# Same cast members in different series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 13, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666 "2015-01-13T00:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [January 13, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/41 "2015-01-13T18:36:44Z")
This thread seems to be wandering a bit. Recently, Last Man Standing had two actors from Tool Time visit the show. Lots of self referencing humor (or humor attempts) in it. I liked the next door neighbor at the fence. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/42 "2015-01-13T18:42:17Z")
Shonda Rimes has certain actors she prefers to employ. Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith’s parents both have roles on Scandal. I don’t watch either show enough to be sure of any other actors. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/43 "2015-01-13T18:53:39Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Gates McFadden, Denise Crosby, Corbin Bernsen, John Delancie, and Diana Muldar from ST:TNG appeared on L. A. Law’s run. Quite a few TNG actors also did voices in Gargoyles: Jonathan Frakes (Xanatos) Marina Sirtis (Demona) Michael Dorn (Coldstone) Brent Spiner (Puck) LeVar Burton (Anansi)\* Colm Meaney (Mr Dugan)\* - One-off character, at least according to IMDB. Others are recurring or regular for at least a season. Also, Avery Brookes (who was in DS9 with Dorn and Meaney) made an appearance as the character Nokkar. (And there was Kate Mulgrew as Titania, but she didn’t regularly appear in TNG or DS9, so doesn’t fit the actual theme of the thread…but certainly fits Gargoyles’ love of casting Star Trek actors. A few other Gargoyles actors also appeared on various Treks, but not as regulars, so don’t fit as well. Matt Frewer who voiced the recurring character Jackal had an appearance in the first season of TNG, right off the top of my head.) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/44 "2015-01-13T19:13:43Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Kind of like that episode of _ **The Green Hornet** _ where the baddies were watching _ **Batman** _ on TV. > > Oddly enough, the Green Hornet and Kato once popped out of a window on _ **Batman** _ (as did Col. Klink, in full Luftwaffe uniform). Not only that, Van Williams and Bruce Lee appeared in character as the Green Hornet and Kato in the two part Batman episode “A Piece of the Action/Batman’s Satisfaction.” Both shows were produced (and narrated) by William Dozier. Bruce Wayne and Britt Reid were close friends but each was unaware of the other’s secret identity. Batman and the Green Hornet were adversaries as the Batman considered the Green Hornet to be on the wrong side of the law. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/45 "2015-01-13T19:30:03Z")
Isn’t it more of a case that there are only so many decent actors so of course they’re going to keep popping up together? And that when they do, the audience is more likely to notice it? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/46 "2015-01-13T19:35:44Z")
I never watched _Matlock_, but didn’t Don Knotts eventually end up with a supporting role on that? IMDB says 16 episodes for him. So he and Andy were together again, but different characters. Oh, and Aneta Coursaut (Helen Crump) played a judge in 7 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/47 "2015-01-13T21:56:35Z")
Geoffrey Palmer and Penelope Keith seem to play a married couple in just about eery Britcom. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/48 "2015-01-13T22:18:15Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Geoffrey Palmer and Penelope Keith seem to play a married couple in just about eery Britcom. Do you mean Peter Bowles and Penelope Keith? He was in _ **To the Manor Born** _, and then \*replaced \*Geoffrey Palmer in _ **Executive Stress** _. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/49 "2015-01-13T22:24:02Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Gale Gordon co-starred in 3 different series with Lucille Ball. he was before that on radio with her in My Favorite Husband. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/50 "2015-01-14T00:30:28Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I never watched _Matlock_, but didn’t Don Knotts eventually end up with a supporting role on that? IMDB says 16 episodes for him. So he and Andy were together again, but different characters. They first appeared together in the movie _ **No Time for Sergeants** _. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/51 "2015-01-14T20:09:55Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Do you mean Peter Bowles and Penelope Keith? He was in _ **To the Manor Born** _, and then \*replaced \*Geoffrey Palmer in _ **Executive Stress** _. Actually, they’re a threesome. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/52 "2015-01-14T20:54:43Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Gates McFadden, Denise Crosby, Corbin Bernsen, John Delancie, and Diana Muldar from ST:TNG appeared on L. A. Law’s run. There’s more than that, though. If you pay attention to the bit players in either you’ll see some serious crossover. They shared of a lot of judges playing admirals and young lieutenants playing paralegals and such. It happened enough that I wondered at the time if there was some overlap in casting or production or somesuch. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/53 "2015-01-14T22:49:36Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > Shonda Rimes has certain actors she prefers to employ. Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith’s parents both have roles on Scandal. I don’t watch either show enough to be sure of any other actors. Scott Foley is a regular on _Scandal_ and had an extended story arc on _GA_. Most of the _Scandal_ regulars appeared once or twice on _GA_. E.g., Katie Lowes, Joshua Malina, Bellamy Young, and George Newbern. The oddest of the bunch is Dan Bucatinsky: 27 episodes on _Scandal_ as an actor, once on _GA_ as an actor, but 48 _GA_ credits as a consulting producer. Now a more apt (?) contribution: _MASH_ and _After MASH_. I think there were some TV series in the 50s that “morphed” a bit. Changing networks, premises, etc., but keeping most of the same cast. I’m blanking on those (outside of the _Lucy_-verse.) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/54 "2015-01-14T23:06:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Seems to me that Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley, and Happy Days had a bit of interaction. True, but _Laverne & Shirley_ and _Mork & Mindy_ were both spinoffs of _Happy Days_ (which was a spinoff of _Love, American Style_), so that may not qualify for the OP. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/55 "2015-01-15T09:20:52Z")
The casting director of Deadwood should get royalties from Sons of Anarchy and Justified, they’ve each recycled Deadwood actors so much. Looks like SOA casted about 14 Deadwood cocksuckers during its run, while Justified has so far only casted 11 cocksuckers. Justified still has a season to go, so here’s hoping they can make it to at least a baker’s dozen cocksuckers. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/56 "2015-01-15T09:40:56Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I think there were some TV series in the 50s that “morphed” a bit. Changing networks, premises, etc., but keeping most of the same cast. I’m blanking on those (outside of the _Lucy_-verse.) _ **Leave It to Beaver** _ fit this category, as did _ **My Three Sons** _ a few years later. In the '70s, _ **Wonder Woman** _ and _ **Buck Rodgers** _ both “morphed” considerably during their runs. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/57 "2015-01-15T17:09:41Z")
This cast member has been crucial to many TV shows and movies as well: [Heisler Beer](http://askville.amazon.com/Heisler-Beer-real-beer-brand/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=62911357). Add “Jennifer Falls” to the list. (already cancelled, Jaime Pressly series) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/58 "2015-01-15T17:30:56Z")
Laurie Metcalf appeared on several episodes of Malcolm In The Middle as Lois’ (Jane Kaczmarek) sister. Kaczmarek is returning the favor on Metcalf’s new show, The McCarthys. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/59 "2015-01-15T17:37:36Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > The casting director of Deadwood should get royalties from Sons of Anarchy and Justified, they’ve each recycled Deadwood actors so much. Looks like SOA casted about 14 Deadwood cocksuckers during its run, while Justified has so far only casted 11 cocksuckers. Justified still has a season to go, so here’s hoping they can make it to at least a baker’s dozen cocksuckers. OK, The **Deadwood** \*_Justified_\* connection boasts Timothy Oliphant, Jim Beaver, Garret Dillahunt, Brett Sexton. A few more that just one episode on Justified. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666/60 "2015-01-15T18:09:12Z")
The **Deadwood** \*_Sons of Anarchy_\* had Paula Malcomson, Dayton Callie, Robin Weigert, Titus Welliver, Keone Young, Ray McKinnon and Julie Ariola [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-cast-members-in-different-series/709666.md?page=4)