There have been many examples in TV history (particularly in sitcoms) of an actor appearing on a show as a one-shot character, and then later returning to the same show as a different regular or semi-regular character.
The quintessential example of this phenomenon is Harry Morgan, who appeared in the M*A*S*H 3rd season episode "The General Flipped at Dawn" as the psycho General Bartford Hamilton Steele, then starting with Season 4 joined the regular cast as Col. Sherman T. Potter. I think this example is one of the most noted because of the popularity of the series, and the fact that Morgan made such a strong and memorable impression in his one-shot guest role as General Steele.
Some shows were noted for multiple examples of the phenomenon. Barney Miller was famous for certain character actors appearing again and again as one-shot characters (usually criminals), but there were two one-shots who then became longtime regulars as different characters.
** Steve Landesberg, who appeared in a Fall 1976 episode as a priest, then just a few short weeks later joined the regular cast as Sgt. Dietrich.
** Ron Carey, who played a burglar ("The Mole") as a one-shot, then became a regular as Officer Levitt the following season.
All in the Family was notorious for casting actors in regular and recurring roles who had previously played different characters. Among these:
** Vincent Gardenia played the neighbor who sells the Jeffersons his house, returns in a later episode as the male half of the "swinger" couple Edith innocently invites to the house, and then finally became a recurring character as neighbor Frank Lorenzo.
** Allan Melvin played a cop in a second-season episode, then later returned in the semi-regular role of Archie's friend Barney Hefner.
** Burt Mustin portrayed a night watchman in one episode, then subsequently returned several times in the recurring character of Mr. Quigley.
** Gloria LeRoy appeared as the wife of one of Archie's Army buddies, then later had the recurring role as Mildred "Boom Boom" Turner.
** Sorrell Booke did a one-shot as the manager of the TV station where Archie delivers his famous pro-gun editorial, then later on did four episodes as the recurring character of Archie's boss, Mr. Sanders.
So, two aspects to this thread....one, what are some of the many other examples of this that come to your mind? (Remember: one-shots who returned as different regular or recurring characters, not multiple single roles) And, two, does this phenomenon bother or annoy you in any way? (While all TV viewing requires a certain "suspension of disbelief," some of these more blatant examples stick in the craw of some fans...)
Discuss....
The quintessential example of this phenomenon is Harry Morgan, who appeared in the M*A*S*H 3rd season episode "The General Flipped at Dawn" as the psycho General Bartford Hamilton Steele, then starting with Season 4 joined the regular cast as Col. Sherman T. Potter. I think this example is one of the most noted because of the popularity of the series, and the fact that Morgan made such a strong and memorable impression in his one-shot guest role as General Steele.
Some shows were noted for multiple examples of the phenomenon. Barney Miller was famous for certain character actors appearing again and again as one-shot characters (usually criminals), but there were two one-shots who then became longtime regulars as different characters.
** Steve Landesberg, who appeared in a Fall 1976 episode as a priest, then just a few short weeks later joined the regular cast as Sgt. Dietrich.
** Ron Carey, who played a burglar ("The Mole") as a one-shot, then became a regular as Officer Levitt the following season.
All in the Family was notorious for casting actors in regular and recurring roles who had previously played different characters. Among these:
** Vincent Gardenia played the neighbor who sells the Jeffersons his house, returns in a later episode as the male half of the "swinger" couple Edith innocently invites to the house, and then finally became a recurring character as neighbor Frank Lorenzo.
** Allan Melvin played a cop in a second-season episode, then later returned in the semi-regular role of Archie's friend Barney Hefner.
** Burt Mustin portrayed a night watchman in one episode, then subsequently returned several times in the recurring character of Mr. Quigley.
** Gloria LeRoy appeared as the wife of one of Archie's Army buddies, then later had the recurring role as Mildred "Boom Boom" Turner.
** Sorrell Booke did a one-shot as the manager of the TV station where Archie delivers his famous pro-gun editorial, then later on did four episodes as the recurring character of Archie's boss, Mr. Sanders.
So, two aspects to this thread....one, what are some of the many other examples of this that come to your mind? (Remember: one-shots who returned as different regular or recurring characters, not multiple single roles) And, two, does this phenomenon bother or annoy you in any way? (While all TV viewing requires a certain "suspension of disbelief," some of these more blatant examples stick in the craw of some fans...)
Discuss....
