# Actors who got their "start" on Twilight Zone **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 1, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058 "2012-01-01T17:44:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/21 "2012-01-02T00:01:45Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > If anyone would obsess enough to produce a site cataloguing all the episodes on INSIGHT (dubbed a “Catholic Twilight Zone”), a list of actors would be as long & have a lot of overlaps with TZ, I bet. [Here](http://www.imdb.com/search/name?roles=tt0053510,tt0052520) ya go. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/22 "2012-01-02T00:41:28Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Shatner was on _Alfred Hitchcock Presents_ before he was on Twilight Zone, IIRC (“The Glas Eye”). Both he and Niomy both appeared on _The Outer Limits_, as well. Both of them were also in the same episode in _The Man from U.N.C.L.E._ I noticed both Hayden Rorke (Dr. Bellows, _I Dream of Jeannie_) and Dick York (Darrin Stephens, _Bewitched_) in the same episode. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_A.Robrin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sam_a.robrin/32/14497_2.png) [@Sam\_A.Robrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_A.Robrin)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/23 "2012-01-02T04:39:23Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Wow, I thought he was dead. The obfuscatory semi-anonymity of reclusiveness has contributed to the erroneous impression of his having shuffled off the mortal coil. And he’s alive, too! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/24 "2012-01-02T05:12:33Z")
> [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](#): > > In Dawn Wells’ case, _VERY_ female. > > (Excuses self for a few minutes to go, er, “meditate” …) I’ll be in my bunk. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/25 "2012-01-02T05:16:12Z")
another early job for many was The Untouchables. various other anthology series in the time period were also great. lots of actors in all of these. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/26 "2012-01-02T05:22:46Z")
I can think of two actors that were in two, that have a common “thread:” Raymond “Mr. Drysdale” Bailey and Stanley Adams (best known for playing tribble-dealer Cyrano Jones in “Star Trek”) And what was the common thread with their two appearances: Both men, who were balding, appeared in one ep with a hairpiece, and one ep without. By the way, the actor who appeared in the most eps is one you’ve never heard of, one Robert L. McCord, over 60 at this point. [Here’s a list of screen caps](http://www.twilightzonemuseum.com/actors/mccord.php) of most of his appearances, mostly uncredited. BTW, that page, and most of McCord’s production credits have his name listed incorrectly. His real name was Robert L. (Leigh) McCord II, but he was often credited for unknown reasons as Robert L. McCord III, which was actually his son’s name. His son was a sound guy for “Death Valley Days,” and died a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/27 "2012-01-02T05:23:05Z")
Yeah, I’ve been spending a lot of the last two days saying, “Is that \_\_ \_\_?” And it is. Telly Savalas was dealing with Talking Tina in between football games this evening. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/28 "2012-01-02T06:01:59Z")
I saw Goober Pyle, Floyd the barber, and Opie Taylor on the list. Also Sgt. Carter, from Gomer Pyle, USMC, and the original Gomez Addams (who is still alive!). And Alfred, Chief O’Hara, and one of the Catwomen from the '60s Batman series. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/29 "2012-01-02T06:29:57Z")
actors back then came both from film and radio. it always is interesting getting a face to add to a voice for radio actors. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/30 "2012-01-02T12:42:17Z")
I saw a very young Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on an episode once. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/31 "2012-01-02T13:31:26Z")
> [@Sam\_A.Robrin](#): > > The obfuscatory semi-anonymity of reclusiveness has contributed to the erroneous impression of his having shuffled off the mortal coil. > And he’s alive, too! I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw what you did there. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/32 "2012-01-03T02:04:29Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > I saw a very young Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on an episode once. Oh, I remember that one! I was watching and thought “I _know_ who that guy is. Who _is_ it?” It’s the only thing other than Dukes that I’ve seen him in. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/33 "2012-01-03T02:18:07Z")
Burt Reynolds does a deadly Brando impression in one episode. I was watching the show once (may have even been that same episode) and not really paying attention. I looked at the screen and there were two guys in the shot. I thought “that guy on the right looks like Floyd the barber from the Andy Griffith Show. Nah, I don’t think it’s him. Besides, that’s Floyd on the left. Wha!?” > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Jack Klugman was in three different episodes, IIRC. Jonathan Winters,… Klugman and Winters were in the same episode, one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/34 "2012-01-03T04:18:11Z")
Agnes Moorehead (Endora from Bewitched) is in that episode where she’s being attacked by “miniature” robots and spacecraft. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/35 "2012-01-03T06:04:30Z")
Bill Mumy (the kid from the original TV series “Lost in Space”) was in at least two TZ episodes. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/36 "2012-01-03T07:25:18Z")
Can’t believe that nobody’s mentioned Mariette Hartley yet. But then again, I bet some of you young whippersnappers have no idea who she is. For those of you who do know, who can tell me who Ms. Hartley’s maternal grandfather was WITHOUT Googling it? And for the sooper-dooper bonus question, whom did she babysit for extra cash when she was a young and struggling actress? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/37 "2012-01-03T07:32:53Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Can’t believe that nobody’s mentioned Mariette Hartley yet. But then again, I bet some of you young whippersnappers have no idea who she is. For those of you who do know, who can tell me who Ms. Hartley’s maternal grandfather was WITHOUT Googling it? And for the sooper-dooper bonus question, whom did she babysit for extra cash when she was a young and struggling actress? I know that she was not Mrs. James Garner. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/38 "2012-01-03T11:33:47Z")
We recently discussed this for the general case in [TV series casting of the soon to be famous](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=624849)—examples from “The Twilight Zone”, both the old and new series, got mentioned a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/39 "2012-01-03T12:34:41Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > Agnes Moorehead (Endora from Bewitched) is in that episode where she’s being attacked by “miniature” robots and spacecraft. ISTR she had no lines at all, which made for a compelling bit of acting. I checked all three lists to see if Abe Vigoda was on any of them but no luck. He did appear in an Outer Limits episode though. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058/40 "2012-01-03T18:23:51Z")
As mentioned, Burgess Meredith was in a lot of them, but a lot is actually only 3: “Mr. Dingle the Strong,” “All the Time in the World” (I think that’s the correct title), and I can’t recall the third one, but they were all 3 memorable episodes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-their-start-on-twilight-zone/608058.md?page=3)