"Two-hit wonders"

[Annie-Xmas]

@Eutychus

And since a commercial for Bonanza was just on, I can’t recall any roles overshadowing Lorne Greene except for Pa Cartwright and the captain in the original Battlestar Gallactica. Nor Michael Landon except for Little Joe and the father in Little House on the Prarie.

Pernell Roberts for “Bonanza” and “Trapper John MD”

[Gorsnak]

The idea that people like Harrison Ford or Julie Andrews are “two-hit wonders” in the usual sense of “one-hit wonder” is just ridiculous. If you take Ford’s filmography subtracting Star Wars and Indiana Jones it’s still the filmography of a prolific A-list actor. Yeah, Indian Jones and Han Solo are iconic roles while Dr. Kimball and Deckard and Jack Ryan and President Whatshisface in Air Force One are merely lead roles in hit films. Can the OP name anyone who’s played more than two iconic roles? Such roles are few and far between, and a great many star actors never play any, let alone two.

[ouryL]

@Wee Bairn

Peak positions on Billboard pop chart- if anyone interested:

Archies-
Sugar Sugar #1
Jingle Jangle #10
Bang-shang-a-lang #22
Association-
Along Comes Mary #7
Cherish #1
Windy #1
Never My Love #2
Everything That Touches You #10

Procol Harum-
A Whiter Shade of Pale #5
Homburg #34
Conquistador #16 (doesn’t have an “L” indicating the live version, which I assumed it was?
A Salty Dog- did not chart

Left Banke-
Walk Away Renee #5
Pretty Ballerina #15
Desiree’ #98
Bryant Hotel- did not chart

“B” sides, popular with fans

[Ethilrist]

How about Cindy Lauper, with “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?”

[bryanmaguire]

@Annie-Xmas

In the musical world, Murray Head had “Superstar” and “One Night in Bangkok.”

And absolutely, positively nothing else.

Surely he’s known for being for the older brother of Anthony Stewart Head who played Giles in Buffy?

[Annie-Xmas]

@Ethilrist

How about Cindy Lauper, with “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?”

I’ll show my true colors, shining through, my true colors, that’s why I love you.

Also known for her wonderful work on “Mad About You” as the Countessa, Ira’s ex-wife.

[Ephemera]

@bryanmaguire

Surely [Murray Head] is known for being for the older brother of Anthony Stewart Head who played Giles in Buffy?

I think you’re somewhat overestimating Anthony Stewart Head’s mainstream recognition.

[Annie-Xmas]

Lee Majors is known for playing Heath Barkley on the Big Valley and being the Six Million Dollar Man.

[Doctor_Who]

@Gorsnak

The idea that people like Harrison Ford or Julie Andrews are “two-hit wonders” in the usual sense of “one-hit wonder” is just ridiculous. If you take Ford’s filmography subtracting Star Wars and Indiana Jones it’s still the filmography of a prolific A-list actor. Yeah, Indian Jones and Han Solo are iconic roles while Dr. Kimball and Deckard and Jack Ryan and President Whatshisface in Air Force One are merely lead roles in hit films. Can the OP name anyone who’s played more than two iconic roles? Such roles are few and far between, and a great many star actors never play any, let alone two.

I totally agree with your sentiment here, Gorsnak.

However, and not to hijack — this would make an interesting thread in and of itself, but there are some actors who play multiple (2+) iconic roles. One that pops to mind is Al Pacino. You got Serpico, you got Tony Montana, you got Michael Corleone. Three iconic roles.