# Best Recurring Sitcom Guest Star (that never became a regular cast member)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220 "2005-07-12T19:02:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/41 "2005-07-13T15:54:40Z")
> [@lavenderlemon](#): > > Whoever played Daphne’s brother on Frazier was very funny. > > Is Harriet Sansom Harris on Desperate Housewives now? I could swear she’s one of the main supporting characters. Didn’t she have three brothers? Anthony LaPaglia and Robbie Coltrane played two of them, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/42 "2005-07-13T16:08:07Z")
> [@lavenderlemon](#): > > Is Harriet Sansom Harris on Desperate Housewives now? I could swear she’s one of the main supporting characters. Yeah, she played Mrs. Huber’s sister. She’s great. (Thanks for providing her name, **dwyr** – I had gotten as “triple-barreled” but no further.) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/43 "2005-07-13T16:32:03Z")
Mel Brooks won 3 Guest-Actor-in-a-Comedy Emmys for his role as Uncle Phil in **Mad About You**. I never actually saw any of those episodes (because the show was so detestable), but I was always curious about his part. It looks like the terrific John Turturro is reprising his role as **Monk** ’s brother. Frances Sternhagen as Mama Clavin on **Cheers**. And Cloris Leachman’s been wickedly funny in the otherwise deteriorating **Malcolm in the Middle**. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/44 "2005-07-14T00:14:12Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Along the same lines, Ann Morgan Guilbert (Millie, the wacky neighbor on _The Dick Van Dyke Show_) never signed a contract because she figured out she could get better billing and a better paycheck as a guest star than she could as the 6th-billed featured player. Speaking of, she was great as the grandmother (recurring but never a regular) on _The Nanny_ (not that I…uh… ever watched _The Nanny_). My favorite moment was when she inspired Coolio’s new look. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/45 "2005-07-14T01:22:46Z")
I’m drawing a blank on his name, but what about the guy in Central Perk on _Friends_ who made the cappucinos? I saw him most recently on **Iron Chef America** as a judge. I think he had close cropped, short hair with bleached tips. He’s got the most delicious deep voice on an actor that I can think of. I thought he was great on _Friends_. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/46 "2005-07-14T01:38:21Z")
> [@RJKUgly](#): > > So instead I’ll toss out _Allan Arbus_as Sidney Freeman on M_A_S\*H. It was Sidney Free **d** man. Haj ---
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/47 "2005-07-14T02:15:14Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It was Sidney Free **d** man. > > Haj Damn! You’re absolutely right. I thought I typed the “d” but obviously the fingers don’t always follow the pea size brain. And not only that but I typoed Arbus’ name too. Damn fingers! ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/48 "2005-07-14T02:32:21Z")
> [@medstar](#): > > I’m drawing a blank on his name, but what about the guy in Central Perk on _Friends_ who made the cappucinos? I saw him most recently on **Iron Chef America** as a judge. I think he had close cropped, short hair with bleached tips. He’s got the most delicious deep voice on an actor that I can think of. I thought he was great on _Friends_. Gunther. I think his real name is James Michael Tyler. I have said that he should have moved out to LA with Joey and been a full time, supporting character. Or heck. Have a Gunther spinoff. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/49 "2005-07-14T02:32:30Z")
> [@RJKUgly](#): > > Damn! You’re absolutely right. I thought I typed the “d” but obviously the fingers don’t always follow the pea size brain. > > And not only that but I typoed Arbus’ name too. Damn fingers! Trivia: his ex-wife was world famous photographer [Diane Arbus](http://www.temple.edu/photo/photographers/arbus/arbus.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/50 "2005-07-14T02:44:14Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Not a sitcom, though. But Albert coming to terms with Sheriff Truman is one of the funniest moments of that series. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/51 "2005-07-14T13:30:04Z")
Sideshow Bob (Kelsey Grammer). **zamboniracer**. Stuart Margolin was an official character. Listed in the opening credits. Angel’s “real” first name: Evelyn. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/52 "2005-07-14T14:52:01Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Didn’t she have three brothers? Anthony LaPaglia and Robbie Coltrane played two of them, IIRC. I think she had something like eight brothers but only a few show up onscreen. Anthony LaPaglia is the actor I was thinking about. He was very funny as her least favorite brother. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/53 "2005-07-14T16:37:01Z")
Someone already mentioned **Mad About You** I always thought the funniest episodes were the one’s with Lisa Kudrow as Ursala. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/54 "2005-07-14T21:12:15Z")
Carlton, [William Hickey’s](http://www.buckscountyplayhouse.com/playhouse/Celeb%20Pages/hickey.gif) annoying little-old-man character on _Wings_, had some of the show’s funniest moments. (According to imdb he was in only 3 episodes- I’d have thought it was more.) My favorite was Helen (Crystal Bernard) getting frustrated with him at her coffee counter: HELEN: Sir, I honestly don’t have any idea… CARLTON: But you work here don’tcha? How can you not know? HELEN: I guess I’m just stupid, but I don’t know! CARLTON: Can’t you at least make a guess? HELEN: Sir, I don’t know and I don’t even care how much this building weighs! I can’t believe that I mentioned Uncle Arthur and Maurice from _Bewitched_ and didn’t mention Aunt Clara. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/55 "2005-07-14T22:43:55Z")
> [@kingpengvin](#): > > Brent Spiner on Night Court… Can’t remember his Characters name but his “Hellooo Judge always broke me up.” > Every time he came on it was another improbabale misery story from his family. Add to that John Astin’s semi-recurring role as Harry’s father. “I’m feeling MUCH better.” I heart Night Court. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/56 "2005-07-14T23:35:50Z")
> [@Archergal](#): > > Add to that John Astin’s semi-recurring role as Harry’s father. > > “I’m feeling MUCH better.” > > I heart Night Court. So does Kat. In Post #14. Ones from _Cheers_ that haven’t been mentioned (and I can’t believe they weren’t listed as regular cast members): Paul Krapence “Hey guys - guess who climbed Mount Pauly last night…” John Hill, owner of Melville’s “Sammmmmmmm…” Evan Drake “Glad to have you aboard, Springsteen.” ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/57 "2005-07-15T12:17:38Z")
I’d also like to include **Kellye Nakahara** as the ever-cheerful _Nurse Kellye_ on M_A_S\*H (although IMDb says she was also Nurse Able in an episode or 2.) I always liked her character, and they did eventually give her more to do in that as it went on. Likewise from M_A_S\*H, **Jeff Maxwell** as Igor the cook, and **Johnny Haymer** as Zale, the motor pool guy. (I was going to mention Flagg & Freedman, but y’all beat me to it!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/58 "2005-07-15T15:01:03Z")
Has mentioned anything about Herb Edelman or any of the other semi-regulars on “The Golden Girls” ? Herb was great as Dorothy’s sleazy ex husband, Stan. They had amazing cast, with great semi regular supporting actors. The show also used quite a number of rotating character actors to do small roles. Meg Wyllie was one of them.[Click here for her IMDB listing then check out the notable TV guest appearances](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943816/). Heck even the rapping granny from “The Wedding Singer” appeared on that show. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/59 "2005-07-15T15:46:08Z")
I thought Christina Applegate was hilarious as Rachel’s sister in _Friends_ . I don’t know if _Monk_ is really a sitcom, but I like it when John Turturro plays Monk’s brother Ambrose…I think he’s going to be on it tonight. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220/60 "2005-07-15T16:14:10Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > So does Kat. In Post #14. > Ones from _Cheers_ that haven’t been mentioned (and I can’t believe they weren’t listed as regular cast members): > > Paul Krapence “Hey guys - guess who climbed Mount Pauly last night…” > > John Hill, owner of Melville’s “Sammmmmmmm…” > > Evan Drake “Glad to have you aboard, Springsteen.” Let’s not forget “Gary” from Gary’s Olde Town Tavern. or Carla’s ice hockey husband, Eddie LeBec (played by whatever happened to Jay Thomas). or Robin Concord (though Evan Drake was better. You can’t go wrong with Tom Skerritt!) And didn’t Sam once date Capt. Janeway? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-recurring-sitcom-guest-star-that-never-became-a-regular-cast-member/312220.md?page=4)