# Same character played by the same actor on different shows. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585 "2012-01-15T09:12:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/21 "2012-01-15T19:39:08Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > No idea. But Kelsey Grammer played Frasier Crane on both _Cheers_ and _Frasier_. > [@Foggy](#): > > Yeah, but _Frasier_ was basically a spin off of _Cheers_, I’m more interested in unrelated shows. I should have specified that. :smack: Kelsey Grammer played “Frasier Crane” on three unrelated shows and one TV film: _Cheers_ (and the eponymous spin-off), _The John Larroquette Show_, _Wings_, and _The Earth Day Special_ (1990): [http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0014243/](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0014243/). ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/22 "2012-01-15T19:44:33Z")
Lots of crossover on the Happy Days universe shows: Henry Winkler played Fonzie on _Happy Days_, Laverne and Shirley, and _Joanie Loves Chachi_. Scott Baio played Chachi and Erin Moran played Joanie on \*Happy Days \*and _Joanie Loves Chachi_ Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams played Laverne and Shirley on \*Happy Days \*and _Laverne and Shirley_ Robin Williams played Mork from Ork on \*Happy Days \*and _Mork and Mindy_ Also, Carroll O’Connor played Archie Bunker on \*All in the Family \*and _Archie Bunker’s Place_, Gary Coleman played Arnold on \*Diff’rent Strokes \*and _The Facts of Life_, and Charlotte Rae played Edna Garrett on \*Diff’rent Strokes \*and \*The Facts of Life \* ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/23 "2012-01-15T21:00:45Z")
Don Davis played Gen Hammond in Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Continuum, and Stargate Children of the Gods. He’d probably be in the newest series too if it weren’t for dying at only age 65. > **[Don S. Davis | Actor, Stunts, Soundtrack](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0204493/)** > > Known for: A League of Their Own, The Fan, Twin Peaks There were several other Stargate Actors that appeared in all the Gate series too. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/24 "2012-01-15T21:08:29Z")
It appears that John Ratzenberger and George Wendt, played Norm and Cliff on a number of programs as well. Cheers Fraiser (Cheers spin-off) The Tortellis (Cheers spin-off) Wings St. Elsewhere The Simpsons (if you count voice work) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/25 "2012-01-15T21:47:33Z")
A few more voice actors who have reprised roles from other shows on the Simpsons; -David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Agents Mulder and Scully. -Patrick McGoohan as Number Six. -Jon Lovitz as Jay Sherman (The Critic). -George Takei as Mr. Sulu. -Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub as Jack Bauer and Chloe O’Brian. -Mike Judge as Hank Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/26 "2012-01-16T15:50:00Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Lisa Kudrow was Ursella on both Friends and Mad About You. Kudrow had appeared as Ursula on \*Mad About You _several times before being cast on Friends, and the roles were not initially meant to have any connection. The story I recall hearing_ is that when the _Friends_ writers decided to introduce Phoebe’s twin sister (about 2/3 into the first season), somebody in the room had a light-bulb moment and said “what if Phoebe’s sister is Ursula the waitress?” and everyone loved the idea. \*from DVD commentary, I think, for what it’s worth ---
**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:** [January 16, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/27 "2012-01-16T16:16:51Z")
They played it coy on I Love Lucy by having everyone refer to George Reeves as “Superman”: it’s never made 100% clear whether (a) he’s just an actor wearing the costume for an in-character appearance or whether (b) the Last Son Of Krypton is casually shoving a piano aside to save that poor woman out on the balcony. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/28 "2012-01-16T16:52:15Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Quark and Miles O’Brien were on Star Trek TNG. Then DS9. (Puts Trekker geek hat on.) Not quite. Armin played other Ferengi on TNG before DS9, but the only time he ever appeared as Quark on TNG is in the episode ‘Firstborn’, which is after DS9 premiered. (Takes hat back off.) ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/29 "2012-01-16T16:54:27Z")
If you want to stretch a point, [Cliff Arquette](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0037115/) played Charley Weaver in about a dozen different TV shows. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/30 "2012-01-16T17:07:38Z")
Michael Dorn’s situation was unique. He played Worf on TNG and later on DS9 as regular recurring roles. But he wasn’t spin off into his own starring sequel series. I can’t think of another situation like this except General Hammond in the various Stargate shows and his role was never as prominent as Worfs. Most of the posts here refer to rare guest appearances on other shows. Or sequel spinoffs of a character. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/31 "2012-01-16T17:23:14Z")
> [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](#): > > Werner Klemperer appeared as Col. Klink on Batman and The Simpsons. He wasn’t actually Colonel Klink on _The Simpsons_. he was just assuming his form. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/32 "2012-01-16T17:23:57Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > First one that comes to mind is Richard Belzer as John Munch. He’s appeared on the following live action shows: > > - Homicide > - Law & Order:SVU > - Law & Order > - The X-Files > - The Beat > - Law & Order: Trial by Jury > - Arrested Development > - The Wire Does his appearance on 30 ROCK count? ---
**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 16, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/33 "2012-01-16T17:38:21Z")
> [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](#): > > Werner Klemperer appeared as Col. Klink on Batman and The Simpsons. Ted Cassidy appeared on Batman as his character Lurch from the Addams Family. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/34 "2012-01-16T17:41:56Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Ted Cassidy appeared on Batman as his character Lurch from the Addams Family. Bruce Lee appeared as Kato, with Van Williams as his sidekick the Green Hornet. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/35 "2012-01-16T18:26:14Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Does his appearance on 30 ROCK count? I’m wondering if his appearance [on Sesame Street](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5121VjLwqZM) counts. (Actually, I found out that’s not really Richard Belzer…for some reason I thought he played the Munch puppet, or at least provided the voice for it.) ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/36 "2012-01-16T19:49:58Z")
There’s also the other Cheers characters, like Woody and Diane, who make appearances in Frasier. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Michael Dorn’s situation was unique. He played Worf on TNG and later on DS9 as regular recurring roles. But he wasn’t spin off into his own starring sequel series. > > I can’t think of another situation like this except General Hammond in the various Stargate shows and his role was never as prominent as Worfs. Most of the posts here refer to rare guest appearances on other shows. Or sequel spinoffs of a character. Well, not entirely unique, since the aforementioned Miles O’Brien was in both shows too. He wasn’t as important a character in TNG as in DS9, but he was in multiple episodes. I agree, though - it is unusual. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/37 "2012-01-16T20:23:31Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Well, not entirely unique, since the aforementioned Miles O’Brien was in both shows too. He wasn’t as important a character in TNG as in DS9, but he was in multiple episodes. The aforementioned Oscar Goldman was second-billed on both shows. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/38 "2012-01-16T20:30:59Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > First one that comes to mind is Richard Belzer as John Munch. He’s appeared on the following live action shows: > > - Homicide > - Law & Order:SVU > - Law & Order > - The X-Files > - The Beat > - Law & Order: Trial by Jury > - Arrested Development > - The Wire He also appeared as a Munch-like cop on Mad About You, but it wasn’t technically Munch. ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/39 "2012-01-16T20:47:40Z")
IIRC, Emma Samms began on _Dynasty_ as Fallon in #5, and then moved to _The Colbys_ for that series’ short run, before merging back into _Dynasty_ and continuing to the end in 1989. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585/40 "2012-01-16T20:59:26Z")
How many things has Father Guido Sarduchi made appearances in? He’s gotta be up there with Belzer’s character for sheer number. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-character-played-by-the-same-actor-on-different-shows/609585.md?page=3)