If The Chief was replaced by another actor...? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MrCleveland · 05-11-2012, 03:46 PM

Dolph Sweet died during the shooting of "Gimme a Break", but what if the producers just decided to keep the chief character? Who would play him?

For some reason I feel Carrol O'Connor could've reprised the role of Chief...but that's just me.

70s show watcher · 05-11-2012, 05:36 PM

charles durning

Smartboy · 05-11-2012, 06:36 PM

I find this to be a very interesting topic. It seems that, by this stage in the game, we were passed the days when they would replace an old actor with a new one. The vast majority of the time, when an actor's contract would end or the actor would die, they would terminate the character and adapt the story around that reality. As far back as 1982, the actor who played Mr. Hooper from "Sesame Street" died. They wrote the character's death into the story. Even before that, the actor who played Grandpa Walton on "The Waltons" died and they built his death from a heart attack into the script. However one exception (which happened even after the death of the chief) was on "Different Strokes". The actress who played Mr. Drummond's second wife left the series and they replaced her with a different actress. However, they show was clearly on its last legs by this stage in the game.

Jude The Obscure · 05-13-2012, 12:45 PM

Had Dolph Sweet passed on after a few episodes or even one season, I could see another person doing the role, but he made a very indelible impression.

Smartboy · 05-14-2012, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Had Dolph Sweet passed on after a few episodes or even one season, I could see another person doing the role, but he made a very indelible impression.

I will have to agree with you that, after five years of one actor, it would have been hard for somebody else to sell him self in the part.

05-11-2012, 03:46 PM	#1
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,225	If The Chief was replaced by another actor...? Dolph Sweet died during the shooting of "Gimme a Break", but what if the producers just decided to keep the chief character? Who would play him? For some reason I feel Carrol O'Connor could've reprised the role of Chief...but that's just me.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

05-11-2012, 05:36 PM	#2
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	charles durning

05-11-2012, 06:36 PM	#3
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I find this to be a very interesting topic. It seems that, by this stage in the game, we were passed the days when they would replace an old actor with a new one. The vast majority of the time, when an actor's contract would end or the actor would die, they would terminate the character and adapt the story around that reality. As far back as 1982, the actor who played Mr. Hooper from "Sesame Street" died. They wrote the character's death into the story. Even before that, the actor who played Grandpa Walton on "The Waltons" died and they built his death from a heart attack into the script. However one exception (which happened even after the death of the chief) was on "Different Strokes". The actress who played Mr. Drummond's second wife left the series and they replaced her with a different actress. However, they show was clearly on its last legs by this stage in the game.

05-13-2012, 12:45 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Had Dolph Sweet passed on after a few episodes or even one season, I could see another person doing the role, but he made a very indelible impression.