don't seemed ashamed of their characters now. Marcia did the bonus features for the "Welcome Back, Kotter" DVD. John Amos appeared at the TV Land Awards and looked proud to have been a part of "Good Times." And Gary has always said only good things about his role on "M*A*S*H", even appearing in the reunion.

[Dean Winchester]

To be honest, I think any actor who is bitter about being typecast in a successful role is an ingrate. Many actors struggle for decades hoping for one decent role, and these people became stars but hated it?

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

To be honest, I think any actor who is bitter about being typecast in a successful role is an ingrate. Many actors struggle for decades hoping for one decent role, and these people became stars but hated it?

That is how I feel. I hate actors who are ingrates. What would they rather be remembered for? A legacy like O.J. Simpson? Why do they become actors then?

[OH Nuts!]

They made nice money and got instant name recognition that many struggling actors would have killed for. My heart bleeds for them.

[Zoneboy]

They forgot Gary Coleman.

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by rich p

They made nice money and got instant name recognition that many struggling actors would have killed for. My heart bleeds for them.

In Gary Burghoff's defense, I dont think he hated playing the character until they changed it so much from the character in the movie, who was sharper and less of Hawkeye's "puppy".

[Yooch]

I sort of new about some who were mentioned in the article, though Gary Burkhof surprised me. I knew about Robert Reed. Years ago, I remember Robert Young alluding to the fact that he was either embarrassed by, or disliked his role as Jim Anderson on Father Knows Best. This really surprised me. He played a good character, and did it very well. His rationale could have been for other reasons, but, yeah, this surprised me.

The other one I remember, though not a sitcom, was from Bonanza--the deal with Pernell Roberts, who portrayed Adam Cartwright. It may not have been the role itself. I think it dealt with salary issues and top billing, not with the acting aspect of it. When he left the show, I do think the show suffered to an extent.

[friendsfan77]

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

They forgot Gary Coleman.

He should have made #1.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by friendsfan77

He should have made #1.

He is the poster child for "ingrate actors". And I do emphasize "child".

[Mikado]

aww thats not nice

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Yooch

I sort of new about some who were mentioned in the article, though Gary Burkhof surprised me. I knew about Robert Reed. Years ago, I remember Robert Young alluding to the fact that he was either embarrassed by, or disliked his role as Jim Anderson on Father Knows Best. This really surprised me. He played a good character, and did it very well. His rationale could have been for other reasons, but, yeah, this surprised me.

The other one I remember, though not a sitcom, was from Bonanza--the deal with Pernell Roberts, who portrayed Adam Cartwright. It may not have been the role itself. I think it dealt with salary issues and top billing, not with the acting aspect of it. When he left the show, I do think the show suffered to an extent.

I don't know why Pernell Roberts would have issues about the billing. All 4 actors received top billing. They changed the rotation of the stars each week.

[snl 70s show fan]

where was eve plumb all she ever does when anyone brings up jan brady is whine about it

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

To be honest, I think any actor who is bitter about being typecast in a successful role is an ingrate. Many actors struggle for decades hoping for one decent role, and these people became stars but hated it?

I agree. I will never understand. Ok, so unless you had some sort of hellish, nightmare, stuck going to the shrink for the rest of your life experience working on the show, WHY HATE IT? It made you a star. And fans will forever remember you, no matter what. Gawd.