# Spotting a Familiar Actor in a Surprising Place - Part Deux **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 26, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931 "2017-06-26T19:06:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/1 "2017-06-26T19:06:38Z")
Original thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=645226): Watching “Silence Of The Lambs” recently (my son is into horror flicks these days) and noticed one of the orderlies working in the sub-sub-basement where Hannibal is kept was played by [Frankie Faison](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265670/?ref_=tt_cl_t13), the Commish from “The Wire”. Also, I had forgotten that Samuel L. Jackson was in “Jurassic Park” (along with NEWMAN). ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/2 "2017-06-26T19:25:30Z")
My go-to answer for this sort of thing will always be Jack Nicholson on [The Andy Griffith Show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z18a-DMh9SY). He was actually in two episodes. There’s another one where Aunt Bee has jury duty, and Nicholson is the defendant. ---
**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:** [June 26, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/3 "2017-06-26T19:28:53Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > My go-to answer for this sort of thing will always be Jack Nicholson on [The Andy Griffith Show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z18a-DMh9SY). > > He was actually in two episodes. There’s another one where Aunt Bee has jury duty, and Nicholson is the defendant. Did he order the Code Red? ---
**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:** [June 26, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/4 "2017-06-26T19:31:59Z")
I was surprised to spot Peter Lorre in an episode of _Rawhide_. I was not aware that he had done television. He also appeared in an episode of _Route 66_, along with Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney, Jr., who did appear frequently on TV. Edit - and I noticed I posted this in the original thread. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/5 "2017-06-26T19:32:26Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Did he order the Code Red? Aunt Bee can’t handle the truth! ---
**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:** [June 26, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/6 "2017-06-26T20:21:06Z")
We semi-bingewatch a drama and a sitcom at bedtime. Currently the new season of _Orange is the New Black_\* and _Cheers_. Last night there was a big surprise: Kate Mulgrew guest starred on Cheers (part of a 3 episode arc). We just saw her as Red on _OitNB_. Didn’t expect much crossover between those shows, especially given the 31 years difference. - Yes, it is a drama, not a sitcom. How it got away with calling itself a comedy and getting Emmys is a mystery. They changed the rules, but not the right way. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/7 "2017-06-26T22:15:52Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > We semi-bingewatch a drama and a sitcom at bedtime. Currently the new season of _Orange is the New Black_\* and _Cheers_. Last night there was a big surprise: Kate Mulgrew guest starred on Cheers (part of a 3 episode arc). We just saw her as Red on _OitNB_. > > Didn’t expect much crossover between those shows, especially given the 31 years difference. > > - Yes, it is a drama, not a sitcom. How it got away with calling itself a comedy and getting Emmys is a mystery. They changed the rules, but not the right way. Kate Mulgrew was also the heroine of a 1970s era soap opera [Ryan’s Hope](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3KXl_8zIAY). I discovered this one day while I was home sick and idly watching the soap opera channel (with a 101 F fever, I wasn’t too picky about what I was watching.) Seeing Captain Janeway/Red back in the day was quite a surprise to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/8 "2017-06-26T22:35:46Z")
Hawaii Five-O does this from time to time, casting people for one or two shows, like James Caan as a retired cop (granted, his son is one of the stars of the show), Ed Asner as the bag man for the local mob, Carol Burnett as McGarrett’s aunt, George Takei as one officer’s crazy old uncle… ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/9 "2017-06-26T22:44:57Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Kate Mulgrew was also the heroine of a 1970s era soap opera [Ryan’s Hope](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3KXl_8zIAY). > … Not to mention Mrs. Columbo. For a current example of _OMG I Cannot Believe That Actor Is In This!!!_, try Showtime’s Twin Peaks: The Return. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/10 "2017-06-26T22:48:58Z")
Morgan Freeman [on](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzqUnL89WkM) _The Electric Company_. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/11 "2017-06-26T23:15:27Z")
Werner Herzog in _Jack Reacher,_ _Parks And Recreation_, and _Rick and Morty_. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/12 "2017-06-26T23:19:45Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > Werner Herzog in _Jack Reacher,_ _Parks And Recreation_, and _Rick and Morty_. I just saw his Rick and Morty episode yesterday. My jaw dropped. I knew immediately it was him. No one, and I mean no one, can capture his voice perfectly. It was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/13 "2017-06-26T23:32:29Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Hawaii Five-O does this from time to time, casting people for one or two shows, like James Caan as a retired cop (granted, his son is one of the stars of the show), **Ed Asner** as the bag man for the local mob, Carol Burnett as McGarrett’s aunt, George Takei as one officer’s crazy old uncle… Asner played the same character that he played on the original 5-0, who was sent away to prison for a long time. In the new episode, he had just gotten out as an old man. I was recently watching ALF (part of the Summer programming on MeTV), and there was an episode where Willy went to see a shrink. The shrink was played by Bill Daily, who was the neighbor across the hall from shrink Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart). And sitting in his waiting room was Jack Riley, one of Bob Hartley’s recurring patients! Cracked me up. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/14 "2017-06-27T00:18:50Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I just saw his Rick and Morty episode yesterday. My jaw dropped. > > I knew immediately it was him. No one, and I mean no one, can capture his voice perfectly. It was hilarious. Also Keith David as Reverse Giraffe and Fart. ---
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/15 "2017-06-27T10:19:12Z")
Frances Bavier on an old episode of “The Lone Ranger” as a villain. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/16 "2017-06-27T10:26:17Z")
It’s definitely weird seeing Bruce McCulloch (from The Kids in the Hall) in “Anne of Avonlea” (the sequel to “Anne of Green Gables”). ---
**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:** [June 27, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/17 "2017-06-27T10:53:32Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > Also Keith David as Reverse Giraffe and Fart. Keith David is unmistakeable as Reverse Giraffe – and, for that matter, as President of These United States – but, as far as I can tell, he ain’t Fart. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/18 "2017-06-27T12:30:21Z")
The definitive answer to this is Sylvester Stallone in an uncredited role as a random thug in the Woody Allen flick _Bananas_: [Bananas 1971 full Stallone episode - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X-oNeZ07fA) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/19 "2017-06-27T12:46:58Z")
I still remember when I recognised (barely) Burt Reynolds in an episode of _Flipper_. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931/20 "2017-06-27T13:29:14Z")
Carroll O’Connor as Casca, one of Julius Caesar’s assassins, in the Elizabeth Taylor **Cleopatra** Kevin Sussman (Stuart Bloom on **The Big Bang Theory** ) as Ivan Avi “The Palindrome” on “The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome” episode of _The Middleman_ from 2008. Although Big Bang was on longer, Sussman didn’t start playing Stuart until 2009. Clint Eastwood was pretty famously in **Revenge of the Creature** and **Tarantula** , but I would never have recognized him, especially in the latter role. it’s not like the above two, where I recognized the actors from other roles. Regarding Peter Lorre, by the way, he certainly did television – he famously played the first Bond villain in visual media as Le Chiffre in the _Climax!_ presentation of _Casino Royale_. Contrary to legend, he didn’t get up and walk away on camera after being killed. I was surprised to see William Shatner in _The Glass Eye_ episode of _Alfred Hitchcock Presents_ from 1957. I knew about his roles on _Twilight Zone_ and _Outer Limits_ and _The Man from U.N.C.L.E._, but that one took me by surprise (and he had another part on AHP, according to imdb) Speaking of Star Trek actors, I didn’t realize that this actor was DeForest Kelley until he sais “well, whatta ya know!” at the end, the same way he did in Star Trek when he finishjed with “I Finally Got the Last Word” https://glitternight.com/2014/07/23/suicide-theater-1950-forgotten-television/ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-a-familiar-actor-in-a-surprising-place-part-deux/789931.md?page=2)