# TV actors who have succeeded in creating two very different memorable characters within a few years **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 9, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546 "2009-12-09T01:49:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/41 "2009-12-09T13:02:31Z")
Larry Hagman went from bumbling astronaut to ruthless oilman. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/42 "2009-12-09T13:06:00Z")
**John Lithgow** as the sweet, lovable Dick Solomon on “Third Rock From the Sun” to the creepy serial killer Trinity on “Dexter.” \*\*George Clooney \*\*as the forgettable factory worker on “Roseanne” to the hunky Dr. Ross on “E.R.” Speaking of Buffy alumni, **David Boreanaz** as hunky vampire “Angel” to hunky FBI agent in “Bones.” ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/43 "2009-12-09T13:08:13Z")
Ooh, and \*\*Matthew Fox \*\*as the older brother, Charlie, on “Party of Five” to Jack, the heroic, tormented doctor on “Lost.” ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/44 "2009-12-09T13:22:25Z")
I know we’re talking about TV roles here, but nothing John Lithgow did after **Dr Emilio Lizardo** could shock me! ---
**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:** [December 9, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/45 "2009-12-09T14:40:10Z")
> [@Corbomite](#): > > Lee Majors - Steve Austin on _The Six Million Dollar Man_ & Colt Seavers on _The Fall Guy_ > Charlie Sheen - Charlie Crawford on _Spin City_ & Charlie Harper on _Two and a Half Men_ > Robert Urich - Dan Tanna on _Vega$_ & Spenser on _Spenser: For Hire_ > William Conrad - Frank Cannon on _Cannon_ & Jason Lochinvar ‘Fatman’ McCabe on _Jake and the Fatman_ > Raymond Burr - Perry Mason on _Perry Mason and Robert T. Ironside on Ironside > Michael Landon - Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright on Bonanza and Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie_ But these characters were not all that different. Buddy Ebsen, yes, but the others were pretty much playing the same character with minor differences. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/46 "2009-12-09T16:27:25Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > (That’s why I’m really impressed with Bryan Cranston. I loved him as Hal, the world’s most p-whipped henpecked adoring husband and immature dad, on _Malcolm in the Middle_, and now as Walt White, the overqualified high school chemistry teacher turned wannabe Meth Lord on _Breaking Bad_. Both are great characters and he’s believable in both and not typecast in either. His Breaking Bad costar did it even more extreme, though much lower profile compared to Cranston. Obviously one of the roles is meth dealer on BB, but at the same time he was a straight arrow Mormon dating (and knocking up) the oldest daughter on Big Love. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/47 "2009-12-09T16:44:51Z")
No mention of Nathan Fillion, yet? From Capt. “Tightpant” Malcom Reynolds on _ **Firefly** _ to Rick Castle on _Castle_. As well as Captain Hammer from _Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog._ ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/48 "2009-12-09T17:05:52Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Michael C. Hall managed an incredible transformation - with virtually no gap between the roles - from gay, sensitive David in _Six Feet Under_, to Dexter. Yep, I came into this thread specifically to talk about Michael C Hall. The guy is an incredible actor. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/49 "2009-12-09T17:24:55Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > No mention of Nathan Fillion, yet? > > From Capt. “Tightpant” Malcom Reynolds on _ **Firefly** _ to Rick Castle on _Castle_. > > As well as Captain Hammer from _Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog._ He also played the chillingly evil Caleb during _Buffy_’s last season. Whedon gave other _Firefly_ alumni jobs on _Angel_: Gina Torres went from kickass warrior woman Zoe to evil alien goddess Jasmine. Adam Baldwin showed more range, going from The Man They Call Jayne to the soft-spoken (but well dressed) minion of Wolfram & Hart’s Senior Partners. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/50 "2009-12-09T19:59:49Z")
Maybe too long of a time break but Walter Koenig went from playing the likable Chekov on “Star Trek” to the evil Walter Bester on “Babylon 5”. I was very surprised it took 41 posts for someone to mention Larry Hagman. That’s whom I thought of when I saw the post. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/51 "2009-12-09T20:11:37Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > …Ian McShane, best known as Al Swearengen on Deadwood went on to play the awesome King Silas Benjamin on Kings. And he managed to get through the entire series without calling anyone a cocksucker! Also played a charming antiques lover in the title role of _Lovejoy_. Quite a range! Helen Mirren played DCI Tennison on TV in _Prime Suspect_, but also succeeded brilliantly in the title role of _The Queen_, as a Soviet cosmonaut in _2010_, as an evil wizard in _Excalibur_, etc. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/52 "2009-12-09T20:41:04Z")
The first role I ever saw Paul Reiser in was **Aliens** , as Burke. Evil fellow. Tried to help the alien and get a little girl killed, etc. Hated that dude. I know he’s been in some sitcoms and such and roles that are light and funny, but to me he’ll always be evil. Just like Angela Lansbury. After **The Manchurian Candidate** , I have a hard time seeing her as sweet and grandmotherly. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/53 "2009-12-09T23:09:24Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > Maybe too long of a time break but Walter Koenig went from playing the likable Chekov on “Star Trek” to the evil Walter Bester on “Babylon 5”. Nitpick - it’s Alfred Bester, after the writer. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/54 "2009-12-09T23:43:58Z")
Hugo Weaving: Agent Smith vs Elrond, anyone? Nigel Hawthorne: Sir Humphrey Appleby vs King George III? Robby Coltrane: Fitz vs Hagrid vs Zukovsky. David Jason: from Granville to Trotter to Frost. Not to mention Dangermouse! ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/55 "2009-12-10T01:37:17Z")
The late Phil Hartman did a recurring a character on the Simpson’s (Troy McClure), who you may remember from from such educational films as “Two Minus Three Equals Negative Fun” and “Firecrackers: The Silent Killer”. Then, he played Bill NcNeal on the brilliant News Radio. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/56 "2009-12-10T02:49:26Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > But these characters were not all that different. Buddy Ebsen, yes, but the others were pretty much playing the same character with minor differences. Yep, I agree RealityChuck. I guess I tended to stay within the 10 year parameters and not so much the “very different” part. Indeed, it could be said that Michael Landon always played the same “character” and that Burr in Ironside was basically Perry Mason. Ditto with Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen. Buddy Ebsen, BTW, did play Barnaby Jones in the mostly forgettable movie version of the\* Beverly Hillbillie\*s in 1993. ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/57 "2009-12-10T03:08:27Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > I think a better example is Harry Anderson going from Harry Stone on Night Court (1984-1992) to Dave Barry on Dave’s World (1993-1997) - being a main character in the NC ensemble then the title character on DW. Only the expected year between the two series. Both lasted multiple seasons. Good call. I didn’t watch Dave’s World, so I didn’t think about it. I suppose that John Larroquette’s eponymous show would probably be a better example than Marsha Warfield, since he was on Night Court for the full run. Speaking of John Larroquette, I was really disappointed that Boston Legal never made any sort of Dan Fielding joke with him. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/58 "2009-12-10T19:48:40Z")
> [@Kylede](#): > > Other then Betty White (Sue Ann=Tramp, Rose=Ditsy), and Rue McClanahan (Maude’s Friend=Ditzy, Blanche=Tramp) how are any of the others “Different Memorable Characters” > Maude and Dorothy were both Tough, take-no-prisoner women, ahead of there time A short story: The producers of _Golden Girls_ orginally wanted Rue for Rose and Betty for Blanche. When Bea Arthur heard this, she wouldn’t come in to read for Dorothy because “I don’t want the show to be Maude and Vivian meet Sue Ann.” Rue was waiting to read for Sue Ann when she realized she could play a dynamite Blanche, and decided to ask the producers to read for her. Then the producers told her to go home, because Betty had read for Sue Ann and gotton the Part! She persuaded them to let her read for Blanche, got the part, and the producers asked her to see if she could get Bea to read for Dorothy. When Rue told Bea about the role switching, she said there was a minute of total silcence, then Bea’s baritone voice said “That sounds interesting.” And TV history was made. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/59 "2009-12-10T19:55:18Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Hugo Weaving: Agent Smith vs Elrond, anyone? TV actors. ---
**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546/60 "2009-12-10T20:19:41Z")
How about **Richard Dawson**? He was in Hogan’s Heroes up until 1971, and then started hosting Family Feud in 1976. I suppose he wasn’t technically a “character” on Family Feud - but he certainly is memorable for completely different reasons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-actors-who-have-succeeded-in-creating-two-very-different-memorable-characters-within-a-few-years/520546.md?page=4)