# Name some actors who have starred in 3 successful TV series **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 31, 2001, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539 "2001-01-31T10:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/21 "2001-01-31T17:40:30Z")
And what about that one with him and Judd Hirsch? That was on for a season as well. And I’d consider the first two as different characters, gimmick ending notwithstanding, ---
**Author:** ![jcgmoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@jcgmoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jcgmoi)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/22 "2001-01-31T17:44:47Z")
Richard Boone: _Medic Have Gun-Will Travel The Richard Boone Show Hec Ramsey_ ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/23 "2001-01-31T17:57:09Z")
Julie Kavner: _Rhoda The Tracey Ullman Show The Simpsons_ And yep, **TheNerd** David Hasselhoff: _The Young and the Restless Knight Rider Baywatch_ In addition to his unusual career as a German rock star, Hasselhoff has worked almost continuously since 1975. Just goes to show that talent is not necessarily the primary ingredient of success. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/24 "2001-01-31T19:00:16Z")
The 80 episode/3 season requirement is a killer. But I played this as a parlor game without that reuqirement, and here’s who we found were the featured actors with the most series credits: Harry Morgan (he’s already been mentioned) Shelly Fabares Elinor Donahue Granted, Elinor Donahue has mostly done recurring characters rather than featured roles, but Shelly Fabares (Donna Reed Show, One Day at a Time, Brian Keith Show and Coach) surely qualifies. And let’s not forget James Garner! ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/25 "2001-01-31T20:42:40Z")
A notable “almost” is John Astin, who did _The Addams Family, McMillan & Wife,_ and _Operation Petticoat_. Not to mention a few appearances as The Riddler on the Batman series after Frank Gorshin wouldn’t do it anymore. Just to point out a technicality, I think Shatner might be disqualified for his role in Star Trek. Weren’t there only 79 episodes? ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/26 "2001-01-31T21:10:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \* > \*\*Just to point out a technicality, I think Shatner might be disqualified for his role in Star Trek. Weren’t there only 79 episodes? \*\* Somebody earlier said it was 68, but you’re right. It was 79. On the other hand, he also played Captain Kirk on the Animated Series. can that count as an extension of the original one, pushing them over the 80 ep minimum? 🙂 And he also starred in an episode or two of The Twilight Zone (hey, you didn’t say it had to be a recurring role!) ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/27 "2001-01-31T21:46:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \* > \*\*Julie Kavner: > > _Rhoda > The Tracey Ullman Show > The Simpsons_ > > And yep, **TheNerd** > \*\* And Julie Kavner had a recurring role on (shudder) Herman’s Head, one of Fox’s early ill-concieved sitcoms. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/28 "2001-01-31T21:48:26Z")
Ak! I meant Yeardley Smith! ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/29 "2001-01-31T22:52:48Z")
The only one I could come up with was Ted McGinley - Marcy’s husband “Jefferson D’arcy” on _Married With Children_ (that made her married name “Marcy D’arcy”!), “Ace” the photographer on _The Love Boat_, and Roger Phillips on _Happy Days_. Given the long runs of each of those shows, I’d have to count them successful, good taste or not! I wanted to tout my hero, Bruce Campbell, but the character he played on _Hercules_ is the same character he played on _Xena_, and his other shows (_Jack of All Trades_ and _Brisco County, Jr._) didn’t last long enough. * * * Pete Long time RGMWer and ardent AOLer ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/30 "2001-01-31T23:12:50Z")
The Andy Griffith Show The Courtship of Eddie’s Father Happy Days And I happened to like Herman’s head. Then again, I liked The Legend of Billie Jean, so what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Sue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Sweet\_Sue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Sue)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/31 "2001-01-31T23:25:51Z")
\*\*sub         [/sub]O         º       sub)[/sub]         +         A         " \*\* > [@](#): > > First TV appearance was as “Happy Hotpoint” the Hotpoint Appliance elf, in commercials aired during the “Ozzie and Harriet Show” (1955) > “Richard Diamond, Private Detective” (1957) > “Peter Gunn” (you only saw her legs!)(1958) > “Dick Van Dyke Show, The” (1961) > “Mary Tyler Moore Show, The” (1970) > “Mary” (1978) > “Mary Tyler Moore Hour, The” (1979) > “Mary” (1985) > “Annie McGuire” (1988) > “New York News” (1995) ---
**Author:** ![tradesilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tradesilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tradesilicon)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/32 "2001-01-31T23:59:38Z")
Tony Danza? I can’t think of the third show but I thought he had one… I know of _Taxi_ and _Who’s the Boss_ ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/33 "2001-02-01T00:07:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Enderw24 \* > \*\*The Andy Griffith Show > The Courtship of Eddie’s Father > Happy Days > > And I happened to like Herman’s head. Then again, I liked The Legend of Billie Jean, so what do I know? \*\* Er, SORRY sweetcheeks, but “Opie” (Ron Howard) wasn’t on “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” That was Brandon Cruz. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/34 "2001-02-01T00:14:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tradesilicon \* > \*\*Tony Danza? I can’t think of the third show but I thought he had one… I know of _Taxi_ and _Who’s the Boss_ > \*\* I think Danza currently plays a lawyer on _Family Law_. And **Alzarian** , I think we can credit Bob Newhart for 2 series. _Newhart_ was a different show from _the Bob Newhart Show_, regardless of how they ended the series’ run (which was a great joke, BTW). ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/35 "2001-02-01T00:18:43Z")
Michael Landon “Bonanza” “Little House on the Prairie” “Highway to Heaven” ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/36 "2001-02-01T00:20:45Z")
Oh, piss ant, I just read the OP. Sorry for the repeat. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2001, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/37 "2001-02-01T00:36:00Z")
Ron Howard wasn’t in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” How about Robert Urich? More shows overall than anyone else, with at least three hits: “Vega$,” “Spenser: For Hire,” and “Soap” (though only in one season of that). “S.W.A.T.” was a big smash, but didn’t have a long run. When you start dealing with voice actors, the list grows quite quickly: Lorenzo Music: “Rhoda” (live, though you never saw him), “Darkwing Duck,” “Garfield and Friends,” “Tale Spin” June Foray: “Rocky & Bullwinkle” “The Incredible Hulk” (live), “Heathcliff,” various Bugs Bunney compilation shows. Don Messick: “The Duck Factory” (live), “Scooby-Doo,” “Tiny Toons,” “Jonny Quest” Frank Welker: “Garfield and Friends,” “The Real Ghostbusters,” “Muppet Babies,” “Heathcliffe,” “Scooby Doo,” and many others. Tresse MacNeille: “Simpsons,” “Tiny Toons,” “Animaniacs,” “Freakazoid,” “Rugrats,” “Smurfs,” and many others. Rene Auberjonois: “Benson,” “Star Trek DSN,” “Smurfs.” Bea Benaderet: “George Burns & Gracie Allen Show,” “The Flintstones,” “Beverly Hillbillies” (recurring role), “Petticoat Junction.” She also did voice work in a string of Bugs Bunny shows. Dann Florek: “L.A. Law,” “Law and Order” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” The latter hasn’t reached 80 yet, but probably will eventually. However, he didn’t appear in 80 shows of any of these. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/38 "2001-02-01T01:19:11Z")
**Mike Farrell** –_Days of Our Lives_ –_M_A_S_H\* –_Providence_ (although it’s current and not yet at 3 years or 80 episodes, it certainly looks like it’s headed that way) **Pernell Roberts** –_Bonanza_ –_Trapper John M.D._ –_FBI: The Untold Stories_ **Charles Siebert** –_Search for Tomorrow_ –_One Day at a Time_ –_Trapper John M.D._ **Howard Hessman** –_WKRP in Cincinnati_ –_One Day at a Time_ –_Head of the Class_ ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/39 "2001-02-01T01:33:26Z")
Hah, got one I haven’t seen yet: Gavin McCloud in … McHale’s Navy The Mary Tyler Moore Show The Love Boat ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2001, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539/40 "2001-02-01T02:04:14Z")
Richard Deacon: “The Dick Van Dyke Show” “Leave it to Beaver” “The Beverly Hillbillies” Vivian Vance: “I Love Lucy” “The Lucille Ball Show” “Here’s Lucy” Howard Morris: “The Andy Griffith Show” “The Flintstones” “Your Show of Shows” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-some-actors-who-have-starred-in-3-successful-tv-series/52539.md?page=3)