Actors/Actresses That Are Nothing Like Their Character(s) On Screen... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wreckless · 09-05-2008, 03:50 AM

What are some actors & actresses you can think of that in real life are nothing close to the personality of their character on screen? One I can think of is Henry Winkler as "Fonzie." Henry seems like a normal guy who would never be a biker, greaser or work in a auto-mechanic store saying "Ayeee" his whole life.

comedyfreak · 09-05-2008, 05:35 AM

Vera on Alice was not a dingy chick in real life, nor was Polly Holiday like Flo in real life.

tv star collector · 09-05-2008, 08:31 AM

Henry Winkler doesn't like motorcycles (and John Wayne was never crazy about horses either!).

Stan Laurel was highly intelligent (he created most, if not all, of Laurel & Hardy's routines).

Boris Karloff was the kindest, gentlest man you would ever want to meet.

Curly Howard of The Three Stooges was actually very shy, and when filming
stopped, he (as one of the supporting players put it) "would fade into the
woodwork."

Wally Cox ("Mr. Peepers," voice of Underdog) rode motorcycles (!) and was quite the
ladies' man. And (gay rumors not withstanding) he was married at one time, to
Marilyn Gennaro. His "Underdog" co-star Norma Macmillan (voice of Sweet Polly)
said (in Tim Lawson's book The Magic Behind the Voices) said, "We used to
joke that he wanted to be [lifelong friend and former roommate] Marlon Brando and
Marlon Brando wanted to be Wally Cox because Wally was a much more macho
straighter person than anybody ever believed. He was quite a hit with the ladies--
motorcycles, leather jackets, the works--and very clever, extremely clever."

The list goes on and on, but those examples immediately spring to mind.

Zoneboy · 09-05-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

Wally Cox ("Mr. Peepers," voice of Underdog) rode motorcycles (!) and was quite the
ladies' man. And (gay rumors not withstanding) he was married at one time, to
Marilyn Gennaro. His "Underdog" co-star Norma Macmillan (voice of Sweet Polly)
said (in Tim Lawson's book The Magic Behind the Voices) said, "We used to
joke that he wanted to be [lifelong friend and former roommate] Marlon Brando and
Marlon Brando wanted to be Wally Cox because Wally was a much more macho
straighter person than anybody ever believed. He was quite a hit with the ladies--
motorcycles, leather jackets, the works--and very clever, extremely clever."

His television persona was that of a shy, timid man in horn-rimed glasses who spoke in a tentative, though distinctly enunciated, voice. It was a persona that Brando said was completely at odds with the real man.

Dying unexpectedly on February 15, 1973, from what some newspapers described as an accidental overdose of sedatives but which Marlon Brando in his autobiography said was a heart attack, Wally Cox's cremated remains were kept hidden in a closet by his old friend for three decades. According to Brando's son Miko, both his father's and Cox's ashes were scattered at the same time in Death Valley, California, in a ceremony following Brando's death, thus reuniting the lifetime friends.

dawsongirl · 09-05-2008, 05:35 PM

Wow...Brando and Wally Cox?? That's one of the stranger looking friendships I've heard about.

MikeLutton · 09-05-2008, 05:46 PM

what does this got todo with the main subject

i know carroll o connor was nothing like archie bunker on all in the family.

sherman hemesly was nothing like george jefferson on jeffersons

Zoneboy · 09-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

what does this got todo with the main subject

What exactly are you referring to?

Big C · 09-05-2008, 06:04 PM

Nikki Cox wasn't like her Tiffany character on 'Unhappily Ever After.'

"I'm not like Tiffany in real life. I like to think that I'm a little nicer than she is."

Neither was Angela Watson's wet-dream TV alter-ego (Karen).

Schmoopie · 09-05-2008, 07:42 PM

Well, I know that most members who reply to this aren't going to be soap watchers but a few years ago, I met Mark Dobis, who played Daniel Coleson on OLTL. His character turned out to be an extremely violent and hated character. I have to tell you that when I met this man, he was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. He even gave me a hug! How many people can say that they've hugged a murderer?

I've noticed that the people that portray hated and mean characters on shows turn out to be extremely nice in real life. To me that just makes their on screen performance that much better, because it's hard to fathom how someone who is so hated on screen could be that nice in person!

Although I haven't met these people (although I'd love to), I think that Michael Richards and Jason Alexander are completely unlike their alter-egos.

In every interview with Michael Richards I have seen, he seems somewhat shy; something Cosmo Kramer was not.
And Jason Alexander is a lot more subdued than George Costanza ever was!

Andrea

catlover79 · 09-05-2008, 07:45 PM

Abe Vigoda was nothing like his famous alter-ego, Sgt. Phil Fish (Barney Miller & its spinoff Fish). Abe was only in his early 50s when he played the ancient, prune-gobbling cop. Fish always looked and acted like he was on the verge of taking his last breath, while Mr. Vigoda regularly played handball and jogged several miles a day. Co-creator/executive producer/writer Danny Arnold said that it looked like Abe had hemmorhoids and that's partly what got him the role!

ThomasE · 09-05-2008, 08:00 PM

Donna Mills was nothing like her character "Abby" on Knots Landing and niether was Joan Van Ark who played "Valene" on Knots and Dallas.

PlayOn · 09-05-2008, 08:20 PM

Lisa Whelchel is nothing like Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. While Blair is vain and spoiled, Lisa is a Christian and speaks at Churches.

Furienna · 09-06-2008, 06:46 AM

Jaleel White in real life was somewhere between Steve Urkel and Stephan Urquelle.

Chocoholic · 09-06-2008, 10:55 AM

I'm sure there are a lot of people who are nothing like the characters they portray on TV. It's called acting!

phoebe7165 · 09-07-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

I'm sure there are a lot of people who are nothing like the characters they portray on TV. It's called acting!

So true!!

Look at Heather Locklear. She seems like one of the nicest people you will ever meet, nothing like her character on Melrose Place, Amanda Woodward.

My sister used to live next to people who were relatives of Ed O'Neill and they said he is nothing like Al Bundy. Gee, ya think??!

09-05-2008, 03:50 AM	#1
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Actors/Actresses That Are Nothing Like Their Character(s) On Screen... What are some actors & actresses you can think of that in real life are nothing close to the personality of their character on screen? One I can think of is Henry Winkler as "Fonzie." Henry seems like a normal guy who would never be a biker, greaser or work in a auto-mechanic store saying "Ayeee" his whole life.

09-05-2008, 05:35 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	Vera on Alice was not a dingy chick in real life, nor was Polly Holiday like Flo in real life.
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09-05-2008, 05:46 PM	#6
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,883	what does this got todo with the main subject i know carroll o connor was nothing like archie bunker on all in the family. sherman hemesly was nothing like george jefferson on jeffersons
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09-05-2008, 07:42 PM	#9
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Well, I know that most members who reply to this aren't going to be soap watchers but a few years ago, I met Mark Dobis, who played Daniel Coleson on OLTL. His character turned out to be an extremely violent and hated character. I have to tell you that when I met this man, he was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. He even gave me a hug! How many people can say that they've hugged a murderer? I've noticed that the people that portray hated and mean characters on shows turn out to be extremely nice in real life. To me that just makes their on screen performance that much better, because it's hard to fathom how someone who is so hated on screen could be that nice in person! Although I haven't met these people (although I'd love to), I think that Michael Richards and Jason Alexander are completely unlike their alter-egos. In every interview with Michael Richards I have seen, he seems somewhat shy; something Cosmo Kramer was not. And Jason Alexander is a lot more subdued than George Costanza ever was! Andrea
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09-05-2008, 07:45 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Abe Vigoda was nothing like his famous alter-ego, Sgt. Phil Fish (Barney Miller & its spinoff Fish). Abe was only in his early 50s when he played the ancient, prune-gobbling cop. Fish always looked and acted like he was on the verge of taking his last breath, while Mr. Vigoda regularly played handball and jogged several miles a day. Co-creator/executive producer/writer Danny Arnold said that it looked like Abe had hemmorhoids and that's partly what got him the role!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-05-2008, 08:31 AM	#3
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Henry Winkler doesn't like motorcycles (and John Wayne was never crazy about horses either!). Stan Laurel was highly intelligent (he created most, if not all, of Laurel & Hardy's routines). Boris Karloff was the kindest, gentlest man you would ever want to meet. Curly Howard of The Three Stooges was actually very shy, and when filming stopped, he (as one of the supporting players put it) "would fade into the woodwork." Wally Cox ("Mr. Peepers," voice of Underdog) rode motorcycles (!) and was quite the ladies' man. And (gay rumors not withstanding) he was married at one time, to Marilyn Gennaro. His "Underdog" co-star Norma Macmillan (voice of Sweet Polly) said (in Tim Lawson's book The Magic Behind the Voices) said, "We used to joke that he wanted to be [lifelong friend and former roommate] Marlon Brando and Marlon Brando wanted to be Wally Cox because Wally was a much more macho straighter person than anybody ever believed. He was quite a hit with the ladies-- motorcycles, leather jackets, the works--and very clever, extremely clever." The list goes on and on, but those examples immediately spring to mind.

09-05-2008, 05:35 PM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Wow...Brando and Wally Cox?? That's one of the stranger looking friendships I've heard about.

09-05-2008, 06:04 PM	#8
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	Nikki Cox wasn't like her Tiffany character on 'Unhappily Ever After.' "I'm not like Tiffany in real life. I like to think that I'm a little nicer than she is." Neither was Angela Watson's wet-dream TV alter-ego (Karen).

09-05-2008, 08:00 PM	#11
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Donna Mills was nothing like her character "Abby" on Knots Landing and niether was Joan Van Ark who played "Valene" on Knots and Dallas.
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09-05-2008, 08:20 PM	#12
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	Lisa Whelchel is nothing like Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. While Blair is vain and spoiled, Lisa is a Christian and speaks at Churches.
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

09-06-2008, 06:46 AM	#13
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	Jaleel White in real life was somewhere between Steve Urkel and Stephan Urquelle.

09-06-2008, 10:55 AM	#14
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I'm sure there are a lot of people who are nothing like the characters they portray on TV. It's called acting!