Did these actors start off on classic shows as their most famous characters or someone else?

Did actors from M*A*S*H, Gunsmoke, Hogan’s Heroes and more play one-off characters before joining the cast?

The rules of continuity were far less strict on television in the Sixties than they are now. The same actor could play multiple characters or the same character could be played by multiple actors without many complaints from the audience.

That led to actors getting cast in main roles after they had impressed producers as one-off guest characters in years prior.

Here are 12 famous faces in their very first appearances on classic shows. Try to guess who is playing the character they’re known for and who is guest starring as someone else entirely.

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  1. His first time on The Andy Griffith Show, did Hal Smith play Otis Campbell or someone else?
  2. His first time on Gunsmoke (on the right), did Ken Curtis play Festus or someone else?
  3. His first time on The Love Boat, did Ted Lange play bartender Isaac Washington or someone else?
  4. Her first time on Mama's Family, did Beverly Archer play neighbor Iola or someone else?
  5. His first time on Hogan's Heroes, did Howard Caine play Major Hochstetter or someone else?
  6. His first time on The Dick Van Dyke Show, did Richard Deacon play producer Mel Cooley or someone else?
  7. His first time on M*A*S*H, did Harry Morgan play Colonel Potter or someone else?
  8. Her first time on Happy Days, did Lynda Hamilton play Richie's girlfriend Lori Beth or someone else?
  9. His first time on Bonanza, did Ray Teal play sheriff Roy Coffee or someone else?
  10. His first time on Gomer Pyle, did Forrest Compton play Col. Edward Gray or someone else?
  11. Her first time on The Waltons, did Ronnie Claire Edwards play Corabeth or someone else?
  12. His first time on Maverick, did Roger Moore play cousin Beauregarde Maverick or someone else?

Did these actors start off on classic shows as their most famous characters or someone else?

Your Result...

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132 Comments

bukhrn 22 months ago
11/12 don't remember Roger Moore on Maverick
vinman63 23 months ago
On bewitched Paul Lynde played a driving instructor before he became Uncle Arthur.
bukhrn 24 months ago
10/12, missed 10 & 12, watched Maverick with James Garner and Jack Kelly, stopped watching before they added cousins.
BrianSnodgrass 24 months ago
11/12 another easy one. I didn’t watch too much Mamma’s Family
DominicMarks 26 months ago
Almost fooled me on numbers 5, 8 n 10 but knew they played another character before being cast in role their known for.
gene 26 months ago
richard deacon was also in blackboard jungle with marlin brando
Jamesatkinson 26 months ago
100%, I surprised myself 😯😝
Jamesatkinson 26 months ago
100%, I surprised myself 😯😝
Muleskinner 26 months ago
11/12. I missed Forrest Compton on Gomer Pyle. 🙂
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