# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/41 "2012-03-29T15:48:34Z")
Before he starred in _ **The Honeymooners** _, Jackie Gleason was the original star of TV’s _ **LIfe of Riley.** _ And I thought Gleason was MUCH better than William Bendix. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/42 "2012-03-29T15:51:19Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Garry Shandling – **It’s Gary Shangling’s Show** and **The Larry Sanders Show** It’s spelled Garry Shandling. > [@Raguleader](#): > > 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. 😃 It’s spelled Newhart in all shows. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/43 "2012-03-29T15:52:07Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > For that matter, there’s ole Opie Cunningham himself narrating Arrested Development. “_ **No one was making fun of Andy Griffith.** _ I can’t emphasize that enough.” Even if you don’t count AD, Ron Howard was a main cast member in _The Andy Griffith Show_ and _Happy Days_ - both highly successful. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/44 "2012-03-29T15:53:05Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Even if you don’t count AD, Ron Howard was a main cast member in _The Andy Griffith Show_ and _Happy Days_ - both highly successful. That’s what I was using “Opie Cunningham” as short-hand for. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/45 "2012-03-29T15:59:14Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > That’s what I was using “Opie Cunningham” as short-hand for. 😉 :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/46 "2012-03-29T16:00:41Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Does Ricky Gervias qualify with _The Office_ and _Extras_? And now in _Life’s Too Short_ (on HBO), playing himself, as well as doing that voice-over thing for his animated series that I can’t recall the name of. ---
**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, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/47 "2012-03-29T16:00:41Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I was surprised that the OP discounted the entire cast of Seinfeld (New Adventures was the first thing I thought of) but allowed Becker. I’ve never actually seen that show, though I was aware of it when it first came on, and I didn’t even think about it (I pretty much stopped watching sitcoms around the time _Seinfeld_ went off the air). I mentioned “the entire cast of _Seinfeld_” because of the failures of all of their sitcom ventures following the end of that show (_Watching Ellie_, Jason Alexander’s _Bob Patterson_ and _Listen Up!_, and Michael Richards’ _The Michael Richards Show_), until _New Adventures_. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Might _Futurama_ be considered a sitcom? If so, Katey Sagal was in that. > [@blondebear](#): > > Does Ricky Gervias qualify with _The Office_ and _Extras_? I would say those count. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/48 "2012-03-29T16:00:51Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > 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_. If you’re going to count those, you might as well count “Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids”: within the genre of the Saturday Morning Cartoon, it was a sitcom. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/49 "2012-03-29T16:02:23Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > If you’re going to mention Al, mention Peggy and Kelly too. > > Katey Sagal in 8 Simple Rules > Applegate in Samantha Who Now I feel bad for Bud. ---
**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, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/50 "2012-03-29T16:11:44Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > If you’re going to mention Al, mention Peggy and Kelly too. > > Katey Sagal in 8 Simple Rules > Applegate in Samantha Who Speaking of Christina Applegate, it’s a bit too early to say if “Up All Night” will be a success, but the show seems to be doing well so far. And her co-star is Will Arnett - from Arrested Development. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/51 "2012-03-29T16:12:55Z")
Elinor Donahue was the eldest daughter on\*\*\* Father Knows Best \*\*\*and Felix’s steady girlfriend on _ **The Odd Couple** _. Speaking of _ **The Odd Couple** _… Al Molinaro played Murray the cop on that show, and later became the new owner of Arnold’s on _ **Happy Days** _.(Both shows were produced by Garry Marshall, who likes using the same actors over and over). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/52 "2012-03-29T16:18:54Z")
Ken Berry was one of the stars of **F Troop** , then went on to be the star of **Mayberry, RFD** , then went on to **Mama’s Family** and a few forgettable roles in other sitcoms. Fred Gwynne was in **Car 54** and **The Munsters** ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/53 "2012-03-29T16:20:39Z")
There is the double connection (Johnny Galecki/Sara Gilbert) between Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory… ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/54 "2012-03-29T16:23:04Z")
How about… Ken Berry on\*\*\* F Troop \*\*\*and _ **Mayberry RFD?** _ Jim Backus on \*\*\*Gilligan’s Island \*\*\*and _ **I Married Joan** _? Eve Arden on \*\*\*Our Miss Brooks \*\*\*and _ **The Mothers-in-Law** _ Fred Gwynne on \*\*\*The Munsters \*\*\*and _ **Car 54, Where Are You** _? Pam Dawber on\*\*\* Mork & Mindy \*\*\*and _ **My Sister Sam.** _ Meredith Baxter on \*\*\*Bridget Loves Bernie \*\*\*and _ **Family Ties** _? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/55 "2012-03-29T16:28:54Z")
Howard Hesseman in _WKRP in Cincinnati_ and _Head of the Class_ Valerie Bertinelli in _One Day at a Time_ and _Hot in Cleveland_ Ted Wass in _Soap_ and _Blossom_ ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/56 "2012-03-29T16:33:06Z")
> [@Art\_Rock](#): > > There is the double connection (Johnny Galecki/Sara Gilbert) between Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory… Triple connection: Laurie Metcalf I also thought of Tim Allen adding to his repertoire with his new _Last Man Standing_. His wife on the show is played by Nancy Travis, who also qualifies with _Almost Perfect_ and _The Bill Engvall Show_, and had a recurring role on _Becker_. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/57 "2012-03-29T16:34:11Z")
George Clooney was in _The Facts of Life_ (17 Eps) and _Roseanne_ (11 Eps) Not a headliner in either show, but both were successful ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/58 "2012-03-29T16:38:01Z")
Also, What about Ted McGinley? He was in a crapload of shows (usually just before they tanked). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/59 "2012-03-29T16:42:18Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Courtney Cox, from FRIENDS to COUGAR TOWN. Not to mention Christa Miller (“Drew Carey Show,” “Scrubs,” and “Cougar Town”) and Ian Gomez (“Drew Carey Show,” “Cougar Town”). Speaking of which, did anyone catch the recent episode that ended with about five “Scrubs” actors popping up (including J.D.)? 😃 I checked Busy Phillips, and it doesn’t look like she has another successful sitcom - just “Dawson’s Creek.” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143/60 "2012-03-29T16:44:52Z")
Also, Lisa Kudrow has what can be considered another successful sitcom - [Web Therapy.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343865/) It’s been on for four years now, even though I’ve never seen it (probably channel related). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-with-more-than-1-successful-sitcom/617143.md?page=4)