# Actors with more than 1 successful sitcom **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143 "2012-03-29T13:00:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/1 "2012-03-29T13:00:30Z")
I can’t readily think of very many actors who have starred in more than one successful sitcom. I can easily think of several who failed terribly (e.g. the entire _Seinfeld_ cast). I wouldn’t include spinoffs a la _Frasier_ in this, as these generally star supporting characters, not the main star(s). Granted, I recognize it’s extremely difficult for any sitcom, regardless of stars, to be successful. The only one I can really think of is Ted Danson (_Cheers, Becker_). Personally I don’t really care for _Becker_ but it stayed on the air for 6 seasons so I guess it could be considered successful. Excluding spinoffs, any others? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/2 "2012-03-29T13:15:48Z")
Bob Newhart Mary Tyler Moore Bea Benederet ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/3 "2012-03-29T13:16:11Z")
Bob Newhart springs to mind first. eta: damn. Ummm, Ted Knight? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/4 "2012-03-29T13:17:12Z")
Bob Newheart starred in _The Bob Newheart Show_ in the 70’s and _Newheart_ in the 80’s. Mind you, technically this is a borderline example, given _Newheart’s_ ending. 😃 Bill Cosby starred in both _The Cosby Show_ in the 80’s and _Cosby_ in the 90’s. EDIT: I type too slow. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/5 "2012-03-29T13:19:11Z")
I think Tim Allen is earning consideration. Home Improvement was huge and, at least IMO, Last Man Standing could be another hit. I think it’s funny as all get out. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/6 "2012-03-29T13:24:34Z")
Neil Patrick Harris. Very different kinds of ‘sitcom’, but since Doogie Howser was a half-hour with comedy elements I’d include it, and I wouldn’t exactly call him a ‘Supporting Character’ on “How I met your mother.” ---
**Author:** ![osme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/df788c/32.png) [@osme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/osme)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/7 "2012-03-29T13:25:40Z")
Larry Hagman in “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Dallas.” ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/8 "2012-03-29T13:28:24Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I can easily think of several who failed terribly (e.g. the entire _Seinfeld_ cast). Julia Louis Dreyfuss’ “The New Adventures of Old Christine” ran for four seasons. I think she counts. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/9 "2012-03-29T13:28:59Z")
Dick Van Dyke – **The Dick Van Dyke Show** and **The New Dick Van Dyke Show**. The latter ran three seasons and would have run longer if it wasn’t for a censorship controversy with CBS. Garry Shandling – **It’s Gary Shangling’s Show** and **The Larry Sanders Show** Jeffrey Tambor – **The Larry Sanders Show** and **Arrested Development** ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/10 "2012-03-29T13:33:27Z")
Michael J Fox - “Family Ties” “Spin City” ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/11 "2012-03-29T13:38:14Z")
John Ritter Three’s Company Hearts Afire 8 Simple Rules ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/12 "2012-03-29T13:38:38Z")
Good ones, all. Seems I was having a major brain freeze this morning, as I am :smack: every new post. Now I’m wondering why Ted Danson of all people was the only one I could think of. 😕 Keep 'em coming. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/13 "2012-03-29T13:40:37Z")
> [@osme](#): > > Larry Hagman in “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Dallas.” I can think of a lot of words to describe “Dallas,” but “sitcom” isn’t one of them. John Ritter - “3’s Company” and “8 Simple Rules…” ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/14 "2012-03-29T13:41:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I can think of a lot of words to describe “Dallas,” but “sitcom” isn’t one of them. I laughed at the “Dream” reveal. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/15 "2012-03-29T13:45:00Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I laughed at the “Dream” reveal. I never watched it, but I believe I have heard of this. Isn’t this where Larry Hagman wakes up in bed next to Barbara Eden? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/16 "2012-03-29T13:45:44Z")
Jerry Stiller, while not the star, was on Seinfeld and King of Queens. As essentially the same character. ETA: Wow, he was only in 26 episodes of Seinfeld. 26 out of 172. Quite an impression for so few appearances. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/17 "2012-03-29T13:49:23Z")
Bea Arthur in Maude and Golden Girls Harry Anderson on Night Court and Dave’s World John Larroquette on Night Court and the John Larroquette show The second in each of those lists lasted four seasons, that’ reasonably successful. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/18 "2012-03-29T14:06:25Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Bill Cosby starred in both _The Cosby Show_ in the 80’s and _Cosby_ in the 90’s. > > . Cosby had more than that – he has a "Cosby Show"in which he plated a gym teacher in the late 60s/early 70s, plus a variety show (not a sitcom, but definitely a comedy. He had Groucho Marx as a guest!). Not to mention the breezy _I Spy_. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/19 "2012-03-29T14:08:47Z")
**Henry Morgan** – besides _MASH_, he was in _Third Rock from the Sun_, not to mention _Pete and Gladys_ and (not a sitcom; I don’t know _what_ it was supposed to be) _Kentucky Jones_. Plus _AfterMASH_, which we will try to forget. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/20 "2012-03-29T14:10:07Z")
Nobody mentions Lucille Ball? Maybe you think they’re all the same show: _I Love Lucy The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour The Lucy Show Here’s Lucy!_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143.md?page=2)