# Star of both TV and movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 11, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944 "2002-04-11T00:41:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/21 "2002-04-13T00:26:10Z")
I was hoping someone else would step in and do this part because organization is one of my weak points but here goes: Accepted: **Johnny Depp Lee Marvin Pierce Brosnan Roger Moore Red Skelton Danny Kaye Helen Hunt Patrick Stewart Will Smith Lorretta Young Robert Montgomery Ann Southern George Burns and Gracie Allen Ben Lyon and Bebe Danials William Shatner (although I hate to admit it) Ryan O’Neal Tom Hanks John Travolta Bruce Willis Eddie Murphy Tom Selleck (but just barely) Clint Eastwood Sally Field Steve McQueen James Garner Burt Reynolds Kyle MacLachlan (maybe niche successful?) Robin Williams George Clooney** Rejected **Ron Howard** - While a good, possibly great director this is calling for actors in the films. **Alfred Hitchcock** (see Ron Howard) - yes he appeared in them but he was not carrying them as an actor). **Danny Devito** - Never really a “starring” actor, always featured or supporting. Need more information: **Dick Van Dyke** - Was he a star who could carry a successful movie? _Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang_ yes, but he was definitely a supporting player in _Mary Poppins_ and were any of his other big screen films really successful? **Bill Cosby** - I have much the same criticism of Mr. Cosby as I had of Van Dyke. Except did he even have a _Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang_? or _Mary Poppins_? **Carrol O’Conner** - I could be way wrong on this but he never carried or even co-carried a successful feature film, did he?. **Craig T. Nelson** TV show definitely, and maybe _Poltergeist_ and possibly he was the “star” of _Devil’s Advocate_, but anything else of note? Make your case. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/22 "2002-04-13T01:27:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TV time \* > **Dick Van Dyke** - Was he a star who could carry a successful movie? _Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang_ yes, but he was definitely a supporting player in _Mary Poppins_ and were any of his other big screen films really successful? > > Make your case. \*\* Dick van Dyke in Bye Bye Birdie. It was successful and he was definitely the lead. Although if you watch it today you’ll be looking at Ann-Margaret. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/23 "2002-04-13T02:00:24Z")
That still only brings **Van Dyke** to a starring role in two successful films. I don’t begruge him joining our elite group but I have to check his credentials. By the way, I should have listed: Accepted: **Michael J. Fox Billy Crystal Woody Harrelson Mike Meyers Jack Benny** ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/24 "2002-04-13T07:22:56Z")
I dunno, I might quibble with the conditions of this exercize. I think the move to movies is only significant if most people consider the actor to be a movie star now. **Bruce Willis** was a TV star but he’s really considered a movie star now. So he makes the cut. Ditto **Hanks** and **Travolta**. **Tom Selleck** may have starred in more than three movies, but he’s still Magnum. _Quigley Down Under_ not withstanding. Kirk and Picard are mere TV stars. Not even. They’re Trek stars. Their only significant movies were based on the their respective Trek shows. Plus Kirk has _TJ Hooker_ to further skew the scales towards TV Actor. Picard might make the cut in a Star of both TV and Legitimate Stage thread though… I mean **French freaking Stewart** meets the requirements of the OP (Major TV role: _3rd Rock_, Major movie roles: _Love Stinks_, _Clockstoppers_ and, god help us, _Inspector Gadget 2_), but we’re not including him are we? ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Kahuna_Burger)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/25 "2002-04-13T20:10:23Z")
Does Maura Tierney count? She was in Newsradio, then she did Liar, Liar, and Primary Colors, then went to ER, but then starred in Scotland, PA. It’s like she has her feet in both boats. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/26 "2002-04-13T20:52:16Z")
Neither **French Stewart** nor **Maura Tierney** were the “stars” of the quoted films so I would have to say they do not qualify. As for the quibble about the _Star Trek_ alum; You could make the same arguement about **Jack Benny** and radio. ---
**Author:** ![Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/27 "2002-04-13T21:07:37Z")
Shirley Jones – The Partridge Family (TV); Oklahoma, Elmer Gantry, and The Music Man John Lithgow – 3rd Rock (TV); Ricochet, Cliffhanger, Footloose ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/28 "2002-04-13T21:46:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TV time \* > Neither **French Stewart** nor **Maura Tierney** were the “stars” of the quoted films so I would have to say they do not qualify. > > As for the quibble about the _Star Trek_ alum; You could make the same arguement about **Jack Benny** and radio. \*\* I guess the dad from Fox’s “Grounded For Life” doesn’t count either. He has some secondary roles in “The Patriot” and “Blade”. **Keifer Sutherland** TV: 24 Movies: Take your pick. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/29 "2002-04-13T23:24:16Z")
Doris Day TV “The Doris Day show” Movies"Pillow Talk" and two more that Eve could tell you. I am so lame:( ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/30 "2002-04-14T00:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TV time \* > \*\*Neither **French Stewart** nor **Maura Tierney** were the “stars” of the quoted films so I would have to say they do not qualify. \*\* _Au contraire_. Frenchie plays the male lead in _Love Stinks_, the main villain in _Clockstoppers_ and none other than Inspector Gadget in _Inspector Gadget 2_. 'fraid you’ll hafta make room for Frenchie amongst that illustrious list of movie stars. Get James Lipton on the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/31 "2002-04-14T16:39:04Z")
Jim Carrey (TV) one of the stars of In Living color, and a comedy called The Duck Show(I think). (Movies) Ace Ventura 1&2, The Mask, Liar Liar, The Truman Show, The Majestic, one of the stars of Batman Returns (The Riddler) ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/32 "2002-04-14T17:09:56Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Alphagene \* > \*\* > Au contraire. Frenchie plays the male lead in Love Stinks, the main villain in Clockstoppers and none other than Inspector Gadget in Inspector Gadget 2._\* I obviously have been falling down in my job of taking my nephew and niece to the movies. I wasn’t even certain there was an _Inspector Gadget 2_. Although lately they seem more interested in Brittany Speers than Inspector Gadget. You don’t suppose they are growing up, do you? additions **French Stewart John Lithgow** (I am uncomfortable with this. He is usually the second lead or featured heavy, but in most cases he is more memorable than the lead so I guess he carries the film…) **Jim Carrey Shirley Jones** Rejected: **Keifer Sutherland** - His TV show has yet to run the required amount of time (although, I think there is little doubt it will). Need more information: **Doris Day** - I will have to check if her TV show lasted more than a single year. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/33 "2002-04-14T19:16:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TV time \* > \*\*Need more information: > **Doris Day** - I will have to check if her TV show lasted more than a single year. \*\* I was thinking of the short-lived _Doris Day’s Best Friends_ and not _The Doris Day Show_. So clearly, Miss Doris Mary Ann Von Kappelhof ( **Doris Day** ) deserves to be on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/34 "2002-04-14T19:31:48Z")
Upon giving more thought Michael Douglas (TV) The Streets of San Francisco (Movies) Black Rain, Disclosure, fatal Attraction, Wonder Boys, and many others Russell Crowe (TV) in his native Australia/New Zealand A Soap Called Neighbours (Movies) Proof of Life, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, and others ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/35 "2002-04-15T00:28:14Z")
Some more: Meg Ryan (TV) As The World Turns (Movies) French Kiss, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless In Seatle, Others. Marisa Tomei (TV) As The World Turns (Movies) My Cousin Vinnie, In The Bedroom, Others ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/36 "2002-04-15T03:42:10Z")
Most people have named TV stars who went on to have big movie careers. 'll go the other way, and name successful movie stars who moved to the small screen: 1. Barbara Stanwyk made lots of movies ( like “Sorry, Wrong Number”), then starred on TV’s “The Big Valley” 2. Jane Wyman won an Osar for “Johnny Belinda,” then later starred on “Falcon Crest” 3. Rock Hudson went from the big screen to “Macmillan & Wife” 4. Ernest Borgnine won an Oscar for “Marty,” then starred in “McHale’s Navy” 5. Martin Sheen starred in films lik “Apocalypse Now” before becoming Presiden on “The West Wing” 6. Sam Waterston starred in several movies, like “The Killing Fields” before taking over as prosecutor on “Law & Order” ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/37 "2002-04-15T03:49:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Danny Devito - Never really a “starring” actor, always featured or supporting. I’m guessing Danny would be surprised to learn that he wasn’t the star of _Tin Men_, _Ruthless People_, _Throw Momma From the Train_, _Twins_, _Other People’s Money_, _Jack the Bear_, and even _Batman Returns_. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/38 "2002-04-15T04:05:07Z")
Forgot to throw in my pick – the prolific and multi-talented Judi Dench, who stars in three major movies this year (_Iris_, _The Shipping News_, and _The Importance of Being Earnest_) and next month will begin filming the ninth season of her sitcom _As Time Goes By_. She also had a previous successful T.V. series (_A Fine Romance_), and of course numerous other movies. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/39 "2002-04-15T13:44:40Z")
Michael Moriarty has starred in quite a few films as lead (Bang The Drum Slowly) or co-star, and of course was the first ADA on “Law and Order.” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944/40 "2002-04-15T13:58:02Z")
A few more: 1. Denzel Washington was on “St. Elsewhere” as a doctore for several years before becoming a movie star. 2. I don’t know how long “Max Bickford” will last, but there’s Richard Dreyfuss. 3. Shirley Jones starred in several musicals, and won an Oscar for “Elmer Gantry” before starring on “The Partridge Family” 4. In addition to his many movies, OScar winner Lee Marvin played a detective on the TV series “M Squad” (later the mosel for the Zucker Brothers’ “Naked Gun” movies and “Police Squad” series [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-both-tv-and-movies/102944.md?page=3)