A tough business to stay afloat in

What's the expiration date for an actor? Most ride a wave for a few years, accepting roles until their good fortune vanishes as tastes shift to the next big thing. A performer can rarely stay relevant for the better part of a decade, especially if they're the star of the productions they're featured in. If an actor's lucky, and can politic their way into good favor with a studio, there's also always the chance that a significant part can define their career, and they face typecasting forever.

Character actors: the exception to the rule

However, one way to better navigate the treacherous entertainment industry is by staying on the outskirts of the limelight. By accepting smaller parts, an actor doesn't risk overexposure. In supporting roles, performers are part of the production while never being the focal point, which opens up new avenues to longevity. While a movie star might bring in bigger paychecks, a character actor has a better chance at not burning out, thus extending their career longer than their more-famous peers.

George Ives was a sitcom mainstay

A perfect example of this phenomenon is George Ives. While his name might not be instantly identifiable to many, his face graced the small screen across multiple decades. Born in New York City in 1926, Ives' acting pursuits would lead him to roles on many of the best sitcoms of the early '60s. During that period, Ives appeared in small roles on series like The Donna Reed Show, The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis, The Jim Backus Show, and  Mr. Ed. Meanwhile, he was also guest-starring in more dramatic shows like Perry Mason and Peter Gunn. Each of these shows saw Ives pop up for an episode at a time, proving he was the perfect utility player to drop in, nail a role, and disappear for the next gig.

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The Andy Griffith Show: TV or Not TV

One of Ives' most memorable roles was as Allen Harvey in The Andy Griffith Show's Season 5 episode "TV or Not TV."  In that episode, Andy and Barney's vanity is played upon, as a group of so-called television professionals come to Mayberry pretending they're producing a new show. In reality, the strangers are bank robbers, casing the town and trying to figure out how to fool the sheriff and deputy. Ultimately, our heroes prevail, and peace is restored to Mayberry, as George Ives' Allen Harbey and his cohorts are sent packing.

George Ives' later roles

Ives' ability to seamlessly fit into any show earned him further parts in shows like Get Smart, Green Acres, Bewitched, and even Happy Days, where he appeared in the fifth-season episode "Hardware Jungle."  A 1977 role on Wonder Woman proved to be the last in a great run, as this marked a two-decade pause in Ives' career. However, in 2001, he was back onscreen in two episodes of The King of Queens before capping off a legendary television career on The Office.

In the third season episode, "Phyllis' Wedding," Ives guest-starred as Phyllis' Uncle Al, and it is one of the funniest parts of the entire story. Ives ended his career on a high note with this 2007 role and passed away six years later.