Back in the 1970s Ellery Queen had a stable of actors that were in every show and a number of them played a different character each show. In the '60s Richard Boone had a rep company series and on each program everyone played different parts. Boone would be the hero one week, the villian the next and a bit part the next.
It only lasted a season, but it was an interesting experiment.
I had never noticed that about the Ellery Queen series, but the Nero Wolfe series on A&E a few years ago did the same thing.
I could well be wrong. I should not post when I am very tired, so I will check the cast lists on EQ.
The oft-discussed Charles Lane played eight different characters in eight different episodes of Bewitched.
It’s not a record, but this thread wouldn’t be complete without at least one Charles Lane reference.
Nine. Vaughn Armstrong has him beat at thirteen, though.
I didn’t know that. I always thought Dark Shadows was the only TV show that had almost all the actors playing more than one role.
He was also the man in the cape.
You’re right - he was. But the man in the cape was Mr. Costanza’s accountant, so we can’t count him twice.
I believe the man in the cape was Frank’s lawyer, not accountant.
And again, if we count animated shows, he would have about a thousand roles.
Yeah, if we count animated shows, it becomes a lot easier to find actors who played multiple roles on the same series. For example, on The Simpsons, Dan Castelanetta, Harry Shearer, and Hank Azaria all play numerous regular and one-time characters.
LD was also a guy who (I beleive) sold pizza on the street. I beleive the episode involved lips on a dollar bill. IIRC.
I was going to post this also. George Plimpton was one of the cast members, usually playing an older rich lawyer.
Great show btw. We rewatched it on DVD and liked it even better than when it was first on.